1.
A few years a go (VISCO was not yet stuck) I was forced to call a “tow – truck” to ‘free’ my car from a little wet grass bump (my front tyres sunk half in it) and no way I could free myself. None of all 4×4 tricks could help me.
Really ridiculous!
I sure hope that the HALDEX – versions are far better but I don’t believe they will beat Subaru’s 4×4.

2.
My VISCO is stuck now (the car has 205.000km and is 6 years old) and I was told it would cost me 1500 euro to fix it. I know drive 100% FWD (not a huge difference with a normal Visco and I still love my car but I really miss the “push from behind” (not to be misunderstood .

DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW TO EASY FIX VISCO wthout high costs?

OR IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE TO HALDEX AND AT WHAT COST?

Yes I suppose it is not worth the cost for a car from 2002 but still, I hope to drive another 100.000km with my car…

Thanks a lot in advance for your comments!

Kind regards,
Hans

As I understand it Volvo’s system reverted to FWD above a given speed or RPM range. This may explain why the driver in the video cut the power. Trying to get the Volvo’s old system to kick in.

I think “subies” are great cars, too… but i think this video isn’t a fair representation. Go test drive both cars on your own – they are nearly the same but you’ll be more comfortable and feel safer in the volvo. I test drove them both and the Volvo felt safer and more solid so that’s the one I went with. I’m glad I did.

Copy and paste the following in your browser and it should hopefully get you there.

http://www.4×4abc.com/4WD101/volvo.html

http://www.4×4abc.com/4WD101/volvo.html

If memory serves me right, torque actually varies on the vehicle model and transmission type in it. I think there are actually 5 different ways the Subaru AWD system works, depending on the model. For example, on all 5 speed models, torque is distributed equally 50-50 between front and rear wheels at all times (with some also having an anti-slip rear differential). The automatic transmissions used in most Outback’s, under normal road conditions, distributes torque 90-10 (here in favor of the front). But then, with the slightest slip or slowing of any wheel from all others, the torque will instantly (and I do mean instantly) change in value up to a 50-50 split. All Outbacks, like that in the movie, have anti-slip in the rear differential, so the back wheel with the most grip gets the most torque applied to it. Be mindfull too, the anti-slip will instantly change from side to side as grip conditions change. Another example, in recent Legacy GT models, the automatic works a bit different from the Outback. The automatic in GT’s normally provide a 45-55 torque split, herein favoring the rear wheels. This is for a more traditonal sporty driving feel. But it also will instantly become 50-50 should any front or rear wheel experience slipage. Here again, the anti-slip diff works the same as the Outback. Based on my experince with all their vehicles, having driven some in 3+ foot deep snow, about the only way to stop a Subie is to get it high centered. Aside from that, if any wheel can get a grip it will be moving rest assured!

If you want to experince something neat, take this simple test. Test drive any manufactures model on the market today sporting AWD or 4WD and do the following. At a complete stop, turn the steering wheel as far left or right as you can, then proceed forward or backward. With rare exception, nearly all will produce a binding sensation throughout the entire drive train. You will feel the car body shudder and shake, especially through the steering wheel and gas pedal. This binding effect is caused by all wheels turning at a different revolving speed. The drive axel’s are all binding or grinding against one another. My experience in turning tightly a late model Volvo wagon made the vehicle really shudder and it fought the maneuver violently. Now try the same test in a Subie! I can assure you that you will NOT feel a thing, with either automatic or manual, it makes no difference! Subaru has their system so well designed that you will not have any indication that all 4 wheels are actually receiving torque (but they are). It’s absolutely amazing! What’s all this mean to you? This means their system will go for years without breaking or wearing something out! No wonder they are loved by their owners for sure footedness, quality and reliability! When you actually learn how Subies work you will wonder why no one else does the same. In my book, they are amazingly well engineered.

Now as for safety, no question Volvo makes a safe vehicle and a good car. They are built like a tank (and drive like one). I once owned one myself for that same reason. But then, all Subaru’s consistantly get the highest national safety standard award rankings possible and have a very strong owner following. But can all this mean Subies really are all that great? Do not take my word for it, do your own survey. Walk up to any Subaru owner and simply ask then how they like their vehicle. I’ve done it hundreds of times. And believe it or not, I always get the same response! I’m willing to bet 9 out of 10 Subie owners will all say the following ‘I LOVE MY SUBARU’. I have yet to find an unhappy owner. So for my buck, to have such sure footedness, realiblity, comfort and quality it means I’m going the Subie route. Thanks for listening!

yes, the car is circa 2001. in fact, both cars are 2001. the video is done in 2001. so it is not like either car is recent. this has been discussed elsewhere during 2001. we are like 5+ years late!!!!

why is this being ‘re-introduce’?

anyways.. did more homework.. it wasn’t until 03 that volvo used the haldex system. so the volvo in question, was using something else..

All in good time

Audi’s Quattro would have been interesting to see also.

both are great cars… for different purpose…

i currently own a subie.. but grew up with a 240..

Whereas Subaru’s AWD system was designed for offroad use from the get-go. It is not a FWD w/ clever TC and other gadgets that sort of makes it AWD. Like-wise Audi’s Quattro is an AWD system from the start. BMW’s…. well… that’s just a pathetic attempt to build an SUV to make lots of money.

But despite the lack of AWD ability, it doesn’t make Volvo a worse car, doesn’t make Subaru a superior car. If we’re to race in a straight line, for example, on tarmac, the Impreza WRX STI would smoke Volvo S60R from first to third gear, but beyond that Volvo would pull ahead simply because the gear ratio in the Impreza favours the first three gears. Does that mean Imprezas are inferior? I don’t think so. For my purpose it’s fantastic.

So if you are buying a car to slug through mud most of the time, and you picked Volvo, that’s just a bad choice, not a “bad car”. Just like if you intend to trek through the jungle and picked a Subaru Legacy Outback, you’ll equally suffer (that would be Range Rover territory).

to simplify, it is a fwd until slippage is detected. there was definately slippage, so why the rears didn’t kick in, i have no idea.

go with either a torsen (audi) or symmetrical (subie) awd system. that said, i also read the new haldex systems (R32 / MS6) are quite decent. so.. I DON”T KNOW!!!!!