AWD Experience?

[GraybeardAv]

Have any of you owned an AWD Freescare? What is the weight and fuel economy penalty? I'm looking to buy one.

GB

[theoldwizard]

Not an owner, but if you check the EPA feul economy ratings, the penalty is typical 2 - 4 mpg.

For where I live (midwest; moderate amount of snow) it is not worth the cost. A good set of real snow tires is probably more cost affective for me.

[crazy96863]

I didn't know they made these. Can you lift it and put some off road tires on it? I have gone on some pretty rough trails with my FWD Freestar and it works great. For normal minivan use, AWD seems like overkill.

If you think it is a Freescare, why by? Go with a Honda or a Chevy.

[GraybeardAv]

I've been looking at the specs available on cars.com, and it looks like the owner believes he has AWD, when it is really just Advance Trac, apparently just an optional improved ABS. Does anyone have info on it?

Owner claims to have been able to get past the Hiway Patrol traffic stops where they require chains in the mountains, except for AWD vehicles.

GB

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by GraybeardAv

I've been looking at the specs available on cars.com, and it looks like the owner believes he has AWD, when it is really just Advance Trac, apparently just an optional improved ABS.

AdvanceTrac is sort of an electronic "limited slip differential". It senses when one of the drive wheels starts to spin and then partial applies the brake to that wheel which forces more torque to the opposite wheel.

Not as good as a true limited slip differential, but it is essentially "free" (software inside the ABS). The light on my dash blinks when it is operating (on snow), not that I can tell much.

I think it is now standard on all Ford vehicles.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Roll Stability Controls (RSC) are added on all light vehicles. This is (or will be very soon) a government mandate.

...Owner claims to have been able to get past the Hiway Patrol traffic stops where they require chains in the mountains...

I don't believe that statement.

Chains means chains. No substitutes.

[crazy96863]

I have an 05 without the advanced trac. The descriptions are accurate. the 235/60/16 chain size is sorta a specialty size. Not available on the shelf whenever you need to grab a set. I had to go to a tire store and get mine rather than sears or walmart or the parts store; the part store had to order, unavailable at the department stores. They were a bit pricy. Just buy them in advance or you might not find them when you need em.