Re:quattro mud wrestling

[Audial <Audial@aol.com>]

I think a Quattro might have made it out of that mud, but only to the point
where ground clearance became an issue.  With the older-style (manually
lockable) Q system you have to get three wheels spinning before the car stops,
and with the latest ones you have to have all four lose traction before you're
stuck.  I guess it depends on the consistency of the mud, how fast your tires
pack up and go home, and you're driving style.  I had a friend who was a very
good off-road 4WD driver, he knew how to handle most sticky situations (don't
lose momentum, don't bury the axles, feel around for the traction, don't mash
the throttle) and had a big, lifted Blazer with 36" tires that he would play
with in the mud on the weekends.  He'd still get stuck from time to time
though (those tires are _heavy_) and would have to winch himself out.  Even a
Hummer will mire itself if it loses forward momentum and starts to sink (they
weigh what, 6,000+ lbs?).  If you're sinking faster than you're digging
yourself out/going forward, you are going to stop.  And once the undercarriage
hits the mud and robs the tires of their ability to grip and/or the axles dig
themselves into the goop, you're not going anywhere either.

Quattro is not meant for true off-road driving (when attached to a standard,
road-going car).  I found out the hard way ;-).

Best Wishes,
Alex