How to Use the Outlander's Four-Wheel Drive?
3 Answers
On normal road surfaces, the vehicle generally operates in rear-wheel drive mode. The computer automatically detects and immediately distributes the engine's output torque to the two front wheels, naturally switching to four-wheel drive mode.
I've been driving the Outlander for almost ten years, and the four-wheel drive knob is right behind the gear lever. When driving in the city, just turn it to 4WD AUTO, and the car will decide whether to use two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. If it's raining or you're on slightly slippery dirt roads in the countryside, switching to 4WD NORMAL mode makes it much more stable. If you really get stuck or need to climb a steep slope, you have to stop in advance and engage 4WD LOCK, but remember it automatically disengages when the speed exceeds 30 km/h. I remember once driving on a snowy mountain road with the four-wheel drive locked and snow tires—the grip was noticeably stronger, and the dashboard showed the four-wheel drive status. Don’t forget to turn it back after use, or it will increase fuel consumption.
When I drive the Outlander to pick up my kids, I find its 4WD system quite reassuring. After starting the car, you see that dial on the center console? Turn it left to 4WD AUTO (displayed on the screen) - this mode handles sudden rainy urban roads perfectly. On weekends when taking the kids to the countryside, if we encounter slippery grass or small slopes, I gently turn it right to 4WD NORMAL, feeling the steering wheel get slightly heavier. I rarely need to use 4WD LOCK - only used it once when stuck in snow at a ski resort. You have to turn the dial all the way, and a yellow 4WD light appears on the dashboard. Remember to manually switch back after getting unstuck. Oh, and never use LOCK mode on highways.
