Stuck in snow - with a Ford 4WD!?

[Skogsgurra]

My Ford Kuga, a mini SUV, has served well for a couple of years. And it served well when I left home today. It served well when going back home, also.

But, there is a small hill and a right turn just before I can park before the front door. It had been snowing and weather was "wet", so quite slippery. No probs, I thought and turned the wheel to get through the gate, which - of course - was open.

I got stuck. Pressed pedal a little more. With four wheels, you don't get stuck in a situation like this. All that happened was the the front wheels digged little holes and there I was. Stuck. The back wheels hadn't turned at all.

My garage has closed. I have no idea what has happened. My guess is that the logic telling the AWD to activate doesn't work. Or something.. Probably some electronic thing hat I Primo: Don't trust and Secundo: Don't understand.

Does any one in Automotive know what is going on? And if there is an easy late Friday afternoon fix?


Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

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Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[VEBill]

Wiki: "Haldex Traction AB is a division of the Swedish manufacturing company... The Haldex 4WD system is currently used in the following vehicle models: ...Ford Kuga..."

;-) !!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldex_Traction

 

[VEBill]

TopSpeed.com: "The Ford Kuga 2.5 Turbo comes with the acclaimed, Haldex Gen 4 Intelligent AWD system..."

 

[MikeHalloran]

There are three differentials in a 4WD car.

If the rear driveshaft hasn't broken or fallen off, behavior suggests that the inter-axle diff is spinning, like the diff in an old 2WD car does when one wheel has traction.

There may be a mechanical or electrical manual control that locks that center diff when you are in a pickle. Look in the glovebox.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[VEBill]

Wiki (Haldex Gen 4): "Limited Slip Coupling (LSC) ... sits at the rear of the vehicle in-line with the driveshaft. It controls the torque split between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The LSC sends torque to the eLSD that sits between the rear wheels. The eLSD transfers torque to the two rear wheels. ... The LSC is still a clutch pack that adjusts torque split depending on hydraulic pressure. It is the method of fluid flow through the device that has changed. ..."

Sounds hydralicy, not electricky.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Didn't know that!

So, I have actually helped produce the spring wire used in the coupling. Garphyttan Works is only some 30 km from where I live and I have done work on drives for them.

But that doesn't help now. Glovebox says there is an automatic swith between front and all wheel drive "when needed". But no details how to manipulate that thing. Or select AWD or whatever.

I guess I have to consult with my son-in-law. Or if someone in the pub has a tip I can't refuse?

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Hydraulic - even worse. Thanks for the search, VE1BLL!
I will improvise a small hand driven winch from a piece of round wood and something that I havent found yet.



Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[VEBill]

I have actually helped produce the spring wire used in the coupling.

Irony demands that it's a broken spring wire used in the coupling.

;-)

 

[Skogsgurra]

That was expected!
Waiting for Kenat's comments. They will not be any nicer..

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[zdas04]

No help here. My experience is that it is remarkable if there is snow and a Ford isn't stuck in it.

David

 

[MikeHalloran]

Cold comfort: video of another Kuga stuck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=VVLXQOXmdVA

Either that Haldex is a POS, or two folks didn't find the lock.

Try turning the Magic Stability Control, or whatever, off.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Skogsgurra]

Did I read that correctly?

it is remarkable = it is not unusual

if there is snow = slippery

a Ford isn't stuck in it = Fords get stuck.

Full sentence: Fords get stuck in slippery weather.

You are right. That didn't help. Why 4WD, then?


Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Look in the Trip Computer settings for control of the Traction Control.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[MikeHalloran]

Ah. The T/C works by braking the slipping wheel(s).
For which it uses an electric motor, I'd suspect.
Check the fuse.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[TheTick]

I live in snow country. It seems SUVs are always the first into the ditch. I don't consider the weather to be serious until 2WD sedans are falling off the road.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Thanks for all the tips!

FYI, I have new winter tyres with spikes.

I have to look for that control so I can turn AWD on (or off?). There isn't one single line about that in the Swedish manual. I guess I have to find an English one on the web.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[dpc]

My old Ford Escape has an "On" - "Auto" switch for the AWD on the dash. I've never figured out if the Auto actually works or not. I just switch to ON whenever I feel the need. In the ON position there is a reassuring idiot light illuminated.

I had never heard of a Kuga until this thread, so I had to look it up. Looks nice. Maybe this is what the Escape is going to morph into. I've heard a major change is coming for the Escape.

 

[msquared48]

Skogs:

Your car was obvously pissed thagt you did not offer it a beer too after work. Just pour one in the tranny and all will be fine.

Anything else?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[zdas04]

Gunnar,
As expected you interpreted it correctly. When it is icy here the first thing stuck is all the Ford Explorers, Expeditions, and Navigators. Then the other mini-vans pretending to be SUV's. Then 2 wheel drives. Then Ford work trucks, etc. Finally, before the Land Rovers can get everyone else out, the snow melts.

David

 

[IRstuff]

On my old 4Runner, there was something you had to do to the hubs to get it into 4WD.

TTFN

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