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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Subaru outback in snow question

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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,027
I have a question about my 2003 subaru outback standard model. This winter, I've noticed it slipping way too easily in winter conditions. Now it's AWD, and i understand AWD doesn't make a car 100% perfect in snow, but the fact is it seems to be terrible in snow, and even with a tiny bit of snow on the ground. I already got into a fender bender going 1 MPH in a parking lot because the car would not stop. Just testing in a couple parking lots with about 2cm of snow today, the car would stop about 8 feet after i pressed the brake, and this was going about 10MPH. the brake would also kind of vibrate too. all in all, i've noticed it just slipping around and not being too good. note: i don't have snow tires on it.

so is this normal? is it possible i may just need new breaks? i'm hesitant on that because it's fine when there's no snow or anything.

any good advice or good info would be great. thanks.
15 years ago
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Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
It's probably your tires, not your car. Quality snow tires make a huge difference.
15 years ago
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.newman.
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 236
theres nothing wrong with the breaks...
the only thing i can think of is that the treads on ur tires are worn out, so get some new tires if thats the case.  But to be honset in snow 8ft to stop from 10 mph isnt all that bad
15 years ago
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kepler.
Posts: 8761 - Karma: 139
Check the tread of your tires, you might need some new ones. My Impreza with snow tires is an absolute beast on snowy roads.
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
I don't get it....are you slamming on your brakes so they lock up and you slide?
15 years ago
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,027
no more just regular pressing them i'd say
15 years ago
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dbricknasty
Posts: 387 - Karma: 9
invest in a set of blizzacks
your car will be a whole new beast in the snow
15 years ago
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,814
Well, if the roads/snow is slick, it would make sense for your car to slide (though from 10 mph is weird). My subaru is a beast driving in snow. But if I hit the brakes too hard or to quick, I'm gonna slide. No matter what car you drive in snow, slowing down is a gradual thing. You can't expect your car to stop like it would on pavement.

Like everyone else, its most likely your tires and I would suggest getting snow tires.
15 years ago
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Bepo
Posts: 8195 - Karma: 17
you probably just suck at driving.

get a set of snow tires too
15 years ago
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
check to see if your tires are all the same brand/model.  with an awd car, if one tire is off by the tinest amount it will fuck up the awd system.  and snows will help on teh acceleration aspect, but even with snows, if you hit the brake hard enough to lock up the abs, its gonna slide. same for hitting the gas.
15 years ago
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yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,215
my sube broke a few days ago :(
15 years ago
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JacheOReally
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 253
Mine died in September, just got a 4WD 97 jeep, I can literally climb over snow bankings, I feel like a redneck badass
15 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52488 - Karma: 172,783
Check your tries, brake pads, break lines. If your driving an automatic sub I take this moment to laugh at you.
15 years ago
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 206
i'm not usually out to be a dick on this site,  but the amount of stupidity in this thread amazes me.

to the OP: how long have you been driving? that vibrating from your brake pedal is ABS kicking in. learn where the threshold for your ABS is and 99% of the time you can avoid this. whoever said it's your ABS locking up, they're wrong, because ABS is anti-lock braking system, implying that it keeps your brakes from locking up, allowing you to retain more control over your vehicle in the event that you do begin to slide. if you're already sliding, you want your wheels to be able to roll, possibly gain traction, and avoid whatever it is you're sliding towards instead of locking up and just continuing to slide on a path to destruction.

