Table of contents: Operating procedure ↓ Advantages of All Wheel Drive ↓ Traction power ↓ Acceleration (speeding up) ↓ Driving performance ↓ Tire wear ↓ Application of winter tires ↓ Application of anti-skid chains ↓ Drive system control ↓ Driving on paved roads ↓ Driving on unpaved roads ↓
The Quattro model has all-wheel drive. Thanks to the automatic locking device of the intermediate differential, the engine power is maximally adapted to the driving style and road conditions. That is why the Quattro shows itself equally well when driving on highways, motorways, both in normal and extreme conditions, such as snow, ice, including off-road. At the same time, it is not an all-terrain vehicle - its ground clearance is too low for this.
For clarity, the diagram shows the drive diagram:
- 1 - front axle differential
- 2 - rear axle differential
- 3 - intermediate differential
- 4 - cardan shaft
Operating procedure
Engine power is transmitted via the gearbox and intermediate differential directly to the front axle differential, and from there via the propeller shaft to the rear axle differential.
The intermediate differential, thanks to a complex worm gear mechanism, automatically locks the drive on a slippery section of the road without driver intervention.
In normal driving conditions, on dry roads, it distributes engine power evenly to all wheels of the front and rear axles. If the wheels of one of the axles, for example in icy conditions, lose stable traction and are on the verge of slipping, the intermediate differential, without interrupting the traction force, begins to automatically lock these wheels, redistributing engine power to the wheels of the other axle, where traction is more stable.
As you can see, the distribution of drive power to the wheels is not always uniform, it depends on road conditions, primarily on the degree of adhesion of the front or rear wheels to the road surface.
The rear axle differential lock can be switched on and off manually. This lock is primarily intended for smooth starting and acceleration of the vehicle in difficult road conditions and is automatically switched off when the speed reaches approximately 25 km/h. The ABS anti-lock braking system is switched off for this time.
Advantages of All Wheel Drive
The advantages of Quattro all-wheel drive over conventionally driven vehicles are as follows:
Traction power
Permanent all-wheel drive significantly increases the traction power of the vehicle, especially in snowdrifts, icy conditions, when accelerating and driving uphill.
Overcoming the above conditions on the Quattro is less risky than on other models of cars. At the same time, this does not give the right to take risks, try to rush through difficult sections of the road at high speed, fearing to get stuck there. They must be crossed slowly with stops.
Acceleration (speeding up)
On slippery roads, the simultaneous drive on four wheels instead of two significantly reduces the possibility of wheel slippage, improves the grip of the tires on the road surface and thus helps the car to accelerate faster.
Driving performance
Of decisive importance for the driving characteristics of a car, especially on slippery road sections, is a rigid kinematic connection of the wheels with the road surface. In cars with a single-axle drive, when the speed increases sharply on a slippery road, the drive wheels slip, which significantly weakens the kinematics and affects the driving characteristics of the car. Simultaneous four-wheel drive also increases the lateral forces of centrifugal forces and thus increases the stability of the car.
Tire wear
Quattro has a probability of wheel slippage several times lower than similar models with a single-axle drive. This in turn affects the wear time of the tires.
The wear life of the tires of the Quattro under the same operating conditions is significantly higher than that of cars of the same class with two-wheel drive.
Application of winter tires
Thanks to the all-wheel drive, the car maintains stable movement on regular serial production tires even in winter operating conditions. At the same time, to improve driving performance and braking effect during this period, it is more appropriate to use winter tires.
Application of anti-skid chains
Anti-skid chains help to increase the traction power and braking effect of a car in winter road conditions, so they can be used if necessary.
Drive system control
Unlike cars with mechanical drive system control, Quattro has all system control performed automatically, without driver intervention. This helps to practically eliminate errors related to the human factor, does not distract the driver, and helps him to concentrate on the overall control of the car.
Only the rear axle differential lock is manually disengaged, and only if the car is stuck on the road. When driving at a speed of about 25 km/h, this lock is also disengaged automatically.
Driving on paved roads
Permanent all-wheel drive ensures reliable vehicle stability even on wet and slippery roads.
The automatic locking device of the intermediate differential, depending on road conditions and the degree of kinematic adhesion of the wheels, promptly redistributes engine power to the axle where the adhesion of the wheels to the road is better, thereby ensuring maximum traction power of the vehicle even in the most unfavorable road conditions.
At the same time, if it happens that the car gets stuck and stops, get out using the rear axle differential lock. It is turned on manually.
When driving at high speed in wet weather, the front wheels of even an Audi Quattro can lift off the road without you noticing (aquaplaning effect).
So be careful - choose your speed based on real road conditions.
Moreover, despite the very good efficiency of the braking system, keep in mind that it largely depends on the degree of adhesion of the wheels to the road. Therefore, in rainy weather or icy conditions, do not abuse the high technical characteristics of the car, especially for sharp acceleration to maximum speed.
Driving on unpaved roads
Remember - Quattro is not an all-terrain vehicle. Ground clearance does not allow it to be one. At the same time, thanks to the permanent all-wheel drive, the presence of a locking device of the intermediate differential, it can drive where other cars do not pass - off-road, sand, snow, gravel, etc. In normal engine operation mode, the rear axle differential lock should not be used in these conditions. It is turned on only when the car is stuck or on the verge of it.
Note: The rear axle differential lock is primarily designed for starting the vehicle and for initial acceleration in difficult road conditions. It automatically switches off at a speed of approximately 25 km/h.
Below this speed, the lock can be manually disengaged. If the rear differential lock is not disengaged in time, it will negatively affect the precision of the vehicle's maneuvering (for example, when installing it on a dry parking lot or when driving through narrow sharp turns, etc.).
During the activation of the rear axle differential lock, when the wheels are directly and rigidly connected to each other, the ABS anti-lock braking system is automatically switched off, since autonomous regulation of the braking force separately for each wheel becomes impossible.