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Back when Subaru made 4WD vehicles (I believe 2003 was the end of them), I could drive through a foot of heavy wet snow with ease. Now with AWD, even with the best tires, they just spin if all 4 even spin at all.
I think you're misunderstanding how AWD systems work and your expectations are misleading too. Car makers cannot meet the EPA's min fuel economy if they make cars with 4WD full-time. All AWD cars today uses different ways to sense slip and shift power. With a proper off-roading SUV, you can setup locking diffs to give you 4WD full-time. However that still does not get you get out deep snow without enough ground clearance.
Your problem here is you need to buy the right type of vehicle and don't expect any car with AWD to perform the same. There's a reason people buy 4x4s over normal SUVs w/AWD.
The Nissan Rogue has it, you just turn it on when you want to get real 4wd from awd. Yes it makes a difference. Its a CVT and works GREAT on snow and ice. You can turn on the monitor to watch which axle is getting the power... Exactly what you are describing. You can select it when you get into some of the more serious snow.
I second the Nissan Rogue! We’ve had several Nissans and they are great vehicles! I also have a 2010 Mitsubiski Outlander Gt that has the part time 4wd. There a switch for me to turn it on when needed. We live in the Chicagoland area so we need 4wd in the winter!!
I second the Nissan Rogue! We’ve had several Nissans and they are great vehicles! I also have a 2010 Mitsubiski Outlander Gt that has the part time 4wd. There a switch for me to turn it on when needed. We live in the Chicagoland area so we need 4wd in the winter!!
Ahah, the Outlander is what I meant in my OP, not the Uplander. And from what I understand it has on demand 4WD. I'll add that to my list. Thanks.
Toyota uses a 4WD system, not just AWD. When needed, there is a button on the dash to switch to 4WD, which in turn locks both axles (front and rear) for driving under 25MMPH. That's what I was trying to tell the OP.
Toyota uses a 4WD system, not just AWD. When needed, there is a button on the dash to switch to 4WD, which in turn locks both axles (front and rear) for driving under 25MMPH. That's what I was trying to tell the OP.
Yeah until recently we had a 2009 RAV4 too. It's not an on demand system. And no noticeable difference for you to push the lock button to tell it you want max output at the rear vs the computer just figuring out it needs to do that in a low traction situation in my experience on WA beaches and in snow. http://www.rav4world.com/pdf/2006/2006_4wdsystem.pdf
Yeah until recently we had a 2009 RAV4 too. It's not an on demand system. And no noticeable difference for you to push the lock button to tell it you want max output at the rear vs the computer just figuring out it needs to do that in a low traction situation in my experience on WA beaches and in snow. http://www.rav4world.com/pdf/2006/2006_4wdsystem.pdf
It works quite well on my wife's 2010 RAV4 V6. What it does is to engage the wheels both in the front and rear when you want maximum traction such as when driving though deep snow, and so on. So in a way it is a 4WD on demand, except that is designed for low speed driving under 25MPH.
Some US trucks are that way too. For example, my 2001 Silverado is a 4WD truck has the following on demand settings:
a. AUTO 4WD. In this case the rear wheels are engaged, and if the system senses a difference of speed between the rear and front wheels, it automatically engages the front wheels to assist with traction.
b. 2HI for summer or non slippery driving (the rear wheels are engaged, or 2WD)
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TRlaura
Back when Subaru made 4WD vehicles (I believe 2003 was the end of them), I could drive through a foot of heavy wet snow with ease. Now with AWD, even with the best tires, they just spin if all 4 even spin at all.
What??? I just drove through more than 12 inches with my Outback and had absolutely zero issues. Like every other time. Tomorrow, given how heavy it is snowing, I'll probably plow through 18 inches.
Mod cut.
Last edited by PJSaturn; 03-09-2018 at 02:22 PM..
Reason: Personal attack; name-calling.
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