Hi all, after trying web searches for hours on "my ford escape fishtails on the highway" and many alternate forms, I came across this site hoping someone can offer some insight. I live in Michigan and as they rework the highways here they are putting in concrete that looks like it has been raked forward. Meaning there are lines in the concrete that are parallel with the direction you are travelling. As I take my brand spankin new 08 Escape over this new type of highway, the rear end proceeds to float and feel as if it is fishtailing. The manager at the service center where I bought it told me that it was because of the wheel base of the vehicle and that it is unfortunate but normal. I am wondering if anyone can speak to this, has experienced it, or even better knows what to do about it.
Thanks!
Blake

 

Barring anything wrong with the vehicle...it's the road. Years ago, to aid in road building the states were given offers of federal funds. The catch was, for the state to get those federal funds, the roads had to meet federal standards and 'grooving' was among those standards. The roads are a real pain with certain vehicles and types of tires. If you should find yourself in a lane where half is smooth and the other half grooved (resurfacing for example), you'll be all over the place. Not much that can be done.

 

Thank you for the response and info. Does this mean that when I have to replace the tires that there are features/types that I should look for to help eleviate this?
I also hear that weighting the back may help?
Thanks again,
Blake

 

We have some of those roads out here in CA. I don't know what can be done. My ranger does the same thing. I just have to keep my speed down on that. The pain in the **** thing is being on the bike. The bike feels like it is all overe the place. The front and back tire don't track together. That can get a little nerving.

 

Remember 'ribbed' front bike tires, and grooved road surfaces!! Yikes.. Like a phonograph needle tracking on a record!! Even the cheap'o repairs now with spray oil slurry and gravel that tend to build runway ripples in the road from the spray jets spacing.. Worse when the gravel scrubs off, not to mention all the loose gravel.......