The Subaru full-time All-Wheel Driving System powers all four wheels all the time, unlike some SUV four-wheel drive systems that only power the front or rear wheels most of the time. When equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the Subaru Forester uses 50/50 Full Time All-Wheel Drive. A viscous-coupling centre differential built into the transmission case divides engine power 50 per cent front/50 per cent rear. Wheel slippage at the front causes more power to shift to the rear, and slippage at the rear transfers power to the front, ensuring that the wheels with the best traction receive the most power. The five-speed manual transmission features a hydraulic clutch for smooth operation and low maintenance. A flexible flywheel helps ensure smooth shift action.
Forester models equipped with the optional four-speed electronic automatic transmission (4-EAT) use Active All-Wheel Drive, which employs an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch housed in the transaxle tailshaft. The electronic transmission control module (TCM) controls the All-Wheel Drive by varying pressure directed to the multi-plate transfer clutch.
The Forester 2.5 XS model benefits from the additional traction assistance of a rear viscous limited-slip differential, which directs power to the rear wheel with the most traction.
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