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By Patrick Olsen | May 30, 2006 | Comments (1)
Tags: Site News

Comments 

Fusion Driver

I rented a new Ford Fusion in MI. The car fishtailed on ice and snow. The smallest area of ice caused fishtailing almost beyond control. I was traveling with 4 people in the car, and we had to pull over. We thought a tire was low or the alignment was off, but neither was the case. I tried everything: no gas/gas, cruise control on/off, slow/fast speeds, etc. Nothing would make the car stop fishtailing on even a small area of ice. It was worse when the car went from dry, to ice, then back to dry road within 50 – 60 feet of highway. The way the car lunged back and forth, it seemed like the problem was mechanically induced, or possibly a faulty AWD system. I had to drive 25 mph with the hazards on while every other car on the road passed by at 50+ mph with no problem. If the Fusion has AWD, I can't tell. My best guess is that the tires were stock which probably didn't help. I was pressed for time, so I didn't get to check the tire pressure or type, details of car model, or type of AWD. I have owned a CRV with 'real time' AWD for 6 years, driven in CO ski country 4 of those years, and now live in MI. I have never had the same problem; not even in mountain conditions with stock tires. The AWD for the CRV is much different than the Fusion. The three other people in the car with me have spent years in MI and all agreed they had never experienced anything like it in any car. I reported the car to the rental company who said they would put it on hold and monitor other Fusion driver’s experiences. I doubt they will, but they can't say I didn't warn them.

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