awdpath

NightHawk and Silverstar are not available as H11 currently. The European Osram Nightbreaker H11 is significantly brighter than the stock bulb as well (about $50 a pair from Ebay).

ConsumerReports.org

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/to...wintertires.htm

Tuned Ford Fusion 0-90mph acceleration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3pe1T_tkAI...feature=related

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/japanes...r-satisfaction/

http://www.autonet.ca/donut/content/search...30/4821558.html

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/blogs/ma...80%9908-fusion/

http://www.swri.org/10light/catalyst.htm

Turn the mirror away from the vehicle to its max then pull the mirror toward you and upward. Be careful of the electrical wires connected to the mirror while pulling the mirror out. Un-clip the puddle lamp housing and remove the bulb socket from the puddle lamp housing ( 1/4 turn clockwise for the driver side, counterclockwise for the passenger side).

New tires are quite slippery and the engine/transmission and/or the software programs may not have adapted to your aggressive driving. STANDING-START ACCELERATION [FWD] 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 8.01 sec 0-quarter-mile: 15.7 sec @ 91.2 mph http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti.../-1/mmstorymini In our usual electronic acceleration measures, the top-of-the-line Fusion SEL with AWD netted a 0-100 km/h time of 7.97 seconds and a ¼ mile time of 15.78 seconds, with a peak of 146.2 km/h. A front-wheel drive SEL we tested earlier had turned in identical times of 7.97 and 15.78 seconds (quite a rare occurrence), but reached a slightly higher peak of 148.5 km/h at the end of the quarter-mile. The performance penalty vs the added security and surefootedness of all-wheel drive is thus negligible. http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/guides_an...umentid=5280796

http://www.hoen-usa.com/contact.htm

2006/7 Ford Fusion: Technical Service Bulletins 07-2-3 VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY/TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS - PCM/TCM CALIBRATION UPDATES - 3.0L - AISIN F21 AUTO TRANS

From the Ford's Workshop Manuals for the 2007 Fusion/Milan/MKZ: Traction Control System — All Wheel Drive (AWD) [based on Ford's claims, this feature allows side to side power transfer] The ABS module communicates with the powertrain control module (PCM) to assist with traction control. When the drive wheels lose traction and begin to spin, with vehicle speed under 100 km/h (62 mph), the ABS module requests the PCM to reduce engine torque while simultaneously applying and releasing the appropriate brake caliper(s) to maintain traction. The PCM accomplishes this by minor incremental timing changes and fewer fuel injector pulses until the ABS module ends the request. The request ends when the driven wheel speed returns to the desired speed. After the vehicle speed exceeds 100 km/h (62 mph), the traction control is accomplished only through the PCM torque control. The traction control system can be disabled by pressing the traction control switch and is indicated by the traction control light in the instrument cluster. The traction control system will reset and return to normal operation when the ignition switch is cycled, or when the traction control switch is pressed and released a second time during the same ignition cycle. Traction Control System — Front Wheel Drive (FWD) The traction control system is designed to limit wheel spin by modulating engine torque, in order to achieve maximum traction, when driving on slippery or loose surfaces. Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Systems — All Wheel Drive (AWD) Principles of Operation The vehicle is equipped with a four wheel drive (4WD) system, also referred to as intelligent torque control coupling (ITCC) , that is always active and requires no driver input. The system has no mode select switch. The system combines transparent all-surface operation with AWD, and is capable of handling all road conditions, including street and highway driving as well as off-road and winter driving. The system continuously monitors vehicle conditions and automatically adjusts the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. During normal operation, most of the torque is sent to the front wheels. If wheel slip between the front and rear wheels is detected, or if the vehicle is under heavy acceleration (high throttle position), the AWD system increases torque to the rear wheels to prevent or control wheel slip. The system consists of a power transfer unit (PTU), 4WD control module, rear axle and a solenoid actuated intelligent torque coupling control device. The module varies the torque sent to the rear wheels by sending a duty cycle based on the amount of current sent to the clutch to the active torque coupling device located inside the rear axle. The 4WD control module also provides the brake system with its current clutch duty cycle and whether or not the brake system may take command of the clutch duty cycle. The PTU is a gearbox that attaches to the transaxle. The RH halfshaft passes through the transfer case and engages the differential side gear as in normal front wheel drive (FWD) applications. The transaxle differential drives the PTU. The PTU then drives the driveshaft at all times. The driveshaft drives one half of the rear axle clutch pack. The other half of the rear axle clutch pack drives the rear axle ring and pinion. Rear Drive Axle and Differential The differential housing cover uses a silicone sealant rather than a gasket. The halfshafts are held in the differential case by a driveshaft bearing retainer circlip that is located on the inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing. When each halfshaft is installed, the driveshaft bearing retainer circlip engages a step in the differential side gear. The rear drive axle operates as follows: The rear axle drive pinion receives power from the engine through the transaxle, transfer case, driveshaft and active torque coupling, and is always engaged. The pinion gear rotates the ring gear, which is bolted to the differential case outer flange. Inside the differential case, 2 differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft which is pinned to the differential case. These differential pinion gears are engaged with the differential side gears to which the halfshafts are splined. As the differential case turns, it rotates the halfshafts and rear wheels. When it is necessary for one wheel and halfshaft to rotate faster than the other, the faster turning differential side gear causes the differential pinion gears to roll on the slower turning differential side gear. This allows differential action between the 2 halfshafts. The right halfshaft is longer than the left halfshaft. The active torque coupling is installed as an assembly with the rear axle.

