2006 ford XLT 4x4. Thanks everyone who replied to my 4 cyl vs 6 question. One more - Is there risk of roll over if you have a blow out (flat)? I do not off road and i try to drive safely but all the roll over warnings give me the jitters! Not sure other than accidents when to be concerned about this.
Ford escape roll over question
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Yes, it's a risk.
A blowout is a rollover risk in any vehicle, technically. The risk is much greater in an SUV, most of all in an SUV with a short wheelbase like an Escape.
That said, actual blowouts are rare. Tires are made so that even if they're punctured severely and suddenly, they will almost always let the air out fairly gradually instead of just bursting. Of course, flat tires are rollover risks as well, just far less severe than blowouts.
Nowadays, rollover risk in an SUV mostly seems to come from:
- Cornering or swerving too fast (a double risk since an SUV's cornering limits are lower)
- Tire pressures that are too low (also a double risk since tire pressure is much more important to an SUV)
- Being in an accident with a lower vehicle (http://jalopnik.com/5096933/chevy-tahoe-messes-with-texas-mini-cooper-pays-price).
That said, actual blowouts are rare. Tires are made so that even if they're punctured severely and suddenly, they will almost always let the air out fairly gradually instead of just bursting. Of course, flat tires are rollover risks as well, just far less severe than blowouts.
Nowadays, rollover risk in an SUV mostly seems to come from:
- Cornering or swerving too fast (a double risk since an SUV's cornering limits are lower)
- Tire pressures that are too low (also a double risk since tire pressure is much more important to an SUV)
- Being in an accident with a lower vehicle (http://jalopnik.com/5096933/chevy-tahoe-messes-with-texas-mini-cooper-pays-price).
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Basic physics:
Any vehicle with a high center of gravity will rollover easier. Add in a short wheelbase with high ride height and you've got the leaning tower of Piza.
Ever wonder why Formula 1 cars and Indycars are 1/4" off the ground?
Any vehicle that cannot take an evasive manuouvre is not safe. TRy in the Escape when you drive it. it should be able to do it.
Any vehicle with a high center of gravity will rollover easier. Add in a short wheelbase with high ride height and you've got the leaning tower of Piza.
Ever wonder why Formula 1 cars and Indycars are 1/4" off the ground?
Any vehicle that cannot take an evasive manuouvre is not safe. TRy in the Escape when you drive it. it should be able to do it.
OVERKILL
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Risk of roll over in relation to what?
Think Chevy Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick. Now THAT is a vehicle that is prone to rolling over.
It, and vehicles like a Jeep TJ/YJ....etc.
The Escape does not feel like it wants to roll over. A buddy of mine had one as a work vehicle and I spent probably 30 hours in it. We did lots of "fun" stuff in it, and at no point did it ever feel like it was trying to end up shiny-side down.
Think Chevy Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick. Now THAT is a vehicle that is prone to rolling over.
It, and vehicles like a Jeep TJ/YJ....etc.
The Escape does not feel like it wants to roll over. A buddy of mine had one as a work vehicle and I spent probably 30 hours in it. We did lots of "fun" stuff in it, and at no point did it ever feel like it was trying to end up shiny-side down.
Ford Exployer is a noted roll-over about to happen when getting a blowout.
the risk of roll over is kind of like the risk of having sludge if you change the oil every 3K. Could it happen? I guess. Ever known someone that it happened to? Nope.
If you are driving like Bill Elliott in a SUV then 1. you bought the wrong car 2. you are an idiot and a Darwin award may be coming your way.
Conclusion: worry about something that might actually affect you, how's the air filter look?
If you are driving like Bill Elliott in a SUV then 1. you bought the wrong car 2. you are an idiot and a Darwin award may be coming your way.
Conclusion: worry about something that might actually affect you, how's the air filter look?
I've spent some time in the Mazda version (Tribute) and it felt relatively stable. I wouldn't be concerned.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: Eddie
Ford Exployer is a noted roll-over about to happen when getting a blowout.
No, it's not. I've actually owned one. The "sport" model is more "prone" to roll-over with a blow-out, but they are NOT rollover "prone" vehicles.
The examples I cited above, ARE.
Ford Exployer is a noted roll-over about to happen when getting a blowout.
No, it's not. I've actually owned one. The "sport" model is more "prone" to roll-over with a blow-out, but they are NOT rollover "prone" vehicles.
The examples I cited above, ARE.
1. What a car "feels like" it's about to do and what it's actually about to do are not necessarily the same. Only well tuned sporty cars are fully transparent about their limits, and the Escape/Mariner/Tribute is obviously not in that territory.
