AWD - Power goes to rear wheels first during launch?

[metroplex]

I used FORScan to enable the power display that shows where the power goes (front/rear wheels) that is enabled at the factory for the Explorer and the new Fusion Sport (maybe other models as well). I noticed that when I take off, that the power goes to the rear wheels first. The only time I see most of the power in the front is when I am cruising. There's a small sliver of bars on the rear wheels all the time at speed.

Anyone else notice the same thing? I'm just wondering if the RDU clutch system is locking more often than it should.

 

[lamrith]

My '13 SHO PP is the opposite.  Mostly FWD, the backs start to roll in once it launches if I am on the power a bunch, but normal day to day it is mostly front biased.  Though I notice off the gas coasting or light braking that it is more rear.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I have the gauge enabled in the 15 and it showed pretty much what I always felt.

When you nail it, power moves to the rear initially then moves forward as MPH increases. In the rain with AJPTurbo traction, a 2-1 WOT downshift at 25 would show it dumping almost all the power to the rear.

On the Lincoln, however, it seems the power goes to the front initially and moves to the rear as the fronts lose traction...and it really sucks, lol. There is no gauge but that is the behavior that has been described many times about gen 4.1...I never understood the complaints but now I do. The torque steer is vastly different between the two generation because of this.

 

[Macgyver]

So Ford actually got something right from 2014 on thereabouts ?

 

[f8tlSHO]

My brother borrowed my laptop and put fordcan on it, and used to to do sync 3 upgrade in his mustang. Can I use it to load this awd gauge you guys are talking about?


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[FoMoCoSHO]

My brother borrowed my laptop and put fordcan on it, and used to to do sync 3 upgrade in his mustang. Can I use it to load this awd gauge you guys are talking about?


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We loaded mine with IDS

 

[ecoboostsho]

My brother borrowed my laptop and put fordcan on it, and used to to do sync 3 upgrade in his mustang. Can I use it to load this awd gauge you guys are talking about?


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You can. I just did. There are instructions on the Forscan forum.

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[askoncemore]

I had a torque steer problem when the front / rear tires were inflated drastically different.

 

[Izzybird]

My brother borrowed my laptop and put fordcan on it, and used to to do sync 3 upgrade in his mustang. Can I use it to load this awd gauge you guys are talking about?


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Directions here as well.
https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,6953.0.html

 

[Izzybird]

I had a torque steer problem when the front / rear tires were inflated drastically different.

I took the wifes ‘15 out Saturday evening and had a Audi A6 bite off more than he could chew, we were on a very slight curve in the road at about 35 mph when I laid in to it. Torque steer dang near yanked the wheel out of my hands and I looked like some kid yanking the wheel back and forth for fun. After I embarrassed his family and cleaned my undies, I checked the tire pressures. Drivers rear was pretty low. I’m so used to 35” truck tires that I simply didn’t notice it being low, and I always do a visual. Think I’ll actually check them from now on.

 

[djxfactor]

I glance at my AWD bias occasionally on my Torque gauges, and have noticed the same behavior...50% or more rear bias when I leave from a dead stop. I also don't granny from a dead stop either, so that may have something to do with it.  )  AJP Tuned here, as well, on my 14 Flex EB.

 

[NITSOOB]

Interesting.. it does seem like the rear end squats significantly on launch

 

[Vortech347]

Our AWD drivetrain sends 100% of the power full time to the front wheels like a typical FWD car.  Then meets a ring gear/ driveshaft setup (PTU).  The rear wheels are driven only after the computer tells a clutch setup just before the RDU when to tighten up.  From what I've read it can only transfer around 150-200ftlbs of bias.

When launching it will lock up the rear as much as it can but the system cannot send nor direct power to/from the front wheels.  That's why they still torque steer like a mother effer, have a delay in rear wheels engaging, and why you'll have wheel spin in the front but not the rear. 

The gauge is just kind of a light show.

Now if you want to feel a REAL AWD launch not a helper system go launch an Audi, EVO, Suby, or Skyline.  All of those will suck the soul out of your chest. My mom's new S5 sporback has about what a stock SHO does HP wise. When you use launch mode it takes off at full boost at 3500rpm. The tires dont make any noises, it stays totally straight, and feels like a mustang on slicks.

 

[ncole]

Whatever it is doing, since there is some discrepancy, I know it sends enough rearward to whip some really nice doughnuts in the snow!  I think a lot of wheel spin in normal driving comes from the fronts and that is simply due to weight transfer.  Take weight off the nose in hard acceleration and the fronts will tend to slip.  So I would safely say it never quite sends all of the torque rearward, and I don't think anyone really thought that.  Having said all that, there is a big difference in being tuned or stock.  Tuned, I have felt all four clawing and chirping (they kind of take turns, not at the same time) in first and then multiple tires chirp simultaneously on the up shift. Stock, you get zero wheel spin on dry pavement, unless you are also turning and then just the inner front might lose grip. I will say tuned that I thoroughly impressed my brother who run high 10's low 11's in an all motor C6 with my launch. It also makes my wife squeal and repeatably tell me she doesn't like it lol. It doesn't however seem to have a distinct pattern like my 2000 Outback did.  When it slipped, I knew which would slip and when it would stop and try another tire. I like that predictability.