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SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?
782 messages, Last post on Feb 25, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You are in the Honda CR-V Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Considering Forrester XTL, RAV4 (6cyl), CRV and OB 3.0. Am in the midst of learning vehicles and was comforted by posts here which address many same issues wifey and i (and 2 kids, ages 5 and 9) have with choice. All are excellent vehicles and have their various dis/advantages, some thoughts/questions: I like the OB 3.0: good AWD system, alth mpg may suffer, but does it really suffer that much considering it is always there as opposed to wonder if it will come on when i would like to have it there and then go off when I exceed 25 mph, like the RAV4 which gets about 3 mpg more on avg. I beleive I understand fundamentals of FW 4WD (that the vehicle runs as FWD until it senses slippage at which time power is directed to rear) but that is all I have been able to discern from the brochure or sales staff (who are reluctant to show me a manual), some questions: I like the continued high quality and reliability of Toyota and Honda (alth Sub appears to come real close to them both), but re RAV4: 1. once the front wheels slip, how immediate is the transfer of power to the rear? 2. If I know in advance that I will want to run in 4WD, can I opt in advance to engage the 4WD? 3. If I so opt, will the 4WD still auto disengage at 25 mph or does the 4WD lock allow me to run in 4WD above 25 mph anmd or when the front wheels do not sense slippage? 4. Are the EPA estimates based upon FWD operation of the vehicle and are the estimates affected by use of the 4WD? Both Forrester and RAV4 appear to be roomy enough; appears that 2010 OB will address rear seat space and window frame issues (which both bother us), but does anyone know if the changes will amount to a new generation as i am hesitant to buy first year of a new generatn - or sh I be here? Thank you in advance for any info/thoughts.
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Replying to: rfrf (Feb 17, 2009 7:43 am) |
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Replying to: rsholland (Feb 16, 2009 1:22 pm) A light on the dash actually comes on calling for service, and you have to use the odometer to reset it. After the issues with sludge on the old 3.0l V6 Toyota got smart and put that reminder front and center. Our Forester is 3750 under Schedule A or 7500 under Schedule B, though most people fall under A. I like the 5000 interval only because it's easy to recall - 5, 10, 15. On the Forester our 3rd change would be at 11,250 miles, how am I going to remember that?
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Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2009 9:36 am)
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Replying to: thegraduate (Feb 19, 2009 9:38 am) |
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Concerning the AWD systems of each vehicle, I would rate them as follows: 1. Forester 2. RAV4 3. CRV *one interesting sidenote to the RAV's system that I like is you can engage the 4wd system with the push of a button that will produce a 55% front wheel power and 45% rear wheel power that is constant until the vehicle reaches 25 mph, at which time the 4wd system kicks out into the regular AWD system. |
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*one interesting sidenote to the RAV's system that I like is you can engage the 4wd system with the push of a button that will produce a 55% front wheel power and 45% rear wheel power that is constant until the vehicle reaches 25 mph, at which time the 4wd system kicks out into the regular AWD system. My guess is that it kicks at 25 mph out to become FWD, not AWD. I believe the new RAV4 has an on-demand AWD, meaning that it is FWD until it senses tire slippage, then the rear wheels kick in. So, reverting back to FWD (not AWD) at 25 mph, make more sense. Bob
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Replying to: rsholland (Feb 20, 2009 6:32 am) Me: I want to buy the RAV4 but have a question before I do. I undetsand that the vehicle normally runs in FWD until slippage detected andn then it goes into 4wd, but: 1. is it possible to run in 4WD before the front wheels sense slippage/can I use the 4WD lock button to select 4wd before i even put the car in motion if i want to run in 4WD from the start and will it then auto disengage at 25mph? can i lock it into 4WD at that point so that i will continue in 4WD at speeds above 25mph? 2. Once I am in FWD motion, I understand that if the car sense slippage, it will go into 4WD, but will the 4WD lock button allow me to run in 4WD above 25 mph even if the front wheels do not sense slippage at that point?and Quote them: T's response: We appreciate your interest in the 2009 RAV4! Electronic On-Demand Full-Time 4-Wheel Drive (4WD Models) "The Electronic