2. The Explorer rollover fiasco was mostly because Ford specified an incorrect tire pressure. The vehicle itself isn't really any more problematic than any other similar SUV.
3. If you label some SUVs as "rollover prone" and others as "not rollover prone", you're drawing an arbitrary line. It's better to talk about what's more or less rollover prone.
2. The Explorer rollover fiasco was mostly because Ford specified an incorrect tire pressure. The vehicle itself isn't really any more problematic than any other similar SUV.
3. If you label some SUVs as "rollover prone" and others as "not rollover prone", you're drawing an arbitrary line. It's better to talk about what's more or less rollover prone.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: d00df00d
1. What a car "feels like" it's about to do and what it's actually about to do are not necessarily the same. Only well tuned sporty cars are fully transparent about their limits, and the Escape/Mariner/Tribute is obviously not in that territory.
2. The Explorer rollover fiasco was mostly because Ford specified an incorrect tire pressure. The vehicle itself isn't really any more problematic than any other similar SUV.
3. If you label some SUVs as "rollover prone" and others as "not rollover prone", you're drawing an arbitrary line. It's better to talk about what's more or less rollover prone.
OK, lets use my list as ones that are EASILY rolled. Like taking a corner at 60Km/h that's rated for 40 and it's on 2-wheels.... Cue Tracker!!!
And the scab labour was pinpointed as being the problem with the tires. The lower pressure compounded the problem.
My Explorer has been running the STOCK tire pressure ON the sticker, with Michelin, General and Cooper tires since new. It's never had a tire failure other than a NAIL ripping a hole in the side of one of my Michelin's. And that resulted in a flat, not a tread separation.
If it was exclusively a pressure problem, everybody with tires other than Firestone would have been having problems. And they were not.
The tires on my mom's Expedition (Firestone) were recalled as well. Ended up with a set of Michelin LTX's on it....
1. What a car "feels like" it's about to do and what it's actually about to do are not necessarily the same. Only well tuned sporty cars are fully transparent about their limits, and the Escape/Mariner/Tribute is obviously not in that territory.
2. The Explorer rollover fiasco was mostly because Ford specified an incorrect tire pressure. The vehicle itself isn't really any more problematic than any other similar SUV.
3. If you label some SUVs as "rollover prone" and others as "not rollover prone", you're drawing an arbitrary line. It's better to talk about what's more or less rollover prone.
OK, lets use my list as ones that are EASILY rolled. Like taking a corner at 60Km/h that's rated for 40 and it's on 2-wheels.... Cue Tracker!!!
And the scab labour was pinpointed as being the problem with the tires. The lower pressure compounded the problem.
My Explorer has been running the STOCK tire pressure ON the sticker, with Michelin, General and Cooper tires since new. It's never had a tire failure other than a NAIL ripping a hole in the side of one of my Michelin's. And that resulted in a flat, not a tread separation.
If it was exclusively a pressure problem, everybody with tires other than Firestone would have been having problems. And they were not.
The tires on my mom's Expedition (Firestone) were recalled as well. Ended up with a set of Michelin LTX's on it....
Car and Driver did a test to see how roolover-prone the Explorer really is. Read: car and driver test
That's the point. the driver has to be prepared. Which most of the time they are not. My Father had a '93 Explorer 4 dr with a manual 5-speed (bless his heart). One of the worst handling vehicles I have ever driven. Just awful. But it was very reliable until it rusted away.
Point is, I took it down a 25 mph curve to see what its handling limits are and had it at 65 mph on three wheels in a smooth controlled drift. this was pretty much on the edge. It could be controlled, but I have a racing license.
Throw in a deer or snow or stupid drivers or panic and its upside down fast. the Escape handles much better and takes a lot to roll over.
But as said, if it is a concern - get a Fusion or Focus or a Civic, etc. you have to be pretty bad to roll one of these over.
Point is, I took it down a 25 mph curve to see what its handling limits are and had it at 65 mph on three wheels in a smooth controlled drift. this was pretty much on the edge. It could be controlled, but I have a racing license.
Throw in a deer or snow or stupid drivers or panic and its upside down fast. the Escape handles much better and takes a lot to roll over.
But as said, if it is a concern - get a Fusion or Focus or a Civic, etc. you have to be pretty bad to roll one of these over.
OVERKILL
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But then you could be wearing the deer in your lap instead of the grill
There are risks in an form of driving in any type of vehicle.
As you touched on, it's driver SKILL which ends up being the real key here, something that most drivers on the road lack.
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
There are risks in an form of driving in any type of vehicle.
