MS6 AWD System

jtom · Feb 16, 2007

Does the MS6 AWD system allow the driver to configure the amount of power to the back wheels? Or does it do it automatically? I would rather have the option of being able to decide if I want 100/0, 95/5, 50/50.

Thanks

ottawaP5 · Feb 16, 2007

It's automatic.

jtom · Feb 17, 2007

Other then trucks/suv's, do any cars with AWD come with the ability to configure how much power is sent to the rear wheels? How about the wrx, sti, evo, legacy gt?

Thanks

wwpms6 · Feb 17, 2007

on the sti, i'm not sure if it does it stock, but i'm pretty sure with aftermarket engine managment it does. not 100% though

jtom · Feb 17, 2007

For the MS6 does it just sense snow/ice on the ground and put power to all wheels? How good is this system? For instance, would I be driving around for a while in the snow before the awd kicks in?

Thanks

ottawaP5 · Feb 17, 2007

jtom said:
For the MS6 does it just sense snow/ice on the ground and put power to all wheels? How good is this system? For instance, would I be driving around for a while in the snow before the awd kicks in?

Thanks

It's instant. As soon as it detects real slippage it goes 50/50. It has nothing to do with whether there is snow on the ground or not, it detects slippage and activates the AWD. It's amazing in snow, trust me

Killer · Feb 17, 2007

AWD with FWD bias. Automatically controlled.

Gandalf · Feb 17, 2007

jtom said:
Other then trucks/suv's, do any cars with AWD come with the ability to configure how much power is sent to the rear wheels? How about the wrx, sti, evo, legacy gt?

Thanks

STi does.

jdub260 · Feb 17, 2007

Listen to this podcast from Mazda's website. It explains a little more about the car.

jtom · Feb 17, 2007

Gandalf said:
STi does.

So the sti has a knob or something that you can dictate how much power goes to the rear?

So the sti does but the other subaru models dont?

Thanks

jdub260 · Feb 17, 2007

jtom said:
So the sti has a knob or something that you can dictate how much power goes to the rear?

So the sti does but the other subaru models dont?

Thanks

The STI has a rocker switch on the center console to switch between manual and auto. Next to the switch there is a roller switch, similar to a dimmer switch, that allows you to make manual adjustments. This is how the '06 is set up I don't know about the older models.

As far as the rest I don't know. Check their website.

psi365 · Feb 26, 2007

All Sti's have that ability. It's the only Subaru model that has that though. On Sti's its called DCCD (driver controlled center differential). Wrx's, Evo's, LGT's, etc don't have this ability. In all reality its kind of a pointless feature. All subie dealers will tell you to keep in in auto mode most the time. Audi (TT and A3 3.2L), Volvo (S60R) and a few other use the same awd system as the MS6 and it works well in snow given you have a good set of all season or snow tires on your car.

Hate · Feb 26, 2007

jtom said:
For the MS6 does it just sense snow/ice on the ground and put power to all wheels? How good is this system? For instance, would I be driving around for a while in the snow before the awd kicks in?

Thanks

Good enough that you don't even notice when it kicks in, unless you aren't driving normal and looking for it. For example, I want to feel it, so going around a turn, I pushed in the clutch and let my rear end fish a little, then engaged it and I could feel the car correct everything on it's own.

As far as what the ratios are, honestly, I don't know what to believe about the split, because that podcast says one thing, then the manual says another and both are from Mazda.

DSMConvert · Feb 26, 2007

1killercls said:
AWD with FWD bias. Automatically controlled.

...but only in a straight line....once you turn the wheels you can only get a max of 10% to the rear wheels....which kind of defeats the whole purpose of having awd...

Gandalf · Feb 26, 2007

DSMConvert said:
...but only in a straight line....once you turn the wheels you can only get a max of 10% to the rear wheels....which kind of defeats the whole purpose of having awd...

I've seen you post this multiple multiple times, yet The last time I asked you for an explanation you did not give one. You mentioned a VC (what is that?). What does turning have to do with the drivetrain not being able to supply the rear wheels with only 10%? And at what steering angle? SO if I turn the wheel left 3 degrees I now get 10% rwd? 20 degrees? That really makes no sense what so ever. The rear wheels have their own independent diff. It couldn't care less what the front wheels are doing, if it sees an inside loaded rear wheel (like in a turn) its going to do it's thing. There would be no point in even having such a beefy rear diff if the car only gave the rear wheels 20whp in a turn, now would there? I have yet to even push the car, but I have certainly felt the rear hook-up in a turn in a way my old FWD never did - certainly more the 20whp.

Speed6 Guy · Feb 26, 2007

Gandalf said:
I've seen you post this multiple multiple times, yet The last time I asked you for an explanation you did not give one. You mentioned a VC (what is that?). What does turning have to do with the drivetrain not being able to supply the rear wheels with only 10%? And at what steering angle? SO if I turn the wheel left 3 degrees I now get 10% rwd? 20 degrees? That really makes no sense what so ever. The rear wheels have their own independent diff. It couldn't care less what the front wheels are doing, if it sees an inside loaded rear wheel (like in a turn) its going to do it's thing. There would be no point in even having such a beefy rear diff if the car only gave the rear wheels 20whp in a turn, now would there? I have yet to even push the car, but I have certainly felt the rear hook-up in a turn in a way my old FWD never did - certainly more the 20whp.

I also find this hard to believe. The rear wheels get a lot of power on my car. There have been several occasions where I have gotten the back end of my car kicked out and the power just kept on coming (in a good way). I think you my need to show some proof or I my just put the bs flag up on some of you claims

RevLimitLaunch · Feb 26, 2007

Speed6 Guy said:
I also find this hard to believe. The rear wheels get a lot of power on my car. There have been several occasions where I have gotten the back end of my car kicked out and the power just kept on coming (in a good way). I think you my need to show some proof or I my just put the bs flag up on some of you claims

today i went out and beat the piss out of my car just to see what the commotion was about. i was able to pretty much get the car loose somewhat easily in 2nd around most corners no problem. and i absolutely extremely doubt 10% power could do that.

DSMConvert · Feb 26, 2007

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123632246&highlight=awd

goto post#5....

VC = Viscous Coupling...

Please don't call me out without researching the topic for yourselves...

Being as that this is the 12th thread that has come up on this topic, perhaps it is time to make a sticky so that this debate can be answered once and for all. Mods if you'd like I'd be more than happy to get with crossbow(whom originally brought to light most of the info I've found) and make a very detailed thread on the mazda awd system.

Killer · Feb 26, 2007

If it comes from crossbow you can bet it's good info. No need to sticky.

DSMConvert · Feb 26, 2007

well I just meant get a single post with all the facts put together and stickied, that way when someone comes to post up a topic about it they'll see it at the top, and hopefully read it before asking again...right now it seems all the info is spread all over the place with may of the thread being buried 10pages back...

MS6 AWD System

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