Apparently they also use this on the mazdas, lincoln, milan, and volvos but my dealer tried to tell me audi uses it also? My dad read online that it isn't constant awd (like his navigator suv) but is fwd until awd is needed in which case it sends power to whichever wheel(s) need it. He seems to think this makes it inferior to awd but from what I've heard and read its superior and it seems everyone uses it (audi, acura etc) but who shares the fusion's system?
AWD system
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From Ford...
"Fusion’s available all-wheel drive system was tuned with an emphasis toward driving performance while also offering confident all-weather driving. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed, throttle input and steering angle to seamlessly deliver torque to the appropriate wheel even before wheel slippage occurs. The system also helps eliminate torque steer and helps balance the vehicle when cornering."
"Fusion’s available all-wheel drive system was tuned with an emphasis toward driving performance while also offering confident all-weather driving. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed, throttle input and steering angle to seamlessly deliver torque to the appropriate wheel even before wheel slippage occurs. The system also helps eliminate torque steer and helps balance the vehicle when cornering."
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1125548#msg1125548 date=1167450155]
Apparently they also use this on the mazdas, lincoln, milan, and volvos but my dealer tried to tell me audi uses it also? My dad read online that it isn't constant awd (like his navigator suv) but is fwd until awd is needed in which case it sends power to whichever wheel(s) need it. He seems to think this makes it inferior to awd but from what I've heard and read its superior and it seems everyone uses it (audi, acura etc) but who shares the fusion's system?
[/quote]
Hi otaku. Your Dad is right about some details, but wrong in general. He has his definitions of AWD, FWD, RWD and 4WD all mixed up. The Fusion is AWD. The Navigator is not AWD, it is an Automatic 4WD system. The only place the Fusion's system would be considered "inferior" would be in a true "off road" condition. However this is not what the Fusion's AWD system is meant for. Cars are not meant to be driven "off road". It is an AWD system for superior traction in on road, poor traction conditions. Yes, it will run in a mainly FWD (superior to RWD in low traction conditions) mode until AWD is needed. You need do nothing for the Fusion to engage AWD, it will sense it automatically and direct power to the wheels with the most traction. Let's face it, in 99% of the conditions either of these vehicles will be driven in, the Fusion will run circles around the Navigator. :shock:
The Navigator is not constant 4WD. It will be in a RWD mode in everyday driving (similar to the 2H setting) until it senses slippage. If it was constantly in 4WD, it would get about 7 MPG :lol:. In low traction on/off road conditions, the Navigator will transfer power to the wheels with more traction (sound familiar Dad?). It also has its 4L or 4H settings which can be engaged for true off road, or on road low traction situations. These selectable settings are really the only difference, and are negligible as far as most driving is concerned. Let's face it, the only off road driving most 4WD vehicles see is dropping the kids off at the soccer field! :lol:
Now don't get me wrong, I think the Navigator is a beautiful SUV, but it is really unsuited to off road driving anyway. It's like going mountain climbing in a tuxedo with your expensive luggage strapped to your back. And it is so damn big and gas guzzling that it is also sort of impractical for everyday driving on the road (Ask your dad to compare his Navigator's 'superior" fuel bills to your "inferior" Fusion). :lol:
Honestly, I think the old fellow is just trying to aggravate you (I can say that, I'm 48, so may well be older than him
)! Also, my MKZ is not AWD (I went for the higher gas mileage and lower cost/complexity) so I am not biased either way.
Good luck with the new car, and Happy New Year to both you and your Dad!
Apparently they also use this on the mazdas, lincoln, milan, and volvos but my dealer tried to tell me audi uses it also? My dad read online that it isn't constant awd (like his navigator suv) but is fwd until awd is needed in which case it sends power to whichever wheel(s) need it. He seems to think this makes it inferior to awd but from what I've heard and read its superior and it seems everyone uses it (audi, acura etc) but who shares the fusion's system?
[/quote]
Hi otaku. Your Dad is right about some details, but wrong in general. He has his definitions of AWD, FWD, RWD and 4WD all mixed up. The Fusion is AWD. The Navigator is not AWD, it is an Automatic 4WD system. The only place the Fusion's system would be considered "inferior" would be in a true "off road" condition. However this is not what the Fusion's AWD system is meant for. Cars are not meant to be driven "off road". It is an AWD system for superior traction in on road, poor traction conditions. Yes, it will run in a mainly FWD (superior to RWD in low traction conditions) mode until AWD is needed. You need do nothing for the Fusion to engage AWD, it will sense it automatically and direct power to the wheels with the most traction. Let's face it, in 99% of the conditions either of these vehicles will be driven in, the Fusion will run circles around the Navigator. :shock:
The Navigator is not constant 4WD. It will be in a RWD mode in everyday driving (similar to the 2H setting) until it senses slippage. If it was constantly in 4WD, it would get about 7 MPG :lol:. In low traction on/off road conditions, the Navigator will transfer power to the wheels with more traction (sound familiar Dad?). It also has its 4L or 4H settings which can be engaged for true off road, or on road low traction situations. These selectable settings are really the only difference, and are negligible as far as most driving is concerned. Let's face it, the only off road driving most 4WD vehicles see is dropping the kids off at the soccer field! :lol:
Now don't get me wrong, I think the Navigator is a beautiful SUV, but it is really unsuited to off road driving anyway. It's like going mountain climbing in a tuxedo with your expensive luggage strapped to your back. And it is so damn big and gas guzzling that it is also sort of impractical for everyday driving on the road (Ask your dad to compare his Navigator's 'superior" fuel bills to your "inferior" Fusion). :lol:
Honestly, I think the old fellow is just trying to aggravate you (I can say that, I'm 48, so may well be older than him
)! Also, my MKZ is not AWD (I went for the higher gas mileage and lower cost/complexity) so I am not biased either way.Good luck with the new car, and Happy New Year to both you and your Dad!
