I bought an Outlander a few months ago and although I haven't used the AWD yet we are starting in to winter and the time that I will use it. A friend is telling me that AWD is not good to use above 80Kmh. What are people's experiences with AWD? I live in northern Canada and am 3 hours on gravel/ice road before hitting pavement so AWD is something that appeals to me.

Any thoughts???

Sean

 

I don't know what your friend is talking about.
I drove 80~90mph 4WD onI87 and I91without any problem.
I also did 75~80mph 4WD under rain.[sm=smiley20.gif]
80kmh is nothing at all.[sm=yeahsmile.gif][sm=lame.gif]

 

Read the manual rather than listening to your friend. Your friend does not know the advanced features of your vehicle. Your 4WD system is specifically designed for those conditions. 4WD Auto is the best setting for casual gravel and snow.

 

The Outie AWD system is sophisticated enough to be used all the time, at any speed, under any driving conditions. It is not a "traditional" locking differential system which should not be driven above certain speeds, in dry conditions, etc.

 

I leave mine in 4wd auto but if conditions are bad enough to use 4wd lock you should not be driving over 10-15mph anyway.

Mitsubishi of old like my shogun sport had to say in 2wd because the transmission would lock up when going round corners on dry or wet roads with good traction this does not happen on the new Outlanders

 

Sounds like a Toyota owner giving you advice. The new Outlander isone of the few that can be run in 4wd at any speed in any condition. Just Read The owners Manual to confirm this. I personally use 4wd Lock whenever towing my boat at all speeds, as it dramatically improves the handling.

 

In my old Pajero I could not use the 4wd on the Highway.My Outlander 2007 automatically sents more power to the front wheels at higher speeds. This is also favourable for a modest fuel consumption.In nasty conditions more power is sent to the rear. I therefore always drive in the 4wd mode.

 

You are right he was a Toyota owner! That's where he got this issue from.

I did go through the manual but didn't see anything saying not to drive above X km/h so thought I would just double check with everyone here.

Thanks very much for the responses they are appreciated.

Sean

 

Our Outies have quite a sophisticated awd system. They don't use a traditional transfercase anymore but a electronic coupler that is bolted directly to the front of the rear differential. Apparently the rear driveline is always turning, no matter what mode you're in, but the 4wd ecu determines how much torque is applied to the rear diff. through the electronic coupler, which uses some sort of magnetic multiple clutch engagement. Download the service manual on this site and it will open your eyes just how high-tech our Outies are. I was impressed with how simple the electronic coupler ideais and the weight savings versus a traditional transfercase. The 4wd ecu takes inputs from various other sensors on the vehcle such as the abs sensors to detect when the vehicle is turning so that the E. coupler can compensate and make turning easier. It even has a limp mode for various malfunctions where theE coupler is bypassed to 2wd only to save the awd system from any possible damage. Kind of like having a smart transfercase that knows when to disengage and re-engage all the time.


JH

2007 xls, awd, luxury,nav,sun &sound.
1964 el camino, 355, m20, 12bolt 4.56 posi
1991 Chevy V3500 crew-cab, 4x4, 1 ton, srw,Dana 60 front, 4l80e, np205, 14bolt rear. (ex-air force cargo truck)
1991 GMC V2500 suburban sle,6.2 banks t.d.,4l80e, factory rear gov-lock :-(, front eaton posi :-)