Forester, Minnesota winter

[P T]

I've lived in Minnesota for 49 years, and there is a situation most
people up here are familiar with in the winter: one of the drive wheels
is spinning freely, and the other wheel is stationary, much like the
rest of the car: stuck.

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,
I now have a '04 Forester. What can I expect? I fear it is naive to
think this vehicle really has 4 wheel power (just a a 2 wheel drive
vehicle reverts to 1 wheel drive when you need it most.)

Any people from the snow belt can answer my questions?

Pete

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,
I now have a '04 Forester. What can I expect? I fear it is naive to
think this vehicle really has 4 wheel power (just a a 2 wheel drive
vehicle reverts to 1 wheel drive when you need it most.)

Any people from the snow belt can answer my questions?

Pete

I'm in a snow belt area of Ontario, and can confirm, it's still quite
possible to get stuck! However, I had to work considerably harder to
achieve that state in my Impreza. Because of the centre limited slip
differential, you have two wheels working for you, one at each end of
the car, in slippery conditions.

Not as effective in the deep stuff as a locked-up FWD vehicle, but much
more flexible in operation.

Larry Van Wormer

 

[JP]

Hi from Finland (yes, we have snow). I believe you will be surprised of the
performance. I got my first 4 wheel drive 4 years ago (Golf 4 motion) and
after that experience, I simply dont have any choice no more (Golf, Audi S4
and now Subaru Impreza). It will not be as a jeep or similar, but the level
of getting stuck is far higher that with 2 wheel drive car. I believe, you
really will ne amazed of the difference it makes.

 

[Hallraker]

I've lived in Minnesota for 49 years, and there is a situation most
people up here are familiar with in the winter: one of the drive wheels
is spinning freely, and the other wheel is stationary, much like the
rest of the car: stuck.

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,
I now have a '04 Forester. What can I expect? I fear it is naive to
think this vehicle really has 4 wheel power (just a a 2 wheel drive
vehicle reverts to 1 wheel drive when you need it most.)

Any people from the snow belt can answer my questions?

Subaru has made several distinct 4 wheel drive systems over the year. They
range from the basic lever operated 4x4 system of the old Subies, to the
highly advanced VDC systems available today.

IIRC, in 1999 the Forester was available with a rear LSD. (Limited Slip
Differential) I can't remember if it was standard or optional, but my
mother's Forester (also a 1999) has the LSD. The front is still open, but
in a snowy situation both rear wheels should be powered. Keep in mind that
it is LIMITED slip, there will still be some slip but it won't be totally
one wheel as with a open differential.

I've driven an older Outback for over 4 years now, and have only been stuck
once. I've driven in deep snow, mud with a pudding-like consistency, and
through a partially frozen floodplain. The only time I've gotten stuck was
when I was goofing around on a snowy two track and slammed sideways into a
snowbank. The vehicle rocked as if it were about to flip, but I'm thinking
the low center of gravity kept me stable and instead my car bounced up in
the air and landed on a pile of compressed snow and ice. With all four
wheels off the ground and the suspension at full drop, I wasn't going
anywhere. I had my friend tow me out, and HE even got stuck with his dad's
GMC snowplow. Since the tow rope was still attached, I gave his truck a tug
with the Subaru and my tiny Outback pulled it out.

-Matt

 

[Jeff]

I've lived in Minnesota for 49 years, and there is a situation most
people up here are familiar with in the winter: one of the drive wheels
is spinning freely, and the other wheel is stationary, much like the
rest of the car: stuck.

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,
I now have a '04 Forester. What can I expect? I fear it is naive to
think this vehicle really has 4 wheel power (just a a 2 wheel drive
vehicle reverts to 1 wheel drive when you need it most.)

Any people from the snow belt can answer my questions?

Pete

Pete:

I am also from good old Minnesota and only have one way to put this, you
will be amazed at the difference. Winter is tamed, I am not in love with
the stock tires but snow is no problem.

My 04 OBW is in my opinion the best snow car I have ever driven.

Welcome to the world of enjoying driving in snow storms.

Enjoy

 

[Michael Janke]

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,

As you've indicated, a 2wd drive car is really a 1wd car. Most 4wd cars
are really 2wd cars, with at least one front & one rear wheel spinning.

That makes a big difference. I have had various 4wd's for about a dozen
years now & I don't even think about getting up early to shovel so I can
get to work. I just get in, use my bumper to bash down whatever drifts
are in my driveway & drive to work.

Mike (from Minnesota)

 

[Rat]

I've lived in Minnesota for 49 years, and there is a situation most
people up here are familiar with in the winter: one of the drive wheels
is spinning freely, and the other wheel is stationary, much like the
rest of the car: stuck.

This will be my first winter with a non- 2 wheel drive vehicle, namely,
I now have a '04 Forester. What can I expect? I fear it is naive to
think this vehicle really has 4 wheel power (just a a 2 wheel drive
vehicle reverts to 1 wheel drive when you need it most.)

Any people from the snow belt can answer my questions?

Pete

the '04 forester xt has a limited slip rear - you have 3 wheel drive.