Re: bonehead drivers

[PDQSHIP@aol.com]

This month's Automobile Mag explains the difference in the 4wd systems in
different trucks, but the awd systems in the audis can be compared.
 Basically you will and should have throttle on oversteer because the center
diff will transmit the power (by default) to the rear wheels, unless you lock
the center diff.  This is because the center diff hunts for traction when in
low traction conditions, and defaults the majority of the power to the rear
wheels.  That is why the audis have the 50/50 lock on the console.  

I have played extensively in the Pro Rally arena with FWD and AWD and found
the audis to be very sensitve to power-on in low traction conditions, the
tail wants to flip ends quick, no warning, and I've used both hoka's and
P210's (current) and found the effect to be the same.
Locking the diffs brings some relief but once the car points 45 degrees to
line of travel, the q's are a HANDFUL.  I did learn however that once you are
at the threshold, power-on gives better results than any application of the
brakes (ABS on or off).  Braking immediately spins you, whereas power up
gives you the line, but not as quickly as alot of other cars, certainly
infinite seconds when 1 seems like and hour.

So, no your quattro is not broken, the effect of the center diff gives you
the impression that q's break easily,  certainly try the center lock  and
maybe some snows if you want a little better feel

Scott
PDQSHIP@AOL.COM