V50's AWD system ? Poor ?
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V50's AWD system ? Poor ?
I've been doing some research on the V50 T5 AWD's AWD system and was very surprised to hear so many negative statements about it. Are they really that poor? I'd love your input. (It is a 2005, I assume it has the HALIDEX system.) No idea if it has traction control - but it does have the "W" button (Not sure if that does anything other than lower the gear.)
I'm in Northern Mass, so this could be a big deal.
I'm in Northern Mass, so this could be a big deal.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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I'm probably not the most knowledgeable, but I'll give you my $0.02 anyway 
I have a 2005 V50 T5 AWD 6-Spd Manual that I bought used a few months ago. Among a few other immediate drivetrain issues I had (primarily that the clutch self destructed right after I bought it) I was concerned that the AWD wasn't working. I noticed a scenario where the rear wheels didn't get any torque once while slowly idling in gear on an icy patch.
At any rate, I had it checked out and declared healthy by my mechanic, so I promptly tried burying it in a patch of snow on our property... The AWD sure did kick in and pull me out when I gave it some gas in that situation! I'm not sure what the Volvo computer deems an appropriate scenario to start engaging the rear wheels (I've heard 1/7th of a wheel rotation, but perhaps there's a speed/RPM component to the equation?), but it sure engaged and pulled me right out of the snow.
The system is a Haldex (Gen 2 I believe) so it has an axle from the transfer case (called the "angle gear") back to the Haldex unit which is in the rear. The Haldex clutch in the rear only engages when the computer detects some slippage, at which point it becomes a locked "center" diff with a 50/50 power split (I assume).
I've read something about a 95/5 split under normal driving conditions, and I've also read somewhere that the Haldex engages over a certain RPM/engine speed for improved traction and engine braking (a test for the AWD system involves running in a tight circle with the engine over a certain RPM which is supposed to engage the Haldex... above that RPM and letting off the gas results in a quicker stop than running it in a lower gear at the same speed). I am not certain of that equation either, but I did see that test echoed several places.
Hope this is somewhat useful! Good luck with your V50! I like mine, aside from the shop bills so far
I have a 2005 V50 T5 AWD 6-Spd Manual that I bought used a few months ago. Among a few other immediate drivetrain issues I had (primarily that the clutch self destructed right after I bought it) I was concerned that the AWD wasn't working. I noticed a scenario where the rear wheels didn't get any torque once while slowly idling in gear on an icy patch.
At any rate, I had it checked out and declared healthy by my mechanic, so I promptly tried burying it in a patch of snow on our property... The AWD sure did kick in and pull me out when I gave it some gas in that situation! I'm not sure what the Volvo computer deems an appropriate scenario to start engaging the rear wheels (I've heard 1/7th of a wheel rotation, but perhaps there's a speed/RPM component to the equation?), but it sure engaged and pulled me right out of the snow.
The system is a Haldex (Gen 2 I believe) so it has an axle from the transfer case (called the "angle gear") back to the Haldex unit which is in the rear. The Haldex clutch in the rear only engages when the computer detects some slippage, at which point it becomes a locked "center" diff with a 50/50 power split (I assume).
I've read something about a 95/5 split under normal driving conditions, and I've also read somewhere that the Haldex engages over a certain RPM/engine speed for improved traction and engine braking (a test for the AWD system involves running in a tight circle with the engine over a certain RPM which is supposed to engage the Haldex... above that RPM and letting off the gas results in a quicker stop than running it in a lower gear at the same speed). I am not certain of that equation either, but I did see that test echoed several places.
Hope this is somewhat useful! Good luck with your V50! I like mine, aside from the shop bills so far
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