They have a PTO but no electro magnetic clutch. The only electro magnetic clutch is in the rearend. If there a differential, there wouldn't resist turning or bind with 100% rear torque commanded.

 

"You could have...."

The early RX has a standard open diff'l with a VC, Viscous Clutch, in parallel with that diff'l. The VC could be replaced with an electromagnetic clutch.

In which case the resulting vehicle would act, in the cast of the "test", exactly as would a properly operating F/awd FE/FEH. So the test doesn't prove the non-existence of a center diff'l.

 

We aren't talking about a early RX here.

I believe its PWM or duty cycled electro magnetic clutch under 50% allows this to work under normal circumstances without a differential between the front and rear.

 

"..If there was a (center) differential, there wouldn't be any resistance to binding while turning with 100% rear torque commanded.

No, a vehicle COULD be equipped with a center diff'l AND a diff'l "locking" system in parallel and the test results would be EXACTLY the same. In point of fact the exact same FE/FEH electromagnetic clutch system could be used in the same way as the VC in the RX300 and the test results would also be the same.

So the test, in and of itself, does not "prove" the existence, or not, of a center diff'l.

 

"TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - recall of more than 8 million vehicles due to problems with unintended acceleration has wiped $30 billion from Toyota's share value, hurt its reputation and overshadowed what was expected to be an upbeat story of improving earnings."

I've noticed a lot of negativity from "wwest" about Ford and their FEH and really feel compelled to stand up for them as they've been great to me. Even without TC and SC my 06' FEH has never left me with a stuck accelerator pedal and has been very safe and reliable on slippery, wet, and frozen roads and in most cases taken me out of situations that would've been impossible for other HEV vehicles. Through trails and snow i've never had the need for SC or TC and have never even thought about it, and should a time come when i find my FEH on it's roof, i have their iron clad safety ratings to ease my mind.

Ford ultimately did what no other car manufacturer did, release the first HEV SUV which has been proven time and time again to be a consistently SAFE and RELIABLE vehicle as proven by the first fleet of NY FEH Taxis "Cabs in New York City have accumulated more than 175,000 miles with no major mechanical problems, attesting to the durability and reliability of the Escape Hybrid." - Straight from Ford's site.

Could Ford of put more safety features in their 1st-GEN FEH's? Absolutely. did they release a vehicle that was both safe and reliable? Absolutely. At the end of the day i'd rather have my FEH with its exceptional mileage, capability, and safety than a prius with a stuck accelerator pedal :-)

P.S. - Oh and i almost forgot, this is Toyota's SECOND major recall in a year, first was notorious floor mat accelerator problem. Geez and to bash the FEH for SC and TC? Tsk Tsk.

 

"wwest" is a known troll and that's what trolls do.

 

I've mentioned in other threads and I'll say it again, the FEH is more reliable from what I read in this forum than other forums about the FEs!

I just read a "new" post form a '09 FE owner that got a call from their dealer where their truck has been for 16 or 18 days. They were told it'll be another 3 weeks for parts. I've read another post from a owner in Canada waiting for parts also.

The new 6F35 transmission in the '09 FE has had several issue but the latest with LH half shaft leaks because of poor surface finish on the shafts seems to be the worst so far! Ford's Bread&Butter 2010 Fusion has the same 6F35 with the same issues.

 

I wasn't saying they are perfect in any way shape or form, nor is any manufacturer when you get down to it. I was just comparing apples to apples in the FEH's defense :-)

A major problem with any HEV vehicle is the battery packs used. I've know several people that drive FEH's, Prius's, Highlander HEV's, etc etc that have been involved in what i consider minor to moderate accidents (no frame damage, maybe one airbag deployed overall the car is far from totaled) and yet the insurance company will total them out simply because the battery's and other hybrid components are so hard to come by. Now waiting 3+ weeks for a car to be repaired is ridiculous and if i had to take a guess at it, it's probably not the car it's the shop/dealer doing the work as i've had my fair share of run ins with shotty dealerships/repair shops. But i can attest to the FEH's safety and reliability i've been rear ended twice in mine both cases the other vehicle had to be towed away and i was able to drove home (still needed close to 2K in repairs both times) and since then i installed a hitch for the next lucky SOB that rear ends me :-) But none the less i walked away fine, got home safe (mad about the damage but a hurt ego is better than a hospital stay).

 

This isn't a dealer problem, they order the parts but Ford doesn't have them, you wait. Some owners that were waiting just before Xmas, so the excuse was that plants were idled. It's more than likely because the FE/Fusion are selling well and there are plenty of them leaking causing a parts shortage!

I may be one of them also as I notice a few spots on my driveway. I'm hoping it's either from a somewhat recent oil change or from my snowblower.

EDIT:
It must be catchy? Now Ford is in the news with brake problems on the Fusion/Milan Hybrids!!

 

I'm wondering if some of the 09-10 FEH will get reprogrammed brake software. In 2009 they tried to make the brake "feel" more like normal brakes, rather than regenerative brakes. They did this with software, and Ford is going to change the FFH to modify the software.