So my wife had a flat tire the other night. We decided to put on the spare tire so she could make it to work the next day, planning to fix the flat later in the week. But when she tried to drive the car with the spare the next morning, the AWD system was acting up, engaging on the opposite wheel like it thought the car was slipping. Is this why they stopped including spares with the Escape around 2021? The spare was actually a big reason she chose this car over others.
Is that the right spare for the car? If it’s a different size or if you have aftermarket wheels or tires, that could explain it. AWD usually works full time but really kicks in only when it detects a wheel slipping.
@Harley
It’s the original spare that came with the car, and the tires are all factory. The spare isn’t full size, which I get why it causes issues, but that’s why I’m questioning why the car even comes with it.
@Hadley
If the spare isn’t full size, it’s only meant to get you to a tire repair shop, not for regular driving.
pasquesvilla said:
@Hadley
If the spare isn’t full size, it’s only meant to get you to a tire repair shop, not for regular driving.
Her commute is only about 5 miles round trip. But even with the spare on, I wouldn’t feel safe driving to the shop immediately.
@Hadley
Typically, the spare should go on the rear. Check the owner’s manual for guidance.
Declan said:
@Hadley
Typically, the spare should go on the rear. Check the owner’s manual for guidance.
It didn’t specify that, which is why I checked because I know sometimes it does.
@Hadley
When you say it’s not full size, do you mean it’s smaller in height or width? If it’s narrower than the others, that’s not ideal, but it shouldn’t really cause problems if used correctly.
Theodore said:
@Hadley
When you say it’s not full size, do you mean it’s smaller in height or width? If it’s narrower than the others, that’s not ideal, but it shouldn’t really cause problems if used correctly.
It was definitely narrower and I think smaller in diameter too.
@Hadley
Was the spare fully inflated? Most spares need to be at around 50 to 60 PSI.
@Harley
It uses wheel speed sensors to check. It thinks the smaller wheel is spinning faster and applies the brake to it. You might be giving the basic Ford AWD system too much credit. It has open differentials front and back, so it uses brakes to direct power. It can send power to the rear as needed but not to different wheels or more than 50% to the back. It’s definitely not like an Audi or Subaru.
You should always have the spare on the rear with those models.
AdamWheels said:
You should always have the spare on the rear with those models.
If that’s the case, it should say that in the owner’s manual. I’m not a car expert, but I’m not clueless either, which is why I checked.
Have you tried turning off traction control?
Julio said:
Have you tried turning off traction control?
I did try that but it didn’t help.
Julio said:
Have you tried turning off traction control?
I did try that but it didn’t help.
Damn, I thought that might work.
Make sure to turn your traction control off if that’s an option.
Bellamy said:
Make sure to turn your traction control off if that’s an option.
I tried that and it didn’t fix it.
Bellamy said:
Make sure to turn your traction control off if that’s an option.
I tried that and it didn’t fix it.
Hold the button down until the light flashes and remove the AWD fuse.
Hold the traction control button for more than 10 seconds to fully deactivate VSA. See if that helps.