I'd bet money you just need some new tires and need to go easier on the brakes and drive more cautiously. i'm on my 3rd subaru, and yes, they are awesome in the snow, and i frequently pass SUVs stuck in ditches on the sides of the road when it snows, but while AWD is great for accelerating and climbing steep snowy hills, it does nothing to help you stop. you really don't want to be ripping down a mountain pass or steep windy hill at 40mph, even if you have AWD and snow tires. just take your time and be careful driving in the snow, and save the donuts for empty parking lots where you're not gonna injure anyone.
15 years ago
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salomonskiier12
Posts: 2862 - Karma: 19
Yea man, you really ought to learn more about cars. It is just your ABS kicking in.  And AWD doesn't mean a car will stop instantly.  Doesn't matter what kind of car.
15 years ago
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lahnabonny
Posts: 1260 - Karma: 35
I have an '03 subaru legacy wagon and it slips alot in the snow! like more than a 4-wheel drive vehicle should. My ABS kicks in like no other, even when I try to make a right or left turn only going 5 or 10 mph, it sucks. My dad invested in some studded snow tires for this winter so hopefully that helps...
15 years ago
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
wow. i mean, really?  do you know anything about cars? i don't it should be legal for you to be on the road asking these questions.
15 years ago
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
i meant locking up as in going between slide, and rolling of the wheels, as opposed to a smooth slide, like with an e-brake.  i know what abs is, lol.
15 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
I have a 2004 forester x, so kinda similar, right? Like a few days ago I wanted to see how much it slid, so I slammed on the brakes enough to make abs engage. It didn't go to far, I thought it did well. Wasn't going too fast, but going fast in the snow is a bad idea anyway. I also lightly accelerated through some turns in the snow, it was fine. Just don't brake hard through your turns.

I've only spun the tires getting out of my driveway. There is a large depression to begin with, and now it's a pit of snow. My tires are in pretty good shape too.
15 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
Another car question:

I got into my car to go to school today and there was frost and ice inside the car on the windshield. Defrost didn't do much, I gave it some time but I needed to go and ended up scraping it with a scraper (duh). While the scraping made it snow inside my car, which was cool, how do i prevent or cure this? Longer warm up and defrost? I'm in new jersey, so this is the first time it's really snowed and been cold for a long period of time.
15 years ago
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
my sube is my parents
15 years ago
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
defrost should do it, but check to make sure all you windows or sunroof if you have one are all the way closed, cause i think that means theres some moisture inside your car, if that dosent help tehn try to let it dry out in a garage with a fan and all doors open for a couple days, that might help haha.
15 years ago
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ride-rider
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 20
its abviously your tires bro
15 years ago
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
It's probably just you

I have a 2wd 1600cc mazda. In the winter I regulary get further than suvs and awd vehicles before having to stop and put chains (if I need to at all). It's all about how you drive. You can't do anything quickly in snow. You shouldn't be close enough to another vehicle to need to use your brakes in the first place. Engine braking is key because there is still power going to the wheels and you can accelerate if the need arises.

You also shouldn't be braking through corners. If you need to brake you're going too fast.

Also, awd is great in theory but you need to know it's limitations. For alot of drivers awd simply means they can get further into the shit before they get stuck. If you have no traction awd is no help. If you're sliding awd isn't much help, but knowing how to get yourself out of slides (and how to avoid them in the first place!) is very useful.

That doesn't really answer your question but it gives people something to think about.. take care on the roads and drive to the conditions and you should make it through the winter just fine
15 years ago
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jholer2
Posts: 576 - Karma: 11
i scanned through this, and i don't think anyone said to check the alignment. i've got an AWD suby and it was terrible on snowy conditions, like i couldn't go faster than 30, and we had good snow tires. it turned out being the alignment. now it drives fine
15 years ago
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
regardless of abs awd  any time the grounds wet/ snow on it dont put solid continious pressure on the breaks, try pumping them instead  
15 years ago
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
Turn the AC on so it will suck the built up moisture in your car.
15 years ago
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Grodent87
Posts: 361 - Karma: 15
The whole point of ABS is to basically pump your brakes for you. Pumping your brakes + ABS is unnecessary.
15 years ago
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Snowcase
Posts: 11456 - Karma: 634
That is somewhat correct. In snow it is better to have the snow pile up in front of the tire which is why some people disable the abs. Those are under perfect, no ice conditions though. Pumping the brakes is still helpful in snow and ice conditions because a car will never have the intelligence or quickness a human will. ABS is helpful but a combination of practice, safe driving and ABS is the best.
15 years ago
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rigzz
Posts: 1768 - Karma: 147
Wow. You are all freaking out but I don't think you read the complete OP. He said at the end I DON'T HAVE SNOW TIRE. Well, SUPRISE, summer tires are SHIT in snow. Really guys, I can have a fuckin' jeep with summer tire and be stuck. Put on the winter tire and you will be all set. Then, if that doesn't do then LEARN TO DRIVE A CAR..
15 years ago
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
yes thats true but also one of abs's main goal is to keep you going straight and allow you to stear when you hit the breaks, maybe its just me but i can stup much better in the snow when i tap my breaks instead of slamming on them and having the abs do it all,
15 years ago
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Neffer
Posts: 806 - Karma: 38
This is your problem.
15 years ago
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
yeah you need snow tires

