Ford Freestyle What Would You Change?

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Comments

  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    The Outlander is built on a Lancer platform a B segment platform. The Freestyle is built on a D segment platform. It is just plain BIGGER in every dimension.

    Why don't we discuss which weighs more, apples or oranges.

    Mark.
  • barnstormer64barnstormer64 Member Posts: 1,106
    The technician put an AWD on a lift about 1 inch above the ground, the tires not touching the ground. He then noticed the rear wheels were moving when the front wheels were also moving, and he couldn't stop the rear wheels with his hands, so there was some torque applied.

    This is what I'd expect, given the link I quoted. The front weels (and drive shaft) were spinning faster than the rear wheels (since there was no road to turn them), and the system thought that the front wheels were slipping. So, torque was being applied to the rear wheels.
  • passat_2002passat_2002 Member Posts: 468
    Exactly. Glad somebody else caught this too.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    " In normal driving, the vehicle uses front-wheel-drive, but the driveshaft also turns whenever the vehicle is moving, ready to supply power to the rear wheels at a moment’s notice."

    I agree that the rear wheels don't turn, but we should acknowledge that having the system turn the shaft will cause some penalty in MPG. It takes energy to turn something.
  • barnstormer64barnstormer64 Member Posts: 1,106
    I agree that the rear wheels don't turn, but we should acknowledge that having the system turn the shaft will cause some penalty in MPG. It takes energy to turn something.

    There's no doubt that the friction involved with turning the driveshaft/etc will result in a mpg reduction.
  • rick2456rick2456 Member Posts: 320
    Even better would be the capability to upgrade via wirelessly (onstar, etc) or cell phone connection. Then again, the dealers would lose a lot of service dollars so that will never happen.
  • coldcrankercoldcranker Member Posts: 877
    passat_2002, Note the Freestyle/Haldex needs to keep the clutch compressed, which means some torque is transmitted. This prevents back-driving the chunky differential in the back. This is the PreX on the www.haldex.com website. Again, avoid the "AWD Club" gee-whiz site, which can mislead, and get right to the graphs at www.haldex.com in their technical section (see Torque Transfer).
  • bruneau1bruneau1 Member Posts: 468
    The 2008 Taurus X will not use the Haldex system anymore. Also the power steering will be electric to improve economy. I doubt that it will improve feel. I am glad they are getting any from the monochromatic interior, and hope they improve the road noise.
  • thomas23thomas23 Member Posts: 5
    Can anyone tell me if they are pulling a boat trailer with the Freestyle? I just found out that our boat storage facility is converting to "dockominiums" so I will be trailering out boat from now on. Boat is only 18 feet but is saltwater fishing, heavy!
  • rick2456rick2456 Member Posts: 320
    Sounds like the Taurus is being downgraded a bit, except for the added HP. I like the current FS AWD system and really like how the FS handles and soaks up bumps. The suspension is a bit firm, but I prefer that. Makes for better handling. My main gripes are the antaenna (should be integrated into the window) and the idiotic climate control system. I much prefer the simpler dials on the standard FS. I guess we live and learn.
  • rick2456rick2456 Member Posts: 320
    Sounds like you may need to get a truck for that. I have been told by Ford the max towing capacity is 2000 lbs and to exceed that would void the warranty with the CVT being the part most likely to fail. Good luck.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    The 2008 will have a conventional 6 speed transmission and 250 HP. I expect the towing rating will go up for that year. The FS is being renamed "Taurus X".
  • tom_holsingertom_holsinger Member Posts: 58
    No.
  • passat_2002passat_2002 Member Posts: 468
    The Freestyle was never designed to tow heavy loads behind it. It was designed to haul around people, groceries, and any cargo that fits inside.
  • otis12otis12 Member Posts: 171
    It would be nice if the rear glass opened with the tailgate down. Would make it easy to haul things more than 9-feet long.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    For the rear bench seats, I'd like to have a cup holder that is higher than the floorboard.

    The doors have a place that really only holds a bottle. The cup holder is below the A/C vents, right on the floor, and this is quite a reach for people in the 2nd row.

    Maybe place the center cup-holders ABOVE the A/C vents? I have the rear A/C, and don't really need those vents anyway...
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    Make all gauges the Black on White used in the Limited; the white on black cannot be seen in daytime (especially in cloudy or semi-dark conditions, like underpasses).
  • simplymesimplyme Member Posts: 4
    WHY WHY WHY ....i swear if my gas mileage goes down any more with that damn automatic awd im gonna be pissed and the cvt tranny i swear either it needs replaced or they need a more powerful engine try a 3.5 or something my Chrysler Town& Country has a bigger engine than the ford freestyle awd limited whats with that i dont even know other wise i love it oh just dont turn the engine off when you goto fill up in the cold the gas gauge goes loopy and the lines might freeze thats what happened to me last week it was terrible :cry:
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