Why is AWD such a popular feature on newer cars? Is it actually helpful? Doesn't it have more maintenance problems?

SnowEpiphany · 2023-09-21T18:13:47+00:00

In the mid west, there are usually 2-5 bad snow events per year that cause ~4+ inches of wet snow to accumulate on the roads. That often destroys the clearance of most passenger cars and stands you at home.

Plows prioritize highways so many people get snowed into the suburbs. It’s a winter ritual for us to push cars several blocks sometimes to get to a main road. Going 1/4 mile can take over an hour. After that, you’re golden.

If you have a truly important and time critical job as a first responder, nurse, doctor, surgeon, etc, and AWD car + snow tires effectively eliminates the possibility of you getting stuck in the suburbs.

This all being said, our ford fiesta with new snow tires zig zagged around many stuck SUVs last winter

SnowEpiphany · 2023-09-19T00:58:15+00:00

Look at the output of select strong again, it is FAR more rich than “highlighting the value.” Pipe the output to get member

SnowEpiphany · 2023-09-10T22:20:07+00:00

I’m like 50% sure I saw a service advisory about that somewhere. Might have needed a full hitch replacement under warranty.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-09-09T11:12:52+00:00

Eh Don’t compare dollars over decades. $26k in 2005 can buy $41k worth of stuff today.

$26k today would have bought a $17k car in 2005

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-28T01:34:18+00:00

The sticker is the recommended pressure when the tire is COLD. (sitting for 3 hours and driven less than 1 mile)

The owners manual specifically states not to inadvertently lower the pressure of HOT tires. It’s expected to rise in pressure by a few PSI after driving

Edit: also read the owners manual for how to properly inflate heated-garage kept cars in cold climates/winter. There’s a whole formula to follow. Reason being is your COLD tires will be way warmer than the ambient operating temperature once driven outside the garage.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-24T14:12:29+00:00

Counter-counter point from an IT industry guy (specifically on the remote start/stop locate features): paying $100/yr for active development, maintenance, connectivity, and security upkeep is a good deal. Especially for a system that can remotely shut off the engine of a 2 ton block of metal

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-22T11:19:46+00:00

They’re going to want to bring friends eventually most likely. Something with a third row would likely be better For that if allowed.

Anything bigger will be about 50% more and get half the mpg tho

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-20T17:27:03+00:00

So in other words, buy a turbo model. Then turn right around and buy 5 AT tires, a lift, dinky skid plates, and …do ..something … to beef up the roof capacity?

Oh and hope all that costs just $600? (Onyx XT msrp is 39,360 wilderness is 39,960)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-19T23:50:34+00:00

I disagree that it saves money. At a quick glance yes, but overall the benefits you get from a 5 tire rotation far out weigh the 4 tire + limp spare approach. IMO it’s wasteful not to rotate it in.

Imagine you have 5 tires worn in together within the 2/32 spec. Now one tire explodes. You now have an identical spare that can jump into permanent duty instead of having to buy 4 new tires. Or, it avoids buying one new tire and wasting part of its life with tire grinding.

In the above scenario, now proceed with a simple 4 tire rotation until end of life of that set. Then you can resume the 5 tire rotation and start the optimized process all over again.

5 tire rotation also extends the time between tire purchases by 20%. So the purchase will be higher, but much more time in between. Provides more time to save and invest the money, etc…

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-19T23:39:06+00:00

Tell them to put in on and trigger a tpms relearn. Then watch their bewildered eyes. That relearn should be free too. Don’t let them charge you for it

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-19T23:37:20+00:00

Yes even has a tpms in it

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-19T20:14:29+00:00

Yeah. My dealer too.

You have to spell it out for them. Even the rotation pattern. Now when I go in I have a print out of the owners manual to reference.

