3 Winter Questions

[BoSNiaN]

1)What PSI are you guys running for your winter tires? Normally I run 35 for my summers but I am thinking to run 40 because it is cold rather than having to refill em every other week....Tires are 215/50/17 on sport suspension.

2)Where is the temp sensor that gets displayed on the DIS physically located? Does it factor in the wind? It seems to be grossly inaccurate as you are driving but the the temperature drops when you are idling (and then is closer to what it should be).

3)Does anyone actually use their heated seats? Might seem like a dumb question, but I was always worried about heated leather seats because in my mind, won't that dry them out and will accelerate cracks? Especially in the winter when the leather is most at risk...I've owned the car since the summer, and only accidentally used the heating option today and boy does it warm you up...Just want to make sure it doesn't do too much harm though [:/]

[mec]

1)What PSI are you guys running for your winter tires? Normally I run 35 for my summers but I am thinking to run 40 because it is cold rather than having to refill em every other week....Tires are 215/50/17 on sport suspension.

2)Where is the temp sensor that gets displayed on the DIS physically located? Does it factor in the wind? It seems to be grossly inaccurate as you are driving but the the temperature drops when you are idling (and then is closer to what it should be).


3)Does anyone actually use their heated seats? Might seem like a dumb question, but I was always worried about heated leather seats because in my mind, won't that dry them out and will accelerate cracks? Especially in the winter when the leather is most at risk...I've owned the car since the summer, and only accidentally used the heating option today and boy does it warm you up...Just want to make sure it doesn't do too much harm though [:/]


1.) I believe you are supposed to run a slightly lower PSI so that you're tire deflates slightly and you have more traction in snow and ice.

2.) Behind the front bumper IIRC

3.)I use them every morning! make sure to get a nice leather conditioner and treat the seats frequently. Why get heated seats if you can't use them?

[r1de]

1.) I believe you are supposed to run a slightly lower PSI so that you're tire deflates slightly and you have more traction in snow and ice.

I think that's a myth; I just run mine at 35 all year. But it's wise to check the pressure more often if the temperature has swung to the extreme.



3.)I use them every morning! make sure to get a nice leather conditioner and treat the seats frequently. Why get heated seats if you can't use them?

I've been using mine for years and they get plenty wet from snow and rain, and they look "comfortably worn in" - like all real leather will eventually look - but still great (and I've never put conditioner on them... will have to look into that). The pleather on the bolsters, on the other hand, will crack no matter what. It's plastic crap.

[CorneliusRox]

I LOVE my heated seats. They actually have the heated backrest (which most cars dont).

And tires I would run at least 40's. You want more tire for sure so you can run a decent psi with still getting a lot of surface area on the ground.

[A4A4A4]

1.) I believe you are supposed to run a slightly lower PSI so that you're tire deflates slightly and you have more traction in snow and ice.

Do not do this.

For winter driving bump your tire pressure up a few PSI, a narrow contact patch is much preferred for winter driving. I think what mec may be mistaken this for is if you're traveling through DEEP snow or are stuck; in that case, yes, let some air out and give your tires a better chance at grabbing some traction, otherwise a few extra PSI for normal winter driving is perfect.

[mec]

I think that's a myth; I just run mine at 35 all year. But it's wise to check the pressure more often if the temperature has swung to the extreme.



I've been using mine for years and they get plenty wet from snow and rain, and they look "comfortably worn in" - like all real leather will eventually look - but still great (and I've never put conditioner on them... will have to look into that). The pleather on the bolsters, on the other hand, will crack no matter what. It's plastic crap.

I've also heard its unnecessary, If i had regular tires I would consider dropping a few psi, but I have snow tires so inflating them to the correct spec is the best idea most likely.

[A4A4A4]

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=168

[mec]

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=168

/myth

[QuattroCan]

In my opinion a couple Psi above stock should be a good comprimise.

I can't see why you wouldn't use the heated seats. Its a key feature, I personally like to have them on as I wait to turn on the heat until the car has reached operating temperature. Get yourself a good leather conditioner and you will be fine.

[multiphrenic]

Wind only affects human bodies, not temperature sensors. Obviously if you're sitting in traffic the temperature will report higher, but I find it pretty accurate at moderate driving speeds.

[papadelogan]

1)I run 5psi under the max rating for the tire. Summer, winter, all year round. I have studded snows on now, and will be running my summer setup in... summer! [:D]

2)Don't have it

3)The wife does all year round, I never do. I've had heated seats in my cars for 10yrs+. I've used them maybe 3 times in that 10 years. I make enough body heat and like the cold anyway.

[Tanner]

Use the heated seats, the warmers are near the centre of the seat on the bottom and lower part of the seat back, and not on the edges anyways. The pleather material on the edges sucks, it all does. Seat bottom replaced twice as the left side cracked. The freezing temperatures weakens the underlying layer of the vinyl material which then cracks. People in places where it never freezes, the vinyl will last longer.

[BoSNiaN]

All very good information....I ran 35 in the summer to reduce stress on my suspension and I figured a limper tire would get better traction but I will leave them @ 40 PSI. I already do use a leather conditoiner once every 3 months or so, but my drivers seat already has 2-3 cracks on the pleather sides and I can see lines begining to form on the front passenger side as well and that's why I was hesitant [=(]

Also, I wonder what role the heating aspect has to play in the coloring aspect...I see many "black" leather seats that are much lighter than mine and have lines throughout but aren't rips. My leather is still very dark and is uniform throughout [:D]

Last question: For people with straight tip mufflers (like my Magnaflow 14851's), are you ever worried reversing in snow that is 1-2 feet high will get into the muffler, clog it up, and cause major damage? My car has the stock sport suspension so its pretty low for winter driving around here imo so that is why I am worried...2 feet of snow (which is nothing for around here) will easily clean the underbody covering of my A4.

[Shanster]

Do your best not to kneel on your heated seats which will concentrate your weight on the coils as this might damage them. My boss had to replace his coils and the dealer was asking for about $500-700 to do it in one seat.