Thanks for the reply BBF. Happy new years to you also. Yeah at the moment he gets 11 mpg tops (sometimes 9) I've maintained 14-17, you are older than him btw. Funny both of you old fellows drive lincolns! Guess I'll have to buy one in a few decades (to old and stuffy for me at the moment)
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1125803#msg1125803 date=1167466397]
Thanks for the reply BBF. Happy new years to you also. Yeah at the moment he gets 11 mpg tops (sometimes 9) I've maintained 14-17, you are older than him btw. Funny both of you old fellows drive lincolns! Guess I'll have to buy one in a few decades (to old and stuffy for me at the moment)
[/quote]
:bitching: Old and stuffy!? Okay, that's it. Give me the keys to the Fusion, and get upstairs to your room! You are grounded, young man!!! :rofl:
Thanks for the reply BBF. Happy new years to you also. Yeah at the moment he gets 11 mpg tops (sometimes 9) I've maintained 14-17, you are older than him btw. Funny both of you old fellows drive lincolns! Guess I'll have to buy one in a few decades (to old and stuffy for me at the moment)
[/quote]
:bitching: Old and stuffy!? Okay, that's it. Give me the keys to the Fusion, and get upstairs to your room! You are grounded, young man!!! :rofl:
[quote author=bbf2530 link=topic=65703.msg1125937#msg1125937 date=1167489416]
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1125803#msg1125803 date=1167466397]
Thanks for the reply BBF. Happy new years to you also. Yeah at the moment he gets 11 mpg tops (sometimes 9) I've maintained 14-17, you are older than him btw. Funny both of you old fellows drive lincolns! Guess I'll have to buy one in a few decades (to old and stuffy for me at the moment)
[/quote]
:bitching: Old and stuffy!? Okay, that's it. Give me the keys to the Fusion, and get upstairs to your room! You are grounded, young man!!! :rofl:
[/quote]
Funny That being said, I'd say it's a safe bet that the average age of the Fusion owner is a lot younger than that of the average for a MKZ (Zephyr) owner.
But back to the AWD topic I am still trying to figure out what ever possessed me to buy an AWD SEL when the EPA figure was 19 mpg (range of 16 to 22 mpg) city when 95 percent of our driving is in town, on terrain that is as flat as a pool table. Our mileage for the first 500 miles has been 13.2 and 13.8.
Everybody, including the dealer, says give it some time for the engine and transmission to break in. I've heard everything from 1,500 miles (the dealer) to 5,000 miles on forum posts. The dealer says they will put it on the computer for me at 1,500. At this point I am not optimistic and quite unhappy about our purchase decision. It's really bad when you have nobody to blame but yourself.
I would not recommend the AWD to anyone who was concerned about mileage. For those who are not concerned, maybe the handling and safety advantages overshadow the gasoline costs.
Finding out that the Michelin tires (P225/50R-17) that came on it now run about $175 each was another disappointment. Maybe people on a tight budget shouldn't buy any new car. I'm sadden to say that at this point my 2000 Focus with 93,000 miles on it is looking better and better every day.
I honestly thought the six-speed automatic transmission would be a mileage booster, would make up for the AWD. That's certainly not been the case.
Enough of the rant. The Fusion SEL AWD does handle extremely well, better than anything I have owned or driven. The terrible mileage is an unacceptable, to me, price to pay for this option. Every time I look at the car, or drive it, all I can envision is dollars flowing into the gas tank the lid for which doesn't even lock.
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1125803#msg1125803 date=1167466397]
Thanks for the reply BBF. Happy new years to you also. Yeah at the moment he gets 11 mpg tops (sometimes 9) I've maintained 14-17, you are older than him btw. Funny both of you old fellows drive lincolns! Guess I'll have to buy one in a few decades (to old and stuffy for me at the moment)
[/quote]
:bitching: Old and stuffy!? Okay, that's it. Give me the keys to the Fusion, and get upstairs to your room! You are grounded, young man!!! :rofl:
[/quote]
Funny
That being said, I'd say it's a safe bet that the average age of the Fusion owner is a lot younger than that of the average for a MKZ (Zephyr) owner.But back to the AWD topic I am still trying to figure out what ever possessed me to buy an AWD SEL when the EPA figure was 19 mpg (range of 16 to 22 mpg) city when 95 percent of our driving is in town, on terrain that is as flat as a pool table. Our mileage for the first 500 miles has been 13.2 and 13.8.
