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Remember, your gas engine isn't working nearly as hard as in a regular car.
Also that really isn't that much longer as Ford is moving to 7,500 miles on gas models.
Mark.
I hate to be skeptical but this is the first Ford I owned and first time dealing with this dealer/service department. How much is everyone else paying for their FEH oil changes and is that relative to a regular 3500 mile oil change?
The other thing that ticks me off is this service department, much like the dealer that sold it to me put the sticker in the windshield that told me to come back in 3 months or 3500 miles. I don't get why they can't get that right. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I just purchased mine with 17000 KM (10625 mi), dealer did the first oil change a part of the vehicle prep. He told me the same kind of comments on low maintenance costs, especially for brake change being less frequent because of the regen brake system. However, he also told me initially that the FEH gas engine never shuts off... :confuse:
I'm as skeptical as you are, it my first Ford also. FEHs are not too common and I wonder how many the Ford service departments actually see on a regular basis and if they are as familiar to it as any other ford car. I'm considering buying the service manuals so I can try to educate myself as much as possible on my FEH maintenance. At the price we paid it, I think it's worth it.
Ford dealers were supposed to have at least one hybrid certified technician before they were allowed to even sell hybrids. Ask for the hybrid certified techs at the dealers,....even if you are just getting the oil changed.
I have a 2008 Escape Hybrid AWD.
Is it ok :confuse: getting an oil change at Wal-Mart Tire & Lube Express, Jiffy Lube, or somewhere? Because my dealer is 2 ½ hours away from my home. Any experiences?
Thanks in advance.
There is a specific maint schedule for every 12000Km (7500 mi). A simple oil change (including installing a new oil filter and multipoint inspection) is done on 12, 36, 60 K Km (7500, 22500, 37500 mi, etc) These one, you should be able to do them elsewhere if an authorized ford dealer is not closeby.
However, for the ones at 24, 48, 72 K (15000, 30000, 45000 mi) they include a more in-depth inspection with diagnostics, various filter changes, brake inspection, etc. These ones, I would do them at an authorized Ford dealer.
A wild guess, maybe if you contact Ford they may suggest something to help you out.
1. The hybrid schedule is for the 5000 mi mark, 10000 mi mark and every 10000 mi afterwards. The schedule varies depending on the operating conditions. For example heavy commercial use need oil and filter change every 5000 mi vice 10000 for normal usage.
2. The rear battery filter is checked and changed every scheduled service. Motor/electrical cooling system and hoses are checked every other servicing.
3. Excellent point by carysbluesky about warranty issues.
For "wrench" light concern you will need to bring your Escape Hybrid to your local Ford dealer. They are trained to handle diagnosis and repair on these vehicles. Once at the dealer, technician will hook up a diagnostic computer and most likely will retrieve diagnostic trouble code B1239 from BCM ( Battery Control Module ). Ford has released a TSB ( Technical Service Bulletin ) # 07-25-12 on this issue and should cover the repair under 3/36 warranty. The repair will include replacing rear/high voltage battery blend door actuator and reprogram your BCM with latest calibration. They will probably also recommend replacing your high voltage battery air filter.
Hope this helps.
Jason
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef86533/66
I had mine changed at Jiffy Lube. I don't believe the oil change process is any different on a hybrid vs a gas engine. Could be wrong, though.
One note: I had my oil changed a little early since I was taking a cross-country road trip and would hit 10,000 on the trip. All of a sudden, during the trip, a warning message came on telling me I only had 5% oil life and I needed an oil change. Freaked me out since I was alone in the middle of Utah at the time and the closest service station was miles away. Figured out, it's just a computer setting to 'remind' you to change your oil based on how many miles you've driven since it was last reset. You can set the interval to anything you want. Apparently, Jiffy Lube didn't reset the warning.
Manual also suggests a tire rotation (I think at 10K miles) which I also had done at Jiffy Lube. Total cost - about $45.00.
I want to get new wiper blades for my 2008 Escape Hybrid AWD but it's hard to find right ones online. :sick:
Does anyone know which blades I should get :confuse:
Thanks in advance.
We just bought a 2009--and at 1,500, we are already down 3/4 of a quart.
Does this make sense to Escape owners, out there?
Also, in my short search for the oil, recommended by the operations manual, I am already suspecting that this grade is not as accessible as others.
Is this true? And, if it is true, would I, in your opinion, be compromising engine durability, significantly, by using another grade?
If not, which grade might be acceptable?
Thanks
Escape 06
The reason I was looking for an alternative wiper blades rather than Ford genuine parts is that I had started to experience a noise from the drivers’ side wiper on my 2008 Escape Hybrid AWD in cold weather. The noise occurs when it’s cold and as the wiper reaches the end of its travel at far end. I think it’s not the wiper blade material that causes the noise because I switched driver’s side wiper blade with passenger’s side wiper blade but results are the same. Only the drivers’ side wiper makes squeaking noise. And I also replaced all three wiper blades last winter to fix this problem but no luck. :sick:
This winter I found out that Rain-X Latitude (newer version - it says “Fits over 98% of vehicles” on its package) has a connector for the 2008 Escape’s I&L wiper arm.
