[elhigh]

Given the fact that I
1) Almost never go offroad
2) Live in a part of the country where snow is only something so see on TV
3) Took it to an independent mechanic

...makes me wonder if that fuse is something I should look for under the hood of my Forester. I took it to the place I bought it - independent used car dealer, sells mostly Subies and has his own tame wrench wrangler - when it started clunking in sharp turns. He said it needed the center diff - his words, not mine - fluid changed, and I simply took him at his word.

Now, I'm pretty sure that's really a viscous coupling in there, which acts as a sort of center diff while also turning some torque to the stern. And it seems to me that when I floor it on wet roads, only the front end spins. But maybe it's electronic? So hmm, maybe he's pulled a fast one? I'll have to check for that fuse.