What is Saab Cross Wheel Drive (XWD)?

Today I discuss Saab Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) and what makes it so special and unique! Leave a like below if you enjoyed, and thanks for watching :)
Merchandise/Website: autoautopsyyt.com/index.php
Instagram: @Auto.Autopsy
Twitter: @AutoAutopsyYT
Email: [e-mail]
Outro song: • Snavs & WiDE AWAKE - T...

[@ronjohanson5831]

It was funny when you spotted that 9.5 you had the same reaction to someone who spotted a hot chick (or guy if that is applicable). Good video!

[@AutoAutopsy]

HAHA!

[@ronjohanson5831]

:) My car will be joining the ranks of rare too. Ford is not going to make any more SHO's. :( I SHO love my SHO!

[@AutoAutopsy]

SHO's are cool! I rarely see them :)

[@stevedennis6572]

I took a sales call from an older lady (70s) when I was selling these brand new! I told her we had one in the showroom and she gave me $5000 deposit over the phone! She came in on Saturday and traded her 9-3 in and took delivery of the Brand New Limited Edition XWD! I never had to show her anything about the vehicle as she knew it all! She was a very happy lady and a real Saab lady! I just purchased a 1978 Saab 99 none turbo for $250! It's a one owner with 146,000kms on it! It sat in the guys driveway for 15 years after he thinks the head gasket went! I'm gonna restore it and take it to shows in British Columbia, Canada! A happy Saab Guy!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Wow lol! That’s amazing

[@PeterChomanic]

Saab at first expressed this is a life-long maintenance free eLSD and XWD system in general. They forgot to mention that "life" was planned as a 120 000 km, after which you should consider some general maintenance of the whole car and some major components basically. Then later they revealed the number, but after first TXes having elsd replaced under warranty, the number has decrased to 90k, later to 60k, which is the latest number as far as I can remember, when I discussed it with saab experts now working for Orio (saab parts) when I was in Sweden on Saab Festival in 2017. Depends on how you drive, definitely, but since most of the saab owners go for oil changes for like 8 to 12k km, I don't see servicing xwd every other oil change, that being quite expensive. Unless you already have some troubles with that.

[@AutoAutopsy]

We'll see, thanks for sharing

[@allrock1238]

Seeing how the gen XWD 4 Haldex system with ElSD performs on the Roller Test would be very interesting, would also be interesting to know if anyone if anyone has experimented with updating the XWD control software

[@AutoAutopsy]

i don't see why it would need to be updated; it's already incredible

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

@Allrock123 XWD gets confused on roller test. Sometimes it keeps the eLSD locked but main clutch-pack is open (or slightly compressed), sometimes it is the opposite. And sometimes it locks both clutch-packs but in very abrupt way, that usually stalls the engine.

[@curvs4me]

Thank you , great review of xwd

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks!

[@djvicy]

Getting my first XWD (not first Saab) for my 30year old birthday. Cant wait! As you mentionned a few other gm products uses the same drivetrain and parts can be mostly interchanged but you need the same diff (w/ or w/o the elsd) Saab represent! ;)

[@AutoAutopsy]

Woohoo! Enjoy her and happy birthday!

[@1974motorhead]

Greetings from a Saab 900 NG, 2001 9-5 Station and Audi 100 C4 Station quattro owner. Med venlig hilsen fra Danmark!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Nice! Greetings 👋🏼

[@sonyhk3824]

Big thumbs-up to you.

[@AutoAutopsy]

:)

[@leonardodearaujo1828]

You really like Saab. I've the same behavior, looking for Saab's around the streets. Crazy fans

[@AutoAutopsy]

:)

[@brettkolb5285]

The saying is INTENTS AND PURPOSES not "intensive purposes"

[@d.a.s.3921]

@ Bikolbs - Thats when you can tell the cattle/sheep and parrots from those who dont use trendy catch phrases.

[@eazystreet5507]

I though he was saying Porpoise.

[@curvs4me]

C'mon main, dem poypusses is intensive. Just a learning curve thats all. The usage is right. It's not as epidemic as people spelling Loser like pants after a diet, Looser. "Dude can't drive for shit, what a Luce err." Lmao it's gross at this point. I can't remember the last time I saw it spelled correctly. If you spell Loser with an L-double 00(awt) ser, then you are the Loser. 😂

[@MrBuftidtoof]

Who cares? It’s irrelevant here.

[@CallMeMONGOOSE]

_nice :3_

[@AutoAutopsy]

:)

[@henriksvedlund8306]

Hi If you have WIS there are info how to service the Xwd. And in the Saab Turbo X Club you have Kamil Polniak who has much experience service the Xwd. Looking forward to the video about service the Xwd. Its time for my Turbo X to have Xwd service to and would be nice with a guide.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks!

