Escape Guide Report post Posted May 23, 2012 Ford Hands-Free Liftgate Tested in Downpours, Carwashes and Against Rolling Balls, Dogs and Shopping Carts • Hands-free liftgate available on all-new Ford Escape faced extreme testing in dozens of scenarios to ensure it won’t open unprompted, and only when you want it to •Ford and its supplier, Brose, tested the sensors that control the liftgate in heavy rains, carwashes and against running dogs, rolling balls and shopping carts • Sensors are programmed to open only with leg motion in conjunction with detection of the key fob, which breaks a miniature electrical field alerting the system to respond FORD ESCAPE FORUM – The hands-free liftgate available on the all-new Ford Escape faced torrential downpours, dogs and bouncing balls among other tests to make sure the back end only opens when the customer wants. A gentle kicking motion under the center of the rear bumper activates, unlocks and raises the liftgate when the driver has the Escape key fob in their hand, pocket or bag. This allows quick and easy access to the cargo area without needing to set down packages or dig around for keys. The same motion closes the hatch. The system safeguards against accidental openings by being programmed to open with leg motion and the breaking of a miniature electric field – not when a ball rolls under the car or when the vehicle hits a bump on the road. “We tested the system in various settings, including at minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in our climate chamber to freeze the bumper,” said Dominik Nical, a Ford engineer in Germany who oversaw testing. “We saw no unintended openings, and it still opened when the test subject needed it to.” Nical said Ford and system supplier Brose tested the Escape in numerous environmental conditions ranging from extreme cold snow to high heat and monsoon-like rain. Errant balls and shopping cartsBesides Mother Nature, the system was also tested numerous times against errant shopping carts hitting the rear of the Escape, a bouncing basketball going under the liftgate, a dog running underneath the bumper and someone polishing the rear bumper. None of these scenarios caused the liftgate to open. “The system is very robust,” Nical noted. “It is designed to detect a kicking motion without deploying when other scenarios occur, making the customer confident in the technology.” In fact, Ford engineers even employed individuals passing by on the street in Dearborn to help the calibration process by providing “sample kicks,” Nical added. The secret lies within how the software is calibrated, according to engineers who designed the system. The sensors, located between the tailpipes, detect both the shin and kicking motion of the key holder. The combination of that motion and the signals sent between the vehicle and the key fob activates the system. For now this feature is only available on the all-new Escape but has potential to improve other touch and gesture technology that Ford is testing. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tomt Report post Posted July 18, 2012 It's too bad that they couldn't figure out a way to offer both that and the trailering option. For me, trailering takes precdence and that is what I ordered.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robertlane Report post Posted July 29, 2012 It's too bad that they couldn't figure out a way to offer both that and the trailering option. For me, trailering takes precdence and that is what I ordered.. You mean that you cannot get the trailer towing package with this option? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CourtneyNYC Report post Posted August 26, 2012 I did the same, I ordered the trailer towing package. I currently have a 2012 Focus Titanium and the Escape seems to be the way to go with the AWD, HID and trailering package. The lift gate is cute is you are a housewife toting groceries but I prefer the trailer package. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ray Report post Posted September 9, 2012 I wish I had gotten the trailer package myself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cfdengr Report post Posted September 17, 2012 I have a 2013 escape with the handsfree tailgate. Recently had a class 3 trailer hitch installed. I am not towing anything more than 2000 lbs so that hitch is fine for me. My hands free works great with the trailer hitch installed. Thought I would lose that option. Did not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CourtneyNYC Report post Posted September 19, 2012 i ordered mine with all options and wanted the trailer hitch and had no need for the hands free lift gate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtBoomer Report post Posted September 20, 2016 (edited) I have a 2016 Escape. I would like to use my hitch-mounted bicycle carrier, and would like to turn off the power liftgate while the bicycle carrier is in place. I know that the liftgate will sense an obstruction (when it bumps into it), but that seems like a pretty rough way to go when I already know there is an obstruction. I don't want to bang up the door if I can avoid it. Also, should note that I have the trailer package and the hands-free lift works just fine. Edited March 10, 2017 by MtBoomer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
