All-wheel drive. Now there’s a feature that’s near and dear to our hearts this time of year. (Even more so than heated seats!) So let’s talk about all-wheel drive in Mitsubishi vehicles, or Super All-Wheel Control in official Mitsubishi parlance. How does Mitsubishi Outlander AWD work? Unlike many other SUVs and crossovers, the all-wheel control system in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander has four different modes, which let the driver choose the right power balance for front and rear wheels, depending on the road conditions. For anyone who’s wondering how to get the very best performance out of your Outlander this winter, let’s learn a little more about how that system works.
Eco Mode
Driving the Outlander in Eco mode lets you maximize the vehicle’s gas mileage by saving all-wheel drive only for when it’s needed most. In Eco mode, all the torque is directed to the front wheels, unless the vehicle happens to hit an extra-slippery patch of road. As soon as the vehicle encounters slippery conditions, the system immediately reverts to all-wheel drive, sending power to the rear wheels for better traction and stability.
Normal Mode
Normal mode keeps the Outlander in all-wheel drive mode, but like Eco Mode, it’ll automatically adjust to match the road conditions as you drive. (You can set the MID to show this in real-time as you drive, if you want to see it in action.)
See our Outlander and Outlander Sport inventory here!
Snow Mode
Snow mode works like Normal mode, but it adjusts the system’s bias so that the rear wheels get more power sooner than in regular AWD. This mode will give you the best traction in snowy, muddy, or icy conditions. (Watch the MID to see the extra power kick in when the going gets rough!)
Lock Mode
For when things really, really get tough. Lock mode maintains a 50/50 split in power between the front and rear wheels. This is not recommended for use during everyday driving! Lock Mode is best for actual off-road driving, or for getting the Outlander unstuck from snow or mud.
More Winter Tips: How to Get A Car Unstuck From Snow By Yourself
