X-Mode available on Select Subaru Models

Subaru X-Mode: What is it and Why is it Important?

When you are traversing bad roads, you know how important it is to have great grip on the surface beneath you. Whether you're dealing with icy or rain-drenched pavement, muddy or slippery dirt roads or any other dicey road conditions, the Subaru X-Mode comes in very handy.                   

What is Subaru X-Mode?

 Just what is Subaru X-Mode? It's a system specifically for Subaru vehicles, offering a great amount of additional traction and control. While every Subaru comes with all-wheel drive,Subaru X-Mode provide you, the driver, with even better handling on less-than-stellar driving surfaces. 

 


Why is Subaru X-Mode Important?

Subaru X-Mode offers the following benefits:        

•Sometimes when wheels are slipping, the vehicle's transmission's lock-up clutch kicks into gear, but with Subaru X-Mode, this function will be deactivated, proving more power to the wheels
                 
•X-Mode offers a super-sensitive aspect to the traction control system
                
•Additionally, with Subaru X-Mode, you'll have the benefit of "hill descent control," so that you don't have to use the vehicle's brakes and risk them locking up        


Pressing the X-Mode switch activates 5 different forms of control to limit slipping tires:

1. Engine Throttle

In normal driving, when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the engine throttle opens up, however X-Mode is designed so that the throttle doesn't open too quickly. If the driver presses the accelerator further, the engine then delivers torque faster. X-Mode employs special settings that deliver torque gradually at first, but then makes it come on stronger.

2. Transmission

X-Mode keeps transmission in a lower gear so that engine power can be delivered stronger. This shifting pattern, while X-Mode is ON, lets the driver make the most of the power that is available.

3. All Wheel Drive

AWD control is improved by raising the front/rear coupling force when X-Mode is ON, which helps the driver drive power more evenly between the four wheels. This maximizes the traction of the tires.

4. Vehicle Dynamics Control System

The VDC system, when X-Mode is ON, includes a specially-tuned "Enhanced LSD Control". For example, if the left and right wheels are behaving differently, the system applies brakes only to wheels that are slipping. Compared to ordinary operation, the brakes are applied a lot earlier when X-Mode is ON, resulting in LSD control activating much faster.

5. Hill Descent Control

At low speeds (under 12 mph) Hill Descent Control helps maintain vehicle starting speed for safer maneuvering--the car itself manages the throttle and breaking allowing the driver to fully concentrate on steering.


Subaru Global produced a video explaining how X-Mode works and why a driver would want to use it. The video shows what happens to the vehicle and specifically the wheels when X-Mode is ON versus OFF, plus a very thorough explanation of  X-Mode's functionality. You can see the video here: //youtu.be/6d0dCotncVs 


Enhanced All Wheel Drive with X-Mode provides the Subaru with improved traction and handling especially when driving on low-friction surfaces such as wet or snow-covered roads.  It also helps make the Subaru respond more quickly to changes in road conditions. This helps you keep the vehicle in control in challenging driving conditions.

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