97 Quattro EDL's-what are they?

["Gregory C. Heidt" <mis@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>]

> I've had it for a couple weeks, and the other day I put the left front
> wheel on an ice patch on my sloping driveway with the others on snow. 
The
> tire on ice was spinning happily away, while the others pushed me up the
> driveway 

What an interesting test.  I too, did something similar.  When I was in
northern Vermont with my new 97 A4Q 2.8 5 speed manual, I came upon a step
hill on a back road with a nice smooth coat of snow on it (unsalted) .  

I stopped on the hill.  Put my A4 in 1st gear and kind of aggressively
lurched up the hill.  The rear tires were spinning, but the front tires did
not. Although the back end slightly moved to the right, the front tires
pulled me up the hill.  At the top of the hill, I got out and walked back
to where I started.  Sure enough both rear tires had spun for about 10-15
feet.  I have to admit, even with the rear tires spinning, my A4 was very
controllable!  

Greg Heidt
Sarasota, FL