[iWANTanESCAPE]

Hello everyone,

I have a post going on the 2009 xlt and it's transmission issues with the 6 speed transmission. Apparently, man of these 0 escapes have axle seal leaks caused by the left side axle hitting the transmission case and causing damage/leaks. I have come to find this is pretty common in these, and also a lot of other ford models that were installed with this 6 speed transmission. The dealer I was working with said 3/10 escapes on his lot had this transmission problem, along with other recent model fords with this new transmission and it seems like a lot of people on these chat boards have had issues as well. I also feel that the best ford can do is replace the transmission, which to me is not really fixing the problem, because then it will only be a matter of time before the new transmission is affected.

Regardless, I love the body style that ford used for the escape and introduced in 08. They have the 4 speed transmission with overdrive. I have pretty much given up hope on the 09 due to this 6 speed transmission. Does anyone know if there are any plans in the work to correct this 6 speed transmission?

Now I am looking at 08 escapes as well, but I know the engines are a little weaker and get less mpg. Besides the engine and transmission change, are there any other major changes between the 08 and 09 escapes? I know sirius is not a factory option on the 08, but it is satellite capable.. how hard is it to get sirius up and running in an 08?

 

[Colleen]

Hi there and welcome to the City ! :welcome:

I know sirius is not a factory option on the 08, but it is satellite capable.. how hard is it to get sirius up and running in an 08?

Sirius IS a factory installed option on the 08 Escape. We have an 08 Escape xlt v6 and we have sirius.

 

[kkreit01]

x2. Our 08 has Sirius as well (at least for 6 mos).

From what I've read, there's a major difference in power between the 08/09 models. The old 4 spd auto is no real "gem" either. I have not driven an 09+ yet. I'm happy with my 08, but the CD4E stinks (for the lack of better terms). It dates back to the '94 4-bangers (Contour, Probe, 626, etc.). It is much better suited to the 2.3/2.0. It just seems real "taxed" when paired with the 3.0. My Dad has the same 3.0 in his AWD Merc Montego (same output). However, his car is paired with CVT, and it feels (and is) a bit quicker than our Mariner -- although at least 500 lbs heavier.

Other than the powertrain, there's no other major differences between 09/08. 09 may have offered the ambient lighting? Oh yeah -- the 09s+ have a lower/wider front, lower airdam -- and those plastic thingies in front of the rear wheels (to aid in MPG).

 

[C17chief]

besides some tweaks and minor differences body wise (see 08 TSB's which a good bit come corrected on later years), I think they would be a good bet. I wish I would of driven a left over 08 when I picked up my 09. At the time, 08 wasnt even a consideration as they would of only been a few hundred cheaper and the 09's had the significant boost in power + 6spd. Looking back, that extra HP and the new 6spd probably isnt all it's cracked up to be. With the 09's, it seems like the real power is pretty high in the rpm's thus the transimission is pretty high revving like newer 4cyl imports, shifting at around 3.5-4k rpm's driven normally vs the 2-2.5k or so I've always been used to with american 6cyl+ vehicles. That coupled with me having a not so perfect 6spd in mine makes me wonder how the 08's would of compared. If the 08's 6cyl/4spd was the typical lower revving not feeling like I am racing around when driving normally setup....I would of been happier with it and it's tried and aged (even though not one of the better ones ever made) transmission if the torque/power down low was comperable. In that case I wouldnt care that it had 40 less HP at peak output cause it would almost never get tapped.

 

[Squishy]

The previous V6 also seems a bit high-revving to me, but I'm used to GM pushrods. Those things hardly ever need to go above 2200 RPMs. P

My V6 takes off at 2000 RPM when driving normal city streets, 2500 RPM when taking off on country roads with the higher limit, and 4-5000 RPM to merge onto a highway. That's with a rather light foot. Most people would drive it at around 3000 RPM, I think.

 

[sleeve]

You would think that the '08 Transmission would hold gears longer in either engine application since it only has 4 forward gears versus the 6 forward gears found in the 2009+ models.

I have the 2009 changes which should give you a sense of what is different on the 2008's:

*Newly added Escape Hybrid Limited
*Easy Fill Capless Fuel filler
*16" rims standard on XLS
*Full size spare optional on XLT and Limited
*Colors added: .... | Colors deleted: ...
*Ambiet lighting standard on Limited and Hybrid Limited, available through leather package on XLT
*Cruise control standard on all models
*Convenience package standard on all XLT [code entry keypad thingy, electrochormic mirror, overhead console, illuminated visors, leather steeringwheel]
*SYNC standard on limited. Optional on rest
*Monotone cloth seating, replaces two-tone upholstery
*ABS standard on all models
*New 4 Cylinder engine [bored out version of the 2.3L]
*Revised 3.0L

Those are the major items I see... I don't know if all of these directly mean that the 2008's don't have these same items. Like ABS for example. I know it was available - but I don't know if it was a standard feature like it is on the 09+ models.

 

[jpark]

Just an FYI, but the 2010 Limited I drove last weekend had dual-note horns.

It's about time.

 

[kkreit01]

Finally -- no girly horns. :yahoo:

 

[jonas1022]

Finally -- no girly horns. :yahoo:

O-o-o-h-h-h Yeah! :yahoo:

I have the 08 Tribute, and am happy with it. Not sure that I would trade up just yet. If the 09 were available at the time we picked out the 08, I probably would have opted for the 09.

 

[Colleen]

Finally -- no girly horns. :yahoo:

O-o-o-h-h-h Yeah! :yahoo:

I have the 08 Tribute, and am happy with it. Not sure that I would trade up just yet. If the 09 were available at the time we picked out the 08, I probably would have opted for the 09.

I'm not too crazy about the wimpy horn either. We may eventually consider upgrading the horns in the Escape and Mariner.

 

[jonas1022]

Ford pickup horns should be plug and toot! :hyst: Or not. eace:

 

[sleeve]

The nice thing about the wimpy horn is that when you use it, people immediately look for a Honda or Toyota...

"Move along people" "nothing to see here"

 

[jpark]

The Edge's horn will plug-and-play with any '08+ E/M/T that doesn't have dual-note horns. The electrical connectors are identical.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=943&p=22073&hilit=fusion+horn#p22066

 

[Colleen]

The Edge's horn will plug-and-play with any '08+ E/M/T that doesn't have dual-note horns. The electrical connectors are identical.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=943&p=22073&hilit=fusion+horn#p22066

I just knew you had posted something on this JP ! Thanks for the link. That made it real easy. Now all I have to do is show this to my husband and maybe we can get those wimpy horns out of the vehicles at some point. :thumb:

 

[jpark]

I'm going to ask Ken at Titus-Will about the part number for the 2010 Escape's dual horn (and for a few other parts). It might be a better fit than the Edge horn, since the mounting bracket is designed specifically for the E/M/T.

 

[jonas1022]

I'm going to ask Ken at Titus-Will about the part number for the 2010 Escape's dual horn (and for a few other parts). It might be a better fit than the Edge horn, since the mounting bracket is designed specifically for the E/M/T.

Most definitely a good idea! :thumb: :thumb:

 

[Creaky]

Wolo makes a horn set for about 32 bucks called the Maxi-Sound Model 320-2T that sounds pretty good (at least the sound file doesn't sound wimpy). I don't know how much of a pain it would be to install, but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to rig something up.

Wolo's web site - scroll down a bit to get to the Maxi-Sound.