moveout

Not sure what to think of this article. On the one hand, it gives some good visibility to something that AWer's already understand: AWD is the only way to fly (around those slick corners that is). On the other, they over-state the obvious. To wit:

<i>"Try this with your all-wheel-drive vehicle some time (but not in traffic, okay?): Maintain a steady, reasonable accelerator opening as you head into a slick turn, and when the front end begins to slip, unwind the steering wheel--actually turning away from the desired direction of travel (here is where a good trainer barking in your right ear helps)--until the front tires find their grip again. Resume steering around the curve, unwinding the wheel again if the fronts break traction. Yes, it is counterintuitive--as counterintuitive as telling a skier to lean to the outside of a corner, applying weight to the outside ski to make a turn. But it works."</i>

Don't they call this turning into the skid? Seems like I learned that in driver's ed. I guess the difference is that the front-end is sliding, not the rear, but I think a driver's reaction would be the same, wouldn't it? (Remember, my car is still on order, so feel free to correct me.)

<i>"Cadillac's exhibition also provided ample opportunity to compare snow tire-shod vehicles to those dressed in all-season tires. While switching to snows (on all four corners, please) certainly improved grip when starting from a stop and braking on slick stuff, cornering ability still remained in the hands of the driver and the electronic aids. Put another way, if you don't get in a hurry and you're willing to brake early, those all-seasons will still get you by most of the time in a rear- or all-wheel-drive vehicle with electron*ic assists. Snow tires expand your performance envelope, though."</i>

Interesting--snow tires may not be a requirement? I don't think the experience of some in this forum would agree! =)

<i>"...Biggest impression? This all-wheel-drive thing works well...

"None of the advantages of all-wheel drive comes as any revelation to longtime Audi quattro or Subaru fans, of course, but what for decades was a niche market seems poised to expand dramatically."</i>

Gotta agree there.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the artice. I don't believe a login is required to view.<ul><li><a href="http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101853">AutoWeek: Forget your Fears: Trend to rear- and all-wheel drive makes snow driving fun again</a></li></ul>

Fairfax 4.0T

You wrote: "Don't they call this turning into the skid? Seems like I learned that in driver's ed. I guess the difference is that the front-end is sliding, not the rear, but I think a driver's reaction would be the same, wouldn't it? (Remember, my car is still on order, so feel free to correct me.) "

What the article is talking about is understeering or plowing forward whehn you want to turn. What happens with an awd drive car is that if you enter a turn too agressively, you plow forward and tend to keep going straight. People tend to steer/turn even harder, which cause an even greater loss of steering, and the front wheels to slip/skid.

To get under control quicker and to make your turn faster, when you are in this situation you unwind the steering wheel, or don't turn as hard.

You mention steering with the turn. That is for oversteer, and what is happening above is understeer.

moveout

First assignment once I get the new car: Audi Driving School

qfrog@work

and they are a bunch of fun.

you know... like this
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/26/img_7660.sized.jpg">