Hunding

OK, I will try that.

Hunding

Thanks. I have noticed that they are on some of the time, is there an automatic function as well?

Sorry to ask such questions, but my car did not come with an owner's manual.

SparTTan

Nope, no auto function. Fog lights should only come on when you pull out the headlight switch.

Audiboy

iirc ESP came out in '01

Audiboy

toe out on the rear.

When does it do this? When you are maintaining speed and taking a turn, or when you lift the gas pedal to take a turn? Does it do it while you are trying to slow down in a straight line?

mastrpdawg

Also live in MN going up I35W towards Minneapolis I experienced the same "skittishness". The ESP light never turned on during the whole time.

I also have Michilin PA2 Aplins on, which I would think are good tires.

I was wondering if switching over to a Haldex Blue controller would make any difference? Maybe it would have engaged ESP quicker and kept the car from acting squirelly?

Hunding

It happens when I am driving in a straight line on ice with VERY little throttle input.

Audiboy

have the alignment checked also. I don't suspect the AWD system (Haldex) or brakes (including ESP if you have it) with your symptoms

EuroStyle

Back from the head...I am having the same issue. Went for an alignment, the rear toe is way out on the left rear only....about .65 This is a shop that has always done my older VW's and Audi's, but they said they have no idea how to change the rear toe settings. They said if I find out, they will do it for me....I know this is probally what is making the car skiddish on ice, especially since it is not only a lot of toe, but double on one side versus the other....

Sean

Dudes22

On a recent Christmas road trip in my 2004 A4 I experienced the same fishtailing sensation in the backend on ice. It only seems to happen when conditions are very cold(colder than 0 Fahrenheit or -18 Celsius). It was very scary driving on the highway and feeling like the backend is losing control. It's not the tires as I replaced my old snow tires when I got to my destination with a new set of winter tires but the same thing happened on the drive back. The dealer is going to run a diagnostic on the vehicle but they have never heard of this problem. From some research I've done it could be that the wheel alignment is out or there is a problem with the rear breaks, which is possible as I had new rotors and pads installed just before this incident.