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New Ford Escape Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report
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Comments
My Ford dealer in somewhat rural NJ has about 10 other franchises within 20 miles. 3 more recently closed.
I use to work at a dealer with over 20 other dealers within 20 air miles. At least half of them were across the bridge into Philly/PA so it wasn't all bad.
Mark.
Only disadvantage...no incentives but if you wait for that....you will not be disappointed.
Next, is the new and improved instrument cluster and center stack. It took seven years but they finally put in a separate button for the A/C. Yes, you can actually pick what direction you want the A/C to blow! The new "Ice Blue" instrument lighting is a nice new touch. The sound system is definitely better, too.
Overall, I am very impressed. We are getting towards the end of the first tank and it looks like we'll come in around 470 or so miles. I have a 2001 Escape and it has been a great little SUV. I'm hoping for many happy years with the new Hybrid.
NEAT!
Mark
To date I have spent on service of my Escape around $75, this was for 2 regularly scheduled 10000 mile oil changes. I'm due for my next service soon and I believe I will have an air filter to replace this time as well.
Good luck with your EHB I hope you enjoy the vehicle as much as I enjoy mine (especially when you pull up to the pump)
Thansk,
Damian
Just wanted to scream at the TV since I've had my EH since April of '05. On the other hand, if Ford would market the Escape Hybrid more (so what if you can't meet production), the buzz created about the the Ford EH being in such demand that they can't keep it on the lot would be worth it. Toyota wasn't shy about marketing the Prius when they couldn't meet production, why is Ford?
Anyway, I just came from a 1400 mile round trip from flat Florida to cold (32-45) Mountains in Georgia and averaged 29.8 MPG (per the gas receipts) and am loving it...
http://www.thecarconnection.com/blog/?p=577
I THOUGHT I was very happy with the 2008 FEH...I am not now. Of course, I am out of town...it happened at 3:30, I called Roadside Assistance and they responded within 1 hour. Got it towed to the dealer...as they were closing...and of course they cannot look at it until Monday...got a call this morning and the Ford computers :sick: are down so they cannot run the codes to see what is wrong....still waiting to hear!
Meanwhile, they did not offer me a courtesy car, the on lot car rental was closed and they left a F-150 truck for $45 a day or a Lincoln for $95...well gee, I guess I drive a truck for a few days...while on vacation...how much fun!!
With an extra night in our hotel and 2 days so far for a rental, I am out $300.....and I still don't even know what is wrong with the car.
Thanks Ford, I am sure you appreciate my business...
Mark.
He did also call Ford relations and they were very nice, they called the dealer also and tried to help but basically it did not good either. However, they said they would file a complaint against the dealer...what ever that means. All I have to say....at least I was stuck for 5 days in a nice place!! :lemon: hope not......
This my third Ford Escape. This is the smoothest, quietist, and nicest of the three.
In the last year, I drove the '05 12,800 miles, averaged 18.8 mph. At to days price,($3.00), my gas bill would have been,$170 monthly. I am currently averaging 33.4 mpg, my gas bill is $96 monthly, savings, $74 a month.
Call me a Happy FEH owner. :shades:
I had an '05 V6 for the past three years and liked it, but I think I will like the '08 even better!
I also was upset with Ford about their limiting the color choices to what marketing thinks we should have on a hybrid. My emails were answered by customer service people who told me marketing makes these decisions and they feel these are the best colors for the Hybrid. I replied that I didn't understand how that can sell the most vehicles!
It is a real mystery why some are getting great mileage an others are getting crappy. My 90 Z-71 off road gets only 5 mpg less than the FEH.
Perhaps one of us can find a capabale tech how can figure out what the problem is and let the rest of us know. Anybody know of another web site on FEH by any chance?
Another thought is to try and network with some other area FEH owners and see if they have found a dealer that has a tech who can do a little more than plug in a computer and say the computer says it's within specs.
My 2006 FEH gets around 31 mpg in above type of driving and I almost always use L.
I'm still happy with my '06 FEH where I average around 31 mpg, on a recent trip to North GA going about 80+ and a tail wind I actually maintained 29 MPG (same trip last year with a strong head wind put me down in the 25 MPG arena).
You guys with the '08 have a quiter nicer ride, If Ford would just put the Hybrid technology in some of there other vehicles (Freestyle, Edge or Van) I could get my wife a new Hybrid as well (she wants more style or room).
A couple of small glitches, having nothing to do with the vehicle or its performance. There is no hitch receiver yet available for the mounting of a cargo carrier, which we need for carrying along a power scooter (my wife is disabled, and has need on occasion of additional mobility).
I understand such a hitch is soon to be available (through U-Haul, of all people), but Ford discourages the mounting of ANY hitch receiver on their hybrid models. We are talking about a load bearing not to exceed about 350 pounds, suitable to a Class II hitch, with a square receiver tube of 1 1/4", rather than the standard 2" tube.
Also I have a question - is the engineering on the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner based on the same platform as the Volvo XC90? Shorter wheelbase, and less overall length, but there is an uncanny resemblance when the vehicles are side-by-side. Ford is great for sharing platforms, and I know that some of the midsized sedans are essentially Volvo or Mazda platforms.
The Escape goes back to the Mazda 626. The next Escape will be on a platform shared by Mazda, Ford, and Volvo.
Mark
I just purchased a FEH last week. I know it's too soon to make many real determinations about it, but I believe you have to "Love" the whole hybrid experience, or you may end up being disappointed. Diesel auto drivers really really love those smokers. They don't mind putting up with the BS associated with owning a diesel.
