The winters around Northern Nevada can be both beautiful and challenging. With the Sierra Nevada range to the west, climbing up the passes requires skill and a few other items to get through. Heading east, the Rockies loom across the desert. Even with colder temperatures and snow on the ground, you still have to take it easy to get across into Utah.
Not many vehicles are truly capable of handling these conditions. Even with standard all-wheel drive, the power can often become bogged down due to traction systems that are not entirely foolproof. That is why Subaru is considered the absolute brand of automobiles when it comes to winter driving.
The Lifted Imports website dove into some of the reasons why a Subaru is great for winter. They start off by pointing out one of the most important features in almost every Subaru – the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. They said that this driveline allows for “balanced control and proper power delivery.” This system operates continuously, as it is engineered primarily as a full-time driveline without the need for a traditional transfer case to switch between front- and all-wheel drive settings.
Additionally, the driveline’s design is configured to operate in the center of the vehicle. The BOXER engine is positioned north-south, rather than transversely. Therefore, the transmission and driveshaft are positioned directly to the center of the rear differential. This creates a perfect balance for both traction and vehicle control.
It also helps that the BOXER engine has its pistons positioned horizontally, opposed to angled or upright, which assists in achieving a lower center of gravity. This also helps create superb traction in various conditions.
Another key factor to consider is that most Subaru models offer a higher ground clearance. The standard measurement found on a Subaru is 8.7 inches, which allows for better clearance for uneven surfaces, unplowed snow, and other challenges on the road. Wilderness models have an even higher ground clearance, with a clearance of over nine inches off the ground. Most Subaru models have an angled rear axle set-up with independent rear suspension. That also helps in maneuvering in rougher conditions.
With a higher ground clearance, you can fit winter/snow tires onto your Subaru. A lot of winter tires can be replaced with the exact size of your current tires. However, some may choose a larger, taller winter tire for increased sidewall protection. Either way, there’s plenty of room for proper tire fitment during the winter months.
Perhaps the best feature of your Subaru is X-Mode. With the Dual-Mode X-Mode control, you can get a better grip based on the conditions outside and the terrain. There are Snow and Deep Snow modes that drivers can select to assist with traction. Either one is programmed to apply the proper traction depending on the intensity of the surface below.
Subaru makes the perfect vehicles for year-round use. Subaru celebrates its prowess and usefulness in the snow during their Winterfest Tour, where enthusiasts and owners converge to celebrate the ski season together.
A Subaru is worth looking at before the heavy snow arrives. Contact us at Michael Hohl Subaru to see which one of our vehicles will be ready to hit the powder soon!
