stevedebi

I considered adding one to mine, but have not. I found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9341QIjqj84

I live in LA and have a 2008 4WD FEH. I believe the suspension is similar between 2008 and 2009. I have previously owned the Honda CR-V, and my personal opinion is that Ford designed the suspension to feel a bit more like a truck. The CR-V did not ride smoothly, but it rode more like a car. I'm reminded of Ford trucks when I drive my FEH.

It was added in 2009. I own a 2008 and it does not have RSC.

Gary G is correct; when the outside temperature gets to a certain point, the FEH (my 2008 and I think the 2009) will raise the RPMs about 600 if the A/C compressor is on.

The lifetime average on my 2008 is just under 30 MPG. I do have a lot of short trips in my normal drive cycle. The AWD system used by Ford in the FEH engages the rear wheels at every start, not just when the front wheels spin; so it actually does get less mileage. I expect that with the newest AWD (they have changed the electrical components) I could probably manage 31 or 32 in town, but that would be with not using the A/C when stopped. EDIT: BTW I live in LA. I like having the AWD for the occasional trip to Yosemite, and for the rainy days. The Honda CRV does not engage the rear wheels unless the front ones spin, so except for the weight there is no MPG penalty.

All Escapes are made in Kansas City, KS.

In my 2008 FEH, if I set the light switch to the OFF position, I never get interior lights. However, this may not be true of the newer model. The only other thing I can suggest is that you contact your ford dealer. There are a lot of settings controlled by the Smart Junction Box (which can only be programmed by the dealer).

On my 2008 FEH, the dealer was able to program the smart junction box to turn on DRL. It took about 5 minutes, although I had to print out some web instructions for them to before they figured it out. I think that the vehicles have the capability, but it must be manually turned on in the US>

There are no options on the brakes. I believe they are front disk, rear drums. The only ones that had the four wheel disks were the hybrid model from 2005-2008.

Actually, the 4WD works all the time, even in good weather. I have a 2008 myself, and a ScanGuage II that is set to monitor the 4WD activation. It engages every time I pull out from a stop. I live in Southern California, and it doesn't snow here! The system is not like other "AWD" systems; it activates all the time, and I think you would not know that it was engaged unless you monitor the computer. It is proactive as well as reactive. If you have the differential under the rear wheels, and there is no error light on your dash, then the 4WD is working. The rear wheels would not spin freely; the TC keeps the wheels from spinning. So I don't think that one looking at the rear wheels would know that power is being sent to those wheels. But that doesn't mean that the FEH is not attempting to use all four wheels.

I own a 2008 Hybrid (FEH), which looks like the new 2010, but has the old engine & mechanical components. I get about 31 in town in the summer, around 30 in the winter. I live in LA, so we don't get the really cold weather. Hybrids get a big MPG hit in very cold weather - so for far northern climates, you might want to consider the normal version, or realize the MPG penalty in very cold weather. You have to be willing to drive the FEH such that you get this kind of mileage; if you like to hot foot it, the normal Escape would be better. But if you are willing to adjust to the technology, the 2010 model gets even better MPG. If you like technology, the FEH is really fun to drive - to learn how to maximize MPG! Mine is the FEH AWD, with the luxury package, about the same as the highest package except without the Nav, which I didn't want. I love the ride. I have had it it the mountains, and it does well on ice, driven carefully. I like the stiffer suspension of the AWD; in my opinion, the FWD leaned too much into the turns. But if TC and RSC had been present in the 2008, I probably would have taken FWD. The 2010 model adds stability and traction control, not present in the 2008 and prior years. Overall, I really like the FEH. I would suggest that you drive both the AWD and FWD of either type of Escape and decide from there. Mechanically, I think Ford does a pretty good job over all. I did purchase the 7 yr/100K warranty, because the FEH has SO much technology; it can be purchased any time until 36K miles, although it is $100 cheaper before 12K. I would suggest getting it on line unless the dealer can match myfordwarranty.com. I did not purchase the warranty because I mistrust the basic engine and etc; any manufacturer can have a bad unit, but with good maintenance I think that the FEH and Escapes should last a long time. The FEH has only been produced since 2005, so I think the highest mileage I've seen is around 150K, except for those New York taxis.

You have to program the xguage to match the hybrid. There are settings for the FEH, which has the same software as the MMH. There is a PDF file describing the settings on the scanguage site. SOC is one of the settings I monitor, as well as the water temperature (which is a default xguage and does not require programming the SGII).

Well, that's not going to help your MPG a whole lot...

Not sure if you are serious, but the fog lamps only come on when the headlights are on.

Why would you want to use the PLX? It is way more expensive. Also, the SG has dozens of settings to monitor vehicles, as well as being able to read the FEH specific codes for things like SOC and AMPs in the traction battery. I don't see those listed for the PLX.