"Porsche calls this system Automatic Brake Differential (ABD),..."It's a beautifully simple and elegant,..." http://www.whnet.com/4x4/ets.html http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/awd/ Traction 2006: Giant winter traction test , Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC ranked first: http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/traction2006.htm

To clarify, if "eLSD" is referred to the Haldex 4.0 ( Saab xwd 2008) , then yes, it does have LSD with electronic control within the axle using "wet, multi-plate clutch units from Haldex". Here lies the confusion, I suggested that the Fusion AWD system function like "eLSD" without realizing that the Haldex 4.0 ( Saab xwd 2008) actually has mechanical components that qualifies as "true" LSD although electronically controlled within the axle. Akirby described the Fusion AWD side to side power transfer system as "Open diffs with traction control", while others on the net called it "ediff", "ELD","eLSD", "E-LSD",sucks,junk..etc. Here is one from Porsche: "PSM also assists when you’re accelerating on a slippery surface, applying the integrated Automatic Brake Differential (ABD) and Anti- Slip Regulation (ASR) functions to help maintain traction and stability." RWD open/standard differentials with Traction/ABS programed for side to side power transfer at work: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4483 Note that the reviewer said the BMW 135i has LSD. Did he mean "true" LSD? Was it modified? Stock BMW 135i does not come with "true" LSD. At 39s in, notice inner rear wheel braking http://www.bmwblog.com/2007/12/04/bmw-135i-drifting/ Again, inner rear wheel braking because of less traction which has an effect of transferring power to the outer rear wheel where there is more weight/traction resulting in oversteer. By applying steady throttle and counter steer, the car drifts.

"The main role of the active on-demand coupling and the differential electronic module (DEM) is to regulate the all wheel drive (AWD) function by distributing torque between the front and rear axles." [ No side to side power transfer ] http://f150online.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317410

What happens when TC is optimally calibrated?...it gets banned from F1. http://www.f1technical.net/articles/7

" In our usual electronic acceleration measures, the top-of-the-line Fusion SEL with AWD netted a 0-100 km/h time of 7.97 seconds and a ¼ mile time of 15.78 seconds, with a peak of 146.2 km/h. A front-wheel drive SEL we tested earlier had turned in identical times of 7.97 and 15.78 seconds (quite a rare occurrence), but reached a slightly higher peak of 148.5 km/h at the end of the quarter-mile. The performance penalty vs the added security and surefootedness of all-wheel drive is thus negligible. " " The Fusion SEL and SEL AWD we ran through our usual simulated emergency braking tests, from 100 km/h [62.14 mph], stopped over respective distances of 43.75 and 42.8 metres [difference of 3.1 feet] , both weighted averages. " http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/guides_an...umentid=5280796 Autoweek's 2006 Fusion V6 FWD review: STANDING-START ACCELERATION 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph): 8.01 sec 0-quarter-mile: 15.7 sec @ 91.2 mph BRAKING 60 mph-0: 132 ft http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti.../-1/mmstoryfull

