rs4mtl

Well we finally have some snow to speak of here in Montreal, and after a long struggle with wheels and tires I managed to get setup for winter just before the snow.

I am riding on 19" Wintersport 3D's (although my preference was 18", couldn't find the right wheels in time...)

For whatever reason, I don't find the RS4 handles in the snow as well as my old B6 S4 (which was on 17" in snow). Could be the 40/60, the 19" tires, the ESP, ???

I toyed a little with turning the ESP off in the snow and that seems to make a difference, like the ESP is over-compensating for the slipping and sliding?!?

What are others' views?

Mick

Fluffhead

19's are definitely making a difference. My B5 S4 was better in the snow on 17's then my B6 S4 was on 18's. I haven't had any snow with the RS4, but expect it to not handle as well with the 19's. Also, the wider the tire makes a difference as well. Most recommend going smaller and narrower for snow.

The 60/40 should make a difference too, but I would think it would make the car more fun :-)

I would leave ESP on most of the time. I used to shut it off on the B6 S4 whenever it was really interfering. Maybe just hit the button and this way ESP will still kick in if there is an emergency. I don't think I would ever shut it off completely unless I was trying to have some fun in an open and empty parking lot.

ELEVENS

My car has 225 x 18's and ESP is usually on. I switch it off if I need to maintain momentum, such as going up a slippery hill.

daveak05

That sounds like a good idea, the turning off to go up a slippery hill. I hadn't thought of that.

HiRev

Always OFF here in CO... I'm on 18 x 7.5 with M3's. Powerslide central.

rs4mtl

255/35x 19 as I recall

Petri

A very wide tire for snow. 225 is more than enough. The wider it gets, the more grip you lose

DrCondor

empty parking lots with the onset of winter. Play with/without ESP, especially if you have changed snow tire brands/sizes.

That said, in 'normal' winter driving, with ESP on you may 'learn' more about the road surface than with it off, and this may save you an accident(i.e., you see the flasher come on when you thought you were on a safe surface)

On the play side, inducing easy four wheel drifts on wet or snowy roads is sort of addicting, as long as there is plenty of runoff area.

Jet Jockey/A4 Pilot

Mine is OFF year round. I hate that system.

ELEVENS

I live on a hill & get lots of practice!