September 9, 200322 yr I bought my first Subaru (and first AWD) last month. A 2003 Forester X 5sp. As expected, I don’t notice much difference due to the AWD on dry pavement. I'm not quite sure yet if there's a difference on wet pavement for that matter. And the snow and ice are still a few months away…. But I was wondering if people could share their impressions of how one should drive a Subaru AWD under different conditions (rain, snow, ice), and what one could expect in terms of handling, general feel, and any other things that just might be "different."
September 9, 200322 yr At the first snow, take it to a deserted parking lot of good size and you will be able to answer all of your questions Have fun! Do donuts, power slides, ect.... On the way there though, take it easy You'll be pleased with your purchase!
September 9, 200322 yr The rear end likes to come around for a visit on the manual transmission models, especially in fresh snow. I suspect the 50/50 TQ split that you have with the manual tranny is mostly to blame.
September 9, 200322 yr The 98 OBW I bought in June is my first AWD vehicle, and I had similar questions. I noticed that my car feels heavier than a medium sized wagon otherwise would. A while back, I got a flat (actually, I got TWO flats at the same time, but that's another story). After I patched one, and installed the spare for the other, I popped a fuse in the FWD box under the hood, as is recommended. I noticed that the car felt lighter, and not as well planted on the street. On gravel, the front tires seemed to have no traction at all, whereas in AWD, I can barely get the wheels to spin. The AWD kicks butt on steep unpaved mountain roads. Peace,
September 9, 200322 yr Well, essentially, I find that my manual 50/50 split will behave like a rear wheel drive car on snow and ice A well sorted RWD of course! My car will allow oversteer, but you always have the feeling that things are moving forward and that the front wheels are still participating. RWD will often give the unnerving sensation that it is about to spin all the way round Basically, the rear end will step out in first gear under hard throttle if the steering wheel is turned, but otherwise wheelspin induced oversteer is not on the cards. Not with a set of winter tyres anyway. Lift-off oversteer (closing the throttle, yes?) is always part of the equation (dry/wet/icy), and allows for a nice trim of the cornering line without tugging at the steering wheel. In summary: The handling is "forgiving". Flattering even, so make sure you don't get over confident before you have gotten to know the car well.
September 10, 200322 yr Ok, here's my experience: Setright's description is very accurate, it handles like a RWD car with help from the front. With power to the front wheels you are able to better handle any slides you may encounter. I had a friend drive my 1st Gen manual Legacy once, and when he got in a slide, the first thing he did (and the worst to do) was get on the clutch. After a 360 the keys were back in my hands. :-p If you know how to handle cars at all, an AWD car gives the best feedback and has the most natural feel to its handling. Just remember: 4WD can get you out, but AWD can keep you out! Oh, and one more thing about AWD. kevinsUBARU is right about the parking lot test. I once got it to spin around it's yaw axis (imagine a pole coming up from the center of the car) AND I have witnesses! ScoobySchmitty
September 10, 200322 yr List of things NOT to do while sliding a car: 1) De-clutch 2) Brake 3) Shut the thottle suddenly 4) Brake 5) Make sudden steering corrections 6) Brake 7) In fact, don't even look at the brake pedal I grant you that maybe pulling the handbrake hard might make an unavoidable accident less painful, leaving the road backwards beats leaving it sideways! God forbid any us should need to take such drastic measures
September 11, 200322 yr Sure you can RodA, you just have to not care about the center diff. Believe me, it's possible, but I would never do it in my own car, unless "forced" to.
September 12, 200322 yr you can brake while sliding, if you want your rear end to come around alot further fast also since your on ice the center diff sould be able to lock the front wheel if you pull the hand brake, shouldent it.
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