Ford Escape 4wd

Post by **Seabass81** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:17 am

Anybody tow there boat with the escape v6 4wd?

I just bought one 2 days ago and had a couple of questions . The 4wd (more like AWD) cannot be engaged by the driver. It will only engage when needed . While towing down a highway it would not be engaged right?

Second is how was your success at getting out of a sticky situation ?

I know its not a off road vehicle but there are a couple of steep or sandy launches that would scare the fwd model away and would like to give em a shot.

I would like a couple of inches of snow so I could go play. I have no clue how she will react when loosing control.

John

Post by **Wallyboss** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:36 am

John I have an Escape 6 Cyl. And I love it, Like you said you cannot put it in 4wd. So if at a launch you need the 4wd you'll have to put it on 4x4 and get the front tires to spin a bit so that the rear tires will start pulling too. I have never had All seasons on it. I usually put on Winter tires and keep them year round.

If you put the 4X4 switch in auto 30% of the power will transfer to the rear wheels when the front wheels lose traction. And if you put the switch to 4X4 it will send 50% of the power to the rear wheels.

John you are right that when going down the highway it is only Front wheel drive.

Post by **Seabass81** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:20 am

I am pretty sure my model has no switch at all witch sucks. But as long as the tires start spinning it should kick in .

John

Post by **Wabler** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:53 am

I have one of these, and I'm very satisfied with the towing. The truck stays level with a load and there's a minimal impact on fuel economy. It hasn't presented any concerns at any launch that I've used, but I haven't used a particularly poor launch. The worst that I've used would be the unpaved one at Petrie and it was not a problem.

The dealer told me to disengage the traction control when pulling out of the water. I have never remembered to do this and have never had a problem.

Good luck!

Post by **shore finder** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:29 pm

Wallyboss wrote: I usually put on Winter tires and keep them year round.

Wow. The soft rubber compound isn't made to last in summer temps. They wear out so much faster that way. Not to mention all seasons are smother and will yield better fuel economy all summer long. If you think its cheeper not to buy the wheels and not to swap them every winter/summer your fooling yourself. Its cheaper all around to get a set of basic rims with your winter tires and do the switch spring and fall. both sets will last longer. But its hard to convince people of that.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:09 am

shore finder wrote:
Wallyboss wrote: I usually put on Winter tires and keep them year round.
Wow. The soft rubber compound isn't made to last in summer temps. They wear out so much faster that way. Not to mention all seasons are smother and will yield better fuel economy all summer long. If you think its cheeper not to buy the wheels and not to swap them every winter/summer your fooling yourself. Its cheaper all around to get a set of basic rims with your winter tires and do the switch spring and fall. both sets will last longer. But its hard to convince people of that.

I buy a set every 2 years instead of 2 sets every 4 years. I like the extra grip at the muddy launches.

Post by **MLR** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:22 am

Wallyboss wrote:
shore finder wrote:
Wallyboss wrote: I usually put on Winter tires and keep them year round.
Wow. The soft rubber compound isn't made to last in summer temps. They wear out so much faster that way. Not to mention all seasons are smother and will yield better fuel economy all summer long. If you think its cheeper not to buy the wheels and not to swap them every winter/summer your fooling yourself. Its cheaper all around to get a set of basic rims with your winter tires and do the switch spring and fall. both sets will last longer. But its hard to convince people of that.
I buy a set every 2 years instead of 2 sets every 4 years. I like the extra grip at the muddy launches.

Wallyboss

Have you notice any stopping distance issues with winter tires on hot pavement? I heard that stopping distance is much longer with winter tires in the summer, but just assumed it was propaganda from the tire manufacturers.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:39 am

Haven't noticed any excessive braking distance.

Post by **SixStringHack** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:43 am

Have you notice any stopping distance issues with winter tires on hot pavement? I heard that stopping distance is much longer with winter tires in the summer, but just assumed it was propaganda from the tire manufacturers.

I don't think it is propaganda, but the manufacturers are probably referring to fairly extreme conditions. That being said, a panic stop on a really hot day with real winter tires would probably lead to increased stopping distances. How much more? Who knows...

A friend drove at highway+ speeds for an hour or so on a 25C spring day on his winter Blizzaks. He said that the car felt like it was on a slightly greasy road after he left the highway. When he checked the tires, there were small pockmarks, blisters and rubber bits on the surface of the tread. He was driving an AWD Audi sedan.

Winter tire rubber compounds don't dissipate heat as well as summer or all season tires.