FWD Switch kit ????
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FWD Switch kit ????
My wife currently drives a 2002 Escape 4WD and loves it. That year there was a switch on the dash that you could turn to lock in the 4WD. We love the feel of the locked in 4WD, knowing that there will be no slippage before the 4WD kicks in. The newer (08-09) Escapes now come all wheel drive like the older ones but with out the switch to lock in the 4WD. Is there a way that I can install a switch that will fool the computer to keep the Escape locked in 4WD???? Does anyone make a kit? We are looking at buying a new Escape but I don't like not being able to lock up the 4WD. We live in Michigan and drive on many miles of ice covered roads. The locked up 4WD just feels so much better on ice and snow. Any help would be appreciated.
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My wife currently drives a 2002 Escape 4WD and loves it. That year there was a switch on the dash that you could turn to lock in the 4WD. We love the feel of the locked in 4WD, knowing that there will be no slippage before the 4WD kicks in. The newer (08-09) Escapes now come all wheel drive like the older ones but with out the switch to lock in the 4WD. Is there a way that I can install a switch that will fool the computer to keep the Escape locked in 4WD???? Does anyone make a kit? We are looking at buying a new Escape but I don't like not being able to lock up the 4WD. We live in Michigan and drive on many miles of ice covered roads. The locked up 4WD just feels so much better on ice and snow. Any help would be appreciated.
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The newer models have a more sophisticated system that does your '02. When you use the switch in your existing model the 4WD system is splitting the power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels. In the newer models, only enough power is directed towards the rear wheels to prevent tire slippage. It's totally seamless in function. I live in the country and have to take a hilly and very curvey road (typically snow or ice packed)whenever I drive to town and I love the system in my '09.
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I don't have a link for the article but it was a interview with a head of Ford's drivetrain division.
This interview which was about the newest 4WD system. It explain the system checks too but it talked about steering control vs power. They stated under full throttle from a stop the system is 100% rear wheel driven leaving the front wheels to control steering. Apperently, you get better steering control when those wheel are only used for steering.
This interview which was about the newest 4WD system. It explain the system checks too but it talked about steering control vs power. They stated under full throttle from a stop the system is 100% rear wheel driven leaving the front wheels to control steering. Apperently, you get better steering control when those wheel are only used for steering.
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Thanks for all the information. Interestingly a lady from my local dealership delivered a truck to another dealer in southern Ohio and drove back a new Escape. She got caught in the recent ice storm and drove on many miles of ice. She told me that the Escape did indeed feel like it was slipping or sliding before the 4WD kicked in and made her feel very uncomfortable. Her personal truck is a pick up that has lock in 4WD. She said that she feels a lot more comfortable driving her truck with 4WD locked in on ice and snow covered roads compared to the automatic engagement on the Escape. Guess I'll have to take one out for a test drive when the roads are really slippery and see for myself.
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Thanks for all the information. Interestingly a lady from my local dealership delivered a truck to another dealer in southern Ohio and drove back a new Escape. She got caught in the recent ice storm and drove on many miles of ice. She told me that the Escape did indeed feel like it was slipping or sliding before the 4WD kicked in and made her feel very uncomfortable. Her personal truck is a pick up that has lock in 4WD. She said that she feels a lot more comfortable driving her truck with 4WD locked in on ice and snow covered roads compared to the automatic engagement on the Escape. Guess I'll have to take one out for a test drive when the roads are really slippery and see for myself.
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Thanks for all the information. Interestingly a lady from my local dealership delivered a truck to another dealer in southern Ohio and drove back a new Escape. She got caught in the recent ice storm and drove on many miles of ice. She told me that the Escape did indeed feel like it was slipping or sliding before the 4WD kicked in and made her feel very uncomfortable. Her personal truck is a pick up that has lock in 4WD. She said that she feels a lot more comfortable driving her truck with 4WD locked in on ice and snow covered roads compared to the automatic engagement on the Escape. Guess I'll have to take one out for a test drive when the roads are really slippery and see for myself.
That is very hard to believe, I have purchased 6 new 4X4 vehicles in the past 32 years. While all worked quite well in slippery conditions, the 2009 Escape I now have is, hands down, the best. It is basically fool proof. I live in the snow belt of Ohio...hills and all. The vehicle is by far the most stable in icy/snowy conditions.
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