on-demand full-time 4WD, introduced in 2006, distributes engine torque between front and rear differentials via an electronic coupling attached to the front of the rear differential. This allows the vehicle to switch continuously from front-wheel drive to 4WD while optimizing the front-to-rear distribution of torque. As a result, stability and fuel economy are better than that of the viscous-coupling system it replaced. A manual 4WD Lock switch allows the driver to choose either “Lock” or “Auto” mode. When optimum traction is needed (off-road or on slippery pavement) and the vehicle speed is below 25 mph, a switch to “Lock” maximizes torque distribution (50%) to the rear wheels. At 25 mph or above, the mode is automatically switched to “Auto.” On dry pavement, the driver selects “Auto.” By doing so, torque is distributed to the rear wheels to help ensure stabilized starting from a stop. On straight, dry surfaces, all torque goes to the front wheels to help save fuel. During low-speed cornering, the front wheels get more torque, the rear wheels get less. Whenever the brakes are applied in “Auto” or ”Lock” mode, 4WD is cancelled to optimize the benefits of ABS and enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters and is available for management review. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us." I replied: Sorry for the follow up question, but when in Auto mode and driving at speeds above 25 mph, will the car go into 4WD and transfer power to the rear wheels? I need a little more info on how Auto mode works ar speeds above 25 mph. Thanks. SEE NXT POST |
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Replying to: rfrf (Feb 20, 2009 9:49 am) Sorry for the follow up question, but when in Auto mode and driving at speeds above 25 mph, will the car go into 4WD and transfer power to the rear wheels? I need a little more info on how Auto mode works ar speeds above 25 mph. Thanks. SEE NXT POST T replied: Conditions of the RAV4 system operation are as follows: Starting from a stop: Drive torque is distributed to the front and rear wheels, with a significant amount going to the rear wheels. Low-speed cornering: Little or no torque is distributed to the rear wheels - this aids in preventing driveline binding during cornering. Straight and steady driving: Little or no torque is applied to the rear wheels to enhance fuel economy Straight-line acceleration: Torque is applied to the rear wheels to enhance traction under acceleration. Additionally, the driver can use a “Lock” button to help the vehicle pull itself out of low traction situations such as sand. Operating the “Lock” switch transmits the maximum amount of drive torque to the rear wheels (approx. 45% of total torque output). From the “Lock”mode, the vehicle will automatically return to “Auto” mode when the vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph, or when the driver deactivates the “Lock” mode by depressing the “Lock” switch. Whenever the brakes are applied in “Auto” or ”Lock” mode, 4WD is interrupted to optimize the benefits of ABS and enhanced VSC. Another feature of the electronic on-demand system is that it can work in conjunction with the VSC system to apply torque to the rear wheels in variable amounts to aid the VSC system in reducing the effects of a vehicle skid condition. I replied: I thank you very much for the info, but my question is: When in Auto mode and driving at speeds above 25 mph, will the Elec dem system transmit drive torque to the rear wheels if the system senses slippage or is the auto mode more of a default for when I come back down to speeds below 26 mph? As an example, if I am driving at speeds in the 50s or 60s (like on the highway) andn the front wheels sense slippage, would the Elec on Dem system transmit drive torque to the rear wheels? I got no response. While I may not be the most articulate and nor the most mechanically educated, I have hard earned cash in hand and want to understand how it works before i buy. while i hope that i just did not get a similartly unfamiliar person as a rep to answer my questions, T's response ceratint makes it sound like at speeds above 25 mph, the RAV4 reverts to FWD and that 4WD no longer is avail. |
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Replying to: rfrf (Feb 20, 2009 9:49 am) You only need it for added traciton on slippery surfaces when starting from stand still. Once in motion, 4WD is not needed to aid propulsion. In fact, powering rear wheels in turns, or sudden power applied to rear wheels in turns, especially on slippery surfaces will send the vehicle into oversteer. Most people don't know how to react to oversteer, since most cars are dialed in for understeer. Most people slam on the brakes and end up rolling their veihcle over. Are you prepapred to turn the wheel into the steer and continually apply power to come out of oversteer without flipping the vehicle over? |
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