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Winter Driving
All-Wheel Drive distributes the engine power to all four wheels . AWD vehicles provide better traction when driving on slippery , wet or snow-covered roads and when moving out of mud , dirt and sand . By shifting power between the front and rear wheels , SUBARU AWD can also provide added traction during acceleration , and added engine braking force during deceleration .
Therefore , your SUBARU AWD vehicle may handle differently than an ordinary two wheel drive vehicle and it contains some features unique to AWD . For safety purposes as well as to avoid damaging the AWD system , you should keep the following tips in mind :
. An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle . There is little difference in handling , however , during extremely sharp turns or sudden braking . Therefore , when driving down a slope or turning corners , be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles .
. Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive . The recommended tire pressure is provided on the tire inflation pressure label , which is located on the door pillar on the driver ’ s side .
. Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle under hard-driving conditions such as steep hills or dusty roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of the following items than that specified in the “ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. – Engine oil – Brake fluid – Rear differential gear oil – Continuously variable transmission fluid – Front differential gear oil
. There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your vehicle . For detailed information , refer to “ Towing ” FP416 .
8-10 . Winter Driving s08ai
& Operation during Cold Weather s08ai01
Carry some emergency equipment , such as a window scraper , a bag of sand , flares , a small shovel and jumper cables .
Check the battery and cables . Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity . The battery must be in good condition to provide enough power for cold winter starts .
It normally takes longer to start the engine in very cold weather conditions . Use an engine oil of a proper grade and viscosity for cold weather . Using heavy summer oil will make it harder to start the engine .
Keep the door locks from freezing by squirting them with deicer or glycerin .
Forcing a frozen door open may damage or separate the rubber weather strips around the door . If the door is frozen , use hot water to melt the ice , and afterwards thoroughly wipe the water away .
Use a windshield washer fluid that contains an antifreeze solution . Do not use engine antifreeze or other substitutes because they may damage the paint of the vehicle .