Ford Escape first impressions.

[DCIV]

So coming from a crv but also have driven a lot of vehicles.

First...this thing is heavier than the crv. Honestly I put a little bigger tire and wider and the crv did great at handling the back roads. I tried to drive this escape the same and I was pushed into the other lane as it’s heavier. I have since changed to the different tires so maybe it’s better but when these wear out they will get wider tires.

The coolant heats up almost instant. Like I back out of my garage and the gauge is going up. Impressive.

I am enjoying the power. Not anything as fast as the vr4 but soooo much better than the crv. But I’m averaging 22-24mpg. That kind of sucks.

After I park it in the garage I swear I smell the faint smell of coolant. Worries me. Any ideas?

The back up camera doesn’t beep when you head near a object. Very odd and thus almost pointless.

Coop

[vr4]

Does it have 4 round sensors in the rear bumper?

[DCIV]

[quote=""vr4""]Does it have 4 round sensors in the rear bumper?[/quote]

No. No it doesn’t.

Can I pressure test the coolant system just like I would the vr4? It has a screw on cap that is also the overflow.

The place I bought it from also gave me a 3 month 3,000 mile warranty and am curious if this would be covered.


Coop

[Jeff V.]

I've noticed the coolant smell thing on my Corvette too. There's no leaks and the coolant hasn't dropped at all since I bought the car. It baffles the hell out of me.

[DCIV]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]I've noticed the coolant smell thing on my Corvette too. There's no leaks and the coolant hasn't dropped at all since I bought the car. It baffles the hell out of me.[/quote]

The coolant is below the “low” line, but it was when I bought it. I need to top it off and keep an eye on it. A little bit of coolant smells a long way.

I am curious if it’s one of those crimped plastic tops on radiators. They will seep coolant easily.


Coop

[vr4]

[quote=""DCIV""]No. No it doesn’t.

Can I pressure test the coolant system just like I would the vr4? It has a screw on cap that is also the overflow.

The place I bought it from also gave me a 3 month 3,000 mile warranty and am curious if this would be covered.


Coop[/quote]

Then it doesn't have reverse sensors. It'll never beep at you.

Yes you can. Just don't exceed the pressure cap rating. Usually 10 psi is all you need

[DCIV]

I figured it didn’t have it and would never beep. Just seems kind of pointless is all.

I checked around the water pump and don’t see any coolant. Leak marks. Doesn’t seem any lower than the other day. But like I said, I need to top it off and drive it to see if it lowers.

I bet I need special anti-freeze now too.


Coop

[vr4]

It calls for motorcraft long life orange.

Don't mix green. Don't use dexcool. Gold will work as it's similar but I haven't researched enough to know exactly what orange is.


My mistake. Orange is dexcool. Don't use the gold. Ford even lists GM 6277M (dexcool) as meeting the specification.

[Chris GTO TT]

I'm the opposite, if there's a backup camera I'm not sure what you need the sensors for. :d ontknow:

[DCIV]

Never used one till the wife’s. Now I want one for the front when parking and leaving. I do like them.


Coop

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]I'm the opposite, if there's a backup camera I'm not sure what you need the sensors for. :d ontknow:[/quote]

This. I prefer not having sensors if there's a camera.

[DCIV]

So it’s not coming from the water pump. At least there is no signs of it leaking there.

It was pretty powerful at the drive through and got me freaking out some. I just need to relax and drive it but that’s hard.

Steve, trans fluid. Just drain and refill what comes out? Something easy to do? Take it to get actually flushed? Thoughts?


Coop

[vr4]

[quote=""DCIV""]So it’s not coming from the water pump. At least there is no signs of it leaking there.

It was pretty powerful at the drive through and got me freaking out some. I just need to relax and drive it but that’s hard.

Steve, trans fluid. Just drain and refill what comes out? Something easy to do? Take it to get actually flushed? Thoughts?


Coop[/quote]

That's a DCT. Yes drain and refill what comes out. I would def use the OEM Ford fluid and look up the procedure.

I usually refill with .5qt less than what was drained and top up as needed

[DCIV]

[quote=""vr4""]That's a DCT. Yes drain and refill what comes out. I would def use the OEM Ford fluid and look up the procedure.

I usually refill with .5qt less than what was drained and top up as needed[/quote]

Any idea if things are easy enough to get to that I can do it. Or just take it to a place?

Thank you for the info.

Someone recommended these thing
“I would suggest changing the fluid in the PTU (T50 socket/bit needed), drain and full transmission, change oil/filter (so you know for fact it is current), change spark plugs now or wait until 100k, new air filter and cabin filter (again so yoh know for fact they are up to date)”

What can you tell me about the ptu?


Coop

[DCIV]

Oh I did order a heat range cooler spark plugs. People have said their stock cars ran smoother and little better gas mileage. So I will try them. Plugs look strait forward and so I will do them.


Coop

[vr4]

Definitely change the fluid in the ptu. It's tiny and fails quickly in the Taurus.

[DCIV]

[quote=""vr4""]Definitely change the fluid in the ptu. It's tiny and fails quickly in the Taurus.[/quote]

Do you know the fluid for that?


Coop

[vr4]

[quote=""DCIV""]Do you know the fluid for that?


Coop[/quote]

GL5 75w140 full synthetic

[DCIV]

Now I’m just curious if it’s something I can do or if it’s something I should take somewhere.


Coop

[alienviking]

I second (third?) the camera over sensors. I never rely on my sensors but camera has helped see stuff behind me in blind spots before (not to mention is far more reliable for backing into a parking spot in a garage and getting close enough to the wall with a long car hah).