Re: bonehead drivers

[Chris_B._Hull@multum.org (Chris B. Hull)]

>I've owned a '90 Coupe Quattro for about two years (winters). I've read all
>about how great these cars are supposed to be in the snow, but I've found
>that if I give the car a little (really, a very little) gas while I go into
>a corner, the backend breaks loose. Now, I would think that snow tires
>would help the situation, but is this normal behavior? The Dunlop's that
>are on the car appear to have plenty of tread... Is my Quattro system not
>working (is this even possible)? Am I just a bonehead driver who doesn't
>know how to drive in the snow? The best advice concerning winter driving
>that I got from this list is that all wheel drive will help me drive more
>slowly and with more control without getting stuck--and I have been driving
>accordingly... but it would be nice to feel more confident in the traction
>than the car has been exhibiting. Any thoughts?

I acquired a '91 80 quattro 2.5 years ago (new in '92), and I have had serious
trouble in snow and ice as well.  The first winter, it was great - plowing
through 20" of snow during three major snowstorms (major for DC) with no
problems.  But last year I was scared to go faster than 45mph after only 3
inches fell.  I took it right to the dealer (Audi Advantage!!), who kept it for
three days while I drove the other car.  The dealer determined that there was
nothing wrong with the car, except possibly that the tires were slightly worn. 
These were the original snow package tires (Goodyear Arriva 175-70SR14) with
only 17K miles. Two days after picking the car up, I was visiting friends in
Richmond, and a measly 2 inches more of snow fell, but the car could barely stay
on the road - the back end was sliding at 35mph on I-95.  I had to stay with the
friend until the snow and ice melted.  When I got back home, I had to resign to
drive the RWD Nissan 240SX in the snow and leave the quattro in the garage, for
the rest of the winter.

As I couldn't face replacing 17k tires, I put that off until this fall, when I
bought Pirelli 4000st tires in 195-60HR14.  Now, I am waiting for the first snow
of the year to see if the tires were the problem.... 

And I know I am a bonehead driver, but I keep looking for other explanations.

Chris Hull 

'74 Capri V6 ->'70 BMW 1602 ->'87 VW Fox -> '89 240SX + '91 80Q 
------------------------------------------------------------------------