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Date:         Mon, 17 Oct 94 18:18:00 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         macklow@sybase.com (Jim Macklow)
Subject:      Re: Insane Syncro Prices!!!

> > Re: better handling and off-road stuff: > > Customers at the shop I worked for claimed that the Vanagon Syncro's > true forte was soft sand, although good handling claims were made for > snow and ice conditions as well.

Heres some poop from my '87 Owner's manual(pg 65 & 67):

The function of the all-wheel drive and how it works

In contrast to conventional four wheel rive systems that require transmissions to be manually engaged when needed, the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro allwheel drive system is always engaged. Only the amount of power being transmitted to the front and rear wheels changes automatically as the road surface demands.

The automatic distribution of power is accomplished through a fluid shear coupling (viscous coupling) that is part of the front axle. The design of the viscous coupling keeps driving force losses to a minimum while distributing the forward thrust to all four wheels when needed.

When the going gets rough, especially when wet, slippery or snow covered roads cause the rear or front wheels to slip, the viscous coupling automatically transfers driving force to the other wheels-to help you keep moving.

The distribution of drive forces allows the Syncro to adapt to changing road surfaces and provide increased traction automatically. The Syncro driver is therefore able to fully concentrate on the road and traffic conditions.

This extraordinary drivetrain concept makes the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro an extremely efficient road vehicle suitable for a wide variety of uses and applica- tions. While it has proved is ability to handle poor weather and road conditions and has limited off-road capabilities, remember your Vanagon/Transporter Syncro is not an off-road or all-terrain vehicle.

Advantages off the all-wheel drive

The Vanagon/Transporter Syncro allwheel drive system has the following advantages over a two-wheel drive vehicle:

Driving Power

Driving Power is greatly increased by the continual all-wheel drive especially on snow and slippery surfaces, when starting off from a standstill, and when driving on rough roads.

Within reason, your Vanagon/Transporter Syncro can go places where other vehicles may likely get stuck. It is easier to stop on slippery hills and get going again.

Moving Force

As the driving force applied to the road goes to four wheels instead of two, the amount of slip is considerably reduced. This improves the traction between tire and road surface and thereby, the driveability on slippery road surfaces.

On vehicles with two-wheel drive, the driving wheels can spin on slippery surfaces if too much acceleration is applied. This greatly reduces tire grip and can result in loss of vehicle control.

By distributing the driving forces to four instead of two wheels, the wheels of the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro are less likely to spin under the same conditions.

Snow tires

With the all-wheel drive system the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro is good for winter driving even with standard tires. However, we recommend the use of all season tires or radial snow tires (M+S) with or without studs~, on all wheels, for better driving, cornering and braking, in winter weather.

Details under "Snow tires" on page 102 also apply.

Snow chains see page 103.

Operation

In contrast to conventional all-wheel drive systems that require transmissions to be manually engaged when needed, the Vanagon/Transporter Syncro all-wheel drive system is always engaged. Only the amount of power being transmitted to the front and rear wheels changes automatically as the road surface demands. The Syncro driver is therefore able to fully concentrate on the road and traffic conditions.

The differential lock~ for the rear axle must only be used when the vehicle is stuck or in immediate danger of becoming stuck. For further information on the differential lock, see page 28.

-Jim


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