I traded in a Lexus RX300. The FEH is no Lexus, but I knew that going in. There is no comparison between the two. I guess if had an extra $20K laying around I would have gone for the Lex hybrid. That said, I like the FEH. I love getting 50%+ better mileage than the Lex. I love not having to buy premium gas. I love it when it can run on battery when I'm stuck in a big traffic back up. I'm glad it doesn't have an annoying and distracting Prius-like Synergy Drive display. If I don't run into some of the issues other owners have mentioned, I will grow to really really love it.
Regards,
Tom
At about $3.25 per gallon average I figure that I saved about $75.00 on this trip compared to my '05 V-6 Escape! I used to get about 23 mpg with that on a similar trip.
I've noticed before how little difference there is between my 2003 Honda CR-V and the FEH in highway driving. I have since sold the vehicle, but it got 27 MPG at 80 MPH, and about 30 if one kept between 60 and 65 MPH. It was an AWD version as well; the FWD got slightly better MPG. Also, the CR-V went to 5 speed transmissions in 2005 (mine was a four speed).
Of course, there is no comparison in the city; I got 22 at best in pure city driving, and more usually around 20-21.
I almost bought a 2006 FEH, but I found it "tippy" (in my opinion) the moment I left the lot for a test drive. The lack of stability control (still not available on the FEH, although it is STANDARD on the 2008 ICE Escape) made me pass on the FEH in favor of a Freestyle.
BTW, the 2006 Freestyle (for comparison) gets about 26.5 MPG at 80 MPH, and about 19 MPG in pure city driving. My usual tank is about 50 / 50 highway, which yields around 22.5. I have received over 30 MPG on the FS as well, at 55 - 70 MPH on pure Los Angeles all-freeway driving. But then the FS is about 600 lbs heavier than the FEH or CR-V, so this is actually pretty good for the size.
How about calling it the V6?
Mark.
Brad
If the Econ button is lit, the AC will then cut out whenever the gas motor shuts down.
If your Escape does not work like this, take it back to the dealer and let them know what is going on.
You have a brand new vehicle with warranty and should not have to experience anything working less than 100% correct.
Mark.
I've been driving a FEH for about 3 weeks on mostly flat terrain and the performance has been pretty good. Well, yesterday I was carrying 3 adult passengers and 3 pieces of luggage in the boot (about 750 lbs total including me). I turned on a street that immediately went up a steep hill for about 150 yards. The engine started screaming and the RPMs went up to about 5K and my Escape crawled up the hill. I thought someone was going to get out and push. It started to get embarrassing. Fortunately, the road leveled out at the top of the hill and performance returned to normal. Has anyone else had an experience like this?
One thing I have noticed,if I want to move a lot of weight I don't peg the pedal. I let momentum get help me out, so I start slower let the gas and electric motors work together to move me forward. Then as the mountain gets steeper I apply more gas. This seems to move me right along without straining the gas engine.
It may be the way things are programmed, if you press down all the way on the pedal then prority may go to the gas engine over the electric thereby bypassing the most effective part of the electric motor, low end torq for high end speed.
Eric
I used to get aggravated with poor drivers forcing me to brake-hard and waste fuel. I have no problem with it now. The charge meter goes up and so does my gratification. I'll brake for anything now. I still get giddy when the engine goes off at a stop-light.
The Escape Hybrid is cool technology. And it's about time. I was reluctant of it being under-powered, but that's not the case. The car hops from a stop just like a golf cart.
There aren't many things I've purchased that exceed my expectations and this car is one of them. The car comes with months of free satellite radio. I'm enjoying commercial free music and just might continue subscribing. The CD player does play my home-made MP3/WAV CDs.
Here is the gas mileage so far:
miles gallons mpg
1201.2 9.43
1465.0 9.27 28.5
1870.9 13.30 30.5
2267.2 12.78 31.0
2646.4 12.12 31.3
ave mpg 30.3
Be careful with pedestrians, when the engine is off its utterly silent.
David
I have a 2006 Hybrid purchased in may of 2005 with over 40,000 miles on it. So far it's been $29 oil changes every 10000 miles and that's it. While the '08 seems to be nicer than '06, I'm in your camp... There aren't many things you purchase these days that exceed your expectations. The Escape Hybrid is one of those.
Only problem, My wife is going to need a new car, she wants a hybrid but wants something different. Hope Ford expands the hybrid product line soon.
When I get into my Volvo Convertible, I have to mentally adjust and remember to keep my foot on the gas...otherwise the car doesn't move!!--then I hit the gas and remember how much fun it can be to drive fast, make my blood pressure rise anf get a little road roage.
And yes....kids cannot hear this car and you need to be very careful driving down a street with kids...they dont "sensse" cars but only hear them and when the engine is idle..it is a dangerous situation. A kid on our street literally turned while I was driving by, turned around not realizing I was there and almost ran into my car.
I love my FEH.
One question, does anyone know if you can use E85 in this vehicle? I know it lowers fuel economy. The owners manual says it is not recommended but does not give a reason why. Is it not recommended because of the lower MPG or is it not recommended because it burns too hot for the motor?
Help!
Either way, so far I LOVE this vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is fun trying to keep the car in electric only mode, my personal best record on this was 43 mph which I was able to sustain until I came to a traffic light
It's also fun to silently (but slowly) move through a parking lot and see people walking down the middle of the drive and suddenly realize there is an SUV right behind them (I'm always smiling when I see their startled look).
Now that It has cooled off ever so slightly in SO FLA I'm back up to my 33+ MPG (summers kill MPG because I have to run the AC all the time, just like Winters kill those up in north in Snow country).
I currently have 47000+ miles on the car and it's doing great. Hope you have as much happiness with yours as I've had with mine.
Sorry no idea on the E85 issue, but if the manual says don't do it I wouldn't. Maybe Ford will add a clean diesel in a future model and increase millage a further 30% but until then I'm just happy every time I fill up and can keep it under $50.
Eric
Mark.