gpchris-
Having grown up with a RWD series of vehicles, I actually prefer the 'oversteer' tendency. But that is wide of the mark you've inquired of...I have a 2004 FXT with 4EAT...oddly enough, the front rear bias in 3rd and 4th gears is pronounced to the front (80-20 or 90-10) based on the assumption that 1)gas mileage will benefit from FrontWD bias and 2)most users won't need to lay a lot of power to less than ideal conditions at speeds over 60 mph.
That said, one of the things you can do is to alter tire pressures front to rear. SOA recommends not going beyond a 4 psi difference, but this is for pavement...once you're on snow or ice, there is enough slippage that no harm is done from differences in circumference due to air pressure difference...you'd want to be able to return to balance pressure once back on pavement. Bias the front with higher pressure, you introduce more oversteer, bias the rear with higher pressure, you introduce more understeer.
These are relative terms when you have an AWD vehicle, as the AWD is an engineered compromise. The FXT will never, never handle like a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive Porsche. Were the FXT able to have the STi control over front rear bias, the FXT could mimick handling of most American cars of prior century.
Increasing weight distribution from front to rear would have the effect of increasing rear traction and an over-steer handling effect. One thing I've noticed is the tendency of FXT to lift front end on takeoff, which has the effect of reducing front end traction so there will be tradeoffs on changing weight distribution.
-Quick
Hi there, the UK has had a surprising amount of snow this winter. We have a 2003 6cylinder Legacy Outback Auto and a 2.5XT manual Forester. In soft snow the grip of the Legacy is excellent but if pushed goes as I would expect into an understeer type "run wide" slide on its Yokahomas. The XT however despite an apparent equal distribution 4x4 system seems much more ready to hang out its tail in a more RWD type way (again on OS Yoks). Is this how it is set up? In wet and dry weather it handles very neutrally so I was surprised. Any comments from those more expert on snow driving would be appreciated. gpchris