So I bought one and put it on the driver’s side wiper arm. Though it was little hard to install the connector and bit bulkier than the original, It did fit well and more importantly doesn’t make any noise in cold weather!
I bought a used 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with 79,000 miles on it. I am looking for qualified hybrid mechanics in the Los Angeles area.
I know I can take my FEH to a Ford dealership garage for maintenance, however I was wondering if any owners of a FEH in Los Angeles area have taken their vehicles to a local mechanic for basic maintenance (i.e. A/C Recharge, tuneup, transmission fluid change, brake pads)?
I love my FEH but my AC is not cold, I am looking specifically for any auto mechanics besides a Ford dealership to fix my Air Conditioner.
Thank you.
Thanks,
Laurie
Thanks!
I wonder if the system is working and as the tires "heat" up - it triggers the tire monitor system for some reason.
Just a thought. Is it possible to overload the tire monitor system. What stinks here is when it happens - it closes down the MPG reading on the odometer. Just have the "idiot tire monitor fault reading" shown.
Finally, I checked the air in the tires all around. Hasn't lost 1 pound of air - as they tell you in the "winter" months to constantly check your tire's air pressure. For every drop in temperature below freezing - your tires lose 1 pound of air. I'm keeping the tire air pressure as set by the dealership - 34 psi. Have not had to add air.
Again, has only occurred this winter; live in the Northeast. No problems with driving - happens at cold start - driving for about 10 miles until the interior warms up. Goes away eventually.
It's strictly a noise issue inside the Escape. Though. I'm wondering if it becomes a "wear" issue at some point. Once summer rolls around, the noise is gone.
Is there any lubrication points with the Escape Hybrid steering column/wheel?
I think the solution is the steering column has to come out of the vehicle and looked at/ possibly re-aligned and/or lubricated.
I just went in for my 70k maintenance and needed a new/replacement 12v battery. I was told the battery does participate in starting the engine.
Is this really true? Is there a starter in the vehicle? If so, it sure is quiet!
It seems to me it shouldn't need a starter or a 12v battery, and be able to use the hybrid battery for everything. Apparently not the case?
I just went in for my 70k maintenance and needed a new/replacement 12v battery. I was told the battery does participate in starting the engine.
Is this really true? Is there a starter in the vehicle? If so, it sure is quiet!
It seems to me it shouldn't need a starter or a 12v battery, and be able to use the hybrid battery for everything. Apparently not the case? "
Sorry it took a while to reply, this forum is pretty quiet. The engine is started by the high voltage battery, which spins the engine up to about 1000 RPM and then engages the gas. The 12v battery is required to power up the electronics, so that the high voltage battery can be controlled. Hence if you have no 12v battery, the FEH will not start. There is indeed no conventional starter motor.
Thanks for the reply! Just as I suspected, regarding the starter and battery. However, they wanted to replace the battery because it didn't have the acceptable 'crank amps'. I doubt the 12v battery needs to be too beefy, but it would still wear out over time. I live in Arizona, so it happens due to heat faster than other parts of the country. Factory spec is 500, and they measured 256.
Actually, it is probably a good idea. That battery plays a small but critical role!
It's very hard to recreate on purpose - but have realized it happens during the following:
- It's very cold/cool out (start driving in the mornings low 60's or below)
- I have the AC going for a long period of time while driving and it's temperate to cool out (won't happen if it's really hot outside)
It seems like it has something to do with the air con or cold temperatures or something but wanted to see if anyone else has had this issue and what it may be?? it can be pretty annoying!
Usually it's caused by a faulty temperature blend door actuator. There are 2 of them, each one controlling temperature blend door position for driver and passenger. One is located directly behind the radio( behind the dash ), the other one is in front of center console under the dash. Usually the squaking noise comes from behind the radio . There is a motor inside the actuator housing , that moves the blend door. There is also a position sensor that tells climate control module the position of the door. What happens is that when actuator gets worn out, position sensor starts to malfunction and sends erroneous blend door position information to climate control module. The module is trying to move the door back and forth until desired position is set. This excessive back and forth movement of the worn actuator causes the squeaking noise. Often faulty actuator will also set a trouble code like B12A2 and B12B8 in climate control module, Eventually you will lose ability to control air temperature on one or both sides ( driver and/or passenger ).
If that's the case, you will need to replace the temperature blend door actuators ( I always recommend replacing both ) with an improved part : AL8Z-19E616-F. This part should be covered under warranty for 3 years/36,000 miles. Depending on your warranty start date, it might still be covered.
I hope you find this helpful.
If it is only one year old, isn't it under the factory warranty? I would call Ford corporate - and find another dealer.