calling all people that have driven to the alps in there rs6's. Off on a snowboarding trip at the end of the month, how do they perform in the snow, do you take snow socks/chains as a precaution or run a winter tyre? normally been in defenders etc and not bothered with them.
cheers tom
driving to alps advise
Re: driving to alps advise
Hi,
I have taken my RS6 to Mottaret and Meribel five times.
It is lowered on Bilsteins so although i have snow chains they are only to 'show' to the Gendarmes who occasionally,during really bad weather
sit at the bottom of the mountains in Moutiers and check you are carrying chains before allowing you to pass onto the Alpine passes.
The fact is,i have so little clearance between the wheel arches (tyres rub slightly on full lock) i don't think i could fit the chains on.
I also carry snow socks that would fit on if i needed them but,i have never needed them,and i don't use Winter tyres either.
I just drive slow and carefully when i hit the snow and the traction is fine.
A couple of times i have driven past the police who are stopping each car and the moment i say 'Quattro' they wave me through.
The traction of the 4 wheel drive in the snow is outstanding for such a heavy car (and i come from Subaru's).
The factor you need to be most careful of is the ABS which will not stop you adequately on the snow.Be prepared to use the manual paddle shifts and stay in a low gear,and use the handbrake.Again,drive slowly and carefully.
I have been driving up the Alps to go Skiing for about 20 years.
Just to re-iterate,if you are driving on snow with summer tyres like i do,you will be able to get traction but you must respect the fact your tyres are not correct for the conditions and slow down accordingly.
I would advise buying chains and socks to show the gendarmes whilst in the UK by mail order because the size is very difficult to find in the French service stations.
I have taken my RS6 to Mottaret and Meribel five times.
It is lowered on Bilsteins so although i have snow chains they are only to 'show' to the Gendarmes who occasionally,during really bad weather
sit at the bottom of the mountains in Moutiers and check you are carrying chains before allowing you to pass onto the Alpine passes.
The fact is,i have so little clearance between the wheel arches (tyres rub slightly on full lock) i don't think i could fit the chains on.
I also carry snow socks that would fit on if i needed them but,i have never needed them,and i don't use Winter tyres either.
I just drive slow and carefully when i hit the snow and the traction is fine.
A couple of times i have driven past the police who are stopping each car and the moment i say 'Quattro' they wave me through.
The traction of the 4 wheel drive in the snow is outstanding for such a heavy car (and i come from Subaru's).
The factor you need to be most careful of is the ABS which will not stop you adequately on the snow.Be prepared to use the manual paddle shifts and stay in a low gear,and use the handbrake.Again,drive slowly and carefully.
I have been driving up the Alps to go Skiing for about 20 years.
Just to re-iterate,if you are driving on snow with summer tyres like i do,you will be able to get traction but you must respect the fact your tyres are not correct for the conditions and slow down accordingly.
I would advise buying chains and socks to show the gendarmes whilst in the UK by mail order because the size is very difficult to find in the French service stations.
Last edited by Carlson on Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: driving to alps advise
As previously said, those cars are amazing on snow on normal tyres. Never been stranded in the RS6, or my S4 before that in 15+ years and I have been in proper blizzard conditions.
The thing you have to keep in mind is that they are still heavy cars, so its more the stopping and cornering which can cause problems so plan ahead and be gentle on the brakes. When cornering, it usually is better to use a bit of throttle to make them turn. Lifting off will make them understeer (as in going straight ahead, even at walking pace) if grip is marginal. Slow in fast out in short.
Its quite fun to accelerate hard on snow.
The thing you have to keep in mind is that they are still heavy cars, so its more the stopping and cornering which can cause problems so plan ahead and be gentle on the brakes. When cornering, it usually is better to use a bit of throttle to make them turn. Lifting off will make them understeer (as in going straight ahead, even at walking pace) if grip is marginal. Slow in fast out in short.
Its quite fun to accelerate hard on snow.
Re: driving to alps advise
cheers guys, top advise! i'll grab some snow socks to chuck in the boot in case of emergency. otherwise i'll be having fun in the snow..
Re: driving to alps advise
You'll be fine with good tread on your tyre's and driving nice and steady in the snow.
Yes the plod wait at spots up the mountain road. Last time I saw them, they just waved me bye in my RS4 B7.
Generally the mountain road is cleared multiple times during the day with coaches churning it up.
Have a great journey and enjoy the snowboarding.
Yes the plod wait at spots up the mountain road. Last time I saw them, they just waved me bye in my RS4 B7.
Generally the mountain road is cleared multiple times during the day with coaches churning it up.
Have a great journey and enjoy the snowboarding.
RS4 B7, Mugello Blue, K&W V3 & HR ARBs, set up by Centre Gravity, Milltek Valved Non Res & cat bypass pipes, BMC air filter, braided hoses, DOT 5.1, Terraclean, MRC Full Carbon Clean, MRC remap 448PS 477NM, 20" S7 alloys with 4mm spacers & Hawke spigots 66.6 > 57.1, AP Racing front discs. Sold Sept 2019. Now rocking an F80 M3
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