09 Escape AWD

Hi and thanks for your replies.

1. Do you think I need a skid plate, and I also can not find one for sale.
2. Still looking to good spare rim and tire, Any Ideas? Dealer wants 350 for just the rim. I found some used ones for 150. OUCH.
3. When should I do the first oil change and start to use Mobil one?

 

As for #3, the oil, you might want to also see the thread on Page 2 titled:
Break in period and question about oil
https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...out-oil-22222/

I've had my new 09 FEH now for over 2 months, only 1,000 miles, and will have to decide wether to use Mobil One synthethic or Ford synthethic-blend when I get the first oil change. I'm still not sure, but Mobile One looks like a good thing!

 

Keep checking on E-bay for rims.

 

I found my rim on eBay. I think it was $75 and in new condition.

 

#1, no, there are a couple of reasons you don't find skid plates commercially for Escapes. The main one is few owners drive them on the dirt. The other one is that stock the FEH already has over 8" of clearance. If you are in a situation that needs skid plates, either 1) your rear suspension arms will get stuck anyway (no way to plate those) or 2) you are on a trail that needs more off-road capability (i.e. lift, locking differentials, etc.) than a car-based SUV like an Escape can provide.
If you want skid plates anyway, you'll probably need to find a metal fabricator to custom make them for you.

 

Thanks for the reply, I did not think about the rear arms and I plan on driving in some dirt
but NOT rock crawling. So you have me rethinking that now..

Mark

 

Bought a rim and tire today for 100$.
Put it on the truck to see if it fit right.
It also fit up under in the Carrier just fine.
I'm good for a little dirt action now.

 

I’m one of the posters on the oil thread mentioned above.

I am a Mobil One believer. There are two other 100% synthetic oils that I know of and are mentioned in the thread cited.

A couple of things to keep in mind as I see it:

Break-in inside the engine occurs very quickly these days, the
Machining of parts is just that good.

The wear characteristic of an oil is determined by the bulk oil, not the additive package. So a “synthetic oil” that is not 100% gives you the wear characteristic of the bulk of its constituents even if labeled as “synthetic.”

If you have a question on an oil’s pedigree go look up the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). This is published as required by the EPA for health responders to be able to quickly ID hazards. If this lists such things as paraffin then the oil is not 100% synthetic.

 

Off topic: I would purchase an extended powertrain warranty. See my posts on my 2006 FEH catastrophic engine failure - after 37 months of ownership and 65,000 miles.