Is the Q5 Really That Good In the Snow?
01-28-2015, 05:41 PM
#11
Both current and former Q5's are great in snow. I put winter tires on. My experience with pickups in snow is that if you don't throw a load of sand in the bed, then the rear tends to break free on slippery surfaces. I also wonder whether in the Q5 that we aren't moving a bit faster than you would be in a pickup, so those various stability systems are more likely to be active in slippery conditions - i.e., doing their jobs and saving us from ourselves. 
These guys can drive in the snow:
These guys can drive in the snow:
01-29-2015, 08:41 AM
#12
AudiWorld Expert
I tried Conti DWS because of all the great reviews but on the Q5 they were scary over rabbitears pass to steamboat and then in a huge snow storm on I80 through Wyoming to Seattle. Though I never had the tires loose grip they felt squirrelly and the next winter I got snow tires and what a difference - I had all seasons on the RX300 that the Q5 replaced and it did great in snow in the mountains the Q5 did not. I think the 20" rims were too wide for the weight of the car to gain traction in ice and snow. I went down to 19's for winter snow tires.
01-29-2015, 08:56 AM
#13
AudiWorld Expert
My experience with DWS was similar to yours. Based on all the rave reviews, I bought them for the wife's C300 4matic, hoping they'll do OK during winter without needing dedicated winter tires. I was quite disappointed with their winter performance, to say the least. Unless all you have to deal with is just some light snow dusting, stay far away from them.
01-29-2015, 10:46 AM
#15
AudiWorld Expert
01-31-2015, 09:39 AM
#16
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have to believe it's very good in the snow when fitted with winter tires. That kind of ground clearance can be a big plus.
FWIW, our A6 is an outstanding snow cruiser (when fitted with winter tires). It might be the best car I've driven in inclement weather. It really is very good.
FWIW, our A6 is an outstanding snow cruiser (when fitted with winter tires). It might be the best car I've driven in inclement weather. It really is very good.
dude, don't be THAT guy. when i lived on the east coast, i saw more SUVs crash off the side of the road than normal cars...usually b/c these guys think with awd/4wd that they're invincible. a slick surface is a slick surface. if you're running on something slick, it doesn't matter if you're riding on tank tracks - you're not going to have complete control. 70mph "going through the snow" sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
The Q is very capable in deep snow on pavement in my experience. No drama in getting through most anything, the intelligence of the system does what it's supposed to do and you get the best traction available at all times. Add winter tires and it's better still.
The trucks you're thinking are so much better off - may be. While the Q ground clearance is good, a pick up truck can easily have 12 inches of clearance. I have a pick up with 12" of clearance and it makes a big difference. Lockable rear and /or front differentials which are designed for off road use, can be very handy on pavement in deep snow, and slippery situations.
Open lug tires on pickups grip loose surfaces better as well, and clear the snow from the treads easier so the driver isn't running on snow clogged semi-slick tires.
Having said that - do you want rugged open tread tires on your Q? No, their noisy, weigh more, wear out faster, and return worse gas mileage.
Do you want a part-time 4WD, with a two speed transfer case with locking differentials? No again - they're great to have if you're off-roading, but not in a Q.
Bottom line is, the pick ups you see whizzing around you, benefit from their off road capability, which the Q does not have. The other 95% of the time, the Q runs circles around any pick-up truck on the planet. All vehicles have their limits, the Q is a very good on-road vehicle in slippery conditions. Will it go through anything? No, it won't, and neither will anything else.
And jeez guys, cut the OP some slack, condemning his driving habits or abilities when you clearly don't know the weather conditions is uncalled for. I have a feeling he was comfortable with it, and doubt he's a new driver with no experience.
The trucks you're thinking are so much better off - may be. While the Q ground clearance is good, a pick up truck can easily have 12 inches of clearance. I have a pick up with 12" of clearance and it makes a big difference. Lockable rear and /or front differentials which are designed for off road use, can be very handy on pavement in deep snow, and slippery situations.
Open lug tires on pickups grip loose surfaces better as well, and clear the snow from the treads easier so the driver isn't running on snow clogged semi-slick tires.
Having said that - do you want rugged open tread tires on your Q? No, their noisy, weigh more, wear out faster, and return worse gas mileage.
Do you want a part-time 4WD, with a two speed transfer case with locking differentials? No again - they're great to have if you're off-roading, but not in a Q.
Bottom line is, the pick ups you see whizzing around you, benefit from their off road capability, which the Q does not have. The other 95% of the time, the Q runs circles around any pick-up truck on the planet. All vehicles have their limits, the Q is a very good on-road vehicle in slippery conditions. Will it go through anything? No, it won't, and neither will anything else.
And jeez guys, cut the OP some slack, condemning his driving habits or abilities when you clearly don't know the weather conditions is uncalled for. I have a feeling he was comfortable with it, and doubt he's a new driver with no experience.
thanks for the vote of confidence btw!
I had the DWS on a G35 and it was excellent. i drove it in a little snow with no issues or worries. not sure how it faired in an inch or more.
01-31-2015, 03:02 PM
#17
Bigger tires are a disadvantage in snow as they can't fight their way down to the surface of the road; where the traction is. As per one other post, it's the weight.
01-31-2015, 03:27 PM
#18
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I was speaking of overall tire diameter. Bigger tires will roll more easily over snow accumulation.
01-31-2015, 04:02 PM
#19
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Its definitely all about the tires, all seasons arent normally very good. Nokian g2 or g3 for SUV aren't bad - but not a blizzak or dunlop winter tire. Worst all season i've driven continental DSW - garbage - all the positive reviews must be employee's!
02-01-2015, 05:54 AM
#20
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The thing is that you may have excellent traction for acceleration, but what about braking? What happens when you're cruising at 70, with reduced visibility, and suddenly there is a six car pile up filling the entire road in front of you? What is your braking distance in snow at 70 mph?
dude, don't be THAT guy. when i lived on the east coast, i saw more SUVs crash off the side of the road than normal cars...usually b/c these guys think with awd/4wd that they're invincible. a slick surface is a slick surface. if you're running on something slick, it doesn't matter if you're riding on tank tracks - you're not going to have complete control. 70mph "going through the snow" sounds like an accident waiting to happen.