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Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Forester 2009 Subaru Forester
3652 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 2:21 PM
You are in the Subaru Forester Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: capitano (Dec 17, 2008 6:50 am) The Forester is supposedly FWD biased even though it's an AWD car. Yet when accelerating on snow and ice, the '09 swings its tail out rather than understeer severely (as my former FWD cars would do on bad roads). Perhaps for '09, Subaru changed the balance of the AWD system to be more rear end biased?
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 10:34 am) |
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 10:34 am) Bill
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 14, 2008 2:45 pm) I've bought a set of dedicated wheels and winter tires for my 09' Forester 2.5X Premium. I ordered them from tirerack.com. I got 16" alloy wheels with 215/65-16 General Altimax Artic tires. I wasn't even going to bother with the oem Geolanders during the winter months. My previous SUV with its all-seasons was a nightmare in the winter. If it wasn't in 4wd it wasn't moving! If you want maximum traction in winter weather, a dedicated winter tire is the only way to go. This was my first set of winter tires and so far they have been great, i've gone through heavy rain in 40°F weather to wet roads at freezing temps and the forester drove like the pavement was dry. I tried taking some quick turns and fast take offs on wet pavement, but i haven't been able to break them loose. I still haven't tried them out in the snow, but were going to get a good amount of snowfall here in New England on Friday, so i'll get to test them out! 
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Replying to: billwv (Dec 17, 2008 4:12 pm) Perhaps the '10 will re-introduce the 5 speed manual (it was dropped after '08).
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 5:48 pm)
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Replying to: Panos (Dec 17, 2008 6:01 pm) 
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 10:34 am) Now I found the Subie VDC to be the least intrusive, but that also means the least active. I feel very comfortable with the level of traction and stability control it offers. I hated the Toyo at the other end of the spectrum it still slid, but the VDC set off an annoying audible alarm and you could feel power being cut and coming back on and there was even kickback at the wheel. What I disliked about that was the fact I couldn't tell what it was doing to make my own adjustments and actually felt like I was fighting the vehicle. That being said, the Toyo was the hardest to slide. I've been driving RWD, 4WD and AWD vehicles without VDC for over 25 winters so I much prefer the Subie, but for my Nanny driving the kids in icy conditions, I'd prefer the Toyota. I'd put the Honda in between the other two. For most situations, I'll bet that folks coming from FWD vehicles just need to be more gentle with the throttle. The FWD doesn't punish too much acceleration, but AWD vehicles will. With all 4 wheels gripping, you can be more conservative with the throttle and still get moving. Just wait until most of the turn is completed before getting on the gas heavily. |
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Finally had a chance to drive the '09 XT Ltd. in significant snow--got 5" the other day in Chicago with about 8 more to come today. Gotta tell you, this thing is magic in the snow--pulls like a tractor. I actually liked it better before they plowed, because once they did more of the underlying ice was exposed and then it didn't do as well. I noticed the 4 wheel drift tendency when accelerating through a corner also, but it's very predictable and therefore controllable, unlike my old CRV--in that, which was front wheel drive only until slippage was detected, usually the rear wheels would engage halfway through a corner which had the tendency to push you straight ahead. You could anticipate it somewhat, but since slippage is erratic it was much harder to control than the Forester. My daughter banged it into a curb and bent the front suspension as a result of this. I haven't notice the wheel well buildup like some others have, but it was only about 15 degrees when the snow fell which makes it a lot less sticky. |
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Replying to: Panos (Dec 17, 2008 5:43 pm) Can anyone confirm this, or point me toward a reference -- I find it interesting. Thanks, Bill
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