Quattro system

[rjpiselli]

Hey guys. new to the forum. I've had audis for years; a couple a4s, an old 200, an a6, a cabriolet; im pretty familiar.

I recently purchased a 04 s4 (B6) and just want a little feedback on the Quattro system. I am not sure if my expectations for the given hp/tq and street tire combination are too high or if there may be an issue. anyway, I have a moderately steep driveway and in Pa, it is quite slippery this time of the year. My 1.8t a4 and Volvo xc90 will walk right up out without an issue; always have. the s4 will not get out. I had the wife watch while I tried, and it doesn't seem that all tires are moving at the same time. The fronts will spin and then stop and the rears will spin and then stop and then it repeats.

Is this how this system works or is there a potential issue I should check for?

Side note that may be relevant: the car is CLEAN. was owned by very dedicated enthusiasts that always took the best care of it, and it shows both in kept records and vehicle condition.

I did a search but found little to no info on the topic. Thanks in advance!

[B-Time]

Did you turn off ESP? Snow tires?

[LINDW4LL]

The Torsen quattro in your S4 is one of the best performing AWD systems available.

Do you have snow tires? There's definitely an issue as it should be performing just as well as your A4.

[MidwestB6]

It's probably your tires. Im on some all-season tires, and i still find that my S4 can go places where most other cars can't.

[xhackerekx]

u need winter tires when u like drive in winter , or take u regular audi and give the s4 break for whole winter :)

[rjpiselli]

Def not winter tires and would take the a4 if newness factor wasn't there. Again, tired are by no means winter tread but are brand new. And it's not like all four wheels are spinning, it's like they are taking turns. I think if they were all being powered at once it would get out just fine. I tried turning esp off, still couldn't get out. There's no warning lights or anything to indicate a prob, and to my mnowledge there's no haldex pumps or modules like on my Volvo. I don't really know what to look for as to why all wheels are not being powered at once.

[rjpiselli]

Also, my a4 again can get right out, and that just has all seasons. Just seems the s4s Quattro isn't working right.

[rjpiselli]

It's not even that it needs to be better. Just that if something is not right I want to fix it. If that's what it is then that's fine. Just figured id see what everyone else's experiences with this car are to see if there's something I should be checking into.

[rjpiselli]

The Torsen quattro in your S4 is one of the best performing AWD systems available.

Do you have snow tires? There's definitely an issue as it should be performing just as well as your A4.

This is what I'm thinking. But don't know what to check.

[EUROSWAGR]

IF the tires can't get grip on ice and snow it wouldn't matter if you had locking differentials installed. You Quattro is working exactly like it should, youtube quattro demonstrations.

It also doen't matter if the tires are brand new, if they aren't decent for winter use they will not help.

I have two Quattro vehicles, one with winter tires..it's amazing. The other with summer tires..it's like ice skating in slippers.

[LINDW4LL]

This is what I'm thinking. But don't know what to check.

Are they summer tires or all seasons?

[EUROSWAGR]

For the lazy, this is a cool video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at9MBPhpJAQ

[rjpiselli]

Good info and makes sense. These are not all seasons on the s4. I guess the difference in all seasons has made it so the a4 hasn't been in a similar situation where it couldn't get grip. Just wasn't sure if that's the way the system was supposed to work.

Thanks for the input and the quick replies everyone. So far the s4 is sweet enough that I've endured walking the length of my driveway just to take it out every day😊 like a kid with a new toy.

[rjpiselli]

For the lazy

Did my wife put you up to that comment?

[LINDW4LL]

Good info and makes sense. These are not all seasons on the s4. I guess the difference in all seasons has made it so the a4 hasn't been in a similar situation where it couldn't get grip.

There's your issue, 100%. Summer tires are absolutely useless in the snow.

[WinterRunner]

Good info and makes sense. These are not all seasons on the s4. I guess the difference in all seasons has made it so the a4 hasn't been in a similar situation where it couldn't get grip. Just wasn't sure if that's the way the system was supposed to work.

Thanks for the input and the quick replies everyone. So far the s4 is sweet enough that I've endured walking the length of my driveway just to take it out every day�� like a kid with a new toy.

Summer tires are no good in ice and snow.....

[Audibot]

Tires make a HUGE difference! And with that steep a driveway, I'm surprised you haven't sprung for them. Good thing is they will last you for several seasons.

[Audibot]

Summer tires are no good in ice and snow.....

