[ashabmy]

Chips,

I have suggestion.. can you open a forum exclusive for Ford
Escape Owners & get Ford to sponsor it. It likes Perodua forum.
We have the Escape Club, but it is not as good as forum in the
internet, we can chat & write any time.

Ford also can give driving/maintainance etc tips (weekly,
monthly etc) or Escape owner can discuss anything with Ford Co.
Some of us don't have much time to go to Ford Conc.

More importantly, owners can share experience & discuss any
things about our beloved Escape.

How is Escape club in Peninsula M'sia. Lots of activities?
The club in Borneo is not move at all. No gathering or activities
organised by Ford.

Lanun Darat is quite active... Escape Club also should do the
same!

[Chips]

Sorry if I never replied... missed this post. I think that Escape owners
can have their discussions here without needing a specific Escape Club
forum. Ford Malaysia is planning something for this year so just be
patient.

[ashabmy]

Escape owners,

just curious......... did you notice the gear stick will "slide" back by itself (while driving)
after we changed gear from N to D. What is it means actually? automatic gear
change from 3rd to 4th gear??

[Equalizer1]

Ashabmy - can`t quite get what you mean, sorry ..... On another
unrelated matter, do any of you guys know whether there is any aftermarket
tweak to improve the power of this vehicle?? Maybe a hot cam or a
superchip??

[ashabmy]

Equalizer1,

let put this way.... when you change gear from P or N (stop), you will pull the gear stick
& engage it to D to drive. After certain speed while cruising, the gear stick will slide back
(to front) by itself. You can try & monitor the gear stick.

My Escape has just clock 9K milage & still under warranty, so I have plan to modify it.
Sorry, can't help you.

[Equalizer1]

Hmm .... I have never paid notice to that - in fact from N to D, I merely
push the stick down without any motion towards self.

[Chips]

Not sure what you mean either. The gear positions should be quite
distinct and should not slip between each other. I found that on my unit,
which is actually a CBU and does not have a shift lock feature, the
movement is more rigid whereas the locally-assembled ones have a smoother
action.

I would like to ask Escape owners (and if any CR-V owners are reading
too) how you feel about the steering column mounted shift lever?
Convenient? For me, sometimes when I am testing a new car for some time
and then I get back into my Escape, my hand automatically reaches down to
the centre area to grab the shifter but I do find the Escape's position
quite good too.

[erictck]

yeah... kinda true. sometimes when i'm use to driving GF's car and when i
get back my car, my hands automatically reach down to change gear.

i think the position of the shift-level is ok lah. but it would look
nicer it the lever is shorter ? i just have this feeling that the shift-
lever is protruding/intrusive.

[Equalizer1]

I find the lever position okay, as long as you bring it back down when the
Escape goes tiptronic!! Otherwise, have the +/- buttons on the steering-
lah ....

[Chips]

So maybe the CR-V approach is better?

As for steering wheel mounted buttons to shift, I am still not used to
the concept though I am sure I can get used to it if I actually live with
it. But somehow, I still like the feeling of moving a lever to change
gears... sort of the same thing that people enjoy with a manual shifter.