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.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Still stuck. Getting dark. Very. Back tomorrow, if Santa doesn't come by with his reindeers.

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.

 

[TheTick]

"Rusty Checvrolet" by Da Yoopers

Dashing through the snow
in my Rusty Chevrolet
Down the road I go
Sliding all the way
I need new piston rings
I need some new snow tires
My car is held together
By a piece of chicken wire

CHORUS
Oh, rust and smoke, the heater's broke
The door just blew away
I light a match to see the dash
And then I start to pray
The frame is bent, the muffler went
The radio, it's okay
Oh what fun it is to drive
This Rusty Chevrolet

I went to the IGA
To get some Christmas cheer
I just passed up my left front tire
And it's getting hard to steer
Speeding down the highway
Right past the Neguanee cops
I have to drag my swampers
Just to get the car to stop

Bouncing through the snowdrifts
In a big blue cloud of smoke
People laugh as I drive by
And I wonder what's the joke
Got to get to Shop-Ko
To pick up the lay-away
'Cause Santa Claus is coming soon
In his big old rusty sleigh

 

[ScottyUK]

zdas04,

You a Land Rover fan by any chance? My old man was a big fan, he ran a Series IIA for years. The old ones were seemingly indestructible. Didn't know many had made across the pond.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[ivymike]

the only reason the landrovers can get everyone out is that each one is closely coupled to the rear of a tow truck, and the tow truck comes with a winch. works wonders for frontal collisions too.

If you can't get that thing to engage the rear wheels by shifting to forward and reverse and applying plenty of throttle a few times, then it's probably busted. If it's stuck deep, then its probably best to find a tow truck that's not yet occupied by a land rover or jaguar, and see if he'll help you out.

 

[SomptingGuy]

The winch is the USP for a LR. Their winch-free soft-roaders suck.

- Steve

 

[waross]

A wild guess Gunnar; There may not be enough traction to trigger the lock-up. Try applying the brakes lightly. That may help the lock-up.
Re the references to the glove-box:
Many vehicles with full time four wheel drive have a switch hidden in the back of the glove-box that locks up the inter-axle differential.
Don't forget to pour bleach on the tires before your next try.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[zdas04]

I have two LR4's (Discovery 4 everywhere but the U.S.) and I've pulled a few Fords out of the ditch without the benefit of a tow truck (that was just too funny ivymike). They are my 5th and 6th LR's and every year just gets better. I take mine into some REALLY nasty job sites and it just goes.

David

 

[pmover]

this is probably not the answer you want to read about . . .

here in Alaska, most folks have a snow shovel in their vehicle. just remove the snow from both directions the tire is facing and any excessive snow built up around the vehicle. then you can easily back the vehicle out or otherwise. perhaps removing the snow for a path to the garage will help.

Cheer up! a little exercise does help once in a while.

sorry, i'm not familiar with the Fixed Or Repaired Daily mini SUV.

I do wish you good luck though!
-pmover

 

[waross]

I drive a 3/4 TON GMC Sierra. I always drive in two wheel drive. If I do get stuck I use four wheel drive to get unstuck. If I drive in four wheel drive, when I get stuck, I am so far into trouble that I may not be able to self rescue. Over the years I have owned several vehicles with full time four wheel drive where I didn't have the option of driving in two wheel drive. When they got stuck I was in trouble. Shovels, jacks and winches.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[Skogsgurra]

Thanks pmover!

You probably do not know that I live i snowy, hilly, rural Sweden. And have been driving cars of every shape and conditions since early sixties. So, shovel, good winter tyres, spikes and most of the tricks known to the trade are routinely applied. The Kuga didn't give me any problems last winter. I always got four wheels when I needed. Today is different - only front wheels work.

I will try Bill's tip with light braking a little later. Never heard of that before. Sounds like a probable fix. Searched the manual again. No mentioning of button or switch anywhere.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

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

 

[patprimmer]

Several types of limited slip diffs need some load on the spinning wheel for the locking mechanism to operate, hence the light brake pressure trick.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[SomptingGuy]

A 4x4 has a winch I guess. Is it not working? Or this a fashion-based soft-roader?

- Steve

 

[Skogsgurra]

Picture showing situation:

http://gke.org/pub/files/Kuga_in_gate.jpg

The tension band is an improvised winch. Didn't help either. Need a real winch. Waiting for one. Garage doesn't answer phone. Wish I were in France. They are always available.

I have passed this gate for more than thirty years. In all weather conditions and with cars and tyres much worse than this. Even without spikes in winter. Spikes can be seen as light dots on wheel.

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]

There must be something broken or non-functional to be stuck in that minor situation. Virtual hard drink needed at this point.

I use studded tires (Nokian) on my AWD sedan. The studs are almost flush with the rubber, so I can't really call them spikes. Advanced AWD with studded tires is an awesome... ...provided that the spring wire used in the coupling hasn't broken. Good luck.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Yes. It really IS a minor situation. I'll also go for a hard drink now. Nobel Prize ceremony coming up. I was thinking to go there, but that POS car stopped me from it. OK, I have all the booze I need. A lot more than those professors and royalties will ever get tonight.

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.

 

[pmover]

Skogs,

yes, I thought you lived in Scotland and I heard about a rare nasty snow storm in the country.

i did some investigating and the links are provided.

with this in mind, there are sensors, a micro-processor, and then control elements in the AWD system. ruling out the processor, leaves the sensors and control elements. thinking that perhaps there are exterior sensors or actuators to activate AWD components, i'm thinking that perhaps a sensor is not sensing (i.e. too much interference from snow or ice) or an actuator is frozen. i'm also thinking that the AWD system is smart enough to provide an alarm notice on the instrument panel.

trust me, it is something simple. if you can make a visit to the local shop and talk with a mechanic, the mechanic may provide some guidance. I often do this for my turbo-diesel dodge pick and I get lucky. then again, i think they wish the mechanics owned one.

I hope this is helpful and i know the frustrations associated with transportation problems.

good luck!

http://www.kugaownersclub.co.uk/Kuga/Kuga-All-Terrain-with-Intelligent-AWD-Capability.asp

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

-pmover

 

[pmover]

i forgot to add that perhaps it is as simple as a loose electrical connection at sensor or actuation component. this could have occurred due to snow build up or otherwise.

good luck!
-pmover

 

[patprimmer]

It might be less intelligent, but a simple dog clutch in the transfer case and old fashioned locking hubs where you turn by hand the tags in the hub would have ensured 4WD operation.

As viscous couplers depend on heat build up in the clutch pack to work, are they reliable when packed with snow.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[waross]

Try bleach on the tires.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[ScottyUK]

Bill,

What does that do? Apart from sanitise the tyres obviously!



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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!