When braking, no Quattro helps
Four-wheel drive offers better traction in winter. But he is not a miracle cure for slingshots and slides.
All-wheel drive has become a sales success not least because of the promise of wintry mobility. In fact, it is useful in winter - but it helps less than many think.
Practically all-wheel drive is especially when starting on snow or climbing a steep hill. In the combination of both winter challenges he is unbeatable. Apart from that, the advantages are manageable: When cornering, he can with his traction-plus under certain circumstances quite help, it should be on public roads but not to arrive. No effect has the all-wheel drive when braking. No matter how many wheels are driven - cars always brake with all wheels.
Who wants to be safe on snow, so should not rely on his four-wheel drive. Much more important are proper winter tires and a careful driving style. Steering, brake and gas have to be operated much more sensitively than on dry roads.
Holger Holzer / SP-X