S3 AWD - Is it permanently on?
- Thread starter RPB
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Nope, the A3/S3 isn't permanent AWD... The rear wheels are 'activated' by the haldex unit on the rear axle when the fronts start to slip. If you're getting serious under steer it will also activate so could have contributed.
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You should get an error light if the thing isn't working.
Any 4WD car will slide under the right circumstances,and a greasy off-camber speed island is a great way of unsettling the back end.....
One of my previous cars was an ex rally Escort Cosworth,with Quaife torque sensing diffs all round,and it could be made to slip and twitch as well,so whilst 4WD does improve traction,it doesn't improve grip neccessarily.
I had similar concerns a few weeks ago, I started to notice that the car was occasionally wheel spinning (more so with passengers in the car) and so took it in for a scan and to check the usual suspects for Haldex malfunction (rear earth strap, diff issues etc) but the car came back with a clean bill of health except ..... all four tyres had differing wear levels (especially the right rear which had 6mm compared to the other 3 which had between 2 to 4 across the cross sectional area) which results in the 4WD being out of balance!
Looks like it's a new set on each corner for me :-(
Looks like it's a new set on each corner for me :-(
i did the same and the car came back with a clean bill of health. And that's with four new Michelin ps3 on? Very strange !
Bear in mind, even if it was full time 4wd, when braking (on ice or snow) you will still skid...
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You can,but really unless you have the suspension and brakes uprated,you won't notice the extra benefit.
I find the S3 pretty capable mate so I am sure you will be fine.
When we had snow last year, apart from the land rovers, I was pretty much the only other person to get up our hill while everyone else was struggling, including my brother who had a 120d at the time and couldn't even get it off the drive!
I actually don't mind driving uphill its the down that is worse as you have less control and its much easier to slide, but as long as you take it steady you can feel everything working and keep it under control.
When we had snow last year, apart from the land rovers, I was pretty much the only other person to get up our hill while everyone else was struggling, including my brother who had a 120d at the time and couldn't even get it off the drive!
I actually don't mind driving uphill its the down that is worse as you have less control and its much easier to slide, but as long as you take it steady you can feel everything working and keep it under control.
The Governor
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I find the experience of the Quattro a bit weird... the sensation it creates while driving is that the back of the car is pulling away form you, I also find that it engages going over the brow of a hill as you head down, almost regardless of speed.
I'm not complaining about it, but it's quite difficult to know when it really is on and when you're imagining it
I'm not complaining about it, but it's quite difficult to know when it really is on and when you're imagining it
