Anyone who drives a lot in the winter around Calgary and southern Alberta is familiar with the added benefits of an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Whether you’re making your daily drive to work along Deerfoot Trail or you’re taking a Christmas vacation in the mountains, AWD offers great peace of mind and more safety for you and your passengers.

However, not all AWD systems are alike, and some set the industry standard for performance and quality much more than others. Having performed Subaru service so many times over the decades, we can tell you why Subaru’s full-time AWD system is among the best, and how it works out on the road.

The Difference Between 4WD and AWD

Let’s start with the difference between basic, on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD) systems and AWD.

Generally speaking, 4WD systems are selectable options overlaid on 2WD engines. They send power to all four wheels only when needed, helping deliver more traction in slippery or cornering conditions. But that’s also where they fall short – because they don’t discern or calculate the different amounts of power needed by the front and rear axles. They just send equal amounts to both, even when more customized parameters would be better and safer.

AWD setups, on the other hand, tailor the power draw to the situation. Through a series of constant calculations, the drivetrain on a Subaru is always monitoring the performance of the wheels and adjusting power supply for torque, speed, and other factors. This improves handling, safety, and overall control, especially on rough terrain..

Subaru's Full-Time AWD System

Subaru’s AWD system is a full-time system – it’s always on and cannot be shut off. This is because it actively enhances the vehicle’s safety and performance, and creates a smoother, more comfortable driving experience.

These full-time systems make more traction available right from the start of your journey, sending and maintaining power to all wheels through any conditions. Even in perfect driving situations, less power is sent to each wheel than would be under a 4WD or on-demand AWD system. This means less slip, more grip, and near-instant handling of changes in traction or direction.

In order to optimize this system for always-on operation, Subaru designed their vehicles from the ground up with it in mind. All the components have been built around this AWD design, with symmetry, centre of gravity, and stability considerations. And because they have all been integrated into a single holistic build, the full-time Subaru AWD is lightweight, efficient, and reliable – on every trip and in any driving condition. A streamlined system with reduced complexity can even increase fuel efficiency, compared to usual 4WD.

Another great piece of design here is the centre differential: a gear setup that varies torque between front and back to prevent torsion stress as power is sent to all four wheels. It also enables the wheels to turn at different speeds while cornering. While all vehicles have some form of differential in order to make turns, the Subaru has them at the front, centre, and rear to take full advantage of the AWD.

All in all, the result of these design choices gives you the pinnacle of automotive design: a balanced, safe, engaging, and confidence-inspiring vehicle experience.

There are actually several sub-types of Subaru AWD systems, tweaked to match the characteristics of different vehicles and driving styles. These include:

• Viscous-coupling Centre Differential AWD: used with manual transmissions, with quick sport shifts and a 50/50 front/rear torque split for neutral handling.

• Active Torque Split AWD: This is a 60/40 front/rear torque system, for more predictable handling and efficiency in all conditions.

• Variable Torque Distribution AWD: Exclusive to the Subaru WRX model, this system varies the available torque to prioritize balance, stability, and high efficiency.

Getting the Most Out of Your Subaru

It’s no secret that we’re among Calgary's biggest superfans of Subaru vehicles. From preventative maintenance or OEM repairs to high-end COBB tuning for maximum speed, we love getting the best possible performance out of any Subaru that shows up in our shop.

Contact us today how we can help you enhance your Subaru, Ford, or even your restored classic car…because when it comes to getting under the hood, you just can’t beat Lakeview Automotive!