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Ford Escape Hybrid Battery Pack Questions

mperskimperski Member Posts: 13
Does anyone know of a way to charge the hybrid battery with a battery charger?
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Comments

  • mperskimperski Member Posts: 13
    Just adding to my post, My hybrid battery is not low I would like to charge it to a higher state, lets say 80-90% so it will run in EV mode longer. I'm trying to increase my mileage. I wondered if I put a charger on the 12V battery and hit the recharge button in the kick panel if that would help any.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Since we don't have a specific discussion dealing with the hybrid battery pack, I'm going to rename this one to use it as the start of one!
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    The HVBattery State of Charge (SoC) is closely monitored by elements of the powertrain control module to prevent exactly what you are attempting to do. Ford engineers have determined that keeping the HVBattery between 40 and 60 % will allow the battery to perform well past the 8 (or 10) years and 100,000 (or 150,000) miles that the special warranty covers.

    Remember, SoC is only one variable that controls when the ICE comes on. I don't know if charging to 80 or 90 percent will get you the benefits you think.....especially if you include the expense of replacing the HVBattery. Likewise, it would be nice to use the electric motor (only) at times over 40mph but there is motor life to be considered as well.

    If you wait a few years, some fully engineered and tested plug-in conversion kits may be on the market to get the advantage of increased EV operation. :D

    [The recharge button on the kick panel does not work the way you propose]
  • mperskimperski Member Posts: 13
    I'm sure that battery life is the main reason why the Soc is only 40-60% that's why I'm only wanting 80% or so. I've been able to drive almost 2 miles in ev mode at 30mph, increasing the battery charge would certainly extend the range some. Also if I started with the battery more charged up instead of low, the alternator would put less drag on the engine when first starting which would also increase mpg. I intend on selling the vehicle in 3yrs or around 60,000 miles, and buying a full EV assuming they are available by then. Used hybrids are bringing top dollar, especially the Escapes if you can even find one!

    Some one is already making a conversion kit but they are not cost effective. I think their around $19,000 or some outrageous amount.

    Also my heated seats get hot then cool off, then hot again and so on. Are they on a timer or are they not working properly and a circuit breaker is kicking?
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    I don't have the heated seats but I have read that they are on a timer.

    There is no alternator in the FEH. The HVBattery is charged through a motor/generator (MG1) directly by the ICE or when you engage the brake pedal. "Drag" during operation can be felt in MG1 during regenerative braking and can be negated during coasting by shifting into "N" (nuetral).

    The ICE operates during "first starting" for several reasons and most of them cannot be avoided to improve FE. The catalytic converter has to get up to temperature. The engine has to get up to temperature (can be accelerated by using a block heater to hasten the engine getting to temperature during/after cold overnights).

    There are numerous driving techniques that have been developed by the "hypermiling" community and documented on these forums. Many cases of folks getting over 40 mpg in their FEH consistently. [Without increasing SoC beyond the 40-60% range] :D
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "There is no alternator in the FEH. The HVBattery is charged through a motor/generator (MG1) directly by the ICE or when you engage the brake pedal."

    Just a side note. "MG1" is a Toyota HSD term. The Ford system was independently developed; I wonder if Ford uses the same terminology...
  • ajoseph1ajoseph1 Member Posts: 3
    I found this doc which is a guide for emergency response people for dealing with the escape high voltage system. It might be good to know

    www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/quickref/guide-escape.pdf
  • autodrautodr Member Posts: 27
    One effective way to increase the mileage on electric drive mode would be turn to off some electrical goodies... like those heated seats. Even though they are on the 12v side and are being fed by the 12v battery, the 12v side is being recharged by the HV side. Instead of an alternator, what you have... for the 12v side.. is a DC to DC converter. That is the box sitting on the pass. inner fender behind the dual coolant resivours. It is taking power from the HV side and charging up the 12v battery.. and runing for 12v goodies, like the radio, heated seats, and what ever else you are running on the 12v side.

    Otherwise, the short answer to your original question is "no", it is designed to keep you from messing with it for your own good.
  • dstoltzedstoltze Member Posts: 1
    I have an '08 hybrid and live in Baltimore city. On cold mornings it seems to take about 10-15 minutes for the car to go into EV mode. By this time I am usually out of the city and onto the highway. Is this normal? Friends with Prius' and camry hybrids don't report this.
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    Sounds rather normal....remember, the PCM takes a lot of variables into account before it allows EV......Catalytic Converter Temp, HVBattery Temp.....many of them sensitive to cold temperatures.
  • rita15rita15 Member Posts: 3
    Hi guys, I have a 2005 Escape hybrid, and driving it after a while it doesn't switch to battery. Is that normal?
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    I assume you are a new owner of a used 2005 FEH.

