Benefit of having rt4wd?
sayurasem
New Wagonist
Came across a video on youtube and now wondering what is the benefit of having real time 4wd?
http://youtu.be/t09ExAUgtyE
In the video the test is done with a honda crv rt4wd and it seems the car can't transfer power to the rear wheels while front wheels are slipping.
http://youtu.be/t09ExAUgtyE
In the video the test is done with a honda crv rt4wd and it seems the car can't transfer power to the rear wheels while front wheels are slipping.
Comments
The wagons are old school and have a simple viscous coupler between the front and rear. If the coupler is healthy and tight plenty of power gets transferred to the rear even if the front is slipping. If the coupler is in a situation where it is slipping for an extended period heat will build up in the viscous fluid and get into a condition called "hump" at which point the coupler is nearly locked up and will transfer nearly 100% of the power to the rear. Really a neat system when it is working and healthy.
That said, the Subaru system uses a center differential to transfer power front and rear and then has a viscous limited slip function in that center differential to transfer some power to the axle with grip.
The CR-V system uses a hydraulic pump and electronically controlled clutch pack in the rear differential to "turn on" the rear axle as needed. Not the greatest system in the world but it does provide better handling and better fuel economy than the wagon or Subaru.
A good tight viscous coupler in a wagon you will feel bind as you turn into a parking space or do slow speed tight turning. It will also make the car under steer really bad while off throttle.
My RT4WD wagon is nearly unstoppable with all seasons! I've climbed steeper grades of hills on snow and iice than this video tries to replicate, no problem. I call Subaru propaganda as well.
It's fun when the rear axle kicks in too. Sometimes in heavy snow, I will press the throttle and the car will fish-tail.... tricks me into thinking I'm a drifter.
I'm pretty sure the wagon's AWD system would get it through that Subaru test.
I also have a 98 CRV, the wagon handles way better than the CRV.
The wagon has been awesome in the snow, not a single problem..
I Love my Wagon!!!
Haha it is awesome when the rear wheels kick in! It was scary at first then I realised, "This car's got this. "
Road driving the subaru understeers less then the civic though, I've been leaving the rt in 2wd for that reason for daily driving duties