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Diff Lock on Cars? Ice Performance?

  • 23-12-2010 10:31AM
    #1
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭


    We have two cars, a 02 Diesel Passat which will go anywhere in snow and is very stable on packed snow/ice.. Our other a 06 Zaferia petrol was shocking on snow, winter tyres have helped greatly but on packed snow/ice it's shocking :eek:

    Was having a conversation with the BIL and turns out their 04 A4 has a Diff Lock, we're looking into options to replace the Zaferia, what other cars have the Diff Lock option...

    Was considering a 06/07 Freelander or Santa Fe 4WD... Any feedback on how stable these would be on ice compared to something like a diesel Passat?


Comments

  • #2
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    Are you sure the A4 has a lockable diff? Sounds like BS to me - it might have an LSD at best. Or ESP, which can (sort of, sometimes) replicate a diff lock. How about a Subaru Legacy estate?


  • #3
    Matt Simis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,718 ✭✭✭Matt Simis


    bbam wrote: »
    We have two cars, a 02 Diesel Passat which will go anywhere in snow and is very stable on packed snow/ice.. Our other a 06 Zaferia petrol was shocking on snow, winter tyres have helped greatly but on packed snow/ice it's shocking :eek:

    Was having a conversation with the BIL and turns out their 04 A4 has a Diff Lock, we're looking into options to replace the Zaferia, what other cars have the Diff Lock option...

    Was considering a 06/07 Freelander or Santa Fe 4WD... Any feedback on how stable these would be on ice compared to something like a diesel Passat?

    I presume he means this:
    http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel6.shtml
    Electronic differential lock, or EDS (german acronym for same), is not a differential lock as per usual. It uses the ABS sensors at driven wheels (i.e. left/right front on FWD, left/right front and left/right rear on quattro), to determine if one of the two wheels is spinning faster than the other. At some speed differential (approximately 25 mph / 40 km/h), the highly sophisticated fifth-generation ABS/EBV actually pulsates the brake momentarily at the spinning wheel, effectively transferring the torque through the open differential to the wheel with more traction. This system is effective, but due to the stress that it would create on the braking system, it is only used up to speeds of about 25 mph / 40km/h.

    One can really hear/feel it work on front-drive models, as it makes the typical ABS type pulsating sound when activated during wheelspin. On quattros, I find it harder to notice, as even on snow/ice the car seems to spread the power to wherever the grip is with the Torsen and the EDS so quickly that the time that it is activated is too short to really hear.

    The system is simple yet effective, causes no substantial loss off power transmission, and after 25 mph / 40km/h, one has the benefit of ASR on FWD models, or the security of quattro.

    Thats not really a Diff lock at all, its an advanced usage of ABS and TC. Very old Audi's had driver selectable Diff Locks, but I assume he isnt talking early 90s vintage Audi's. Basically all you are looking for is a car with good electronic aids. If you want a big increase in poor weather performance, get a quattro (or AWD Subaru).


  • #4
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    Actually I must look myself to see what the A4 has I'd say that EDL is it OK, my Passat has the ESP that kicks in then wheell spin happens...

    As for replacing the Zaferia we're going Diesel in both cars so appart from the top end new Subaru's they're out..
    As for the Quattro's, since they come in Diesel they're an option... Is the MPG much affected by AWD and are the servicing costs much more..


  • #5
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    bbam wrote: »
    As for replacing the Zaferia we're going Diesel in both cars so appart from the top end new Subaru's they're out..
    Are you doing really big mileage? It'll only take a few problems with a Freelander to bring its running costs above those of a petrol Subaru if you're not doing mega miles.


  • #6
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    Anan1 wrote: »
    Are you doing really big mileage? It'll only take a few problems with a Freelander to bring its running costs above those of a petrol Subaru if you're not doing mega miles.
    Zaferia does about 30K miles a year, alot less now that herself won't take it out on ice
    She wants either an Avant/Estate or a crossover 4x4 as she can't manage stuff in/out off the saloon boot space
    And did Imention she'd like 7 seats if it's possible :rolleyes:

    We'll be waiting until summer to change as the prices of 4x4's/AWD's has jumped recently..


