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2010 Ford Flex With EcoBoost First Drive

24 messages,  Last post on Jul 17, 2010 at 3:14 PM

You are in the Ford Flex Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Flex, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 3

#17 of 24 Re: Be real [aohurst] by wwest

Sep 13, 2009 (9:35 am)

Replying to: aohurst (Sep 12, 2009 12:30 pm)
Manufacturers began building FWD vehicles because they were cheaper to manufacture...PERIOD.
 
It's now taken the public ~35 years to begin to wake up to the very real dangers of FWD for wintertime, slippery roadbed, use. TRAC began to become widely available for FWD vehicles about 10 years ago now. VW has already reacted via the up-rev feature, and most hybrid FWD vehicles have the ability to disable simulated engine compression braking via ABS, and/or even if the suspicion of a slippery roadbed arises.
 
The next effort by the industry will undoubtedly be a combination of up-revving the engine and a transaxle shift to quickly alleviate the effects of engine compression braking, if present, should ABS need to be activated.

#18 of 24 Re: Be real [wwest] by stevedebi

Sep 23, 2009 (10:10 am)

Replying to: wwest (Sep 13, 2009 9:35 am)
"Manufacturers began building FWD vehicles because they were cheaper to manufacture...PERIOD. "
 
Note that this is the last time I will respond to one of your posts, here or on other websites. Out of respect for other readers I will withold my personal opinion. I highly suggest to all readers not to feed the trolls.
 
FWD has better traction in the winter because the weight of the engine is over the drive wheels. That was the driving force behind FWD adoption. One needs to know how to drive any vehicle in winter, but having those wheels grip is great when driven correctly.
 
I remember during the winters back in Germany that my landlord would put 20 kilo sacks of deer feed in his trunk to provide traction to his RWD vehicle. At the time I had a Ford Fairmont, and I also got the "deer feed treatment". For my VW type III (with the engine in the back over the rear wheels), the bags went up front!

#19 of 24 Re: Be real [stevedebi] by wwest

Sep 26, 2009 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 23, 2009 10:10 am)
Just as ANY modern day owners manual will tell you, increased traction at the front vs the rear can too quickly lead to loss of directional control.

#20 of 24 Re: Be real [stevedebi] by erniesdad

Sep 28, 2009 (10:40 am)

Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 23, 2009 10:10 am)
FWD has better traction in the winter because the weight of the engine is over the drive wheels. That was the driving force behind FWD adoption. One needs to know how to drive any vehicle in winter, but having those wheels grip is great when driven correctly.
 
Not really, and definitely not while climbing hills. In most cars, acceleration unloads the front wheels and loads the rear ones. In a hill climbing situation, the effect is even more pronounced. I have a crown vic and a ford taurus, and when it comes to snow traction, I much prefer the vic. Yes, the rear end of the vic gets squirrely a bit, but unlike a FWD platform, I will still have traction to climb a hill. I can't begin to count the number of times I've lost traction going up a hill in a FWD car because all the weight is now sitting over the rear wheels.

#21 of 24 Did you know... by wwest

Jan 26, 2010 (10:54 am)

With a run-a-way engine in a RWD or R/awd vehicle the primary braking resource, the front brakes, can still be fully untilized. With FWD or F/awd the engine is directly opposing the primary, more "robust" braking system.

#22 of 24 Pleased... by wwest

Jan 26, 2010 (10:54 am)

I find myself pleased , inordinately so, that so little public attention is being given to Ford's EcoBoost (TWINFORCE) gas-guzzling technology.

#24 of 24 Re: Pleased... [wwest] by gimmestdtranny

Jul 17, 2010 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Jan 26, 2010 10:54 am)
Does it use 87 octane?
 
I still blame GM for public misperception of a diesel. Back when they tried to turn that disastrous V8 gas engine block into a diesel engine. Were they for real? When i think of the **** they have tried to pull on the unsuspecting buyer. Remember the 8-6-4 in the Cadillac's? Or let's go back to the self-destructing Vega engine in less than 20000 mi.
 
You could put a 3.5 litre turbo diesel in all these vehicles you mention and it would pull their 4 to 6 litre gas job counterparts inside out. When I hear someone say "they stink, i don't want no stinky diesel" I have to resist bitch slapping them (not serious of course but said for dramatics cuz it really does irritate me so much) I want to ask them: "stink? What are you doing with your muff stuffed up your exhaust pipe?" Or when they say, they're so noisy. Has anyone heard the MB V6 dsl idling in their ML's which they also sold in the Jeep Grand Cherokee up until last year? You would swear it was a gas job. And I'm not exaggerating. And talk about torque!
:roll eyes:
 
Furthermore we as N Americans need to get back to CONTROLLING our vehicles. Which INCLUDES manually changing your own gears! And if deceleration creates unwanted FWD oversteer, a person can easily slip the clutch in, and then you don't need all that other fancy rev-up circuitry and ****. Linked to ABS etc etc etc.
 
Anyway, wwest, I hear a fair bit of what you are saying. Problem is, your knowledge is above the masses of your audience.
 
As for the Flex's new engine, are they all this so-called Eco boost? So what if it works amazing, if the dash grounds screw up and the rear back up lights stay on along with the fuel light and a few other asst idiot lights. Or the tranny starts surging. Or the A/C compressor gives it up prematurely. Or the system design is such that it freezes the evaporator on extra hot humid days. - Yes, I just came from reading for the last 3 hours on the Ford Five Hundred forum.
 
Just give me SIMPLE! AWD car that rides quietly, with cold A/C that lasts at least 10 years, and a fast HOT heater, with a design that actually blows the hot air WHERE the ENTIRE wiper swing area is, with decent supportive seats, with wind up windows and a manual 5 speed tranny, with reasonable fuel economy and car longevity. And don't make me have to pay over FORTY!!!!!!! DOLLARS for a special windshield wiper blade. ppfffffttttttt

Messages Page 3 of 3

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