i drive a 2wd car in the snow with snow tires and i rarely have issues
15 years ago
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Mavrck
Posts: 2765 - Karma: 27
word ABS isn't supposed to stop you any quicker just as pumping your breaks isn't supposed to stop you any quicker. ABS and pumping allow the tires to role just slightly enough to possibly regain some steering while in a skid or slide and hopefully allow you to avoid whatever your heading for.


15 years ago
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Supafresh
Posts: 85 - Karma: 55
ya get winter tires its way better spending 500 on winter tires then hitting someone and paying 2000 on damage to your car they make a huge difference on braking in snow
15 years ago
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Jballz
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 79
you pretty much said it.
go to an empty lot with ice for the surface and slide around, learn what the car can and cant do in turns. then figure out what the breaks can handle and where they will fail. do this in several different road conditions.
and the rules that i live by while snow driving are:
1) stay focused!!!!! (no distractions at all)
2) give every movement more time than you think it will need. (breaking, turning, etc.)
3) drive with confidence
4) be aware of the conditions and how they change while ascending/descending

follow these and you should be fine. i drive in the snow 4 out of 7 days a week and i have only spun out on accident one time
15 years ago
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Mac.
Posts: 953 - Karma: 24
I have the exact same problem with my subaru, and my tires are shit.

Braking is more of the tires.  The AWD is more for the wheels slipping or sliding.
15 years ago
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Grodent87
Posts: 361 - Karma: 15
Yeah good point. Like everyone has said, tires make all the difference. Traction control and ABS can't function if the tires don't have any traction. Most problems in the snow and ice can be traced to tires in the first place.

15 years ago
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seemeski
Posts: 4210 - Karma: 124
Ya bro. Get snow tires, good ones.
15 years ago
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 802
get snowtires...
15 years ago
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
well i have a forester now and i think my legacy wagon was better in the snow. is your car an automatic? a standard handles better usually. im pretty sure your car has abs so thats probably what you think is vibrating i guess. it could just be your driving technique. not to bag on you or anything but it takes a little practice to drive well in the winter.
15 years ago
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
HA abs brakes...what a modern convenience. I don't have those. Or a passenger airbag. Or anything fancy like that.
15 years ago
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fezz
Posts: 542 - Karma: 28
nahh that should be impossible unless his ABS is fucked up
15 years ago
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Freeheel4real
Posts: 909 - Karma: 95
yep. put ice tires on my outback sport and it rips
15 years ago
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Justin.B
Posts: 2257 - Karma: 721
snow or all weather tires should do the trick

15 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61918 - Karma: 126,321
Ahh well, all weather tires are shit, they are most weather tires (spring/summer/fall) get snow tires if you're taking on serious shit.
15 years ago
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Justin.B
Posts: 2257 - Karma: 721
well, im coming from Ontario, so really, if we get 5-10cm of snow in a night, were happy. Plus most of its been plowed by the next day anyways so my all weathers are usually fine.
A little slippery now and then but they do the trick
15 years ago
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thebackend
Posts: 45 - Karma: 26
I had a '98 Outback and it did really well in snow, then one season it started slipping all over the place and i couldnt get traction going up or down hill in the snow. Turns out my transmission was starting to go out, and it caused the AWD to quit working, so i pretty much just had front wheel drive. I also noticed while driving on I-70 at high speed that my steering wheel started to shake really bad. Maybe your car is doing something like that?
15 years ago
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