Subaru Owners looking to save on gas...

Here is a little trick I just learned, it may already be known by many, but at any rate. On Subarus at least from 00' and up there is a fuse socket in the under hood fuse box, look in you manual as to which one, place a 15 amp fuse in there and that is an override for the AWD system, it effectively and safely places the car into front wheel drive mode.

Since spring is here, there is no threat of snow or ice, gas is $2.39 a gallon, and it is just long dry road trips ahead, I switched mine a week ago to test it, I am getting better than 32 mpg in my Outback sedan, before I was getting around 24mpg.

no shit? I will be trying this on my Forester. Nice.

Only works with an automatic transmission. Wishing I could do that right now, gas costs have been killing me lately.

oh yeah on AT only. I am completly stoked. Also I know it works on older At models two, on the 98's the fuse is conveniently labled AWD and has its own socket towards the firewall on the back left of the engine. I hope this helps alot of people save on gas.

INDY

AT only huh. Well I had to buy an AT after knee surgery up until just know I have been wishing that I bought a manual.

Dang, have the manual transmission.

I'm surprised that you get 8 mpg more with the AWD disabled. I think in the ATs the normal distribution between front and rear is like 90/10. Shit, if I could theorectically disable the AWD in my manual I'd be rocking 38mpg?

Some of the advantage may be that I have only been doing this for a week and almost all the miles have been highway(It has been nice enough to bike alot). I will be watching closely to see how it levels out when I drive more.

I guess any mpg savings is worth it though. Just don't forget you have it in FWD when the snow starts to fly again.

as soon as it stps snowing in UT I will try this out ( let ya know in June!)

interesting, I will ask my mechanic about that this weekend.

I spoke to a mechanic about it yesterday, he said there would be no harm done to the trens or the differentials. He said subaru designed it this way for troubleshooting issues on the awd system, but it can be safely used w/o compromising your awd system in the long run.

I think I may design a switch that I can run to the dash so I can flip it on and off at will.

I'm Interested in others experience with this.

I have this option on my 91...won't be trying it for a while though...still slipery around Banff at the moment...more gravel and mud than snow :(

So, this is a safe option and is suitable for long term use with out damaging the vehicle?

My suby mechanic said it was safe.

What about the WRX autos? I'd worry about the extra power pushing through the tranny to only 2WD.

I imagine you could do it with any AWD vehicle if they have the shutoff fuse socket. I would contact your suby or appropriate shop to find if it is OK on a WRX.

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Originally Posted by SkiingBear

Wishing I could do that right now, gas costs have been killing me lately.

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Oh stop whining biiatch... 1.2Euros a litre here = 1.6$?

I've got to say, that makes the subaru seem a lot more appealing.

Regardless of what a subaru mech. might say, I would almost gurantee if you have a waurenty that this would void it. If you have a problem, change it back before you take it to a dealer.

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Originally Posted by INDY GS

I think I may design a switch that I can run to the dash so I can flip it on and off at will.

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Putting a toggle switch isn't too hard. I have one for my ABS (which sucks in snow) and it took me about a half hour, a toggle switch, a blown 20 amp fuse and some wire. The only difference is that you'll have to run the wire from the engine area.

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Originally Posted by PaSucks

Regardless of what a subaru mech. might say, I would almost gurantee if you have a waurenty that this would void it. If you have a problem, change it back before you take it to a dealer.

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Shouldn't void the warranty. The owners manual instructs you to do this if you have to use the spare tire (donut). Mismatched tire sizes can mess with the differential. As far as I'm concerned, if it's in the owners manual, it damn well better not void the warranty.

Along the same lines, if you need to replace a tire you're supposed to replace all 4 or, as I found out not too long ago, you can have the new tire "shaved down" to match the wear on the remaining 3 tires (definitely cheaper for the short term).

I agree with skiingbear, I doubt this would void the warranty as it is spelled out in the owners manual. It wouldn't hurt to switch it back to go to the dealer for regular check ups, as I doubt there is any way for them to know as long as it was switched back.

NNNNNNOOOOOO not just Automatics it can't be so! I was so stoked when I first read this.... but of course I have a 5speed. I'm going over to scooby mods to confirm or deny this. No offense but this is a ski forum and they really seem to know their subs over there. I wouldn't go there to learn the best place to ski either.

