Slippin' and a-slidin', winter tire pressure?
 

We FINALLY got a good snow dump here in CT so I could try out my allroad in REAL winter conditions, and I was not impressed with the traction and control. Now, BEFORE YOU FLAME ME, I was driving kind of aggressively just to test the traction, the road surface was SLIPPERY AS HELL, and I suspect the tire pressure has something to do with it.

Tires: Michelin Primacy MXV4, which Tirerack surveys solidly in the "excellent" range for ice traction. Tire condition is near new (they came with the car).

My suspicion is the 40 psi air pressure I'm running. This has always amazed me that Audi would spec the tire pressure so high, while my wife's car with basically the same tire size (her's are 60-series, not 55) specs 35 psi.

I was expecting much more grip from the tires, but instead they locked up (activated ABS, I should say) on braking and there was too much wheelspin while accelerating and turning.

What tire pressure are you guys running in the winter? I'm going to drop it down to 35 psi for the next storm and try that.

Try it and see what happens. I live in Alberta. This winter has been mild with above freezing in the day, below at night. Each morning there is fresh ice. I am running stock pressures 40/42 and my car sticks pretty good. I am running Nokian WRG2s.

I find the car a lot easier to handle with the traction control off. It slides around much more predictably then with it on.

Steve

traction control needs to be off

I somehow believe this, but it's a weird statement for a condition that's SEEKING traction...

I'll try it.

Allroad is a heavy car. No matter what winter tires it has, there is a lot of weight to stop, or throw into a turn. The difference between my AR and Mazda3 (both with snow tires) is incredible, though starting from a stop is no comparison.

Tire pressure should be 32F 32 R unless carring a higher passenger load. Highest rating on my 2003 is 36F 42R with five passengers and luggage. Is it different for your model year?

I believe the factory manual for my '02 allroad specifies 41 rear/39 front. Is there Audi info that allows 32 psi front/rear?

32 psi all around sounds rational to me, although 35 psi (my wife's minivan's specified pressure, same size tires, similar weight) sounds more rational.

The Audi specified pressures sound to me like they're geared toward taking full advantage of the high-performance end of the car's driving spectrum (on dry pavement), and a married guy like me can get away with lower pressures.

My 2001 is 40 front and 42 rear as per door decal. I usually higher pressure to save some fuel.

Steve

I'm going to GUESS that running higher than 42 psi is approaching the max tire pressure stamped on the sidewall. Be careful.

My '03 calls for 29/29 for lite load and under 100mph. 39/42 for fully loaded and over 100mph. I like 34/34 for a good compromise in ride quality, mpg, and handling. Without a Autobahn you can't exactly run 100+mph around here.