Car settings - car went sideways through roundabout

[Andrewh]

Hi,
I put my foot down (not excessive) going around a roundabout and the back end broke away, I had to put opposite lock to keep control if the car. It surprised me, as I thought the 4 wheel drive and the safety systems would have prevented that. It was like driving my old BMW. Are there settings on the car which let it do this?

[RIV]

What tyres do you have ?? Something beginning with P

[FaisalJ]

Ice?

[doodlebug]

Weather? Poor surface?

Doesn't surprise me, I recently had a hero following me in a Merc. Lost it coming off a roundabout and narrowly missed the central reservation.

[MikeFish]

Exactly what I was thinking. Either crap tyres or worn tyres or hit a bit of oil on the floor.

[RIV]

The roads are terrible ATM moment, very slippery and greasy.. that and crap tyres...Quattro won't save you

[MikeFish]

The roads are terrible ATM moment, very slippery and greasy.. that and crap tyres...Quattro won't save you

Exactly, quattro can make sure you put the power down but it won't stop the tyre going sideways when the friction ofthe surface is reduced.

[will1981]

Bootfull on any roundabout in this weather will result in sideways action. Turn the traction off and do it again.

[Ian_C]

Hi,
I put my foot down (not excessive) going around a roundabout and the back end broke away, I had to put opposite lock to keep control if the car. It surprised me, as I thought the 4 wheel drive and the safety systems would have prevented that. It was like driving my old BMW. Are there settings on the car which let it do this?

I guess make sure you don't have the diff in dynamic in the frost!

Oh and bolt on a set of winters! Quattro + winters = safe + fun

edit - Will, I wanted to write that, but was worried I'd get told off!

[DeanoC]

Over 100bhp through each tyre on the icy, shitty roads. Quattro is not magic [WINKING FACE]

[chunky79]

Had this happen in my old S4, was down to what RIV said, tyres that began with P.

[Ian_C]

Thought yours came on ditchfinder Dunlops like mine did? God they were dire, I didn't think it was possible for a new set of tyres to transform a car that much!! Goodyears turned it into the car I'd always wanted it to be

[chunky79]

Thought yours came on ditchfinder Dunlops like mine did? God they were dire, I didn't think it was possible for a new set of tyres to transform a car that much!! Goodyears turned it into the car I'd always wanted it to be

You got me, yeah S4 was Dunlops, had the RS6 sideways on Pirellis.

[HPsauce]

Pirelli make good winter tyres though, my S8 has them on currently and they are superb.
Summer I'll be back on Michelins though, probably the new PS4S if I can get a set.

[Surrey Sam]

Was playing around with the stability programme in Sport (1 short press) the other day - cold, dry, but greasy. I was surprised out how little the programme would let you slip; I had the sports diff as always in Dynamic and the car would only get a degree or two off axis before pulling you straight again. You didn't even need to counter steer.

Mine has the Bridgestone S007 tyres from factory and they're a great tyre, as good as any Pilot Sport tyre. Like any high performance road tyre though, they're not at their best when the temps drop to Zero degrees. My guess is there could have been something on the road, for you to get that out of shape. Crap tyres could also contribute to that experience, particular P ZeroGrips.

As an aside. I see that Michelin are now listing the new Pilot Sport 4S in our 265/30/20 format, these are the Super Sport replacements. So quite keen to try them out.