How does 13 Ford Escape "AWD" Work?

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My father was asking how the AWD system works on the Escape. We are used to transfer case 4WD systems where, obviously, there is a transfer case attached to the back of a transmission that powers front and rear axles.

How does the AWD system on the Escape (or any number of Ford vehicle that use this system) work?

I know there's a PDU that attaches to the transmission and turns the rear axle.

We searched for a few hours and this is what we came up with:
- The PDU attaches to the transmission where the right half shaft (to RF wheel) attaches and that sends the power through the rear drive shaft. The right front axle shaft attaches to the PDU to provide power for the right front wheel.

Are we anywhere close?

There aren't any diagrams that we can find online.

Thanks!
 
Only thing I found online was that there's a lot of software involved, and that 100% of torque can be sent to any wheel; nothing on the design of how things are mechanically connected.
 
It is a version of one of the Haldex systems. The older ones used a Differential Electronic Module with a clutch pack inside to send power to the rear wheels.
 
How / where does it bolt to the transaxle?

I thought the Exploder, flex, edge, Taurus used the Haldex systems.

From what I have seen, the AWD system in this is an afterthought.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
From what I have seen, the AWD system in this is an afterthought.


I don't think it's an afterthought; it's simply designed for a specific type of duty. It's not designed to be as rugged or as robust as something with a switchable transfer case. Weight savings are achieved. It's not designed to be an "always on" constant mesh type system. Side effects like growling in sharp turns are avoided. It's designed to provide a traction assist on slippery surfaces. These systems work particularly well on packed snow and on icy surfaces. They are light weight, relatively low in cost, and not intrusive to the driver. They have obvious drawbacks as well. Each type of system has advantages and disadvantages; choose according to your needs.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
How / where does it bolt to the transaxle?

I thought the Exploder, flex, edge, Taurus used the Haldex systems.

From what I have seen, the AWD system in this is an afterthought.


From what I've heard, the AWD in those is not Haldex but a Ford/ZF system that uses electronic clutches to transfer the torque where it needs to go. I know on my SHO the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) bolts to the transaxle on the right and drives the driveshaft. Same as on my wife's 03 Escape (but vastly different systems).

Crawl under it and I think you will have your answer. Most likely it's based off the AWD system in the Fusion. Not necessarily an afterthought but designed for light duty in snow, maybe sand, and other slippery surfaces. Also may do some torque vectoring but not sure. I love it in the SHO - rain or shine punch it from a light and she digs in and rockets off. No wheelspin, no drama, just pin you in your seat. Snow will make the traction control kick in but it goes well but thats not too wise.
 
Dose the right front wheel axle shaft go through the PTU? Or does it connect on it's own to the transaxle.

I was looking on Tousley Ford Parts for a diagram (they don't have any) and the PTU for a Fusion is the same price as one for an Escape. Plus it's the same automatic transaxle.
 
It performs very well in slippery conditions. And it transfers torque well enough to prevent torque steer from the torquey ecoboost. In fact, I really enjoy the escape ecoboost AWD and the way it drives.

I vacationed in the mountains with the AWD escape ecoboost and found it quite capable. Even off road and on steep sandy hills. Other than the less than advertised mpg, I loved it.
 
Originally Posted By: Cujet
It performs very well in slippery conditions. And it transfers torque well enough to prevent torque steer from the torquey ecoboost. In fact, I really enjoy the escape ecoboost AWD and the way it drives.

I vacationed in the mountains with the AWD escape ecoboost and found it quite capable. Even off road and on steep sandy hills. Other than the less than advertised mpg, I loved it.


I like the engine too! Now that it's winter and my parents idle the thing for 30 minutes a day ... the MPG isn't that great again. About 23MPG.

The AWD system performs in slippery conditions and on the highway SIGNIFICANTLY better than the part time transfer cases we are used to. Especially with snow tires.

When they got it (and put snow tires on it), I took it up a winding hill road - started at the bottom, planted my foot and it couldn't lose traction! Really amazing how well the system works!

I also like the 2.0EB engine for it's torque curve. I wouldn't mind buying a FWD Escape with the 2.0EB (and no Sync). I don't feel the need for AWD.
 
The weakness of the 6F35 transmission and reported issues with the PTU do scare me.

I wouldn't even mind an Edge with the 2.0EB engine. I do not like transverse V6s. Not enough space on most vehicles. Especially a tall DOHC engine.
 
I hope this answers some questions:

"The Escape’s new four-wheel-drive system is smart enough to respond to wide-ranging traction conditions without so much as a mode-control knob to confuse the witless. A bevel gearbox attached to the six-speed automatic transaxle sends torque to a multiplate-clutch unit attached to the rear differential. A control module monitoring 25 or so pieces of powertrain and chassis data decides when and how tightly to engage the clutch. Commands come every 16 milliseconds so the rear axle is cocked and ready even before the powertrain delivers a requested surge of power. A bar-graph display available in the driver’s info menu provides a rough look at how hard the rear wheels are working. Front and rear differentials are simple open designs that rely on momentary single-wheel brake applications commanded by the ABS system to curb wheelspin and provide a token amount of torque vectoring during hard cornering."


From my 2 week rental in Northern Cali and Oregon, I LOVE the system. It worked flawlessly.
 
Here's the simple version of how the AWD system works: You drive into a low traction situation, the AWD engages, then the cylinder head cracks, the fuel line ruptures and you have to bail out before it burns to the ground!

If you're in deep mud wearing nice shoes you'll be upset!
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The AWD system performs in slippery conditions and on the highway SIGNIFICANTLY better than the part time transfer cases we are used to.


Which is precisely the conditions for which these types of systems are designed. They perform extremely well in their element. They're not designed for mud-bogging or for rock-crawling.

The system in the CR-V is very similar, though it's more like a Haldex, working on fluid pressure with the clutches. And I find it performs excellent. I haven't had snow to drive our own one one yet, but I played with my folks' 2011 model in the snow in Virginia last year. You could park it stopped on a snowy hill and just simply start out. It would drive up like it was a rainy day. And this was on the bald OEM Continentals. I imagine that with good snow tires, it would be quite pleasant to drive.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Here's the simple version of how the AWD system works: You drive into a low traction situation, the AWD engages, then the cylinder head cracks, the fuel line ruptures and you have to bail out before it burns to the ground!

If you're in deep mud wearing nice shoes you'll be upset!


Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaahhhaahahahahaha! OMG.
 
My Lancer Ralliart has a similar system, but less fancy. It has the terrain selection switch, and it says "Tarmac, Gravel, Ice." The switch I have seen on Fords has extra modes.

It recommends using gravel mode on wet roads.

My car doesn't use brakes for traction control, it has a clutch type limited slip differential.
 
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