Ford Fusion AWD tops FAMILY/AFFORDABLE category ( and guess the contender ) http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/winterdri...umentid=1408348

For forward acceleration traction, TC( ABS pulsing) applies only to one of the wheels with greater slippage on the axle at any instant in time. With slight modification and computer control (" AWD system monitors vehicle conditions-and driver inputs-100 times a second "), the single rear ABS channel can pulse/brake either rear left or rear right( "eLSD" at work). The Fusion AWD TC slows down wheel(s) slippage, not forward progress ( at least in a controllable manner ). In poor traction conditons, the wheel(s) with greater traction is still able to spin until the computer narrowed it down to one wheel if no forward progress is made(then you are in trouble). Remember, the Fusion AWD preprogramed parameters and along with " An active, on-demand coupler can deliver the precise amount of torque to the rear wheels up to 100 percent "

Some details form Ford about the 2008 Lincoln MKZ awd ( 4-sensor/3-channel ABS): http://ford.ca/main/default.asp?language=e...n&model=MKZ "Together with standard Traction Control, AWD can even direct power side to side on each axle, allowing you to continue forward motion if only one wheel has grip" About the Fusion Traction Control: http://www.worldcarfans.com/2060529.005/fo...-control-system "Traction control on the V-6 test car[Fusion] was just right -- perhaps unique in all the industry," Healey wrote. "It allowed tire spin when starting forcefully on slick roads and gradually eased the spinning without trying to stop it, allowing the car to keep moving forward as traction was gained. It should be unusually effective in winter and whenever some spinning helps forward progress." From the various sources on the net I gathered, the Fusion 3-channel ABS comes with 4 sensors. I think we can conclude that the Fusion does not have LSD in the traditional sense. However, with ABS sensors/Traction Control, the Fusion awd can perform with similar LSD effects to a certain extent.

According to the Fusion 2007 brochure, the Fusion awd can send power/torque to the individual wheel that has traction ( the illustrations below suggest front and rear). Ford Fusion awd illustrations provided by Ford: http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/awd/ And the Fusion awd "can deliver the precise amount of torque to the rear wheels up to 100 percent" http://www.mazdausamedia.com/article_displ...rticle_id=23516 The Fusion awd is more likely to get stuck resting on its belly in deep snow due to its relatively low ground clearance. My worse winter city MPG is 16 during a cold week( -25/-32F, idling half the time ) and average summer city MPG is about 18-19.

Regarding the Fusion awd poor mileage complaints found on the internet, I think poster "urnews" alone is responsible for at least half of them (LOL). You can think of the front/rear differential as an "eLSD", see under "Electronic" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_differential ( reason why the Fusion awd comes with Traction Control and ABS is a required option for the 2007 awd models) I think if Ford were to reveal details about the Fusion awd system, it would be something like this: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/30/saab-xw...ystem-up-close/ As for my Fusion se awd 2007, the gas mileages have been better than the EPA's updated/revised estimates.

2007 (April built) SE Awd (oem tires): Fill up tank at Mackenzie Lake Esso Calgary (Canada), reset avg speed, L/100 Km( US MPG) and by the time I arrived in Edmonton, 300Km(186.4 Miles), avg speed 108 Km/H (67.11 Mph), it reads 7.3 L/100 Km (32.22 US Mpg). Driver + 2 passengers= about 450lb, all tires at about 34 psi, 87 octane gas on the pump ( auto gas in Alberta is relatively "clean"), and 4 quick passes from say 70Mph to 80 Mph. My rough estimated city US Mpg is about 19.60 ( no congestions, just the typical city traffic lights in Edmonton, 8 Miles oneway to/from work at 5:30 am/2:30pm). The mornings in the past week has been relatively cold, -2 c (28.40 F) this morning. Unit conversions help from: http://www.convertunit.com/fuel-consumption-calculator.php

Don't know how much a car person you are or how you value your time, how about importing a car( the ones you may love) from the States. Currency Converter http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?...;amt=1&t=1y Auto - WOW ---- New cars from US up to 20% cheaper (cost to import under $200) [ maybe up to 30% now!, LOL] http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307601