[@courtneyregan4005]

Has there ever been a comparison of XWD vs. Audi Quattro AWD? I have an A4 Quattro and had a 2010 93 2.0 SS. Curious to see how they would perform differently.

[@DerekChabrow]

honestly, Saab's XWD was not a hit, and lead to their demise. The car would be way faster and more fun to drive without the XWD. It loses a ton of power and adds to poor gas mileage. It really is a poorly designed AWD system that Saab unfortunately never go the opportunity to improve

[@0gur]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6KpfJdjnbmKhZY here you have ;) cheers

[@courtneyregan4005]

Boy, the internet DOES have everything!

[@AutoAutopsy]

I haven't! I like the XWD tho :)

[@patriksonestad8208]

Um, you're going to do the XWD service yourself? Good luck :) Replacing the oil is one thing (aside from making the special tools needed to suck the oil out). But replacing the filter require loads of work, and you really need the car to be on a lift to do that. Replacing the filter in the torque coupler requires you to remove a lot of stuff, and that stuff has to come back at the exact right position or vibrations will follow. I guess that will be an interesting video :)

[@AutoAutopsy]

UH oh....

[@TechCars]

I had the complete XWD service done last year on the TurboX. Three different oils, quite expensive oils. Need to drop the driveshaft, exhaust. Car needs to run a bit then you need to top the oil again in the eLSD a few times. (which means all wheels in the air) otherwise you WILL get Service XWD messages further down the road ;-) Looking forward to the video on this. BR SaabCars

[@benking9503]

I feel you should of got under the car with the camera so we could see the prop shaft and just how the cross wheel is set up, or have u already done that? I really want to see your car on a ramp so I can see under it, mine is front wheel drive only ( vector sport) and I presume the cross wheel system has it's own ecu and stuff, like your driving in the car talking about it, but I want to see the set up in the flesh

[@AutoAutopsy]

Good idea; when I do the service I'll try to remember to show everything!

[@allrock1238]

There is already a video on youtube the shows the xwd system from underneath "Saab XWD from underneath on a Saab 9-3X" but as far as I know not one that shows service procedures

[@timrtfx]

Since it has a transfer case, would it be considered an AWD or 4WD system?

[@AutoAutopsy]

good question; i honestly don't know which

[@timrtfx]

@@AutoAutopsy I guess it's still an AWD system rather than a 4WD because it can send all the power on one wheel and also because even thought there is a transfer case and no center differential, you can't switch between 4Low/4High/2WD like in a 4WD car or truck. And also because 4WD is not really suitable for cars. Whatever, I pretty much answered my own question lmao.

[@dusta1981]

When are you planning on doing a video on servicing the XWD?

[@AutoAutopsy]

I already did it; had to take it to a shop since I don't have a lift, so i was unable to record it

[@dusta1981]

bummer! I wanted to try and do it myself but need to watch a tutorial cause I have no idea what I'm doing.

[@djr4840]

Just wondering if you ever did show how to do the XWD service?

[@AutoAutopsy]

I did not; had a shop do it

[@Sporkmeister]

In case you still hadn't found it: www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622081@@AutoAutopsy

[@nicksgarage417]

Hey, are you sure that you have to do a XWD service that frequently?? I have a 9-5 Aero from 2010 with the XWD system and in the owners manual, it says that it's filled for life and that no regular maintenance is required. I've had my car for 3years and I never changed any fluids relating to the XWD system and it runs just fine.

[@Alex2021ZR1]

Nicholas Trambitas You can neglect it and it will run fine short term. Keep neglecting it and it will cost you an arm and leg long term. Just take care of your Saab don't neglect maintenance lol. These cars save lives they don't deserve to be on the verge of extinction.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Similar to what Alex said, you should probably do it every 30-45k miles minimum. Last thing you want is to have huge hole in your wallet because you need a new dif!

[@nicksgarage417]

Alex2021ZR1 Auto Autopsy I have nothing against replacing the oil and filter for the differential but I don't want to do unnecessary work that's not needed lol. If you guys can point me to where it says the recommended service interval, that'll be greatly appreciated! I was reading the manual for my car and it didn't mention anything about changing any XWD related fluids...

[@eyeShawn]

Nicholas Trambitas if you watch his last video, the 6 thing he hates about his turbo x, he mentions this. Apparently Saab stated that the XWD system is good to go for the life of the car. They eventually changed their statement on XWD to getting it serviced every so often. Cheers

[@willriley1619]

Sounds a lot like the Volvo Haldex system. Which puts down more power per hp on the dyno than Subaru. I had a stock 300hp S60R 6spd put down 20 more hp and tq than a stock 300hp STI. In fact the Saab Turbo X should put down better numbers on a dyno than an STI

[@AutoAutopsy]

With a proper tune, definitely!

