Opinions on driving the S4 from San Diego to Mammoth

[Huffydmb]

Has anyone made this trek and encountered some slippery conditions? The wife is giving me grief about the car not being "4WD" and I'm having a hard time convincing her that the S4 will be just fine for this trip. We'll be making the trip up there in mid-January and I'm trying to avoid having to rent an SUV for the weekend as I just don't think we need one.

Which one of us is wrong??

:-)

[MyXbfS4]

I thought all S4's are quattro?

edit: your S4 IS 4wheel drive!

[trma]

I thought all S4's are quattro?

edit: your S4 IS 4wheel drive!

+1 quattro baby

[MikeyB3]

If you're running summer-only tires, I dont recommend taking it (if temps are sub 40*). You're going to need at least some decent all-seasons.

[bruno7652]

You will be fine.
I drive up to Tahoe 4-6 times a year on my S5 and only once did I come across some black ice
on the road and it was further north by Bridgeport, I-395 is well traveled.
One thing that I can give you a heads up on is watch the speed traps once you start to come in to Olancha, Independence, Lone Pine and Bishop.
Those small town cops are hungry to generate income and for that matter so is the CHP.
Enjoy your trip.

[Kevin7]

I've driven tons in the snow; from Tahoe blizzards to squalls in upstate NY. Of all the cars I've owned (which include Subarus, a 325 xi, a Ram 1500, and a Rubicon), my B6 S4 was by far the best. But with the proper tires. Blizzaks are what I used to run and are amazing...


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[axnjaksn]

Has anyone made this trek and encountered some slippery conditions? The wife is giving me grief about the car not being "4WD" and I'm having a hard time convincing her that the S4 will be just fine for this trip. We'll be making the trip up there in mid-January and I'm trying to avoid having to rent an SUV for the weekend as I just don't think we need one.

Which one of us is wrong??

:-)

trust me youll be fine....

[lx4life]

Just like someone said, its not so much your car, but your tires which will prevent a happy trip. Also if there is alot of snow then your car might become a snow plow vs just trexing over it.

[Slick_B8]

Youll be fine with all season tires or snow tires brotha! Hell, i was able to get up to big bear when snow was super heavy with snow tires lol

[MyXbfS4]

I cant help but wonder how you (op) didnt know your S4 was an AWD. No disrespect, just curious.

[Slave IV]

Pretty much one of the best reasons to own an S4 is to own the mountain roads in snowy conditions. Just gotta make sure you have the right tires and know how to drive in those conditions.

[Kevin7]

I actually bought an RS4 recently so that I could have a mountain rocket here in SoCal!


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[skiracerblah]

Its all about the tires and NEVER drive up to the snow in Summer Only tires. A Honda Accord with all season tires will do a lot better than your Audi with summer tires in the snow...

[Huffydmb]

Thanks for all of the input, guys. Much appreciated. Wife is very much convinced that "AWD" is not the same as "4WD".

Sounds like we have a dilemma here - buy snow tires for the S4 or rent an SUV for the weekend.

[MetalMan]

Wife is very much convinced that "AWD" is not the same as "4WD".

In many cases AWD will be better in the snow than 4WD, since it can vary power to each wheel as needed to improve traction.

[lx4life]

Just rent the SUV, make sure its 4wd cause you are in CA and most SUV are not 4WD. Either way you are paying extra either for tires/wheels or a rental. Then you will have to store your old wheels/tires then vice versus.

[Saracen]

quattro with the right tires...what better way is there to tackle snow covered roads?? None. It's what the car was designed for.

With all due respect your wife doesn't know what she's on about. 4WD in most cases means that it has a low-range transfer case, and that it is a part time system. Neither of which are advantageous for driving on snow covered roads up the mountain. Full time traction with a quick-reacting center diff to adjust the torque when a wheel slips is what Audi does best.

[Kevin7]

OP, if you have A/T tires, you'll be fine. Not as ideal as winter tires, but not as treacherous as summer tires. I drove an STI once in a Colorado snow storm (not by choice) on summer tires and it was a miracle I survived. Even stopping at lights was a challenge...


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[B G 8er]

+1 if the roads are cleared and you have All Season radials and Quattro, you'll be fine.

[Kevin7]

+1 if the roads are cleared and you have All Season radials and Quattro, you'll be fine.

Sorry, yes; "all seasons" I meant. Was in my off-roading mindset..



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[0396]

Its all about the tires and NEVER drive up to the snow in Summer Only tires. A Honda Accord with all season tires will do a lot better than your Audi with summer tires in the snow...

+ 1 ...I have a spare set wheels with Nokian winter tires for my drive from LA to Whistler Canada for skiing.
Based on my experience driving in Whistler Canada, it comes down to the tires and "how" you drive. I don't care if you have an AWD / 4 wheel drive..if you drive like you own the road. Expect to have your AAA card ready. Most of us are not rally drivers...then you have to watch the other idiots who have no brains / knowledge of driving in the snow/ black ice. Enjoy your trip and ski off Climax several times for us all.