Am I having a problem with the AWD? How is the system supposed to distribute the power for needed traction? Any locking dif?

I had the SRT8 stuck in a huge snow drift at a heavy angle (my driveway), and I floored it with the traction control off and only the rear tires spun, the front didn't move at all until I got the vehicle broke free in to loose snow then I saw the front spin. Why wouldn't the front spin also when I need the traction?

Thanks,

Buzz

See page 239 in the owners manual.

Thanks, but page 239 of my manual only mentions ESP, rocking vehicle in snow, autostick, nothing regarding AWD system. I know that it runs with a 90% rear and 10% front bias, but I don't know what percentage of power it can move to each wheel for traction and if there is any dif locking.

I was stuck in the snow with the rear tires being in the deep and i had the traction control off and just the rears were spinning and the front didn't move or spin at all until I was un-stuck and got in loose snow then the fronts spun.?

There is a terrible limiter/governer on reverse - can't get enough power down at all to reverse in the deep stuff, the power just gets cut at low rpm/power. Is this standard?

Thanks,

Buzz

Probably some computer controlled safe guard to protect the drive-train? "Racing the engine and spinning the wheels when stuck may lead to transmission overheating and failure." "When trying to free a stuck vehicle by moving between first and reverse, do not spin the wheels faster than 15mph or drivetrain damage may result."

next time try leaving the traction control on, that should help equalize the torque between the wheels since our differentials are open.

I have the same problem in reverse, there's an electronic throttle limiter which all new Mercedes have as well. Very annoying as it prevents me from reversing up my steep driveway unless I get a good head start from the bottom. There are situations where someone could get stuck just because of this "feature".
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It sounds you did everything right except that if you ideed had it "floored" it may have been a safeguard preventing the engagement of the front wheels. The service manual stated gradual/low throttle will allow proper transfer of power to front wheels as needed.

Idealrides, FYI, the limited slip function on the axles is always on regardless if ESP/TC is on or off.