[@uhhDthOKAY]

05 92x Aero was awd. Though its really just a wrx.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Correct! I realized that while editing (although, exactly as you said, it's not "technically" a saab)

[@heinargo]

Look for the Wheeler Dealers show's episode with Audi TT, Ed China did a Haldex service there (not the very same, but close enough). And should yours fail, the car won't probably be stranded. My friend's XC70's haldex failed (again, not 100% same haldex) a few years ago, and the car kept running perfectly fine as a front wheel drive car.

[@jonnypeacer6931]

my friends saab has not work the XWD, hi has change the oil all 500km, after 2000km the XWD is working the last 10'000km

[@thomaschristiansen344]

When the XWD fails and the car goes into FWD only, it drives like shit - ie no power. In other words, when the XWD fails, you'd better get it fixed right away !

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for sharing guys!

[@allrock1238]

Verify "The haldex system can lock "both" the front and rear axle comment, it can vector torque side to side in the "rear" using the Electronic limited slip deferential in cars so equipped on demand, the front Differential is not a limited slip design so the car uses the traction control to apply a brake on the slipping wheel here to try and transfer torque to the front wheel with better grip .. the system is very reactive to sensing even small amounts reduction of front traction , applying torque to the rear wheels dynamically , it can also torque vector in the rear dynamically if ELSD equiped (not all XWD saabs are) there explanation of the system kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGrWdYmrdqaijpY

[@acchaladka]

So if someone wants to sell me a 9-3 Aero XWD with a non-functioning XWD...it could cost as much as $5k to fix? Whoa.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Not necessarily

[@demetrisa.8571]

You could find differentials from Cadillac or Buick cars for cheap

[@focused200]

No sunglasses thumbs down jk great info

[@AutoAutopsy]

:(

[@AlexSakellaris]

XWD in action at kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5LIpIWwe6tpea8 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4ipi4WigsZ7lZo and kzbin.info/www/bejne/onXMZJucfNdlsM0

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks!

[@chrisreynolds3695]

www.saabcentral.com is where you want to check for info on servicing the transfer case. It can be done, and there are parts I believe interchangeable from newer AWD Buicks. Now give me your car, chump!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Lol, thank you for the tip!

[@DerekChabrow]

I like Saabs as a brand but their XWDs (in my opinion) were behind Subaru's. I owned a Legacy GT (5speed) that send most power to the rear. Way more fun to drive and a lot better fuel economy. I honestly would agree with the Swedes on that and stay away from Saabs XWDs. It would be cool to one day road-test compare yours to a Saab 9-2x Aero 4WD. Don't get me wrong the Turbo-X Saab is still a very cool car, but (for me) I would rather have it not in XWD.

[@AutoAutopsy]

I can see where you're coming from; I'd have to drive the Subie to see

[@allrock1238]

The haldex Xwd system dynamically varies rear drive bias upon reacting to car physics demand , for example during hard acceleration from a stop it instantly shifts the drive torque bias to the rear this massively reduces front wheel drive torque steer and front tire wear.. If equipped With ElSD it will also dynamically vector the rear wheel side to side torque depending on driver input and vehicle force sensor feed back , for example it will vector the torque to the right rear wheel as on accelerates around the apex of a left corner this torque vectoring system really helps with the very push heavy handling older Saabs had , Subaru's symmetrical AWD system is very good as well and some of the high end sports models have torque vectoring as well,, ,, Have not seen a NG Saab with XWD "and" ELSD tested on the roller incline tester would make for an interesting match up.. only off-road vehicles with full locking differentials can pass the wheels on rollers one with traction test easily ,, this really puts the intelligence of the traction control software and system to the test ..

[@focused200]

I Challenge to x to a race

[@thiccyj2682]

we dont have alot of snow sorry

[@AutoAutopsy]

rip

[@kuazexin]

Shold end your video by saying like and saabcribe

[@AutoAutopsy]

I like the idea!

[@22chachalaca]

It's a cool car the X but for all intents and purposes there are better cars out there in this category that don't have the maintenance burden. This car basically sums up the failings of Saab as a company. Low volume low margin niche products that require too much maintenance. As second hand vehicles, Saabs are great because they're all so inexpensive. GMs loss, our gain.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Yeah, lol you kinda contradicted yourself there! Tell me a better car for the price

[@d.a.s.3921]

I get it..You a e a Saab freak. I was one too, until I woke up. I have owned 1986 900s, 1987 900 spg, 1988 900 spg, 1996 9000 Aero, 2002 9/5 Aero, I couldnt watch your video because Im no longer a Saab freak. I now despise them. Half the models and years were junk, half were good. The Turbo X wasnt one of the 50% of what I would call good.

[@AutoAutopsy]

That's all opinion there amigo

[@d.a.s.3921]

Of course, its an opinion based comment forum.