[futameca]

... or are things 2wd (fwd) until the computer deems it necessary to apply power to the rear wheels.

Not that we really need it here in southern California, we loved the Escape so the 4wd came along for the ride. Just wondering if that accounts for the slight decrease in gas mileage among other things.

 

[jpark]

A 4WD Escape does apply power constantly to the front wheels, and only to the rear wheels when the system "notices" wheelspin.

The 2005 and later models have an entirely automatic system.

There is a slight (1MPG or so) penalty for the 4WD system, even when running only in FWD mode.

 

[futameca]

The right foot will dramatically effect mpg too... :angel:

 

[jpark]

:lol:

Too true.

 

[Scooter Scott]

i have that problem!

 

[arbs]

am i right in thinking the earlier models at least also have a 4wd lock button?

is it a viscous coupling or a 'proper' dif?

 

[Scooter Scott]

The earlier models had an Auto mode and 4wd mode. When in auto it worked as the current Escape's do...when in 4wd it was locked in and I believe it was with a coupling.

 

[futameca]

...and did these 4wd systems come from the Volvo parts bin? Source is "a buddy at work". :shrug:

 

[stone]

I noticed my escape was heavy on fuel during past mud hooning experiments.

 

[arbs]

I noticed my escape was heavy on fuel during past mud hooning experiments.

sounds fun!

what is the escape/maverick like off road? i'm not expecting miracles but it would be nice to have a play now and again

 

[camusdarrach]

No real difference, the bodywork, interior etc, are still the same, unless you find that a tree/ large lump of native wildlife, jumps out in front of you

 

[RobtRoma]

i have that problem!

Hee Hee... me too.

As for the question of how the 4x4 system works, I put a copy of an old Car & Driver article on my Escape website. It describes how the 2001-2004 system works and why it's not a "true 4x4" system. There have been a few people that have questioned how accurate the article is but I don't actually remember what the beef was...

I've taken my Escape off-road 3x. It did very well each time. The first time was in the Pine Barrens of NJ. Most of this trip was was compacted sand but there were also and some good size water puddles and areas of deep loose sand that we played in. All the Escapes on this trip did extremely well. The second was a trip to Kentucky. We went on a mountain trail that had a few minor obstacles but it really wasn't that bad. Again, no one had any problems.

The final trip was in PA. This was the biggest test of the 3. The picture in my signature is from that trip. Getting into the trail area had us going over a fairly narrow and steep burm. The trail itself started of quite bumpy and it led to the water hole pictured above. It was probably a foot+ deep at the center. Non of the Escapes had any problems... not even the 2wd one. After this, we went onto some old coal roads. These actually were not too bad. There was a section that was quite bumpy and fun but not really challenging. After that, we went thru another puddle that was quite thick with what I think was coal dust. We just called it the mud puddle. It wasn't nearly as deep as the water hole in my sig and all the Escapes made it thru with out incident. On the way out, we went thru the same mud puddle and again it seemed no one had a problem. However on the way home, 5 of the 7 Escapes had their alternators die. Luckily, mine wasn't one of them. It seems the thick, mucky stuff can kill the alternators fairly easily.

Moral of the story, dry and bumpy... fine. Wet and not too deep... again, should be fine. Sand... Messy but fairly easily handled. Mud? Be very careful. It can kill your Escape (or at least it's alternator)...

 

[futameca]

Was your rear hatch afraid of getting wet? Any purpose to having it up?

Looks like fun.

 

[RobtRoma]

I had a video camera poking out the back. Click the link below for the vid (the yellow Escape is 2wd):

http://www.romaine.name/media/e-c/pafun ... _Water.wmv

Here are a the other vids from the trip:

http://www.romaine.name/media/e-c/pafun ... _Start.wmv
http://www.romaine.name/media/e-c/pafun ... _Path1.wmv
http://www.romaine.name/media/e-c/pafun ... FR_Rut.wmv
http://www.romaine.name/media/e-c/pafun ... FR_Mud.wmv

Sorry... couldn't figure out how to embed from my website

 

[futameca]

COOL!!

Real stud-mud...I have to mix it in a bucket and throw it on the truck by hand.

Thanks for sharing the vids.

 

[jonas1022]

I heard that "It's like mud here." On the video. I guess that was where the alternator deed was done...

Just for grins, I was in Tennesse several years ago with my wife on a forrest road near the Smokie Mountain Nat'l park. We went up this "mountain side" (literally) with our Escort, which was a one year old car at the time. The road became progressively more narrow and steeper as the distance accumulated. After about ten minutes we forded a stream. The approach side was gravel and the exit side was without gravel...mud. Little front wheel drive cars can do those things, mud. After another mile and crossing over the top, the road began to improve more as we progressed. Eventually emmerging on the other end. Mud up to the window sills and without a doubt some scratch markings on the floorpan... :yes: :doh:

 

[Scooter Scott]

Excellent videos! I love seein that kind of stuff. I really need to go do it myself!

 

[Davis137]

I find that the 4WD system makes the truck more stable in corners when it's raining. I need to get rid of the stock Conti's and figure out the problems with my front end so I can take full advantage of what the chasis and suspension on this vehicle are made of.

 

[Squishy]

I heard that "It's like mud here." On the video. I guess that was where the alternator deed was done...

Just for grins, I was in Tennesse several years ago with my wife on a forrest road near the Smokie Mountain Nat'l park. We went up this "mountain side" (literally) with our Escort, which was a one year old car at the time. The road became progressively more narrow and steeper as the distance accumulated. After about ten minutes we forded a stream. The approach side was gravel and the exit side was without gravel...mud. Little front wheel drive cars can do those things, mud. After another mile and crossing over the top, the road began to improve more as we progressed. Eventually emmerging on the other end. Mud up to the window sills and without a doubt some scratch markings on the floorpan... :yes: :doh:

And that was with the stock Tiger Paw tires? :shock:

 

[RobtRoma]

I heard that "It's like mud here." On the video. I guess that was where the alternator deed was done...

That was the mud puddle that did the damage. Actually, that vid was the first pass thru the mud. I think we were OK after that. I believe it was the second pass, the video with the file name FR_Mud, that did the deed. Everyone shot right thru the middle. I kinda went to the side and when thru a good bit slower. I figure that's why I didn't have any problems...

Excellent videos! I love seein that kind of stuff. I really need to go do it myself!

Glad you liked