Is AWD enabled with reversing?

[JohnD]

Does anyone know if AWD is engaged when backing on slippery ground?

[SteveTheTech]

I just read two years of service manuals looking for anything that said something either way. I would say no until it can be proven otherwise.

I am curious and would like to check in this a little more.

I'll be back with some proof.

[JohnD]

Thanks. The reason I was wondering was that a couple of days ago I was going down a steep, slippery, narrow gravel road and met someone coming the other way. We both stopped before trying to squeeze by and I noticed that the other car, a Mazda 3, was unable to get started again on the hill. The wheels just spun.

It occurred to me to wonder what would have happened if I had had to back up the hill. Would I have had AWD to give me the needed traction?

[SteveTheTech]

Fascinating, that is a very good question.

I can picture the scene. I think in that case the VDC would kick in whether the AWD was activating or not. The G sensor should show a suspicious incline with wheel spin in reverse. I think worst case scenario activating the SNOW mode should get you out of just about any jam.

I do not think I can replicate those conditions but I might be able to back up a hill while watching what the awd is doing.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

As far as I can tell, yes--AWS is enabled when driving in reverse. I usually back my EX in front of the garage door, and often pull into my yard a little to do do. A couple of times when there's been snow on the ground, I have indeed spun one or both front tires as I'm pulling back. It's a good question, but I cannot imagine an AWD system which functions only in forward gears. After all, one can get stuck moving forward or backward, right?

Tim

[JohnD]

I think it probably does too. I tried backing from a stop up a steep gravel hill with the snow button pushed and got no wheel spin.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I think it probably does too. I tried backing from a stop up a steep gravel hill with the snow button pushed and got no wheel spin.

I think the "ideal" test would've been if you had gotten wheel spin...and from one of the front wheels. Remember, all the Snow button does is "numb" (maybe the better term is "regulate") the throttle response to help keep the tires from breaking loose--like if you had the sudden impulse to mash the throttle on a slippery road. It does not make any changes whatsoever to the AWD system as one might think. All that is done via computer with no user input required

Tim

[EXceptional]

I think the "ideal" test would've been if you had gotten wheel spin...and from one of the front wheels. Remember, all the Snow button does is "numb" (maybe the better term is "regulate") the throttle response to help keep the tires from breaking loose--like if you had the sudden impulse to mash the throttle on a slippery road. It does not make any changes whatsoever to the AWD system as one might think. All that is done via computer with no user input required

Tim

Give the man a prize. He's 100% right !

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Give the man a prize. He's 100% right !

Thanks EX....I learned from the best

Tim