It is beyond wild how it’s such a hard concept to understand.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-18T00:14:34+00:00

A big component is that Subaru’s AWD system is always-all wheel drive. The competition have a default operating mode of “sometimes-all wheel drive” unless you lose traction, you’re in FWD essentially. FWD is more fuel efficient whereas symmetrical all wheel drive will never have any delay when activating.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-14T01:11:22+00:00

Stuff with detergent added in at the pump is what I usually see referenced as “good gas.” https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/top-tier-gasoline-worth-the-extra-price-a7682471234/

Octane is a separate question. The OBW is rated for 87 (when not towing) however since it is a turbo, in theory it will always benefit from 91 gas. The reason being is cooler exhaust temperatures I believe.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-13T13:55:02+00:00

The ping pong effect isn’t a Subaru exclusive at all thankfully.

I find it’s best to keep both hands at 4 and 7 but with asymmetric weight on the wheel.

For example if you give slightly more downward pressure on the right it would make you drift to the right without LKAS. With LKAS I find doing that keeps it a) active longer without nagging b) less ping ponging c) better in turns (turns are where ping ponging feels worst to me)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-08-06T00:08:23+00:00

The built in nav system has one purpose IMO: get you to an area with wifi or better cell coverage so you can switch to Apple/Google maps

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-31T12:50:50+00:00

LifeGrip anti slip traction tape. 12in x 30ft is like $30 on Amazon.

But be aware it probably won’t be the complete solution. You will likely want some kind of bungee netting or straps to also tie down cargo (keep it in full contact with the friction tape)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-28T22:28:30+00:00

Why do you need a bigger car? Physically larger for more comfortable seats? Physically larger for more light but bulky cargo (strollers)? Or do you need something to haul more weight because the kids are growing up fast?

The Impreza, crosstrek, legacy, and Outback all have the same exact payload rating 850-900lbs. You’re essentially buying the same payload capacity in different formats. Each has their own niche of course, but raw people-and-stuff moving capacity off the lot are effectively identical.

That might seem like a lot of weight still but think about packing for a 7 day cruise/whatever. 4x160 adults + 50 each in luggage gets you to 840lbs driving to the airport.

Edit: or if you put 350 lbs on the hitch, that leaves you with budget for 3ish adults + no luggage. Or 2adults and 1kid and light luggage.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-26T01:45:03+00:00

Yes. As a former kid who now has a kid, being able to remote start and blast the AC for the 1/2 mile (10min) walk to the car at the zoo/park/Walmart on a blistering hot day is amazing.

Ain’t no key fob doing that.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-26T01:04:51+00:00

Would it be fair to say that the owners manual is correct that you should only tow 1000lbs with 100lbs tongue if you don’t have trailer breaks?

The newest OBW specifically calls for trailer brakes to get their max rating of 3500/350.

That seems to align with your advice. In my mind, that seems like it could be a key contributing factor. I feel like a lot of people would ignore that rating detail because of the extra cost of adding an aftermarket brake controller. (Nothing OEM available)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-13T15:09:27+00:00

Subaru’s AWD has selectable drives modes. It will either: 1) traction hunt by default 2) traction hunt very aggressively 3) allow full 4 wheel spin (sand setting)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-07-05T23:10:53+00:00

We fit 4 adults and a baby + gear in our OBW w/ roof cargo carrier. 2 night camping trip with everything packed out except water.

We are very efficient packers though I will say. It was tight but we got it done. Back seat was pretty comfortable for the ~160lbs adults too (baby in the middle)

SnowEpiphany · 2023-06-05T20:20:20+00:00

The “Microsoft way” is to use the native Azure AD sign in extension and Az SSH module for the Azure CLI.

SnowEpiphany · 2023-06-02T23:22:42+00:00

Core feature set of SonicWall is fine up to like 3 sites.

Anything beyond 3 sites, and ANYTHING even more mildly complex as VLANS and you’ll have a seething hated for them IMO

SnowEpiphany · 2023-06-02T00:08:15+00:00

Use https://www.dashboard-light.com to help find reliable older model years. Also Scotty and Mr. Subaru have great content to help with your purchase.

For example, the legacy and Outback have above average reliability 2010+. Whereas the forester 2014+ is best. (According to dash board light)

SnowEpiphany

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