FEH AWD Capabilities

Last post on Apr 24, 2008 at 3:16 PM

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#1 of 1 FEH AWD Capabilities by stevedebi Apr 24, 2008 (3:16 pm)
Since I found that the Edmunds review has errors in describing the AWD on the FEH, I decided to post the following description. It is from the Ford handbook provided to salesmen, which describes the FEH. Intelligent 4WD System Escape Hybrid is a front-wheel drive vehicle with available Intelligent 4WD. The Intelligent 4WD System reacts to the driver. It enhances the level of traction and control in various driving conditions. On the highway, the vehicle is driven by the front wheels for efficiency. When increased handling or traction is required, the Intelligent 4WD System actively controls power to all four wheels independently. This provides a balanced level of control. • Automatically sends power to the wheel or wheels with the best traction • No driver-operated switch or button, the system is automatic • Reacts quickly to changes in road conditions, enhancing control • The system can even sense when wheel slip might occur and will start to transfer power even before the wheels begin to slip • Each wheel’s speed is monitored 200 times per second • In normal conditions, the system maintains front-wheel drive (FWD) operation Performance and Handling Intelligent 4WD enhances performance and handling. • In a curve, the front wheels steer the vehicle to maintain direction, as well as propel the vehicle forward • The Intelligent 4WD system sends power to the rear wheels, allowing the rear wheels to help propel the vehicle • This helps improve overall handling by allowing the front tires to apply more available traction to steer the vehicle Off-Road When the adventure takes you off-road, traction becomes an important consideration. Gravel, sand, mud and snow all challenge a vehicle’s ability to maintain traction and control. • Intelligent 4WD proactively compensates for these conditions, immediately transferring torque from front to rear, so all four wheels have power • This allows the vehicle to maintain traction so the driver can maintain control throughout the off-road experience Rain, Sleet or Snow Weather conditions can create a slippery patch on the road surface. • When the vehicle encounters these situations, Intelligent 4WD responds proactively within milliseconds, redirecting power to the appropriate wheels with the best traction Normal Driving Conditions Under normal conditions, Intelligent 4WD operates much like a front-wheel drive vehicle. • The majority of power is sent to the front wheels • The Intelligent 4WD system continuously monitors throttle position, steering angle and wheel speed to balance the engine’s output to the wheel(s) with the best traction

#1 of 1: FEH AWD Capabilities by stevedebi; Apr 24, 2008 (3:16 pm)

Since I found that the Edmunds review has errors in describing the AWD on the FEH, I decided to post the following description. It is from the Ford handbook provided to salesmen, which describes the FEH.

Intelligent 4WD System

Escape Hybrid is a front-wheel drive vehicle with available Intelligent 4WD. The Intelligent 4WD System reacts to the driver. It enhances the level of traction and control in various driving conditions. On the highway, the vehicle is driven by the front wheels for efficiency. When increased handling or traction is required, the Intelligent 4WD System actively controls power to all four wheels independently. This provides a balanced level of control.

• Automatically sends power to the wheel or wheels with the best traction
• No driver-operated switch or button, the system is automatic
• Reacts quickly to changes in road conditions, enhancing control
• The system can even sense when wheel slip might occur and will start to transfer power even before the wheels begin to slip
• Each wheel’s speed is monitored 200 times per second
• In normal conditions, the system maintains front-wheel drive

(FWD) operation

Performance and Handling

Intelligent 4WD enhances performance and handling.

• In a curve, the front wheels steer the vehicle to maintain direction, as well as propel the vehicle forward
• The Intelligent 4WD system sends power to the rear wheels, allowing the rear wheels to help propel the vehicle
• This helps improve overall handling by allowing the front tires to apply more available traction to steer the vehicle

Off-Road

When the adventure takes you off-road, traction becomes an important consideration. Gravel, sand, mud and snow all challenge a vehicle’s ability to maintain traction and control.

• Intelligent 4WD proactively compensates for these conditions, immediately transferring torque from front to rear, so all four wheels have power
• This allows the vehicle to maintain traction so the driver can maintain control throughout the off-road experience

Rain, Sleet or Snow

Weather conditions can create a slippery patch on the road surface.

• When the vehicle encounters these situations, Intelligent 4WD responds proactively within milliseconds, redirecting power to the appropriate wheels with the best traction

Normal Driving Conditions

Under normal conditions, Intelligent 4WD operates much like a front-wheel drive vehicle.

• The majority of power is sent to the front wheels
• The Intelligent 4WD system continuously monitors throttle position, steering angle and wheel speed to balance the engine’s output to the wheel(s) with the best traction