Thread: Subaru Owners looking to save on gas...

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.

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.

Originally Posted by INDY GS

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

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....

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.

Originally Posted by Crinkle

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

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?

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.

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