Re: Differentials

[glen.powell@smc.com]

  It's not so much that you need snowtires to keep a Quattro "under
  control", but that a lot more acceleration and speed is possible with a
  Quattro, so higher speeds in low traction conditions are typical with a
  Quattro Vs with mere 2WD. Granted, a lot of this is perception. Since the
  typical Quattro driver is moving at a higher velocity for a given set of
  conditions,  it follows that better tires (snowtires) would be required
  in order to create a balanced automobile, to bring the level of handling
  and braking up to the level of acceleration and the greatly increased
  rate of forward progess that is now possible with AWD. AWD makes it very
  easy to overdrive the tires in low traction conditions to an extent that
  is simply not possible with 2WD. Better (than all-season, etc.) tires are
  needed to recognize the full benefits (handling&braking) of AWD in snow.
  Also, with only FWD it is not generally possible to create, often
  unintentionally, power-on oversteer. This characteristic of FWD is a
  *BIG* confidence builder for drivers of lower skill levels and/or with
  little or no practice driving in snow. As AWD drives the rear wheels as
  well as the front (duh), power-on oversteer and all the problems it can
  bring to the novice snow driver are present in AWD automobiles, just like
  a good-ol' RWD car. This is a potential disadvantage for the novice
  AWD-driver moving from a FWD car. Moving from a RWD car to AWD would be
  much less of a problem with respect to power-on oversteer, as the
  RWD-driver would already be most familiar with power-on oversteer.   :)
  For the experienced driver, AWD is the way to go, for both the FUN factor
  as well as the safety factor!

  -glen