i4WD Indication?
#21
Re: i4WD Indication?
This is similar to Subaru's base AWD system, which is standard on their most basic models. On their step-up system they add a limited slip diff at the rear. The limited slip rear diff makes a big difference when driving in really slippery conditions at low speed.
AFAIK Ford does not currently offer a limited slip rear diff on the Escape.
#22
Re: i4WD Indication?
If you have a Ford product with traction control and/or stability control and/or ABS, the little sliding car symbol light indicates when any of those systems is active. On the FEH, the light flashes rapidly when the ABS is working. There's more info about this in the owner's manual.
#23
Re: i4WD Indication?
I've driven three Jeeps with open differentials for the last 10 years and never felt like I needed the help of limited slip when driving in snow. Heavy duty off-roading is the only time I whish I had limited slip or an air locker. I do whish the FEH had a button or lever to lock the center differential though.
#24
Re: i4WD Indication?
I'd prefer limited slip in the rear, myself. The center coupling isn't a differential, per se, and it locks automatically anyway. Manual locking would duplicate that function and would also necessitate an anti-binding mechanism for cornering. That's why they dropped it on the old generation.
Limited slip in the rear is mainly beneficial in (as previously stated) really slippery conditions at low speeds. Other than allowing some pretty cool powerslides around tight corners, it doesn't make a big difference when driving around in snow unless you're going pretty slow and it's very slick.
I had two Outbacks with limited slip rear diffs. After I got rid of my problem-prone Prius I got a Legacy with regular AWD. It drove great and worked fine in the snow. Then last winter after numerous storms I got stuck in front of a friend's house with the right side of the car on an ice berm by the curb and the left side on dry pavement. Both right tires were spinning on the ice, but I was going nowhere without rocking the car. And a little push from my friends.
Until that moment, I never cared about the lack of a limited slip on the car. It's not really necessary 99.9% of the time. But I sure could have used it that one night!
Limited slip in the rear is mainly beneficial in (as previously stated) really slippery conditions at low speeds. Other than allowing some pretty cool powerslides around tight corners, it doesn't make a big difference when driving around in snow unless you're going pretty slow and it's very slick.
I had two Outbacks with limited slip rear diffs. After I got rid of my problem-prone Prius I got a Legacy with regular AWD. It drove great and worked fine in the snow. Then last winter after numerous storms I got stuck in front of a friend's house with the right side of the car on an ice berm by the curb and the left side on dry pavement. Both right tires were spinning on the ice, but I was going nowhere without rocking the car. And a little push from my friends.
Until that moment, I never cared about the lack of a limited slip on the car. It's not really necessary 99.9% of the time. But I sure could have used it that one night!
#25
Re: i4WD Indication?
With my very first Jeep, I didn't order the limited slip differential. The cost was getting too high, and I had to draw the line somewhere.
Boy was I later sorry.
I got stuck in some fresh, deep snow. It was quite embarrassing to get stuck in a 4WD Jeep. One front wheel, and one rear wheel, spun like crazy, and I could not get it moving.
Needless to say, my next Jeep had the limited slip differential (and UpCountry too, but that's another story).
#26
Re: i4WD Indication?
Which hybrids are equipped with Traction control?
#27
Re: i4WD Indication?
My experience has been different.
With my very first Jeep, I didn't order the limited slip differential. The cost was getting too high, and I had to draw the line somewhere.
Boy was I later sorry.
I got stuck in some fresh, deep snow. It was quite embarrassing to get stuck in a 4WD Jeep. One front wheel, and one rear wheel, spun like crazy, and I could not get it moving.
Needless to say, my next Jeep had the limited slip differential (and UpCountry too, but that's another story).
With my very first Jeep, I didn't order the limited slip differential. The cost was getting too high, and I had to draw the line somewhere.
Boy was I later sorry.
I got stuck in some fresh, deep snow. It was quite embarrassing to get stuck in a 4WD Jeep. One front wheel, and one rear wheel, spun like crazy, and I could not get it moving.
Needless to say, my next Jeep had the limited slip differential (and UpCountry too, but that's another story).
#28
Re: i4WD Indication?
If your vehcile has stability control (not available) the light will illuminate when the system is working. If your vehicle has Traction Control (it doesn't have that either) the light will illuminate when the TC system is working. If your vehicle has ABS (yes it does) then it will illuminate when that's working.