Does having ESP off essentially mean the Quattro is off??
12-11-2006, 03:17 PM
#1
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does having ESP off essentially mean the Quattro is off??
This may sound like a dumb question, but it's been bugging me for a while.
I noticed that in heavy snow, turing the ESP off actually helps improve traction. Is turning the ESP off the same as turning off the Quattro (if that's even capable of being done)?
I noticed that in heavy snow, turing the ESP off actually helps improve traction. Is turning the ESP off the same as turning off the Quattro (if that's even capable of being done)?
12-11-2006, 03:47 PM
#3
Turning off the stability program will not disable Quattro. Basically by switching off the ESP
it allows the car to slip and slide around more to find grip, while with ESP on, the moment the car is not longer pointed exactly where the steering wheel says it should, it starts to brake individual wheels or cut power.
The center differential in your car is mechanical. Very sturdy Torsen unit. The diffs at each end are open, and use the ABS sensors to detect wheels spin. When a wheel spins under power, it uses the brake to slow that spinning wheel, thereby faking the open differential into sending power to the wheel that actually does have traction. If it's not the wheel on the other side of the car, then both wheels get slowed, and the Torsen sends power to the other wheels with grip. You can park the car with 3 wheels on glare ice, and it will still send almost 80% of the power to the one wheel with grip and send you on your way. The system is known as EDL - electronic differential lock. No ESP needed.
That's why the owner's manaul says to switch off the ESP when in deep snow or stuck.
The center differential in your car is mechanical. Very sturdy Torsen unit. The diffs at each end are open, and use the ABS sensors to detect wheels spin. When a wheel spins under power, it uses the brake to slow that spinning wheel, thereby faking the open differential into sending power to the wheel that actually does have traction. If it's not the wheel on the other side of the car, then both wheels get slowed, and the Torsen sends power to the other wheels with grip. You can park the car with 3 wheels on glare ice, and it will still send almost 80% of the power to the one wheel with grip and send you on your way. The system is known as EDL - electronic differential lock. No ESP needed.
That's why the owner's manaul says to switch off the ESP when in deep snow or stuck.
Trending Topics
12-12-2006, 09:27 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Did you see that video of where the two rear wheels of an A8 were on rollers and it was
stuck on the rollers! It just kept spinning the rear wheels not allowing it to come off the rollers. The 5 series with AWD they tested did make it off, the system cut power to the rear and allowed it to move. Interesting video I thought.
The driveway at my parent's house is an incline and last year, it was all ice. I purposefully stopped in the middle to see if I can make it up. Go Quattro! Made it up with no effort =D
The driveway at my parent's house is an incline and last year, it was all ice. I purposefully stopped in the middle to see if I can make it up. Go Quattro! Made it up with no effort =D
12-12-2006, 09:48 AM
#9
I have personally driven both Audis and other awd cars (in controlled tests) out of sand traps
with one side of the car in sand, one end of the car in sand, and all of the car in sand, and the A8 outlaunches anything. Also did the same thing on a plastic surface that was wetted down with copious amounts of soap and water.
After all, BMW tweaks cars for testing, and they also install bald tires on Audis in traction comparo testing. If you have a link, I would love to see it.
Here's the thread I think you are referencing, and theBrit has it right.
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8d3/msgs/33157.phtml<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-FLbgL7KKQ">real world</a></li></ul>
After all, BMW tweaks cars for testing, and they also install bald tires on Audis in traction comparo testing. If you have a link, I would love to see it.
Here's the thread I think you are referencing, and theBrit has it right.
https://forums.audiworld.com/a8d3/msgs/33157.phtml<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-FLbgL7KKQ">real world</a></li></ul>
12-12-2006, 09:54 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
damn, can't watch the vid at work. I'll have to see if I can find that video for you. But I agree,
quattro is one of the best systems out there for awd, no question!