Ford has redone the rear suspension in the '09 and it most likely needed the sway bar to keep the feel of being top heavy down. The ride is much softer now when going over speed bump etc., Ford had to do something about cornering and making the Escape feel less top heavy. I jacked my tire pressure up to 50psi and the new suspension make them still feel like I have less than 30psi in them.

The '08 I drove was much smoother than my '05 FEH, but the '09 rides like a Lincoln, even with 50psi in the tires. The solid suspension in earlier models didn't need sway bars because there was no swaying.

When I got on the ground to take a picture, I knew you needed more shots to get an idea what would be involved in adding one to an older model. Basically the sway bar is part of a whole new suspension system.

GaryG

 

Hi Mike

I couldn't find what software version it is yet, but the Quick Ref Guide states this: Your 40GB hard drive navigational system has been preloaded with maps of the US (including Alaska and Hawaii), US Vingin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.

NAVTEQ updates its maps regularly with everything from new subdivisions to new restaurants, hotels and other points of interest. They recommend purchasing updates every year.

My guess is since this is the first 2nd Generation Navigational System, the main program was downloaded only. Changes and updates from this point forward should be version changes to the main program.

Hope this helps.

GaryG

 

Hi Gary-

I did not see RSC ( rollover stability control ) listed on the window sticker. Is this mentioned in the Owner's Manual?

Also, I assume the Tachometer instrument has not changed, otherwise we'd have heard about it already. Since the Tach is run from CAN bus data, and they give 1000 RPM worth of needle sweep to the "EV Icon"...

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU NOT HAVE THE TACH NEEDLE MOVE ( under 0 ) TO SHOW HOW MANY KW OF BATTERY JUICE YOU ARE DRAWING!?!?!?!????

Since the "needle" is "digital" and not moved by the spark plugs, distributor, or anything mechanical... it would have been easy to have the CAN data for battery amps or battery kw move on the tach dial. Like the "assist" needle... but, as long as you kept it in the "green" you could keep pressing the pedal and keep EV.

I KNOW this was a popular thing on the "wish list" for future models. Other than a color/style change, Ford has not given us any better gauge feedback....
I'm disappointed in this respect.
Glad to hear all ( or most ) of the ScanGauge features will still work.
Sounds like ( about ) 40% SOC is still the lower limit.
How about the high side?
And does the generator stop charging at 53% like the other models?
TIA,
-John

 

I don't know why some window stickers on the FEH don't list AdvancedTrac RSC, but it's in my owners manual and there is a switch below the Nav sys to disable it if you get stuck. RSC reduces engine power that may be needed if you get stuck.

The SoC does drop further in my '09 than my '05 before a restart. I can be in EV at 40mph with the SoC at 39.5% when I get a restart which drops the SoC as low as 38.8% a few times so far.

The 53% generator limit seems to be the same, but I've only seen as high ~ 54% on the upper limit because this thing drops into EV so much. I have confirmed fuel cut in "D" above 40mph with a Instant MPG of 9,999 and Open-Loop. You have to turn off the A/C to see 100% Fuel Cut on the SGII. You only get partial fuel cut below 40mph if there is not enough SoC to go EV. If you do have enough SoC to go EV and all other conditions are met, EV is instant and real smooth when you let off the accelerator. I have to watch the tach to even tell when I get a restart.

Just to let everyone KNOW:

Ford Dealers were notified Friday that 2009 Escape prices will increase, effective August 1st, according to the following schedule.

2009 Escape
Increase all arrays by $385 MSRP
Increase D&D (Destination & Delivery) by $30 MSRP

2009 Escape Hybrid
Increase all arrays by $1,000 MSRP
Increase D&D (Destination & Delivery) by $30 MSRP

Price Protection
2009 MY units invoiced prior to August 1, 2008 will not be re-invoiced.

Automatic price protection will be provided on all 2009 MY retail orders received by Ford Motor Company on or before August 1, 2008.

GaryG

 

Gary G,
Do you mind posting pics of some of the screens from the nav system (energy and MPG screens). I have never seen the Escape Hybrid screens and would like to see how it compares to the Prius screens. Thanks in advance.

 

I have a couple other ones but I will need to get them off of my camera still.

 

I've thought this myself but I find that other (less geeky) drivers think it's really cool to have the tach stay motionless at zero when the engine is off. It may be that Ford is concerned that most drivers would associate tach needle movement with engine operation and miss the point.

Myself, I find it frustrating not to have a good feel for when the engine will restart.

 

I'd rather have that part of the gauge show how close you are to restarting the engine, which may be the same thing that as the draw from the battery but something in my head says they are not quite the same. I'm still trying to get a good feel for how much pedal I can use before kicking in the engine.

 

The '09 FEH/MMH is different than prior models in the EV take-off mode. If you have less than 45% SoC, there is a slim chance you can get moving in EV. In my '05 if I have a Soc of 42%, I can get moving from a stop in EV. So far, it is my opinion Ford programmed this for FE. Once you have dropped the SoC to around 42-45%, take-off in EV in the '09 engine is triggered almost anything above the creep mode. Things may change after break-in, we'll have to wait and see. It's not programmed like this in higher speeds because you can accelerate in EV from 35 to 40mph with a SoC of 42%.

GaryG

 

Some more pic in the first post.

Does the back, inside, look the same as any past years?

Enjoy!