As you touched on, it's driver SKILL which ends up being the real key here, something that most drivers on the road lack.
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
But then you could be wearing the deer in your lap instead of the grill
On the other hand, if you screw up and hit someone else, your bumper could end up in THEIR face instead of their grill.
Moreover, you're more likely to hit the deer in the first place because you have higher mass and lower handling limits than a similarly engineered car.
Modern technology gives us so many ways to make a car safe without compromising the safety of others. What's the point in doing otherwise?
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
There are risks in an form of driving in any type of vehicle.
As you touched on, it's driver SKILL which ends up being the real key here, something that most drivers on the road lack.
I agree wholeheartedly. The thing is, if we say that, we also have to note that an SUV poses greater risk and demands more skill to control than a car.
But then you could be wearing the deer in your lap instead of the grill
On the other hand, if you screw up and hit someone else, your bumper could end up in THEIR face instead of their grill.
Moreover, you're more likely to hit the deer in the first place because you have higher mass and lower handling limits than a similarly engineered car.
Modern technology gives us so many ways to make a car safe without compromising the safety of others. What's the point in doing otherwise?
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
There are risks in an form of driving in any type of vehicle.
As you touched on, it's driver SKILL which ends up being the real key here, something that most drivers on the road lack.
I agree wholeheartedly. The thing is, if we say that, we also have to note that an SUV poses greater risk and demands more skill to control than a car.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Yep, my Father replaced it with a 2002 Explorer and it was night and day better. Crisp cornering, but give me a car any day unless I need the 4wd or tow. My Ranger 2wd easily outhandles both because it is much lower to the ground and has stickier tires and stiffer shocks, etc.
The 93 was awful to drive, but I'd bet it was good off road and was very reliable. It was slow with a 5-speed manual, can't image what it was with an 4-speed automatic. Did get good mpgs for an SUV - low 20s.
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Yep, my Father replaced it with a 2002 Explorer and it was night and day better. Crisp cornering, but give me a car any day unless I need the 4wd or tow. My Ranger 2wd easily outhandles both because it is much lower to the ground and has stickier tires and stiffer shocks, etc.
The 93 was awful to drive, but I'd bet it was good off road and was very reliable. It was slow with a 5-speed manual, can't image what it was with an 4-speed automatic. Did get good mpgs for an SUV - low 20s.
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Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Explorers never came with a solid front axle. 1991-94 4wd Explorers had the twin traction beam independent front suspension, and 2wds had the twin i-beam suspension. All 95s and newer had the SLA IFS.
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Explorers never came with a solid front axle. 1991-94 4wd Explorers had the twin traction beam independent front suspension, and 2wds had the twin i-beam suspension. All 95s and newer had the SLA IFS.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Explorers never came with a solid front axle. 1991-94 4wd Explorers had the twin traction beam independent front suspension, and 2wds had the twin i-beam suspension. All 95s and newer had the SLA IFS.
OK, I'm calling the big pot with the traction beams an SFA. Whether it's a true SFA or not, well, that may be err on my part.
In contrast to what I had on my '97, I was calling the above (perhaps erroneously?) an SFA.
-Chris
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
FWIW, the 93 to early 95 Explorers had the solid front axle. late 96+ had IFS and handled much better.
Explorers never came with a solid front axle. 1991-94 4wd Explorers had the twin traction beam independent front suspension, and 2wds had the twin i-beam suspension. All 95s and newer had the SLA IFS.
OK, I'm calling the big pot with the traction beams an SFA. Whether it's a true SFA or not, well, that may be err on my part.
In contrast to what I had on my '97, I was calling the above (perhaps erroneously?) an SFA.
-Chris
Originally Posted By: rpn453
I've spent some time in the Mazda version (Tribute) and it felt relatively stable. I wouldn't be concerned.
+1 I own a '06 Tribute and the vehicle feels stable. The Escape/Mariner/Tribute are basically small front wheel drive wagons with slightly larger tires than a passenger car. It's always a trade off between the benefits of higher ground clearance for snow etc. vs. a lower ride height.
Stock factory ride height and tire size, no worries.
I've spent some time in the Mazda version (Tribute) and it felt relatively stable. I wouldn't be concerned.
+1 I own a '06 Tribute and the vehicle feels stable. The Escape/Mariner/Tribute are basically small front wheel drive wagons with slightly larger tires than a passenger car. It's always a trade off between the benefits of higher ground clearance for snow etc. vs. a lower ride height.
Stock factory ride height and tire size, no worries.
None of the security guard co-workers have been able to be flip a Escape. Did manage it with 2 cherokee's though. I'd consider them pretty safe on that basis.
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