Subaru, taking it out of AWD

Question

2001 Outback Legacy, heard there was a fuse (thinking it is the VDC) that you put in to make it front wheel drive, to save on gas. Anyone else do this? Problems?

Thanks

Answer 1

Get your car tuned up DO NOT mess with the VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) that is a safety feature and when you disable that you will probably disable the ABS so if you slam the brakes you wont be able to steer.  If you really need better MPG's then just get a new, more fuel efficient car.

Answer 2

I wouldn't try it unless you know what you're doing. Go talk to a mechanic.

Answer 3

EPIC fail,do not attempt to operate the car in limp for daily driving,if you do you will cause alot of unpleasent long term damage

the only way to modify your car into a 2wd would be removing the front jackshafts from the diff,this is what drifters like team orange do to make imprezas RWD

to get better mpg---proper alignment,tire quality,tire inflation,all maintinence up to date

and finally drive slower!

Answer 4

1) Its not the VDC thats a stability control feature

2) Instructions are in your owners manual, it is a fuse under the hood.

3) This is for not to save on gas, if you drive like this you will damage your Subaru and you wont save much on gas either.  Subaru's have a very efficent AWD system. like others have said if you want better you have to give up AWD and try your luck with FWD cars.  Personally I'd rather have the AWD and lose a few MPG.  

Heres some math for you:  Assume you do 12,000 miles per year and your current Subaru gets 25MPG, lets say you bought a FWD that gets 35MPG so a 10MPG increase.  Lets say gas is 3.85/gal.  Over the course of a year you will save $528 on gas assuming price stayed about the same.  At $4.50/gal it only increases to $617.00.  Now think how much a new car will cost....newer over $10,000, and if you get an older one, have fun paying for maintanance and repairs to keep it on the road.  Even if you paid $5000 for a FWD car that will take you almost 10 years to break even on savings.