benlavigne

They were using studded tires before they started to develop good dedicated snow tires, and good AWD systems with stability control. They are noisy and can be dangerous in the dry, as you are driving on steel instead of rubber! So unless you are never driving on paved roads, you should stay away from studs... Maybe on a RWD pick-up that stays in the country, but that's about it... Good quality SNOW tires (with the snowflake symbol on the sidewall) will get you through most anything, especially if your Escape is AWD. Ours is FWD, with TOYO Observe GO2 on all corners, and we got through a lot of snow last Winter! Hakkapellita tires from Nokia are also usually recognized as the best Snow tires. You can go down wheel diameter and get a narrower tire, as long as the overall diameter of the tire is close to the original, there will be no effect on the speedometer/odometer. As Transitman said, the theory is that a narrower tire goes easier through snow and is less prone to aquaplaning on slush. I went from a 235-50-18 to a 215-55-18 last winter, to get a narrower tire, and keep 18's, and there was no problem, as the overall diameter is basically the same. I used Volvo wheels, which have the same odd wheel stud pattern as our Escapes (5 holes x 108mm). So, if the local weather warrants it, dedicated wheels/tires for Winter can be a life-saver (I think we can assume Alaska gets a bit of snow...). Stay away from All-season tires in the Winter, if you will see snow more than a couple of times, as they are at best a compromise, neither good Winter nor Summer tires.. Plus you get half the wear on your Summer tires and won't have to replace them as soon. Ben

Not a biggie, but we ran out of windshield washer fluid but there was no warning about low level... I know someone else experienced the same, anyone else? Ben

Went to do some errands, driving while doing my update, no problems encountered... Ben

In Canada, SEL = 2.0. You can get leather and the 2.0 in the SE, but they are standard in the Canadian-spec SEL, so we went for that model. The K&N debate has been going on on countless other sites... You can replace ''mileage'' with ''performance'' in my argument, then, and we'll both be right! ;-) Ben

A dirty air filter will definitely affect mileage... My take on this is that it will be better to clean the K&N at each oil change than to wait for the paper air filter to get dirty enough to replace... Ben

Finally got the oil changed today, and by the smell and look of it, I will not wait 5400 miles again, even if the computer says it's o.k.! I went with full synthetic anyway. In case someone's wondering, the oil monitor reset procedure is quite simple: with the key on the Run position, press the brake and gas pedals simutaneously and the reset message will appear after about 20 seconds until it changes to System Reset. Am I the first one to go to a K&N air filter? Does not change the sound even at W.O.T., like on my Charger R/T, because it's in a box, let's see if it makes a difference in mileage... So far the average has been 9.9l/100 kms (23.76 mpg). Ben

On the maintenance side, I'm finally getting the first oil change done tomorrow at 9 000 kms (5400 miles), I'm not waiting for the light to come on! I bought a K&N hi-flow air filter, and looked at the housing: can't believe I actually have to undo some bolts to get to the filter?! On any other car, you don't need tools to do this??? The manual goes to great lengths to make sure nothing gets into the intake, does it mean they don't really want the average owner to verify the filter? Ben

Thanks for the report! I'm curious if you had an oil change during that period? If so, at what mileage, and was it after the indicator light came on? I am at 8500 kms (5 000 miles), and I have not seen the indicator light... I am a every-5000 km (3 000 miles) kind of guy usually, but wanted to give the system a try, but I can't stand it anymore and will bring it in for it's first change without waiting for the signal! Ben

If you take into account the cost of the 2.0 option, it's even less than that... Congrats Tazzel on staying on with the Escape, I'm sure this one will be even better for you!Ben

This is a ''mule'', a modified regular model to test new components without showing them. The new model will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show. It is just to illustrate that there are prototypes out testing. They could have shown some ''artist's renderings'', but these always end up not looking like the real thing... A Lincoln version will probably have a different fascia, different seats, I predict 20'' wheels! Ben

... Will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January: http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/12/19/lincoln-mkc-crossover-detroit-auto-show-2012/ Can't wait to see the differences, I guess mostly trim, wheels and interior, and what we'll be able to adapt to our 'Scapes! Ben

Bolt pattern is correct (5 x 108mm). You need to check the offset (Escape is 49mm), it might be on the wheel. The diameter of the center hole will also be different, if it's too small you're toast, if it's bigger, you will need to make sure the wheels are centered by the studs. Then you need to make sure the brake calipers will not rub on the inside of the wheel, depending on their design. Best way is definitely to try it on, or go 17'' or 18'' (I think the SHO came wit 17's or 18's, or Volvo) Ben

The ''i '' wil disappear after a few times and only come back from time to time... Ben

We have an aftermarket remote starter on the 'Scape, and my wife attests that the seats are warm and comfy when she steps in the car after a few minutes of it running by itself... So, no, you don't need to have someone sitting on them for the heated seats to work. Ben

Well, since the 2013 model is all-new, I don't think there will be much difference for the next model-year... Next-year models usually are available in the Fall, so you'd have to wait till August/September for a 2014... Ben