[pleiad7]

Also, the FWD solenoid is not designed for a 100% duty cycle....

 

[pleiad7]

Maybe the AWD system doesn't like being in FWD mode for any length of time, but I've never heard of a solenoid burning from being enabled for any duration of time.. Kind of like your light switch wearing out because you leave the light on all the time.

That's not really an accurate comparison. Under normal circumstances the solenoid's highest duty cycle is around 90% from what I understand. So it continuously turns on and off many times a second with a certain amount of resting time in between. It is not outside the realm of possibility that running it at 100% duty cycle over a longer period of time could wear it out prematurely.

 

[pleiad7]

Since this can only be done to the AT cars, would this be the reason I have a full sized spare? (I have a MT). And why wouldnt they just put a full sized spare in all the cars instead of having to do this fuse thing when encountered with a flat?

Just seems like common sense to me, thats all.

The procedure with the fuse also applies to Subarus with a full-size spare (to compensate for differences in rolling circumference if your tires are worn significantly more than your spare). Take a look at your owners manual, it should be outlined in there. I know it is in mine.

 

[pleiad7]

@NAEJ25 I dunno about that... Any AWD or 4WD vehicle in CA is automatically exempt from emissions testing on a dyno. Just ask any smog station owner - they would refuse to even put our FWD SVX on the dyno when it was due for testing.

 

[pleiad7]

IF you do 5-tire rotation (like I do; I have two seasonal sets; 5 tires each), you do not have to worry about this hassle. Put the spare on and drive off as usually.

That works great only if you have non-directional tires, though.