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Why there are no 4WD marked on the Body
by sphinx88
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Nov 13, 2007 (6:53 pm)
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I did a test drive of a FEH, it is supposed to be a 4WD, but I can not find anything labelled on the body says 4WD.
The non hybrid version marked a 4WD on the rear.
How do I tell it is a 4WD or not for a FEH?
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- #2 of 9
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Re: Why there are no 4WD marked on the Body [sphinx88]
by dean58
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Nov 14, 2007 (6:43 am)
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Replying to: sphinx88 (Nov 13, 2007 6:53 pm)
I think the only way you can tell the difference is to look at the rear axle from the back. On the FWD the center of the axle will just be an open space and on the AWD it will have a differential in the center.
Dean
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- #3 of 9
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Hybrid Escapes
by mschmal
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Nov 14, 2007 (8:57 am)
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all 2008 Hybrid Escape 4x4s have U59 as the model code in the VIN. This is the 5th through 7th digit.
Prior to 08 Intelligent 4x4 was indicated by lettering on the dash to the left of the radio.
Mark
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- #4 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [mschmal]
by sphinx88
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Nov 14, 2007 (5:17 pm)
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Replying to: mschmal (Nov 14, 2007 8:57 am)
Thanks Mark and Dean, I just wonder why doesn't Ford mark it on the body. Is that because Ford does not have two motors, one is on front and one is on rear like Toyota SUV?
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- #5 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [sphinx88]
by bdyment
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Nov 15, 2007 (6:30 am)
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Replying to: sphinx88 (Nov 14, 2007 5:17 pm)
Well I am not sure why Ford does not identify the AWD Escapes on the body. Our 2007 Limited has no identification on the body either. However, it has nothing to do with the motors. The Escape Hybrid has a gasoline engine and an electric motor--similiar arrangement to Toyota,
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- #6 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [bdyment]
by sphinx88
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Nov 15, 2007 (3:33 pm)
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Replying to: bdyment (Nov 15, 2007 6:30 am)
No the Toyota Highlander has two motors, one is on the front, another is on the back.
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- #7 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [sphinx88]
by stevedebi
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Nov 15, 2007 (7:01 pm)
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Replying to: sphinx88 (Nov 15, 2007 3:33 pm)
"No the Toyota Highlander has two motors, one is on the front, another is on the back."
Actually, the Highlander Hybrid has an electric motor for each rear wheel, and a combined electric / gasoline propulsion system up front. Or have you read that there is a single electric motor in the rear? That would not make a lot of sense mechanically, since an electric motor is small and running mechanical components to two rear wheels would seem to defeat the purpose of having electric-only rear wheel propulsion.
I think that Ford is using a mechanical AWD system in their Hybrid Escape, but I haven't researched it in depth.
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- #8 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [stevedebi]
by mecheng1
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Nov 16, 2007 (8:33 am)
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Replying to: stevedebi (Nov 15, 2007 7:01 pm)
From what I have heard on these forums, the HiHy design includes the standard electric motors in the synergy drive system and then a second motor (or motors?) in the rear specifically to provide the four-wheel drive capability. There are numerous postings in these forums about HiHys being stuck against "small" curbs because the rear wheels only receive a limited amount of power from the second motor and and cannot receive combined power from the ice/motor (synergy) powertrain. The FEH can feed "full" power to the rear wheels through a drive shaft that runs from the hybrid powertrain in the front to a differential in the rear. The trade-off....Ford has yet to resolve the highly complex software design needed to provide vehicle stability control with this type of 4WD system. Toyota can provide VSC in the HiHy because they drive the rear wheels with an independant motor. 
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- #9 of 9
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Re: Hybrid Escapes [stevedebi]
by sphinx88
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Nov 16, 2007 (9:33 pm)
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Replying to: stevedebi (Nov 15, 2007 7:01 pm)
I may pay a body shop to lable my FEH a 4WD sign, not sure how much does it cost. Ford really need to put that on the body. Why not?
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