In 1st its pretty much locked, although I don't think the clutch pack is ever static, iirc it "pulses", except when the FWD fuse is in. In 2nd I feel that theres more variation. In 1 it does bind quite heavily on dry pavement ( if mine is in 1st, I can't actually make the corner to pull into my garage).To correct both the above slightly.......
In manual second the MPT clutch is locked to a nominal 50/50, this is of course a speculative value as the actual torque split will depend on the grip available at each axle (so if the rear is on tarmac and the front in the air it will be 100% rear!) and the rotational speed (corner where the front 'needs' to travel further and it effectively shifts the torque split rewards).
Having said all that I am not convinced that the clutch pack is locked solid as the torque wind up in corners would be dreadful, so I suspect its somewhat less than fully locked.
Simon
I think you are better off in any car with auto, trailering. Most will tell you that the manual may be slightly better than auto in snow. I have auto and I'm happy but I don't push it.so what does better in snow and also when pulling a trailer. auto or manual?
I have the 5 speed in my legacy wagon and it loves the snow. but it usre does not like pulling my lawn care trailer when stopped on a hill.
I am still working on getting my Bike sold to get my first Forester. so reading as much as I can. looking for a 2001 S. with the sun roof.
I disagree. In Auto you have AWD all the time. I've never slipped in my 4eat Auto trans yet. I've creeped up a steep slippery driveway with success. I go around a corner and up a steep wet road with success. There is no sense that I don't have AWD all the time. I've read that Auto is better in the snow because you can creep. Manual you have to let out the clutch and it's not easy to creep in a manual.I think you are better off in any car with auto, trailering. Most will tell you that the manual may be slightly better than auto in snow. I have auto and I'm happy but I don't push it.
I think to be honest: In manual you have a true AWD all the time. In auto its more AWD "on demand".
I think he's referring to it as a gradient, not total on/off AWD. Subaru AWD in Autos is simply more dynamic in an auto trans because of the variable torque split.I disagree. In Auto you have AWD all the time. I've never slipped in my 4eat Auto trans yet. I've creeped up a steep slippery driveway with success. I go around a corner and up a steep wet road with success. There is no sense that I don't have AWD all the time. I've read that Auto is better in the snow because you can creep. Manual you have to let out the clutch and it's not easy to creep in a manual.
Yea..you have the 50/50 split all the time. I can easily see it would be smoother and more predictable even though I have never driven one.I think he's referring to it as a gradient, not total on/off AWD. Subaru AWD in Autos is simply more dynamic in an auto trans because of the variable torque split. .
nope SH are still MPT, just with less variability, and also with VDC which does quite well. The ultimate for an auto is the VTD, which iirc was only available in the forester in the 07/08 forester sport. The mpt is just fine for a daily driver, it is ALWAYS sending power to all 4 wheels, just like every modern awd subaru.But in manumatic (at least on the SH's) we have that too...