A6 multitronic on snow?

[amack71]

I've been driving a manual Q5 for the last year and a half and I'm trading it in for a new A6 2.0 multitronic diesel avant(Special edition). So the question is, am I mad? I don't think I'd be worrying so much if there wasn't all this snow, but I'm just wondering how other multitronic drivers are coping in the snow?

My neighbour has an A4 S-line multitronic and he doesn't even bother driving in the snow - though I would say summer slicks have a lot to do with the poor snow performance.

Anybody like to reassure me with their experiences so far in the snow?

Thanks

[dandam]

No problems so far, but I do tend to drive with a light right foot in this weather. I was in Ireland last Christmas and spent a lot of time driving non gritted roads when it was really icy and all was fine. Just let the car drive itself, don't go crazy and so far, so good

[amack71]

No problems so far, but I do tend to drive with a light right foot in this weather. I was in Ireland last Christmas and spent a lot of time driving non gritted roads when it was really icy and all was fine. Just let the car drive itself, don't go crazy and so far, so good

Thanks for the reply, thats good news, I'm assuming you just stick it in D and barely touch the accelerator. Can you put in 2nd gear in manual mode, ie from standing start rather than starting in first so you can get up snowy inclines easier?

[Guest 2]

I put my Tiptronic in Sport so it stays in 1st gear when driving slowly on small roads and letting the car just drive itself.

In normal Drive, it drives fine.

[dandam]

Thanks for the reply, thats good news, I'm assuming you just stick it in D and barely touch the accelerator. Can you put in 2nd gear in manual mode, ie from standing start rather than starting in first so you can get up snowy inclines easier?

Yep, that is about it, straight into D - lazy man's driving - but you can't start in 2nd although you can use Sport mode.

[amack71]

I put my Tiptronic in Sport so it stays in 1st gear when driving slowly on small roads and letting the car just drive itself.

In normal Drive, it drives fine.

I've been driving my Q5 really easily in the heavy snow (well heavy for us!)and as I couldn't afford quattro and automatic in the A6 I'm worried the lack of 4wd in the A6 might be a nightmare in this type of weather. Maybe I could persuade my dealer to fit all-weather tyres instead of the summer slicks it come with!!!

[haysy]

I've got a 2.7 multitronic Le mans avant and I was dreading driving it in the snow, but it has been excellent!! As has been said, just put it into D, next to no throttle and it pulls away every time, I've been very impressed with it so far.
I dont know if its just my imagination, but in these sub zero temperatures it does seem to pull away much more "softly". Does the car adjust the drive settings for the snow/ice or is it just my imagination and gentle right foot?

[wilsongrim]

Sorry if this is a bit late, my 52 plate A6 Avant 2.4 Multitronic behaved impeccably during December's ice and snow. Just breathe on the throttle and let the traction control smooth any right foot excesses.

Even with the throttle right down the Traction Control light flashes away on the dash and the car is still controllable.

G

[neebsta]

Too add balance to the argument! My A6 multitronic avant was ok in the snow, but the problem it did have was with the compacted ice, it wouldn't budge! Our driveway is a very slight slope, I couldn't then get the car off the drive, for at least a week! A set of winter wheels has since resolved that (see thread titled 'Winter Wheels') turned the Avant into a 4x4!

I do consider myself to be a good driver too! I cover unto 50,000 miles a year and I have done for the last 12 years!!!!

Good Luck