FORD ESCAPE

When in auto mode the front wheels are driven until slippage is detected. Once it detects the front wheels are slipping it engages the back wheels as well.

When you "lock" the system in, the front axle and back axle are joined just like a part system (ie like a patrol in 4H or a cruiser with the centre diff locked). The only thing you have to remember about part time systems is that you can only engage 4WD (lock) when there is slip in surface because the front and back axles are locked together (ie engage when there is snow on the road or when 4WDing but dont lock when on the bitumen)

This system is much better than other soft roaders because you can lock it into 4WD and two wheels would have to lose traction compared to something like a RAV or CRV where just one wheel has to lose traction and your stuck. Obviously, it still wont follow a Land Cruiser but it would have to be the best of the soft roaders off-road.

When I've driven a Mazda Tribute (the Escape's twin) I just left it Auto 99.9% of time. But when I went upto to snow and there was quite a lot of snow over the road I locked into 4WD and felt very nice to drive (actually nicer than my Jeep :(

If you're looking for more Escape/ Tribute info head over to
http://www.escape-central.com

Cheers
Jeepy

G'Day Maverick,
Do'nt knock the Escape, she's a good unit. I've got one which keeps my Prado company. I car'nt fault the 4WD system on it, also has plenty of internal room as well as a 150kw V6. Goes very well. The only one problem is the rear wheel rods being so exposed. They are prone to getting hit . The thing has good clearance except for these bloody things.
Regards,
Bazza.

maverick We have a ford escape that we have taken in some very soft sand tracks with no problems didn't even lower the tyre pressures.To answer your question the 4wd system is computer controlled. when in auto mode it splits the drive 80% front 20% rear in normal conditions and adjusts automatically when detecting wheel slip which it does through the ABS.When in lock it splits the drive 50/50 with no variations through the computer(like engaging 4H on a part time system)so the surface must be slippery to engage lock.The good part is when we tested ours in soft sand the computer works quick enough transfering drive that I didn't notice that much of a difference between leaving it in auto or lock mode,she just kept powering through. It may be a soft roader but have you noticed it has a DANA rear diff?This is our first soft roader,have owned varios "real" 4wd's in the past (4 runner ,range rover,bravo)and i have to say for what we use our vehicle for we won't be going back.We tow a trailer when going camping with effortless ease. The power of the v6 auto is just great.went to townsville recently avg 9.6lt/100km with 4 people loaded with gear with the aircon full boar doing 110 to 130 kmh all the way.The wife loves it for around town also.
hope this helps
jason