How Does the Four-Wheel Drive on a Ford Escape Work?

Rear Differential Operation

The Ford Escape is actually a front-wheel drive vehicle with an all-wheel drive option. A four-wheel drive module, which regulates torque between the front and rear axles, receives signals from the vehicle's ABS sensors when the front wheels begin to slip or rotate faster than the rear wheels. This causes the all-wheel drive module, part of the rear axle, to engage the rear differential, activating the rear wheels.

On-Demand Feature

Unlike traditional four-wheel drive vehicles where the independent wheels must be engaged by the driver prior to shifting into four-wheel drive, the Escape rear drive engages the rear wheels automatically, without driver input. Signals from the ABS sensors also automatically prepare the brakes for the all-wheel drive shift.