how do i test the awd of my audi, is it always in quattro or does it kick in when needed? and if it isn't working what should i check?

 

AWD = always on

 

how do i test it?

 

1. Visual inspection:

-Check that your car has axles in the front and in the rear.

2. Functional inspection:

-If the car drives, it works.

-If it doesn't move at all, it doesn't work.

 

well here is the thing i was in snow and only the front left tire was spinning, and i was stock in the snow for a bit> i also had the car jack up and tried to spin the tires and only the front left spun. ?

 

Do you have ESP?

If not, the Quattro system will not get you unstuck if one wheel is freewheeling. Torsen diff sends the power back and forth axle to axle, but the front and rear diffs are open. On an open diff, the wheel with the least resistance gets all the torque.

ESP will intervene electronically and brake the spinning wheel, allowing torque to be transferred to the opposite wheel. If you do not have ESP, the Quattro system will not react this way.

If you've ever had an axle fall off on a Quattro, you'll notice the car wont move with the gas. The free'd axle gets all the torque.

 

^ good info!

 

sorry for this one, but what is esp? and why was it made that way, you would think that it would send the power to the wheels that arent free. cause say one wheel is on ice you basicly would be stuck there like your axle is broken.

 

ESP=Electronic Stability Program

ASR=Anti Slip Regulation

EDL=Electronic Differential Lock
You'll know if you have it if there is a button with ESP or ASR around the area of your Hazard switch. Additionally, you'll have a light on your instrument cluster when ESP is inactive or when the traction control is reacting.

Correct. You CAN get stuck in a Quattro car without ESP simply by having one wheel freewheeling.

The older versions of Quattro had manually locking diffs. This creates a lot of NVH (noise, vibrations, harshness), despite it's powerful advantages. Audi redesigned the system to be smoother, quieter, and more daily-driver friendly to appeal to more drivers who were offended by the NVH created by manually locking diffs. Most cars on the road today use "electronic diffs" of some sort to be quieter, quicker, and less noticeable upon intervention to the average driver.

Why were some Quattro's offered without the electronic advantages of ESP? Well, that you'd have to ask Audi, but my guess would be one word, "money." Lessen the price of the vehicle by reducing equipment, and the car becomes more attractive to more buyers. It's the same reason they offered Frontrac (front wheel drive only), 4 cylinders, non-sport package, etc, etc.

So what's the advantage of Quattro without ESP? Traction, stability, better power-on response out of turns. ESP only works up to 50 MPH and will only intervene when the car is slipping (like ABS, but the opposite) or the vehicle senses the car is out of control. In other words, under normal driving situations, ESP is not intervening and the vehicle is driving as if it weren't equipped with it in the first place.

 

Well, first off

Are you sure that you have quattro?
to check, look in the interior of the car and if there is a chrome quattro badge in the trim in front of the passengers seat above the glovebox, then your audi should be equipped with it.

Also, If your rear trunk lid says quattro that doesnt mean that you have it, your car could of been in a rear end accident and the previous owner might of replaced it with another trunk with the quattro badge.

If you are still unsure, get your VIN # and check the carfax of you car and it will say in there.

My friend thought he had a quattro but then he found out that his car had gotten in a rear accident and they replaced the trunk with one that had the quattro badge, so again, dont rely on that.

I'd just check your CARFAX man

and yes, Quattro is a perminent AWD system, AND I LOVE IT!!!