Well our 2009 Escape V6 AWD made it. We did 5700 miles from NJ out to South Dakota and Wyoming, Utah, Colorado. Plenty of up and downs in the mountains. Kept speed at or below 65 MPH, stoped every 2 to 3 hours to run through the gears and exercise the transmission. We then took a 1200 mile trip from NJ down to Alabama and back using the same routine. As before still OK. We have a 'bra' for the front of the Escape but I have not used it for fear of cutting off cooling to the front of the car. Do not know what I'm doing different but I sure hope it holds up. Could get expensive if they stop honoring the trany warranty.