Ok, I apoligize that I'm asking about this in the VW news group. But I know you guys are the most critical drivers :-).
I own a 99 Passat FWD V6 with Hakkapeliittas Ones.
And I love the way this handles in the snow.
I used to have an audi 4000 quatro and it did great in the snow (with real narrow Conti Contacts). But if I ever started a skid, that was it, your gone.
I also have a Jeep with Select Track, This is RWD, AWD and 4WD (locks front to rear).
It was slick snow this AM.
I was in AWD and I was squirming around a bit.
No cars around wide road I was going pretty slow.
Now I did what I always told myself I never should do.
I decided lets see is 4WD helps, I was curious. I underestimated the conditions. And was only testing the abilities of the Jeep, sort of like testing the breaks to see hw fast ABS kicks in. I though 4WD might paddle through snow better at low speed. I'd never use it on Highway.
I'm come over the crest of a small hill and the truck starts to skid sideways. Complete loss of control.
Put on ABS brakes and nothing.
40 yards away I see a Telephone pole.I should stop by then,I have lots of time.
20 yards away. I thought of stepping on gas to try to pull out of it. But was worried I'd hit faster and possible hit pole sideways. So I stayed on the brakes.10 yards, still doing 15-20.
Damn, crunch.
So I did a few things wrong, I know.
1) Should have tried coasting to see if it would get a grip. 2) Wish I could find good snows for trucks. 3) Should have stayed in AWD or tried to put it back in AWD (but it is not always instantanious, and did not feel like messing with it during a critical situation.But besides that, how could I have steered or breaked or what ever out of this mess. I hate AWD for this. Everything just turns to mush once in a skid.
Maybe hand brake and some gas?
Thanks for any tips.