The Subaru WRX STI is a popular car in America for both street driving and rally cross racing. The STI is so prevalent in rally cross that there may be more fans following the Subaru brand than any other auto manufacturer in the U.S., according to Lance Smith, the team owner. To drive your STI you need to know about specialty performance parts your vehicle is equipped with. If the STI you are driving belongs to someone else, or if you purchased it used, find out if it has any aftermarket modifications.
Know the the specialty equipment that came stock on your STI. Most stock performance parts are implemented by Subaru for rally cross, including the easily identifiable rear wing and hood scoop. The 2011 Subaru WRX STI comes with the 305 horsepower Boxer engine and Brembo performance braking system. The Brembo braking system is of special interest for STI aficionados. The system includes calipers, pads and rotors. When driving your STI you will notice a firm and more consistent feel of the brake pedal, thanks to the Brembo calipers. This braking system allows STI owners to drive their cars aggressively and confidently, knowing they have superior stopping power. The STI also boasts a world class all-wheel drive system, according to Popular Mechanics magazine, giving the STI outstanding handling abilities. The 2011 WRX STI has additional features like Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE), and Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) which allow for individualized driver input and performance.
Know your aftermarket modifications. The STI is highly adaptable for customizing, and aftermarket performance additions are extremely popular with STI owners. While the list of possible upgrades and modifications is too vast to list, visit the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, and the Subaru of America website to learn what modifications will do to the performance of your vehicle.
Practice driving your STI. Drive on streets, on loose surfaces like gravel or sand and learn to drive in the snow. This will help you get a feel for the stiff brakes, rigid suspension and all-wheel-drive capabilities. In the 2011 models, you can also choose from three modes of vehicle performance via SI-DRIVE. These modes are: Intelligent, Sport and Sport Sharp. These settings regulate the engine control unit and throttle to alter effects of throttle pressure. According to Subaru.com, "Throttle operation in Intelligent mode feels normal...The Sport setting makes the engine more responsive to throttle settings and Sport Sharp makes the car a raging beast." Vehicle Dynamics Control, or VDC, also is set in three different modes: "Standard," "Off" and "Performance." Another driver-operated control is DCCD, which manages the way power is split between the front and rear wheels via the center differential. Experiment with these settings to find the level that is best for you.
