On your way to Acadia National Park? Taking a vacation rental through Maine? Renting a Subaru so you can do all the fun stuff? When you're renting a new (like new new) Subaru, there are a few things you probably want to know if you haven't driven a Subaru much before. We want you to get the most out of your driving experience, so here are a few ways you can maximize your comfort and capability when taking it out on the road.
That little blue light.
One of the first things you may notice when you get started is a blue light on your dashboard. We've covered it pretty in depth before, but the gist is that that blue light is letting you know the internal temperature of the engine is below its optimal operational temperature. So, while that blue light is on, you don't want to redline your engine if you can help it. (And really, you shouldn't redline the tachometer in general.) Not only can you can hurt the engine, but you probably won't get the performance you want out of it.
Once the engine is properly warmed up, the blue light will go away, and your Subaru Boxer engine will be in peak condition to handle your acceleration and driving demands.
Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) versus 4x4 and forward-wheel drive (FWD).
Although in normal, dry conditions you probably won't notice much of a difference between AWD and the other drive systems, driving in the snow, ice, rain, or mud will give you an appreciation for the symmetrical AWD.
Symmetrical AWD means that power is evenly distributed to all wheels through three differentials. A differential basically works like this.
What that means for you is that your rear wheels will help keep you stable and moving if your front wheels slip (unlike FWD). No axle or wheel is given undue stress if one side slips a little (unlike a 4X4), which means the engine is working more efficiently to get you where you want to go. To really see it in action, it's probably easiest to watch this. (1:28 is where you get to see the Subaru Forester's AWD shine.)
"There's a light that looks snowflake in a tent."
If the light is displays small, it can look like that. It's actually a snowflake on a one-point perspective road that's letting you know that driving conditions may be icy. This light comes on if the temperature gauge registers at or below 37° F / 3°C. On vehicles with an information display, it may interrupt the display for a few seconds before turning back to normal.
What it means is you should double check the roads and be careful of any ice. It's just a handy reminder.
Go knowing you can get there in your rental from Stanley Subaru!