Not surprising there is an insane amount of info over there. This search had some

this is more direct

This is a link in the link

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Originally Posted by L7

No offense but this is a ski forum and they really seem to know their subs over there. I wouldn't go there to learn the best place to ski either.

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Couldn't be that some of us are members in both forums? ;)

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Originally Posted by SkiingBear

Couldn't be that some of us are members in both forums? ;)

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I've seen a couple of names over there that were the same. Coincidence.....?

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Originally Posted by Mit

Putting a toggle switch isn't too hard. I have one for my ABS (which sucks in snow) and it took me about a half hour, a toggle switch, a blown 20 amp fuse and some wire. The only difference is that you'll have to run the wire from the engine area.

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I have a toggle switch to my injection throttle body that eliminates the cold engine high idle that makes it hard to engine brake going down canyon on cold mornings. The nice thing about electronic stuff is that you can cut and splice and switch almost any of it if you do it correctly.

So i have a 96 Outback and i found a little compartment with the words FWD on the cap, which i'm assuming is the right spot. However, i must be pretty retarded because i can't find mention of what to put in there to make it FWD in the manual. Can anyone help a brother out?

stick your dick in it, see if that works.....failing that try, a 15 amp fuse. ;)

After viewing this thread I quickly called a subi shop and inquired into this feature. The service chap told me about installing a 15amp fuse in the FWD SWITCH position of the fuse box and all is good. BUT, he claimed that this is only for times when the AWD is acting up or a tire repair situation. Kenny (the tech.) said that it is not good to run the car like this all the time as all the pressure in the diferential is distributed to the front which can damage the diferential. I would like to know more....anybody have more experience doing this?????

I have spoke with two different subaru shops and got the same answer from both of them. I also spoke with stan the man at a transmission shop who verified that it was safe. I am going to keep on driving this way untill it is shown to cause documented problem.

I have definately seen improvement on my milage which makes me happy.

Now if it is at the expense of my transmission or differentials, then, maybe not such a good savings. I trust the first guy that told me it was OK.

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Originally Posted by INDY GS

stick your dick in it, see if that works.....failing that try, a 15 amp fuse. ;)

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I think i'll stick with the second optoin, first one might leave a mark...

Apparently we are not the first board to have this discussion - maybe if the lads on this site wonder what happens when you tighten down the toe piece on your freerides too much we could have a cultural exchange...


http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/...e-transmission

Didn't think of it's relevance when I posted it earlier, but keep in mind the tire wear. With only FWD, the fronts are going to wear faster and be out of whack when you turn the AWD back on. Something to consider.

That's a very good thing to know....:It makes you save gas and it's also good for our dear environment.... :wink:

I have now spoken with two experienced subaru techs and they both say.

DON'T DO IT!!!

This is an emergency switch only, meant to be switched on when driving afte a flat tire and you have to use the smaller spare. It turns off the computer so that AWD doesn't engage or get wrecked when driving with a spare. Any long term use could seriously damage the AWD and or the Differential or both.

Peace.

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Originally Posted by Crinkle

What about the WRX autos? I'd worry about the extra power pushing through the tranny to only 2WD.

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I'm late jumping in here, but just wanted to say one thing: what kind of a pussy would buy a WRX with an AT? :D

If this doesn't work out for you, consider trying the Condensator, I've heard good things from buddies that have installed it:

http://www.condensatorsales.com/index.html

# Reduce Engine Emissions.
# Add Power and Economy.
# Reduce Maintenance Costs.

I agree DON'T DO IT for extended periods of time. It is for emergency and diognostic use only, not to get better gas mileage.

It doesn't actually make the car FWD but forces the clutch packs to give maximum torque to the front axle. Most subarus today would see ~80% of the power at the front wheels. You can spin the front tires with this but it still puts some power to the rear. Additionally, I understand that you will likely burn up the Duty C solenoid which is big $$ to replace.

Keep in mind, if Subaru felt it was a good way to improve mileage they would sure as hell advertise it and sell it as an added feature.

extreeski & spread eagle are totally correct. And if you blow your differential, don't whine when they don't cover your powertrain warranty. People abusing warranties is why we all suffer the struggle to get legitament warranty work done. :rolleyes:

Put a transmission oil temp guage on and watch, it will rise due to this mod.