Auto or Low Range?

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:19
ThreadID: 11075 Views:1774 Replies:4 FollowUps:2
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Can anyone please give me some pros & cons on auto v Low range in 4wds. Im about to purchase a forester and unsure at this stage which way to go auto or manual?

Cheers
Subie.
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Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:40

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:40
Subie
You can have low range with both auto and manual transmissions but I don't think you can get low range at all in a forester. I seems you don't know much about how 4wd transmissions work - for a very simple expose of all matters to do with transmissions, differentials, turbochargers etc log onto to www.howstuffworks.com click on auto and follow the links. This is a great learning tool.

Cheers
Pete
AnswerID: 49461

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 15:25

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 15:25
Patroll22 - Yeah the forrester has the option of Auto with High only or Manual with Low.
I have only driven the Auto (2.0 - older model). The motor was good but the auto box was not suited very well at all. I would go the manual. I love auto's in 4bies (recently been converted myself) but would still go manual with the Subi.
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FollowupID: 311316

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:53

Sunday, Mar 07, 2004 at 21:53
Subie,

The Forester being a high revving petrol motor with tall gearing, I would go for the auto. With four wheel driving the torque converter will allow the vehicle to crawl up tracks slow. This will reduce the damage to the vehicle and track. Going down hill, the brakes will haved to be used hard. reguardless of transmission.

Wayne
AnswerID: 49463

Reply By: Mad Dog Morgan (Geelong) - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 08:53

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 08:53
To give you something else to think about there will soon be an oil burner Forester. Go the auto.
AnswerID: 49490

Follow Up By: Mad Dog Morgan (Geelong) - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:56

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:56
Oh hang on, I think it was the freelander I was reading about, always get those two mixed up.
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FollowupID: 311360

Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:48

Monday, Mar 08, 2004 at 18:48
The low ratio in the Forrester is not all that great (1.2:1) but the torque converter will give youabout 2:1.

Go the auto and learn to drive through the brakes to maintain traction (accel and brake at the same time).

I would strongly suggest that you do a 4WD driver education course, the pros and cons will be discused along with the appropriate driving techniques.
AnswerID: 49570

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