Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Forester XT First Drive and Full Test

71 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV

First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester XT - First Impressions: The style factor is up, but so is the practicality.(more)

Full Test: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited - Bottom Line: Bigger and better, the quirky little Forester has become a grown-up SUV. (more)

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#70 of 71 Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [kurtamaxxxguy] by 204meca Aug 25, 2009 (9:26 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 06, 2009 12:00 pm) Kurt & Juice: I did not know Subaru has a "FWD option"! Is that true of all Subies - sticks & automatics? Lets say I am driving on I 94 through Eastern Montana, S Dakota & Minnesota in the summer -- basically 1000 miles of relatively flat, dry straight concrete ribbon. If I install a fuse to defeat the AWD & am in FWD only, will that reduce the mechanical load / friction / drag resulting in a signifcant (may 10% increase in mpg as wild guess)? So could I have FWD much of the time & simply pull the fuse when AWD traction is desired? Replies to this message: ateixeira (Aug 26, 2009 11:14 am)
#71 of 71 Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [204meca] by ateixeira Aug 26, 2009 (11:14 am)
Replying to: 204meca (Aug 25, 2009 9:26 pm) Not all - you only have the "insert FWD Fuse" option on the base AWD models with automatic. So not on models with VTD AWD and also not with the viscous coupling manual trans models. It's really meant for part-time use when you get a flat tire. It would be hard to know the long-term effects of disengaging the rear axle from the front because it is meant to have torque transmitted there full-time. Who knows if all those parts will be properly lubricated under loads. Also, you won't get 10%. Yes there is more drag, but you carry the extra weight regardless of whether it's on or off. I bet you'll see more like 3-5%, if that.

#70 of 71: Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [kurtamaxxxguy] by 204meca; Aug 25, 2009 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Feb 06, 2009 12:00 pm)

Kurt & Juice:

I did not know Subaru has a "FWD option"!

Is that true of all Subies - sticks & automatics?

Lets say I am driving on I 94 through Eastern Montana, S Dakota & Minnesota in the summer -- basically 1000 miles of relatively flat, dry straight concrete ribbon. If I install a fuse to defeat the AWD & am in FWD only, will that reduce the mechanical load / friction / drag resulting in a signifcant (may 10% increase in mpg as wild guess)? So could I have FWD much of the time & simply pull the fuse when AWD traction is desired?

ateixeira (Aug 26, 2009 11:14 am)

#71 of 71: Re: Torque Split on AWD statement is wrong [204meca] by ateixeira; Aug 26, 2009 (11:14 am)

Replying to: 204meca (Aug 25, 2009 9:26 pm)

Not all - you only have the "insert FWD Fuse" option on the base AWD models with automatic. So not on models with VTD AWD and also not with the viscous coupling manual trans models.

It's really meant for part-time use when you get a flat tire.

It would be hard to know the long-term effects of disengaging the rear axle from the front because it is meant to have torque transmitted there full-time. Who knows if all those parts will be properly lubricated under loads.

Also, you won't get 10%. Yes there is more drag, but you carry the extra weight regardless of whether it's on or off. I bet you'll see more like 3-5%, if that.