Do any of the '08 FEH's have steering wheel mounted volume control buttons?

I ordered mine with the audiophile system and thought it would have them, but it doesn't.

I was in a regular '08 Escape today and it had volume control buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.

What gives?

Nope. None of the Hybrid do, and it has been a big gripe for most owners over the past 3 years. I am surprised the std. Escape has them. I figured it was mass-manufacturing issue and none had them.

Yep - it was just a regular V6 Escape with Audiophile system - no nav unit, and had the buttons.

Why, o why Ford, would you let me pay $695 for the Audiophile unit and $1195 for the premium package and not give me buttons for the audio on the steering wheel? It's kinda cheap lookin' because you can tell the right side of the wheel is flat for buttons to go there - it's like havin' blanks in the wheel.

Talkin' about blanks, what are the blanks in the front under the climate control and radio for? (They're by the button to turn off the reverse sensing system)

I have always wondered why anybody would want to turn off the rear sensing system???

~John

Pictures of a few of the modifications I have made to the truck:

http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/inbox&page=all

If you tow, you need to turn off the reverse sensors or go CRAZY!

2008 FWD Escape Hybrid

Oh, OK -I never thought of that as a Hybrid is not really capable of towing anything.

I have towed plenty of boats in my time, but the tow vehicles I owned at the time never had BU sensors so I had forgotten about a use like that.....

~John

Pictures of a few of the modifications I have made to the truck:

http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/inbox&page=all

I was curious how loud your BU alarm is in your 08. Mine is pretty quiet, as in a low volume of say 4-5 on the radio is loud enough to drown the alarm. And mine does off frequently when it wet out (18 days straight of rain now!), does anyone elses?

As to the blanks, I wondered that my self. I figure it has to be options for the Limited, but what? Maybe options for gas onlys having to do with AC or something.

2008 Escape Hybrid FWD
Ice Blue w/Chrome Pkg
Moonroof
Leather Premiem pkg
http://www.starlinkdss.com/Escape.htm
Mods: Tint front to match, Cargo Cover, Keyless Pad, Flaps, Side Moldings.
Want to add Chrome Bug Shield


2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer

Thule T2 Bike Rack... in folded position..... In reverse sets them off constantly.

or when your toddler is sleeping in the backseat peacefully.....

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

I too was a bit upset when the vehicle did not have them. This kind of makes me wonder if the wiring for the controls is still there... if it is, it could be possible to locate a replacement panel for the wheel, and add the buttons aftermarket..

That'd be sweet, i'll have to take a look later today to see if it looks like that panel is easy to pop off.