You should pull the AWD fuse when driving long distances on the highway.
Just turn off the traction control; that’s causing the confusion. It should be in the dashboard settings or a button somewhere.
The Escape got the spare tire back as a standard feature in 2023, I believe. It was an option before. The 2024 models have them, including hybrids.
Did you want to get one with AWD? You discovered the downside of AWD systems. The tires all need to be the same size to work right. If you have, say, 30% tread left and need to replace one tire, you might end up needing to buy four to keep them the same size. My guess is the spare isn’t the same size as the others, and that’s why the system is acting up. Also, remember the spare is just temporary, so you should get it in the shop ASAP to avoid damaging the AWD system since it’s not meant to be engaged all the time.
@Glock
Would it help the person who posted this to put the spare on a different corner?
Gordon said:
@Glock
Would it help the person who posted this to put the spare on a different corner?
Yeah, as long as it’s not on wheels that are getting power; most AWD vehicles won’t engage the rear wheels if the front has traction.
Gordon said:
@Glock
Would it help the person who posted this to put the spare on a different corner?
Not on an Escape, as far as I know.
@Glock
The spare isn’t full-size, and even if we only wanted to drive to the repair shop, we couldn’t. We didn’t feel safe going over 10 mph with the spare on.
Hadley said:
@Glock
The spare isn’t full-size, and even if we only wanted to drive to the repair shop, we couldn’t. We didn’t feel safe going over 10 mph with the spare on.
It’s not about the overall size but the circumference of the tire. When the turning ratio doesn’t match the opposite tire, it engages the system. A few miles won’t hurt it, but driving it a lot will.
@Glock
Okay, but that doesn’t really answer the person who posted this question: Why does this car have an incompatible spare tire?
MysticWanderer said:
@Glock
Okay, but that doesn’t really answer the person who posted this question: Why does this car have an incompatible spare tire?
Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I sometimes explain too much. It’s likely that the spare tire matches the OEM circumference of a new tire. The tires on the car right now do not, either due to wear or just different circumference.
That’s why you should always rotate your spare into your tires when you have them.
The car should have been built with a full-size spare or a compact spare that would not cause this kind of issue.
What I find frustrating is that the Escape should have better options for tires. This seems like a clear oversight.