Today we said goodbye to my parents on the coast and headed inland to Bend, Oregon in our 2009 Ford Flex. Our route took us over a 5,400 foot pass where recent snows had brought the snow accumulation up to over 70 inches.
At least 100 miles of our route was in the snow zone, so as the law around here requires, we carried chains, just in case.
Much of the road had been cleared, but just after we stopped to have the Oregon Department of Transportation's "Trip Check" road camera record our passage, the route entered an area with 5 and 6% slopes that was still coated with packed snow.
Most of the people we saw parked in the snow play areas were locals and they all had fitted studded tires on their 4x4s. Our front-wheel drive Flex Limited made do with its standard Hankook 235/55R19 all-season tires. We had no trouble, and we didn't have to chain-up.
But even though we had plenty of grip for climbing and turning, the ABS triggered easily and stopping distances were a bit long. If I lived in the white stuff full time, I'd upgrade my tires, too. But on a just-passin'-through basis, the stock rubber did just fine.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 14, 402 miles
ddoouugg says:
11:48 PM, 12/31/08
Sounds like a nice adventure. I guess the tires would grip better with chains so the abs wouldn't trigger so easily.
nwarmouth says:
03:56 AM, 01/ 1/09
I, for one, really appreciate these multiple day road trip tests. It's especially helpful to get a good feel for such varied weather conditions other than SoCal traffic jams with one person in the car.
bal169 says:
05:28 AM, 01/ 1/09
I looked at a Flex at the local Ford dealership a few months ago, and other than being bigger than what I'm currently looking for, it is a nice looking ride... inside and out.
Ford should re-design the Escape to be a mini-Flex. Only trouble might be that then it would look even more like a maxi-Mini; even so, an Escape-sized Flex would fit my needs nicely.
rick8365 says:
08:21 AM, 01/ 1/09
I too appreciate these multi-day trip entries and I'm not even remotely in the market for this type of vehicle (nice "action" shots too).
Dan, is it too early to ask how the Flex fairs against the Enclave with you and your crew? (Or, previous choices from other trips?)
the_big_al says:
08:34 AM, 01/ 1/09
I've been right where you are... I actually only live about an hour from that turn off. Although I avoid that area as much as possible in the winter time. I am not a snowy person.
fadetoblackii says:
09:03 AM, 01/ 1/09
Let's see... an Escape sized Flex... Scion xB?
allenychung says:
10:56 AM, 01/ 1/09
"Let's see... an Escape sized Flex... Scion xB?"
Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, a super-sized first generation xB.
billt9 says:
11:19 AM, 01/ 1/09
Except the xB is much lower class inside and out.
There's the Toyota Venza tall wagon, just like the Flex tall wagon. Complete with 3-bar grille.
CycloneRcr says:
12:17 PM, 01/ 1/09
I really liked that road coated with snow and with the "snow-tree walls" on both sides, wonderful sight :)
I also thank for those trip entries makes for fantastic reading, great job while you are traveling!!..
06stang says:
02:49 PM, 01/ 1/09
The Flex seems to be like a great vehicle. But, like others, a little too big for me. I'm really looking forward to seeing the updated 2011 Edge. Now that will be a good car.
tmanz says:
02:55 PM, 01/ 1/09
Nice use of a traffic camera for the photo :)
MS3lvr92 says:
03:55 PM, 01/ 1/09
Wow that road in the third picture looks like fun.
cah11705 says:
08:13 PM, 01/ 1/09
the third picture reminds me of the new mini commercial that shows the car being driven in the snow and like stopping for no reason
dougtheeng says:
06:01 AM, 01/ 2/09
Interesting story and photos. I'll follow everyone else here and say that the long road trips, especially into wintery conditions, are very interesting. That road looks pretty well cleared even if it is snow cover, so I'm not surprised FWD did ok.
stingray454 says:
07:26 AM, 01/ 2/09
Cool pictures. Now THAT is a snow thrower!