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Ford Escape Hybrid Tire/Wheel Questions

28 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2009 at 3:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Tires, Wheels, SUV

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#19 of 28 What effect would it have to use a lower profile tire? by 928s4t Aug 01, 2007 (7:23 pm)
I am thinking of getting a lower profile tire for my Escape. It seems to me that it would lower wind resistance, reduce roll over likelyhood and improve handling on a tight roadway. I was told that it would screw up the computer and cause all sorts of problems with the hybryd system. Any thoughts? Replies to this message: bdyment (Aug 02, 2007 4:46 am) mecheng1 (Aug 02, 2007 6:09 am)
#20 of 28 Re: What effect would it have to use a lower profile tire? [928s4t] by bdyment Aug 02, 2007 (4:46 am)
Replying to: 928s4t (Aug 01, 2007 7:23 pm) Your rolling resistance will probably go up because the lower profile tire will be wider. Your gas mileage will suffer somewhat. The lower profile tire may very well screw up the computer. I would leave well enough alone. The very slight increase in handling performance, if any, will be offset by too many negatives.
#21 of 28 Re: What effect would it have to use a lower profile tire? [928s4t] by mecheng1 Aug 02, 2007 (6:09 am)
Replying to: 928s4t (Aug 01, 2007 7:23 pm) Tire changes for performance are possible - but are subject to the particular desires of each driver. If you want to maximize fuel economy, stay with the special formula, low rolling resistance (LRR) tires made by Continential especially for the FEH (EcoPlus). Inflate them to 40 to 44 psi like many of us do and you should see a 1 mpg increase.   If you want better handling or less of a harsh ride, change to whatever rubber formula you prefer...some sizes are comparable to the OEM tires, some are not. You will probably see a decrease in FE.   There is a process to adjust the computer for a different size of tire....and there are tables provided by tire manufacturers that tell you if the tires are the same or different from your original tires.   So, the hassle involved with changing tires depends on what tires you choose and for what reason you are changing. And don't forget the recalibration process if you have the TPM (automatic Tire Pressure Monitoring) option.
#22 of 28 Re: Tires of choice? [mecheng1] by jlorusso Aug 12, 2007 (5:44 pm)
Replying to: mecheng1 (Oct 19, 2006 9:00 am) I just purchased a Continental ContiTrac EcoPlus from www.tirerack.com, place I buy tires from all the time. Pls check it out.   jlorusso
#23 of 28 little known secret. by mschmal Aug 14, 2007 (7:27 am)
Most Ford dealers offer a price guarentee on tires. Take the print out from tire rack into the dealership.   I was also told by a NTB store that they match prices with tire rack.   Mark.
#24 of 28 Re: Patents on Hybrid tech by dmoushey Sep 24, 2007 (9:56 am)
Replying to: cdold (May 16, 2006 4:19 pm) Ford was >95% done with their Hybrid development program when Toyota came in and said BTW here are some patents that we're going to sue you on for your Hybrid system.   Instead of a court battle, Ford chose licensing. Replies to this message: mecheng1 (Sep 26, 2007 6:22 am)
#25 of 28 Re: Patents on Hybrid tech [dmoushey] by mecheng1 Sep 26, 2007 (6:22 am)
Replying to: dmoushey (Sep 24, 2007 9:56 am) I understand that Toyota and Ford actually swapped licenses so that Toyota would not infringe on some diesel technology that Ford had patents on. I don't think a court battle ever had to be threatened. (?) (Ford's eCVT design had actually been started at Volvo.)
#26 of 28 17'' Wheels on Hybrid? by eatingpie Nov 23, 2007 (9:07 am)
Ford does not offer the 17'' wheels as an option on the FEH, and their site says they require the V6 engine. I would like to add 17'' wheels (yes I know it will effect gas mileage).   Is there any engineering reason I can't (wheel well depth, engine power, etc.), or should I just go for it?   TIA.   -Pie Replies to this message: mecheng1 (Nov 26, 2007 8:59 am)
#27 of 28 Re: 17'' Wheels on Hybrid? [eatingpie] by mecheng1 Nov 26, 2007 (8:59 am)
Replying to: eatingpie (Nov 23, 2007 9:07 am) Just try and use a lower profile tire so that the effective rolling diameter is the same as the stock tires/wheels. There should be a way to "re-calibrate" the FEH computer to a new diameter....but I haven't seen the exact procedure. This would have to be done to keep the speedometer accurate.   REMEMBER: this vehicle is driven entirely "by-wire".....therefore the computer decides how much throttle and how much brake is applied based on driver inputs and vehicle sensors. The computer actually monitors three separate sensors to determine vehicle speed (and therefore how much brake to apply, etc.) and changing the effective diameter at the wheels affects at least two of the three.
#28 of 28 Quietest Tires for FEH by imcookn Oct 13, 2009 (3:21 am)
It's time to buy new tires for a 2007 FEH. My wife wants the quietest possible. Just Tires has Wranglers on sale is this a good choice? I've had good luck with Michelin's in the past on other cars. My Madza3 s Hatchback has Falken tires that are excellent but I don't know if they have a size for the FEH.   What has been your experience?

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