I'm new to Auid and new to this site. Just picked up a 2014 A4 Quattro and I love it. I live in northeast Ohio, that means cold and snow this time of year.

I've never owned a 4wd or AWD vehicle before, but I've driven cars to some extreme limits (and as most people, I think I'm an excellent driver ).

However I have noticed this car sliding a bit more than I expected, so I wanted to educate myself and see if there is a learning curve to driving an Audi Quattro.

Here's what I believe I know to be true, the AWD isn't giving the driver AWD unless the car is under power (which should hold true for all AWD not just Audi). When I'm on residential streets with any combo of slush and snow I notice the car loses traction more often than I expect or the rear end kicks out, but it is usually happening when I am rounding a corner while coasting. So I'm curious, is that is the simple explanation as to why it happens, and if I need to power through the turn more to keep a better grip?

 

Here is a little education You might also want to modulate your right foot a little better. For an expert driver you should be able to keep the rear from stepping out.

 

A little more reading Quattro (four-wheel-drive system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks, I've seen both already, I think it's obvious I need to master the use of my right foot better with this car. I'm used to rear wheel drive US cars, particularly old school late 60s muscle.

 

In my old Jeep days, we used to say that "four wheel drive is not four wheel stop". In icy conditions, there is enough torque in the 2.0T to break the wheels loose. ESP will help get it under control unless you continue to apply gas, but there will still be slippage when rounding a corner. That's the tires losing traction - not the AWD failing. I can break the rear end loose pushing any of my Audis around a corner faster than conditions warrant. If I am driving per conditions and there is a little slippage, gentle gas allows the ESP to do it's magic (you can see the icon blinking like mad) and the car settles down. I've driven my 2.7T in horrid Michigan blizzards and it is the best winter car I ever owned.