What you Need for your Subaru to go Off-Roading in the Snow

If you are the owner of a Subaru, off-roading in the snow might be your favorite winter activity. The reasons why Subaru beats the competition in the snow are many, but all-wheel drive and superior ground clearance are possibly the biggest. Read on to find out more about off-roading in the snow with your Subaru and what accessories to take with you when you go.

Off-roading in the snow is a great adventure. But you need a vehicle that is up to the challenge and that has the right accessories to get you out of trouble if you do get stuck. Fortunately, Subaru has the off-roading chops to make your winter off-roading experience exciting and safe, with superior all-wheel drive technology that optimizes balance, traction, and control. Also, those things don’t mean much if you can’t get over the snow. Subaru’s standard 8.7 inches of ground clearance will keep you moving over rough terrain and snow.

Subaru is a brand that knows its customers. Subaru’s customers want a vehicle that is just as good off the road as on it. A review by Motortrend.com said that the 2020 Subaru Outback “impresses with its trail capability.” And another by Motor1.com said “for families wanting a crossover that can conquer both the dirt and the pavement, the (2020) Subaru Outback is it.” At the heart of Subaru’s off-roading success is its standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, as well as its features designed specifically for the road less travelled like X-Mode, which sends power to the wheels with the most traction on rough terrain. And the best part about a Subaru is that all of this capability is available at a price point much lower than for vehicles that are designed specifically for off-roading. With Subaru, you really can have it all!

Subaru owners everywhere welcome the winter months, because Subaru’s really are better in the snow. All of Subaru’s SUVs, the Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, and Forester,  were recently ranked best for driving in the snow by their owners according to Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey. The explanation for their success in wintry weather boils down to engineering. Although many cars offer all-wheel drive, all all-wheel drives are not the same. If that seems confusing, the next section will help to clear up the mystery about what makes Subaru’s all-wheel drive better than the rest.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive makes it a true winter warrior in the snow and ice but why does it outperform the competition? The answer is that many cars that claim to be all-wheel drive have optional all-wheel drive, meaning that they switch to all-wheel drive only when monitors sense that a wheel has lost traction. But by that time, it may be too late to gain effective control under slippery conditions. Subaru’s all-wheel drive, on the other hand, is true full-time all-wheel drive. Furthermore, Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive is laid out along the length of the vehicle, which optimizes traction and balance. In short, when it comes to all-wheel drive technology, you can’t beat a Subaru!

Many of the accessories that you need for standard off-roading are applicable for off-roading in the snow. Recovery boards, snatch straps, a winch, and tow hooks are critical if you get stuck. A shovel is also a necessary item to clear snow from around tires if you are spinning out. Airing down with tire deflators can work wonders to improve traction in off-roading situations. On the flip side of that, you should have a portable air compressor to refill the tires when you are back on the road or if your tire is punctured. Last but not least - a tire repair kit, medical kit, jumper cables, a jack, and other basic car repair tools are must-haves when you go off-roading. But keep this in mind:  off-roading in snow is no joke. Even in a Subaru with superior all-wheel drive, make sure you keep food, water, and blankets in your vehicle and communicate your whereabouts to others before your trip - just in case.

We hope that these off-roading tips will help you when you take your Subaru on your next off-roading trip through the snow. Contact Rafferty Subaru to learn more about accessories for off-roading or to schedule winter service or a test drive.