96 AWD TSI Poor handling in snow

[jkbobcat]

Here's the problem. My AWD tsi like to swing out when turning a corner or making a U turn in the snow.. Even if im going slow it will tend to feel like its going to spin out. Especially turning left. Did a wheel alignment on it, tires are good. I don't know what it could be. But something ain't right. Perhaps a rear diff problem? Someone please help.

 

[shredwin]

Mine sucks in the snow but at least it goes better than some cars out there, and thats my fault cause I have summer tires... If I had better tires I know it would go a lot better

 

[Hubbard 0]

It's odd that you guys are saying that your back ends get squirrely real easy. Mine is absolutely planted all the time and I find myself having to work to get the back end to kick out. I don't think my snow tires are that good, especially since the rear tires are quite a bit more worn then my fronts.

 

[knochgoon24]

I'm at college so the back of my car is my tool box. I probably have over 100lbs of tools in there. I'd attribute some of my "back end squirrelyness" to that.

 

[Drifte]

I wish my problem was the rear swinging out. my car is an under steering pig. Their is absolutely nothing in my hatch though either, and my adjustable upper control arms in the back are set to give me a little negative camber.

 

[DSM1G90]

...keep your tires at their pressure rating even during the winter - don't 'soften' them up.

You 'soften' them up and you're increasing the tread pattern on the snow and you'll 'float' more ON the snow than IN the snow that's on the road and you'll have traction problems - even worse in icy conditions.

The really IDEAL thing is to get some 14" rims from any NT DSM and mount 175-80R14's snow tires on those rims. They are a bit more narrower but will be same height, but they will get down and dirty in any snow pack since the narrower tire will get INTO the snow a lot easier than our wide 205-55R 16's can even think on doing.

I probably have over 100lbs of tools in there. I'd attribute some of my "back end squirrelyness" to that.

Actually, I was hoping you'd say 200lbs of weight back there since the rear end is so light and with this added weight to keep that rear end under control during turns. I can see the 'squirreliness' come into play with a light rear end.

-DSM

 

[knochgoon24]

Actually, I was hoping you'd say 200lbs of weight back there since the rear end is so light and with this added weight to keep that rear end under control during turns. I can see the 'squirreliness' come into play with a light rear end.

-DSM

If I'm somewhere with a lot of snow or ice and I give it some gas, the back is the first thing to start to swing around on me. I mean, it straightens up pretty quick with gross understeer, but it's always the first to slide.