Brakes on ice, Audi A3

[midgie]

Advice needed please on why, at even 15 mph, my brakes 'lock' (feels like jarring) when gently pressed on ice - flat road, uphill or downhill. On non-iced roads a few miles further along the brakes are excellent.

I take my foot off the brake when this happens for fear of unknown damage I'm causing and re apply gently a few seconds later but the jarring happens again. It goes without saying the car continues to travel further than is comfortable.

[TWR]

Hi Midgie, depending on your speed ( Not excessive) the speed you stated I would use your handbrake " keep your hand on the handbrake, On Off On Off in-turn not causing your front end to slide.this is the way I drive in these conditions, More than likely I will get some stick over this advice, but there are drivers, & there are drivers. Drive safely.

[Iggle Piggle]

drive safely ....... don't touch the handbrake !!
The footbrake applies the braking force to all 4 wheels, but slightly less to the rear wheels to keep control. (80% front, 20% rear)
If the car is anything but dead straight, pulling the handbrake can cause the rear to come about, putting the car out of control for anyone but a skilled driver.
I do this for fun in the snow, but I rallydrive.

I am giving you stick TWR but only because advice like that shouldn't be given to everyday drivers (no offence Midgie)

[TWR]

With respect Iggle, I'm a bit too old in the tooth to be "HANDBRAKING" in my years of driving the private car I have never been in a position that I felt the car was out of control, I appreciate your comment on the footbrake but I have seen too many people LOOSE IT by panicking when the front end starts to slide, but we are all entitled to their own opinion on driving In snow & adverse weather conditions.

[midgie]

Dear TWR and Iggle. Thanks for coming back on this thread to post again. The morning after I originally posted I drove down a steep hill en route to work, very slowly, lightly pressing the (shuddering) brake. Whilst the car didn't swerve it also didn't stop at the bottom of the hill. I then had to make a sharp left to avoid a bridge wall on the main road and the car managed it without spinning. All this was on solid ice. I've been informed that's the beauty of ABS, you may not stop but you'll skid a lot less! I'm no way an expert driver and appreciate your help.