Dan Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 A question on snow driving: I have a Subaru Outback wagon with AWD (the official car of the PNW), and I've been carrying a bag of sand in the back for the last two winters. It works...at least, I think it works: no wrecks so far (doesn't hurt that I drive like a little old lady on snow). I'm curious though: how much weight should I ideally be carrying back there? My sandbag is one of those "car weight" things they sell at Home Depot - sold by volume, not weight, but I'm guessing it's around 75 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I'm not sure why that would help with a Subie, I believe their AWD is usually about 90% FWD until there's some slippage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebu Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I can't imagine weight helping in an awd vehicle either. Driving wheels carry ALL of the subaru's weight, unlike a pickup, where non-driving wheels carry much of the weight. The only difference I would see is the overall weight helping your traction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 Dan post this at subaruoutback.org or whatever it is I think needing weight would defeat the purpose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekdut Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 I'm not sure why that would help with a Subie, I believe their AWD is usually about 90% FWD until there's some slippage. Nope, you're thinking about most other inferior part-time 4wd systems. Subaru AWD is symmetric, with most at an even 50/50 split (some are 45/55 or 65/35 depending on VDC and DCCD). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 All I can say is I've never given a thought to where the weight is in my '05 OB, and it's never been anything but amazing in the snow, and I don't drive like a little old lady in the snow (Yeah, I'm careful... especially when there are others on the road... but not little-old-lady careful.) I think you can leave the weight at home... decent snow tires are the key to having your Outback behave on snow IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncermak Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 fill up your gas tank...a full tank weighs more than your sandbags.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Nope, you're thinking about most other inferior part-time 4wd systems. Subaru AWD is symmetric, with most at an even 50/50 split (some are 45/55 or 65/35 depending on VDC and DCCD).A little more googling reveals that Suburu's system splits torque depending on slippage using viscous coupling, but normal operation is 50/50. At any rate, my point is valid - there's no reason to be adding sandbags with a sophisticated AWD system figuring out where to apply the power based on what the wheels are actually doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 That Subie is a hatchback right? Do you know what will happen to that sandbag if you get into a serious crash? It gets launched. If you want a heavy weight in the back, make sure it's seriously strapped down. I once witnessed an accident where a toolbox killed a guy. The toolbox was on the floor in the back seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Houghton Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Four snow tires and a full tank of gas. Nothing else needed. But that Subie may be the old "slip and grip" system, depending on the year. No matter, still works well unless you're a rally driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dano Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Nope, you're thinking about most other inferior part-time 4wd systems. Subaru AWD is symmetric, with most at an even 50/50 split (some are 45/55 or 65/35 depending on VDC and DCCD). The old automatic trannys (at least until 2005 I think ) were 90/10 until the rear starts slipping, then it applies more to the rears. The standard trannys are 50/50 split all the time. You don't need any freakin sand in the back, just good tires. I used to have a '90 loyal and it's lightness prevented me from getting stuck. I drove right on by stranded SUV's, police cruisers and tow trucks in a 2+ foot snowstorm in VT. It was like the headliner was full of helium... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 accelerating and driving that sand around is hurting your gas mileage. only a rwd pick-up truck needs winter ballast. But hey, if you're one of those types who believes awd/4wd allows them to drive/corner faster on snow, that's great. My friend needs a liver. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUD Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 The best thing you can do is get REAL snow tires for it. The difference is amazing. Weight wise, if it is a manual (50/50 split), you want even distrubution. With more weight in the rear, it will understeer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 the suub system is the snit. that sand is only good if you get stuck in a ice parking lot w/ bald tires:lol: been there done that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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