Minor gremlins strike Ford Ranger Wildtrak X
Automated features are great until they stop working, writes Denis Droppa
Technical gremlins sometimes strike even in new cars, and we’ve had a couple that recently afflicted our long-term Ford Ranger Wildtrak X double cab.
The first was when the optionally-fitted electric load bay roller shutter (R25,200) would no longer open with the key remote, and it was not possible to do it manually. We called Ford HQ and they referred us to a YouTube video showing how to reprogramme the shutter. Clearly the issue is not uncommon if it warrants a YouTube tutorial, but it was a quick and simple fix by clicking and holding down buttons on the key fob.
The second issue was when we tried to fill up the bakkie and the fuel flap would not open. The flap is linked to the central locking but, like the automatic roller shutter, it has no manual override.
Fortunately there was enough diesel in the tank to drive to Basil Green Ford Edenvale, where they replaced the fuel flap control unit. It was done under warranty and was a quick fix. Ford informed us they had encountered the issue on one other vehicle but, as it was not a common problem, it had not necessitated a recall campaign.
Technical glitches happen and both issues were quickly resolved, but it’s a concern that neither the load bay cover nor the fuel flap can be manually overriden in the Ranger. It can become a problem if such gremlins strike on a public holiday or in the middle of the Kalahari, where you can’t just nip to a Ford dealer to get it fixed.
Ford told us we could have forced open the fuel flap in an emergency, but it’s not ideally what you want to do.
Fortunately none of these glitches affected the Wildtrak X on the adventures we’ve embarked on, including a recent weekend camping trip to the Drakensberg.
Nothing eats up space like camping gear but the Ranger’s load bay took it all without the need for special Tetris skills. Everything was able to fit, locked away safely underneath the waterproof aluminium roller shutter.
The Wiltrak X handles heavy loads without sweat and I think its biturbo 2.0l diesel engine is the pick of the Ranger line-up for its combo of performance and economy. It lacks the outright “voema” of the 184kW/600Nm 3.0 V6 turbodiesel engine available in the range, but the 2.0 never feels like you’re bringing a knife to a gunfight. Its 154kW and 500Nm provide enough urge for swift overtakes and it’s an easy cruiser, barely batting an eyelid at steep gradients.
Fuel economy is impressive for a large bakkie too, with the test vehicle averaging 9.7l/ 100km.
I think the low-profile tyres fitted to so many 4x4s nowadays is a godawful idea, so I’m a big fan of the Wildtrak X’s 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrainers. These chunky tyres are excellent at ironing out bumps and, combined with specially tuned Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, it makes for a cushy ride even on bad roads. The comfortable ride adds to the Ranger’s general SUV-like refinement.
UNIQUE ACCESSORIES
Priced at R1,039,500, the Wildtrak X is a model with increased versatility and a range of unique accessories that will appeal to adventurers, combined with cosmetic upgrades such as black and orange accents, an off-road grille and a bash plate. So far we have not encountered trails that have seriously tested the bakkie’s off-road ability but it is well geared for expeditions with its wider stance (+30mm) and improved ground clearance (+26mm).
The on-demand four-wheel drive system offers four settings — 4A (automatic); 2H; 4H; and 4L
— and seven preset driving modes: Normal; Eco; Tow/Haul; Slippery; Mud/Ruts; Sand; and Rock Crawl.
Further bolstering its offroad ability is a Trail Turn Assist system that applies braking to the inside rear wheel to reduce the low-speed turning circle on loose surfaces.