2005 Tribute AWD question

I just purchased a 2005 Mazda Tribute S with all wheel drive. As you may
already know the AWD system is computer controlled and active all the the
time. I found the 10 amp fuse that controls the AWD system. I was thinking
of pulling it out and running front wheel drive to extends the life of the
AWD system.

I just wanted to know if you all think thats a good idea. Or could I be
causing damage. Im thinking that fuse just cuts the power to the electric
clutch. I did pull it out for a very short time and every thing else works.
So I decided no other
system uses that fuse. Plus I was able to spin only the front tires in
gravel.

The only down side I found was the 4WD light blinking on the dash. But
luckly for me the way I sit, I cant see it because of the steering wheel.

The reason I feel like its ok, is because it says in the manual that if the
system over heats, the computer will disable it and run front wheel drive
untill it cools down. But it never hurts to have a second opinion.

Thanks

"John Doe Jr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just purchased a 2005 Mazda Tribute S with all wheel drive. As you may
> already know the AWD system is computer controlled and active all the the
> time. I found the 10 amp fuse that controls the AWD system. I was thinking
> of pulling it out and running front wheel drive to extends the life of the
> AWD system.
>
> I just wanted to know if you all think thats a good idea. Or could I be
> causing damage. Im thinking that fuse just cuts the power to the electric
> clutch. I did pull it out for a very short time and every thing else
works.
> So I decided no other
> system uses that fuse. Plus I was able to spin only the front tires in
> gravel.
>
> The only down side I found was the 4WD light blinking on the dash. But
> luckly for me the way I sit, I cant see it because of the steering wheel.
>
> The reason I feel like its ok, is because it says in the manual that if
the
> system over heats, the computer will disable it and run front wheel drive
> untill it cools down. But it never hurts to have a second opinion.

I think it's nuts because the computers these days make all kinds of
assumptions when sensors go out, such as switching into 'limp mode.' AWD is
meant to be operational at all times and the warranty covers it just like
everything else.

You should have bought a 2wd if that's what you wanted.

-John

OT: I considered doing that with my Subaru Legacy to improve the mileage (I
understand awd is about a 10% overhead) because that's what the manual
recommends if yer gonna have it towed ... but I never got around to trying
it.


"John Doe Jr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just purchased a 2005 Mazda Tribute S with all wheel drive. As you may
> already know the AWD system is computer controlled and active all the the
> time. I found the 10 amp fuse that controls the AWD system. I was thinking
> of pulling it out and running front wheel drive to extends the life of the
> AWD system.
>
> I just wanted to know if you all think thats a good idea. Or could I be
> causing damage. Im thinking that fuse just cuts the power to the electric
> clutch. I did pull it out for a very short time and every thing else
works.
> So I decided no other
> system uses that fuse. Plus I was able to spin only the front tires in
> gravel.
>
> The only down side I found was the 4WD light blinking on the dash. But
> luckly for me the way I sit, I cant see it because of the steering wheel.
>
> The reason I feel like its ok, is because it says in the manual that if
the
> system over heats, the computer will disable it and run front wheel drive
> untill it cools down. But it never hurts to have a second opinion.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>

To clarify ... was considering pulling the fuse for summer commuting,
general summer driving ... definitely not in winter (that's why I bought
awd).

It would seem to me that this is a bad idea, the engineers of this
vehicle obviously made it AWD for a reason. If the millions of dollars
that were spent on r&d dont mean anything to you, at least consider
your warranty. You can be sure that you will log a fault in the EMS and
most likely void your AWD warranty at very least.

"bowgus" <[email protected]> wrote in message news[email protected]...
> OT: I considered doing that with my Subaru Legacy to improve the mileage (I
> understand awd is about a 10% overhead) because that's what the manual
> recommends if yer gonna have it towed ... but I never got around to trying
> it.

The overhead is still there. Even when you convert to FWD mode, the rear
axels, diff & driveshaft still spin when the vehicle is moving. Unless you (safely) remove
that stuff. Or install unlocking hubs in back...

No matter now ... have had a jeep for a few year now .. command-trac
transfer case and open differentials so it's rwd most days, 4wd H for snow,
gravel, ... and 4wd L for pulling the boat outta the creek.

"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "bowgus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> > OT: I considered doing that with my Subaru Legacy to improve the mileage
(I
> > understand awd is about a 10% overhead) because that's what the manual
> > recommends if yer gonna have it towed ... but I never got around to
trying
> > it.
>
> The overhead is still there. Even when you convert to FWD mode, the rear
> axels, diff & driveshaft still spin when the vehicle is moving. Unless you
(safely) remove
> that stuff. Or install unlocking hubs in back...
>
>
>

If I am not mistaken didn't the Subaru have it where you had to plug in a
fuse to disable. Im thinking The tribute and my old 89 subaru workes like
the clutch on the A/C compressor. My subaru wagon when you hit the AWD
button on the gear shift you heard a click just like the A/C click. So the
newer ones must use the current to seperate the clutch disk. But im just
guessing. As far as I know theirs a rat inside. When you hit the power it
shocks him and he tries to get away pulling the disks apart

"bowgus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> OT: I considered doing that with my Subaru Legacy to improve the mileage
(I
> understand awd is about a 10% overhead) because that's what the manual
> recommends if yer gonna have it towed ... but I never got around to trying
> it.
>
>

Very good point. Did not think about it loging a fault. I could play stupid
and tell them I did not know it was not working. and hope they do not check
for scratches on the fuse blade. Plus if they did not change the EMS I
could unhook the battery a week before it needs service to wipe out that
code and give it time to put in the correct error codes. But from what the
other guys are saying along with your input. I think I will just leave it
alone. If its not broke then dont fix it, is what I have always been told.

Thanks

"Corey Shuman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It would seem to me that this is a bad idea, the engineers of this
> vehicle obviously made it AWD for a reason. If the millions of dollars
> that were spent on r&d dont mean anything to you, at least consider
> your warranty. You can be sure that you will log a fault in the EMS and
> most likely void your AWD warranty at very least.
>