That's correct. There is an open diff in the front and the 4WD model has an additional open diff in the rear. By saying "open" I mean neither is limited slip. They allow for the differential (hence the name) in rotational speed when going around a corner. But they both also allow one wheel to spin if both sides are on a low friction surface.

This is similar to Subaru's base AWD system, which is standard on their most basic models. On their step-up system they add a limited slip diff at the rear. The limited slip rear diff makes a big difference when driving in really slippery conditions at low speed.

AFAIK Ford does not currently offer a limited slip rear diff on the Escape.

 

If you have a Ford product with traction control and/or stability control and/or ABS, the little sliding car symbol light indicates when any of those systems is active. On the FEH, the light flashes rapidly when the ABS is working. There's more info about this in the owner's manual.

 

I've driven three Jeeps with open differentials for the last 10 years and never felt like I needed the help of limited slip when driving in snow. Heavy duty off-roading is the only time I whish I had limited slip or an air locker. I do whish the FEH had a button or lever to lock the center differential though.

 

I'd prefer limited slip in the rear, myself. The center coupling isn't a differential, per se, and it locks automatically anyway. Manual locking would duplicate that function and would also necessitate an anti-binding mechanism for cornering. That's why they dropped it on the old generation.

Limited slip in the rear is mainly beneficial in (as previously stated) really slippery conditions at low speeds. Other than allowing some pretty cool powerslides around tight corners, it doesn't make a big difference when driving around in snow unless you're going pretty slow and it's very slick.

I had two Outbacks with limited slip rear diffs. After I got rid of my problem-prone Prius I got a Legacy with regular AWD. It drove great and worked fine in the snow. Then last winter after numerous storms I got stuck in front of a friend's house with the right side of the car on an ice berm by the curb and the left side on dry pavement. Both right tires were spinning on the ice, but I was going nowhere without rocking the car. And a little push from my friends.

Until that moment, I never cared about the lack of a limited slip on the car. It's not really necessary 99.9% of the time. But I sure could have used it that one night!

 

My experience has been different.

With my very first Jeep, I didn't order the limited slip differential. The cost was getting too high, and I had to draw the line somewhere.

Boy was I later sorry.

I got stuck in some fresh, deep snow. It was quite embarrassing to get stuck in a 4WD Jeep. One front wheel, and one rear wheel, spun like crazy, and I could not get it moving.

Needless to say, my next Jeep had the limited slip differential (and UpCountry too, but that's another story).

 

The owner's manual for the hybrid also says that indicator light is for "ABS active/Traction control active (if equipped)".

Which hybrids are equipped with Traction control?

 

Huh, the last outing in mine was a little over a month ago through 22" of fresh snow ontop of solid ice layer 5 miles up a Jeep road to tree line to access some back country skiing. Slid once but no real issues a couple SUVs tried to follow but gave up . The only time I've spun a wheel on both axels there was at least one wheel in the air.

 

No hybrids have traction control. The light is used for three different systems so it's called the "ABS active/Traction Control active (if equipped)" light.

If your vehcile has stability control (not available) the light will illuminate when the system is working. If your vehicle has Traction Control (it doesn't have that either) the light will illuminate when the TC system is working. If your vehicle has ABS (yes it does) then it will illuminate when that's working.

 

It would have been nice if they showed power going to the rear wheels in the navigation system when the AWD is engaged. It is not like it would have taken much work.

 

Some indicator or badge would be nice. It seems like most cars have something to show that capability. Yes, the rear differential is obvious, but still...

-t.