It uses the VSS sensor, and another sensor on the output of clutch pack inside the transmission. The automatic AWD is very sophisticated for the price of the car. the newer ones sue the ABS system to redirect power to the whell that isnt slipping, so it is possible to get 100% of the torque (on paper) to one wheel with traction. First it uses the awd, then it uses throttle control, then it starts applying brake force to the spinning wheels until the car starts moving. I think this first came out in 2001 with the 6cylinder. The technology nor testing wasnt available till that year for most auto mfgs. Remeber when you start having a computer applying the brakes, you have to do a lot of testing to make sure its safe. It can sometimes take years to write can program for these things.

 

nipper

I have only had a awd for 3 weeks, and only had a chance to play in some snow yesterday.

 

the first winter i had my 94 legacy wagon in,i gave my friend a scare.

 

going through the local dunkin donuts drive through(which was a basic wide u-turn).i did a'lil driftin around the turn.untill i noticed the back end was aiming towards a light pole.

:-p

 

awd subarus can be real fun in the snow:banana:

It uses the VSS sensor, and another sensor on the output of clutch pack inside the transmission. The automatic AWD is very sophisticated for the price of the car. the newer ones sue the ABS system to redirect power to the whell that isnt slipping, so it is possible to get 100% of the torque (on paper) to one wheel with traction. First it uses the awd, then it uses throttle control, then it starts applying brake force to the spinning wheels until the car starts moving. I think this first came out in 2001 with the 6cylinder. The technology nor testing wasnt available till that year for most auto mfgs. Remeber when you start having a computer applying the brakes, you have to do a lot of testing to make sure its safe. It can sometimes take years to write can program for these things.

 

nipper

 

I should have excluded the H6 3.0 VDC and LSD equipped Subaru's from my earlier comment.

ok so if i shift my auto into 1st the car will become a 50/50 split? will it stay a 50/50 if i shift it into 2nd and 3rd too?

and why would suabaru favor the front wheels for the 90/10 split?

ok so if i shift my auto into 1st the car will become a 50/50 split? will it stay a 50/50 if i shift it into 2nd and 3rd too?

 

From what I have read, it will be a 50/50 split when you manually select "1", "2", and Reverse.

From what I have read, it will be a 50/50 split when you manually select "1", "2", and Reverse.

On my '02 OBS it goes to 50/50 in "1" & "R", but definitely not in "2".

 

There may have been earlier models or models outside North America that did tho.

haha someone find out!! ~very curious:slobber:

The tranny locks the torque split 50/50 only in first and reverse. As far as I know, not in any other gear.

 

Subaru uses a 90/10 split on autos for better gas mileage more then likely.

I looked through the owners book and all it mentions about manually selecting 2nd is that it'll skip first gear for better traction in slippery conditions.

 

I called SOA, but apparently you need to be a dealer in order to talk to their tech guys... Sooo I tried calling a dealership and the service guy asked their mechanics who "have no idea" (i'm not surprised).

 

I searched google groups, but just found conflicting info...

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.subaru/browse_thread/thread/19bc1688b22b3383/30baa873d3afa705?lnk=st&q=50%2F50+split+subaru+what+gears&rnum=3&hl=en#30baa873d3afa705

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.subaru/browse_thread/thread/cc4cc9203bf215a/33bf11a1b2f36371?lnk=st&q=50%2F50+split+subaru+what+gears&rnum=1&hl=en#33bf11a1b2f36371

 

I'm inclined to believe the folks who've posted the 1st and R only.

why does the 90/10 favor the front wheels?

Because its a front wheel drive car with the most the weight over the front wheels.

 

 

nipper

I looked through the owners book and all it mentions about manually selecting 2nd is that it'll skip first gear for better traction in slippery conditions.

 

I called SOA, but apparently you need to be a dealer in order to talk to their tech guys... Sooo I tried calling a dealership and the service guy asked their mechanics who "have no idea" (i'm not surprised).

 

QUOTE]

 

Ive droped SUbaru of america emails, and have gotten very detailed responses in the past. It takes them af ew days. Drop them an email, mention this board (they know we exist) and see what happens.

 

nipper