What's Cool About the Subaru X Mode?
February 19 2020,
The letter X often stands for the mysterious or unknown, and that seems to be a very fitting name for Subaru's enhanced driving mode. Found on the [url=http://https://www.marinosfinecars.com/en/new-catalog/subaru/2020-subaru-outback-convenience-id13021]Outback[/url] and Forester models, for many drivers X Mode is a button on the console which remains barely understood and largely untouched.
This lack of attention is a shame, as the X Mode is a powerful feature that most people could use a lot more often.
What Exactly is the Subaru X Mode?
Subaru's X Mode is promoted as providing a much better off-road experience in the SUVs which feature it. Engaging the system adapts the standard symmetric all-wheel-drive system, intelligently improving traction control for drastically better handling in difficult conditions.
However, you shouldn't ignore this option just because you're rarely involved in off-road heroics. The Subaru X Mode can offer significant driving assistance in any tough conditions, such as heavy rain, Toronto's winter weather, driving on poor-quality surfaces, or negotiating challengingly steep gradients.
How Does X Mode Work?
Once it's activated, X Mode modifies the engine output, transmission ratio, wheel torque split, and braking response to direct more power to the wheels which need it most in any given situation. What's more, it slightly softens the throttle feel to reduce the chances of over-revving when reaction times are short.
It does all this automatically, sensing the conditions and reading feedback from the wheels to provide the optimum amount of grip across the wheelbase as a whole.
The system vastly improves handling when driving on snow, ice, mud, or any other low-friction surface. What's more, it can also make tackling steep gradients much less stressful. There's less need to concentrate so hard on controlled braking, as the system handles this intelligently to maintain a steady speed and grip.
Although the driver remains in full control, and the system can be overridden through ordinary pedal use, the X Mode offers a much more sure-footed feel to handling.
Fewer Wheel Spins, Better Control
Even if you completely avoid off-road driving in your Subaru, its X Mode can still bring useful benefits in real-world situations. One common example is starting on a steep hill when the weather conspires to make grip difficult. With ordinary all-wheel drive, the even distribution of traction can make wheel spins all too easy, increasing the wear on your tires as well as risking safety issues.
With X Mode engaged, torque is continuously redistributed to remove spins, with the downhill wheels receiving just as much power as needed to drive the car forward. And what's more, the system automatically recognizes the vehicle's direction of travel, providing the exact same benefits for starting in reverse as well.
X Mode Takes Subaru Handling to the Next Level
Even in their standard configurations, Subaru models such as the Outback are generously equipped for off-road driving. However, the truth is that most SUVs are driven under more relaxed conditions. But that doesn't mean off-road innovations like X Mode should be ignored.
Whenever driving conditions mean that superior handling is essential, X Mode can kick in to take your Subaru to the next level of controlled performance. To experience it for yourself, contact us now to arrange a test drive of any Subaru in Toronto.
