The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-24-2008, 01:16 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Front Wheel Drive Question...

Cost of fuel is a major concern for us all. We are hostages to the oil companies. There are things we can do! Make that three.
1. stop driving and just start walking
2. Buy stock in the oil companies and start smiling when we drive past a station and see the daily increased price gouging.
3. Find a way to get better mileage.
The only one that works for me would be the better mileage thingie.
Does FWD get better mileage?
If so could we add a switch to take out the AWD that could be actuated on the go without hurting the transmission?

The question is would it hurt the transmission to change from AWD to FWD while driving the car, and change it back to AWD while continuing to drive.

Installing a switch would be simple

Thanks,
Keith
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-24-2008, 02:05 PM
Hocrest's Avatar
Hocrest Hocrest is offline
Freezepop's are Awesome!!!!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittston, PA
Posts: 5,334
Send a message via AIM to Hocrest
A FWD may get better mileage, but an AWD with FWD engaged won't. This has been hashed out many times...
__________________
Dave
- 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-24-2008, 02:09 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Bummer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hocrest View Post
A FWD may get better mileage, but an AWD with FWD engaged won't. This has been hashed out many times...
...................
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-26-2008, 07:29 PM
It's Just Eric's Avatar
It's Just Eric It's Just Eric is offline
Missing in action
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Tuckerton, NJ, USA
Posts: 3,027
Send a message via AIM to It's Just Eric
Registered SVX
simple answer.... No.
__________________
R.I.P Cool Signature.
You're gone but not forgotten. I mean, sure, I kindof don't remember some of the finer details..but I remember you were funny, and at one point you said spaghetti in Dutch....but definantly not forgotten

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-27-2008, 12:23 AM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
I forgot the question

Quote:
Originally Posted by It's Just Eric View Post
simple answer.... No.
....................
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-27-2008, 02:58 AM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
To be a little more helpful, the problem is that the rear wheel drive machinery and the resulting friction/load and weight remains in place. Even though disconnected, the rear drive is still turned via the rear wheels and constitutes a remaining drag.
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-27-2008, 02:09 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Thanks so much!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
To be a little more helpful, the problem is that the rear wheel drive machinery and the resulting friction/load and weight remains in place. Even though disconnected, the rear drive is still turned via the rear wheels and constitutes a remaining drag.
...................
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-27-2008, 02:22 PM
joe62890 joe62890 is offline
SVXless
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
To be a little more helpful, the problem is that the rear wheel drive machinery and the resulting friction/load and weight remains in place. Even though disconnected, the rear drive is still turned via the rear wheels and constitutes a remaining drag.
My thought exactly. Would gutting the rear end and "converting" it to be a FWD only vehicle make a MPG difference though. I would assume with the removed weight in the rear end you might see a MPG or 2 but I doubt it would warrant the work needed to do so.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-01-2008, 08:17 PM
Wolfy's Avatar
Wolfy Wolfy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Effort
Posts: 174
Send a message via AIM to Wolfy
the only way to change the awd version to fwd is to put that fuse in that certain part of the fuse box as it says in your manual. but even if you do that then you wouldnt be able to go over 25 mph and not very far...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-01-2008, 11:13 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Not really...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfy View Post
the only way to change the awd version to fwd is to put that fuse in that certain part of the fuse box as it says in your manual. but even if you do that then you wouldnt be able to go over 25 mph and not very far...
Real simple to put in a toggle switch that would put the fuse in or out of the same circuit if there was a reason to do it. A little confused about the 25 mph thing... see >

Keith
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-02-2008, 04:40 AM
Manarius's Avatar
Manarius Manarius is offline
1995 Subaru SVX LSi Polo Green
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grantham, PA (Near Harrisburg)
Posts: 2,119
Send a message via ICQ to Manarius Send a message via AIM to Manarius Send a message via MSN to Manarius Send a message via Yahoo to Manarius Send a message via Skype™ to Manarius
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwren View Post
Real simple to put in a toggle switch that would put the fuse in or out of the same circuit if there was a reason to do it. A little confused about the 25 mph thing... see >

Keith
Technically, the FWD fuse slot is for troubleshooting only and the owners manual specifies that you shouldn't exceed 25-35mph with the fuse in.
__________________
-Jason
(8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95
Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod,
svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar,
silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear
(1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver
(12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k)
I have a bad feeling about this.
-Obi Wan Kenobi
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-02-2008, 05:23 AM
Wikedjuggalo's Avatar
Wikedjuggalo Wikedjuggalo is offline
Rebuilding
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 2,419
Registered SVX
I wish.......... 16 MPG around town!
__________________
1994 SVX L - FWD Barcelona Red 190K miles ~ SOLD

1994 SVX LS - 5spd AWD Emerald Green 202k miles PWR Radiator, HID 5000k, New paint job with issues, 17" STI BBS wheels, converted to 5spd AWD from FWD. Purchased from SVXyGirl 2/20/09 -- Undergoing complete rebuild
1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater.
2008 OBXT Newport Pearl 65k miles
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-02-2008, 12:37 PM
crazyhorse's Avatar
crazyhorse crazyhorse is offline
242,000 mi on oem trans
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 1,111
Registered SVX
My Lego has the FWD switch installed. There is NO difference in mileage from FWD to AWD. Unless your tranny is binding the FWD fuse won't help. HOWEVER if the trans IS binding, the fuse will bring the MPG back to where it belongs.

That said if the trans is binding, you've got bigger troubles than just MPG!

& THAT is a story for another thread.
__________________
[SIGPIC]http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=5569&dateline=1207440 507[/SIGPIC]
Naught but by the grace of God
"42"
Current Stable By Age:
'89 Subaru XT6 Silver "Audrey" as in Hepburn
'96 SVX LSi #767Brilliant Red "Lil Red" Now on the front burner. Looking for a totalled, but running parts car.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-02-2008, 04:03 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
No kidding!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manarius View Post
Technically, the FWD fuse slot is for troubleshooting only and the owners manual specifies that you shouldn't exceed 25-35mph with the fuse in.
Good to know! thanks,
Keith
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-02-2008, 04:33 PM
redlightningsvx's Avatar
redlightningsvx redlightningsvx is offline
Collision Refinishing Tech
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Huntingdon, PA
Posts: 2,279
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo View Post
I wish.......... 16 MPG around town!
That sucks i Used to get around 30 mpg FWD
__________________
Seth
94' Barcelona Red w/ Tricoat black 2-tone AWD Ls -Sold
Mods:AWD conversion/4.44 swap by Budfreak, Custom red interior lights, Custom Satin black dash, Power mode switch, Cold air intake, Permecool tranny filter,Sony xplode 10" sub, Sony xplode 1000w amp, Blitz in-line driver, DDM Tuning 6000k HID's, New paint job/body work by me, 97' Grill, QC shift kit, 17'' MB Motoring rims, 15&20 min mod, front & rear urethane swaybar bushings, Custom fiberglass sub box, Custom red led a/c control unit, perrin lightweight crank pulley, Black wrinkle finish powdercoated intake manifold w/ clear hoses , 02' outback heated/power black leather seats
Soon to come:Fiberglass hood, upholster ALL suede to black leather
Past subies:

92' Pearl White/black top LS-L-SOLD
96' Legacy Outback-TOTALED
99' Legacy Outback Limited 30th anniversary edition-TOTALED
98' Forester L -Totaled
Other toys:
99' Forester S -WRX brake upgrade, soon an 04 wrx motor swap
06' B9 Tribeca-Stock
1982' Yamaha xj650 Maxim
Mods:
work in progress
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122