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  • #7
    kazul
    Closed Accounts Posts: 645 ✭✭✭kazul


    In other words you want a Volvo ;)


  • #8
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    kazul wrote: »
    In other words you want a Volvo ;)

    Jebus don't get her started.. She LOOOves Volvo's..
    We'll have about 10K maybe 12K to spend if something special came along...

    I've looked at donedeal/carzone but nothing seems to fit... suggestions appreciated


  • #9
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    bbam wrote: »
    Jebus don't get her started.. She LOOOves Volvo's..
    She mightn't after she watches this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0RstOO_iY ;)


  • #10
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,924 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Anan1 wrote: »
    She mightn't after she watches this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0RstOO_iY ;)

    I loled, i like volvos but this was just a slap lol. So its automatic electronic awd? I thiught those are proper awds... Fair play for legacy.

    Op: is that not a bit of overreaction? Juat wait and see a bit. Unleaned road is bad for all cars, no matter is it with winter tyres, awd, fwd or rwd. You allready got winter tyres, so it should be way better. Dont expect car with winter tyres to be as good as car in summer with performance tyres...


  • #11
    ShadowHearth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,924 ✭✭✭✭ShadowHearth


    Oh yeah forgot. Audis thibgy is not an proper old school lsd. Its just a crapy electronic. That video above proved.

    Lsd on front wheels is very rare thing and comes moustly only on mad performance cars, and even at that its still not proper lsd.

    I had esp on clk200 merc and the thing was moust usless bastord... I was stuck once, and esp was kicking in and droping me off to even worse position. I had it turnedxoff last winter and driving became so much easyer.


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  • #12
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    ShadowHearth wrote: »
    I loled, i like volvos but this was just a slap lol. So its automatic electronic awd? I thiught those are proper awds... Fair play for legacy.

    Op: is that not a bit of overreaction? Juat wait and see a bit. Unleaned road is bad for all cars, no matter is it with winter tyres, awd, fwd or rwd. You allready got winter tyres, so it should be way better. Dont expect car with winter tyres to be as good as car in summer with performance tyres...

    No the performance difference bettween our two cars on ice is just too much. I think maybe the combination of light petrol engine, tall body and perhaps not wide enough wheel track leave the Zaferia the poor relation on frost/ice.. The winters have made a great difference for snow but it's no better on ice.
    In the passat you can relax and truge along on a frosty road, with the Zaferia you are working hard to keep it straight..
    I love everything else about it but herself has gotten used to the Passat and now feels the Zaferia has to go.. I probably agree:(

    Maybe Volvo V50 like this one
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V50/V50-2.0-/201033199256939/advert?channel=CARS

    I'll have to test drive and see what they are like... Would they be comparable in size to a Passat Estate?


  • #13
    bbam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,410 ✭✭✭bbam


    Anyone know what the VRT on this baby would be ??
    http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1757274
    View2-4767365.jpeg


  • #14
    R.O.R
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,731 ✭✭✭✭R.O.R


    bbam wrote: »
    Maybe Volvo V50 like this one
    http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V50/V50-2.0-/201033199256939/advert?channel=CARS

    I'll have to test drive and see what they are like... Would they be comparable in size to a Passat Estate?

    Far, Far, Far removed from the size of a Passat Estate - would probably fit in a Passat Estate with the seats down.

    It's not a real estate, more of a Sportback.

    Mrs. R.O.R has a Petrol V50. Made it to the Car Park at Howth summit in the snow last year and had no problems earlier this month. In this current snow though it's taking a run to get it over the kerb on to the drive, and it's only going on forwards - won't reverse in.


  • #15
    doOh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭doOh


    My father owns 1987 Audi 100 Quattro with diff locks either front or rear. Very handy ;)


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