maerlim
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- September 27, 2011
- Messages
- 109
- Reaction score
- 0
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2012 Explorer Limited
The very morning after I picked up my new 2012 Limited w/ Ecoboost, it snowed. It was a pretty typical midwest snow: snow on warm road initially melts, then blast of cold freezes it into ice, then 1-3 inches on top of the ice. The roads were pretty treacherous for the morning commute. On any other day I would have worked from home.
But was I going to miss my first opportunity to drive to work in the new Ex?
Was I going to miss my first opportunity to drive it in the snow?
Oh hell no!
After driving 2.5 hours (2 hours longer than usual) to work on the snow and ice, I'm going to have to rate the Explorer as "not bad". I did have some wheel spin when trying to accelerate uphill, I did have some sliding on straight-aways, and I did notice the antilock brakes kicking in on some stops. I didn't feel "out of control" at all during the trip, but there were control issues that I had to (easily) deal with.
All in all I'd give it a solid "B" on the icy wet stuff. Above average, but not great. I understand why Ford doesn't offer the Ecoboost in 4WD, but I wonder if there isn't some compromise to be had. Maybe have the Ecoboost power the front wheels only, except ALLOW it to drive the rear wheels exclusively when they're needed for traction or stability control. That way you could also keep the terrain management system in the Ecoboost/FWD. I would think that wouldn't add undue stress on the engine.
By the way, I traded in a 2007 AWD V6 RAV4 for my Explorer. That car was pretty rock solid in all weather (I'd give it an "A"). I was expecting similar performance from the FWD Explorer, mostly due to assumed advances in traction and stability control in the last 5 years.
So part of me is wondering... Were my expectations too high? Is the main difference the tires? The extra size/weight of the Explorer? The lack of 4WD? Less competent stability control? Probably a combination of all of the above.
OK I'll stop rambling now. Just wanted to give some impressions of the FWD in some icy stuff.
But was I going to miss my first opportunity to drive to work in the new Ex?
Was I going to miss my first opportunity to drive it in the snow?
Oh hell no!
After driving 2.5 hours (2 hours longer than usual) to work on the snow and ice, I'm going to have to rate the Explorer as "not bad". I did have some wheel spin when trying to accelerate uphill, I did have some sliding on straight-aways, and I did notice the antilock brakes kicking in on some stops. I didn't feel "out of control" at all during the trip, but there were control issues that I had to (easily) deal with.
All in all I'd give it a solid "B" on the icy wet stuff. Above average, but not great. I understand why Ford doesn't offer the Ecoboost in 4WD, but I wonder if there isn't some compromise to be had. Maybe have the Ecoboost power the front wheels only, except ALLOW it to drive the rear wheels exclusively when they're needed for traction or stability control. That way you could also keep the terrain management system in the Ecoboost/FWD. I would think that wouldn't add undue stress on the engine.
By the way, I traded in a 2007 AWD V6 RAV4 for my Explorer. That car was pretty rock solid in all weather (I'd give it an "A"). I was expecting similar performance from the FWD Explorer, mostly due to assumed advances in traction and stability control in the last 5 years.
So part of me is wondering... Were my expectations too high? Is the main difference the tires? The extra size/weight of the Explorer? The lack of 4WD? Less competent stability control? Probably a combination of all of the above.
OK I'll stop rambling now. Just wanted to give some impressions of the FWD in some icy stuff.