Disable AWD on a Subaru Legacy by removing a fuse?

[oneinchsidehop]

Originally Posted by EH3

i don't ever remember my legacy doing a that bad. it was a manual trans tho. seems like it got ~28mpg pretty consistently.

My first Legacy was a 2wd stick, it was a whole different world.
Easy 35mpg.
http://www.gassavers.org/garage/viewgaslog/834

This car? I feel like I'm trying to push a rope.

[EH3]

mine was manual awd

[oneinchsidehop]

Originally Posted by EH3

mine was manual awd

I think if I did do major mechanical surgery on the car, swapping in a manual would be close to the first priority. But spend $1000+ modifying a $1200 car that I don't really love doesn't make sense to me.

I'm shopping.

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by oneinchsidehop

spend $1000+ modifying a $1200 car that I don't really love doesn't make sense to me.

...especially for an improvement that's likely to be ~5 mpg. Anyone care to do the math on how many miles to payoff?

[EH3]

yeah, no point at all. the amount of work involved in converting to manual will surprise you.

for $1k you can pick up an older civic/corolla/tercel/saturn and get 40mpg easily.

[thisisntjared]

Originally Posted by oneinchsidehop

I'm shopping.

unfortunately that seems to be your best option.

[lyle]

Originally Posted by oneinchsidehop

Found it!!!

But it's already been removed.
As has the AC belt.

Dang it, I'm running out of ideas.

The fuse being gone means the AWD is enabled. Adding a fuse (don't know what value) will put the car in FWD (Front Wheel Drive) mode, and probably turn on a warning light on your dash. The FWD fuse is added for maintenance or testing or other purposes, according to my owner's manual.

Alas, a previous owner of my '90 Legacy disabled AWD in some other way, I am told, to increase mileage. I wish he had just added a fuse, because we have freezing rain outside, and AWD would be quite nice to have.

[Martinjmpr]

If you read the owner's manual, it actually tells you to put in the fuse (disabling the AWD system) if you have to put on the mini-spare. This is because the Subaru AWD system is very sensitive to tire diameter.

This will also put a "FWD" warning light on your dash, BTW.

So if your fuse is out, you are in AWD. Fuse in = FWD.

Regarding MPG, my 99 Outback Wagon (Auto) would get 22 - 24 in the city and 25 - 29 on the highway.

[Dr. Jerryrigger]

Okay so I haven't looked at GS in a little wile, so I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I've done quite a bit of internet research on this topic (and likely posted that thing the Holey Cow was thinking of).
So yes, fuse out keeps it in AWD. Put a 30A fuse in and it goes to FWD. This is done with a magnetic clutch (which adds a little to alternator draw).
The biggest problem with this whole thing is that you have to move the rear axle no matter what as you don't have locking hubs.
I read somewhere that a Forster owner gained about 7% with the fuse in, but that's in the margin of error.
I have found no reports of anyone doing this long term, and what effects that may have on the life of the drive train. Many knowledgeable people have has some very negative theories.
One person did gain substantial mileage by removing the rear axles, which is a major undertaking.

[trollbait]

I don't know if it was the just rear driveshaft or also the axles, but I remember post on another board where someone looked into this.
Their mechanic quoted them about $200 for removal. It likely is a PITA, but doable by a DIYer with the tools and enough jacks and stands.
Putting the parts back was a $1500 job in order to get all the gearing lined up correctly.
So, if you never want AWD again, or plan to sell it at market rates, then it might be possible.