hey guys. 03 1.8t quattro.

Recently we had alot of snow in my area and i figured my car would be fine in the snow being a four wheel drive and all...

but every time i try to brake even going at really slow speeds, my brakes like would make like a crunching sound and not work.... i would pump my brakes but it seems like the brakes arent working.

u think there was snow stuck in my tires? or something or maybe my tires need to be replaced?
does anyone else have this problem?

 

ABS dosnt like the snow in fact its pretty useless in these conditions hence the noise, its quite normal and the breakes are doing their best

 

It's your ABS. You're not supposed to 'pump' them. They do it on their own - that's what all that noise is.

I have an '03 as well, and it is VERY sensitive. A lot more sensitive than my last car. Your car sounds normal.

 

The crunching you hear is the ABS trying to stop the car without the tires slipping. There is really nothing you can do except be easier on the brakes and hope you don't need to get brake hard in the snow.

 

downshifting while using the brakes also helps alot... thats if your car is a manual

 

the breaks are working perfectly well as they wereare designed for unfortunately ABS/TRC failed in this area so normal brakes kicked in that's why the system works ( you always have a fall back )

 

i hate abs.. makes me think im hurting my car

and yes.. downshifting well help greatly (if you have manual of course)