And even iffy below 40 degrees

[LJH]

The A4 and S4 are for all intents and purpose the same drive train so I bet if you put the wheels from the A4 on the S4 then you would not have any issues.

Cheers,
Jim

[rjpiselli]

Thanks for all the input. Originally the plan was to park it in the winter and take the a4, but I haven't been able to do that yet. I guess if the newness hasn't worn off by next winter I'll have to fit it with snow tires.

[blai76]

What you are seeing when the tires spin then stop, is the tires loosing traction, and ESP cutting power to that wheel individually. Have your wife look again with ESP off, and I would think all wheels will spin freely.

It does sound like your tires are not up to par, but that does seem very dramatic to me. I do not recall having such issues when running Bridgestone Potenza RE050's on my old B5 A4, though. Unfortunately, I have always run Michelin PS2 or PS3 A/S tires on my B7 S4, so can not comment on that. Currently snow tires on, so I'd be even less help as a direct comparison.

[rjpiselli]

What you are seeing when the tires spin then stop, is the tires loosing traction, and ESP cutting power to that wheel individually. Have your wife look again with ESP off, and I would think all wheels will spin freely.

It does sound like your tires are not up to par, but that does seem very dramatic to me. I do not recall having such issues when running Bridgestone Potenza RE050's on my old B5 A4, though. Unfortunately, I have always run Michelin PS2 or PS3 A/S tires on my B7 S4, so can not comment on that. Currently snow tires on, so I'd be even less help as a direct comparison.

Good info. I'll try with the esp off. I don't know how that affected tire spin, I just know it didn't help me get out. You may be correct. Thanks!

[blai76]

Congrats on the S4 purchase, too. Welcome to the club! About to get some snow again out here in Tahoe, too. There has been snow on the roads for only about ten days this year so far out here. My car sits depressed in its parking space.

[Slow4]

Good info. I'll try with the esp off. I don't know how that affected tire spin, I just know it didn't help me get out. You may be correct. Thanks!

ESP off means all wheels will have equal power during throttle/engine-breaking applications.

I think I have video of the Quattro system with ECS off:

[dolphin B6 S4]

That's just how quattro works, here's my snow video. You can kind of see the power being split up to different wheels.

[rjpiselli]

Congrats on the S4 purchase, too. Welcome to the club! About to get some snow again out here in Tahoe, too. There has been snow on the roads for only about ten days this year so far out here. My car sits depressed in its parking space.

thanks. been around audis for along time, first time owning an s model though. so far loving it. super clean and well maintained. came with h&r lowering springs (may or may not be looking to remove), jhm short throw shifter, FI cat back, rs4 trim/shift knob, r8 flatbottom steering wheel and a few more tasteful extras.

im thinking on going for intake spacers, jhm tune and lightweight crank pulley to start; but we'll see. so far lots of fun.

I appreciate all the quick responses on this too. I guess I just haven't ever needed to analyze the Quattro system before. all my previous cars have had decent all seasons on and never have given me a prob. good to know that theres nothing wrong here. Thanks again guys!

[blai76]

thanks. been around audis for along time, first time owning an s model though. so far loving it. super clean and well maintained. came with h&r lowering springs (may or may not be looking to remove), jhm short throw shifter, FI cat back, rs4 trim/shift knob, r8 flatbottom steering wheel and a few more tasteful extras.

im thinking on going for intake spacers, jhm tune and lightweight crank pulley to start; but we'll see. so far lots of fun.

I appreciate all the quick responses on this too. I guess I just haven't ever needed to analyze the Quattro system before. all my previous cars have had decent all seasons on and never have given me a prob. good to know that theres nothing wrong here. Thanks again guys!

Nice find; some good mods there. Depending on how long those lowering springs have been paired with the stock struts, you may be looking to replace the struts fairly soon. If you're going for the JHM tune, I'd suggest piggies or decatted downpipes first to go with that, for the best returns. Intake spacers will benefit the car mostly during extended pulls only, like on longer spirited drives or the track, only.

[rjpiselli]

Nice find; some good mods there. Depending on how long those lowering springs have been paired with the stock struts, you may be looking to replace the struts fairly soon. If you're going for the JHM tune, I'd suggest piggies or decatted downpipes first to go with that, for the best returns. Intake spacers will benefit the car mostly during extended pulls only, like on longer spirited drives or the track, only.

Good to know. Thanks!