Everybody, including the dealer, says give it some time for the engine and transmission to break in. I've heard everything from 1,500 miles (the dealer) to 5,000 miles on forum posts. The dealer says they will put it on the computer for me at 1,500. At this point I am not optimistic and quite unhappy about our purchase decision. It's really bad when you have nobody to blame but yourself.
I would not recommend the AWD to anyone who was concerned about mileage. For those who are not concerned, maybe the handling and safety advantages overshadow the gasoline costs.
Finding out that the Michelin tires (P225/50R-17) that came on it now run about $175 each was another disappointment. Maybe people on a tight budget shouldn't buy any new car. I'm sadden to say that at this point my 2000 Focus with 93,000 miles on it is looking better and better every day.
I honestly thought the six-speed automatic transmission would be a mileage booster, would make up for the AWD. That's certainly not been the case.
Enough of the rant. The Fusion SEL AWD does handle extremely well, better than anything I have owned or driven. The terrible mileage is an unacceptable, to me, price to pay for this option. Every time I look at the car, or drive it, all I can envision is dollars flowing into the gas tank the lid for which doesn't even lock.
Where do you live Urnews? The day I bought mine I got to drive home in a snow storm watching all the non awd cars spinning their tires we get lots of snow and ice here (and for travel its great to) but yeah the MPG does kinda suck, cost me $30 to fill up which isn't to bad but it still had 70 miles to empty.
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1126274#msg1126274 date=1167511089]
Where do you live Urnews? The day I bought mine I got to drive home in a snow storm watching all the non awd cars spinning their tires we get lots of snow and ice here (and for travel its great to) but yeah the MPG does kinda suck, cost me $30 to fill up which isn't to bad but it still had 70 miles to empty.
[/quote]
Otaku,
I live on the East Coast, 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the Delmarva Peninsula (state of Delaware, Eastern Shore of Maryland, Eastern Shore of Virginia). It's flatter than a fritter here so I have no idea why I thought AWD would be a good idea, maybe because Honda and Toyota don't offer it in a sedan.
The handling, as I'm sure you know, is great, like a train on rails. In addition to costing more (our SEL AWD had a MSRP of $27,105), this gas pump thing (13.2 and 13.8 mpg) is bugging the you-know-what out of me. Have already contacted the dealer even though we only now have 650 miles on it. He said to bring it in at 1,500 miles and they would put it on the computer.
Hey, I didn't expect 30 mpg but I damn sure want to see the EPA estimated 19 mpg for in-town driving. Love the car but every time I fill up it gets just a little bit uglier, if you know what I mean. Boz
Where do you live Urnews? The day I bought mine I got to drive home in a snow storm watching all the non awd cars spinning their tires we get lots of snow and ice here (and for travel its great to) but yeah the MPG does kinda suck, cost me $30 to fill up which isn't to bad but it still had 70 miles to empty.
[/quote]
Otaku,
I live on the East Coast, 30 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the Delmarva Peninsula (state of Delaware, Eastern Shore of Maryland, Eastern Shore of Virginia). It's flatter than a fritter here so I have no idea why I thought AWD would be a good idea, maybe because Honda and Toyota don't offer it in a sedan.
The handling, as I'm sure you know, is great, like a train on rails. In addition to costing more (our SEL AWD had a MSRP of $27,105), this gas pump thing (13.2 and 13.8 mpg) is bugging the you-know-what out of me. Have already contacted the dealer even though we only now have 650 miles on it. He said to bring it in at 1,500 miles and they would put it on the computer.
Hey, I didn't expect 30 mpg but I damn sure want to see the EPA estimated 19 mpg for in-town driving. Love the car but every time I fill up it gets just a little bit uglier, if you know what I mean. Boz
[quote author=otaku link=topic=65703.msg1127615#msg1127615 date=1167608674]
Well according to BBF his MKZ manual says break in period is 1000 miles or more (up to 3,000) so around that time we should see improvements.
[/quote]
Otaku
Page 5 of the Fusion manual sez:
"Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
"Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these additives may prevent piston ring seating."
I will give this mpg situation some time but right now I am deeply disappointed and concerned. The difference between what I am now getting, 13, and the EPA estimate (19), is $539.24 extra over the course of 10,000 miles in a year with gas at $2.22, which is the current price. Boz
Well according to BBF his MKZ manual says break in period is 1000 miles or more (up to 3,000) so around that time we should see improvements.
[/quote]
Otaku
Page 5 of the Fusion manual sez:
"Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
"Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these additives may prevent piston ring seating."
I will give this mpg situation some time but right now I am deeply disappointed and concerned. The difference between what I am now getting, 13, and the EPA estimate (19), is $539.24 extra over the course of 10,000 miles in a year with gas at $2.22, which is the current price. Boz
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