    Full Electric Vehicle or EV mode will only be noticeable on the FEH under certain conditions. The rest of the time the High Voltage HVBattery will drive the traction motor to assist the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) in propelling the FEH. The ICE stays on for many reasons - not all of them related to propulsion. For instance, only the traction motor (and HVBattery) can propel the FEH in reverse. So when you first start the FEH and back out of a parking spot, you are operating as an electric vehicle even though the ICE is running.

    Because of other design limitations the ICE will always run at speeds over 40mph

    After several minutes of driving in nominal weather, the FEH should easily operate in EV mode at speeds below 25mph (i.e., parking lots, etc.) as long as the driver is gentle on the "gas" pedal. If this doesn't happen - something may be wrong.
  • rita15rita15 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the answer. I just bougt this used one, and the problem is if I drive it for like half an hour, even if I stop, or go very slow, it doesn't turn off the engine anymore. The next day it works perfectly again. I discovered if it just turns off the engine but I have to push the gas again immediatly and it has to turn on, it never stops again.

    Who can check what is the problem? It doesn't show any failure code on the computer.
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    The engine will run constantly if you have the airconditioner/heater selector positioned on any of the red symbols - including defrost, etc.
  • rita15rita15 Member Posts: 3
    I know that. Nothing is on, I drive it normaly, but after a while it decides not to switch off anymore.
  • dhc1dhc1 Member Posts: 1
    Have a 2006 FEH with 40000 miles. No problems until today. Went to start car this morning but not enough charge to start ICE. Checked 12Volt and it was down to 8.5 volts. Recharged 12V using battery charger and engine started easily. But after turning off engine and removing key the continual clicking of a relay could be heard in the engine compartment. After about 3 hours battery was again to low to start car. Hadn't noticed any problems previously, high voltage system was kicking in as normal. Any suggestions?
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    Have the DC to DC downconverter checked by the dealer. I believe it charges the 12V battery. It is one of the "hybrid" unique components covered under the 100k warranty.
  • tpaultpaul Member Posts: 3
    Just brought an 06 Escape Hybrid. The only time the car switches to EV mode is during the the first half hour or so of driving. The rest of the day ICE continues to run even when stopped or when driving under 20 mph. Even when it is working during the first half hour of the first drive of the day, it does not do so as expected, under 25mph, instead it kicks into EV mode at 15 -20 mph. Also, the needle on the gauge at the left which indicates assist and charge never moves. We make sure that the AC is off so that is not the problem. Millage on the car is 56,000. Any ideas? Has anyone else had a similar problem and a possible resolution?
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    The PCM (computer) is definitely getting a signal that is telling it not to use EV. There are many many reasons the FEH will switch out of EV, even at 15-20 mph.
    Throttle position
    HVBattery State of Charge
    Brake pedal positon
    Heater Controls Positon (and of the red positions)
    Gear Shift Lever position

    I would try driving in L for awhile to see if it makes a difference. Then it might be worth it to see if someone can see if there are any fault codes registered in the FEH computer.
  • tpaultpaul Member Posts: 3
    Computer has been checked out,tried it in low,everything is off,battery is charged. Only works in the morning,but as soon as things warm up,EV stops stops working. To bad Ca. Lemon Law doesn't apply to used cars.
  • mecheng1mecheng1 Member Posts: 161
    "Computer has been checked out..", does that mean it has no DTCs or diagnostic codes stored? A dealer or a mechanic with an OBD II tester should be able to search the computer brain of the vehicle for "errors" or "out of range" readings the computer has seen.
  • grecnigrecni Member Posts: 3
    I've been having this exact same problem for months with my 06. After 1/2 hour or less of driving the vehicle will no longer go into EV mode. I've taken it into the local Ford dealer and the "hybrid" expert states there is nothing in the computer and "this is normal behavior", which I know from 3 years of driving that this is nothing like normal. Unfortunately if the computer doesn't tell him what to do he has no idea how to think independently and troubleshoot.
  • grecnigrecni Member Posts: 3
    tpaul, Were you ever able to get this problem resolved?
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "I've been having this exact same problem for months with my 06. After 1/2 hour or less of driving the vehicle will no longer go into EV mode."

    I'm not sure you want to go to this much trouble, but you might buy a ScanGuage 2 and hook it up. It has setting for hybrid vehicles and you can program it to tell you things like the battery state of charge & etc. If the battery stops taking a charge that would be information to take to the dealer.

    Also, I have heared of some people having issues with the battery door not opening correctly, although this is supposed to throw a computer code. If the battery is not receiving air or A/C, it may be too hot. The ScanGuage can tell you a lot of info, plus it can read computer codes if they occur.

    I'm currently saving my pennies to buy one...
  • grecnigrecni Member Posts: 3
    Well I called the service manager at my local Ford Dealer and expained why there really was a problem. I brought the vehicle back in and let it running until I could bring the hybrid specialist out to see it. It was in the mid 70's, the air was off, the vehicled parked and not in EV mode. He agreed it was not working properly.

    The next day they called and said it was the battery pack, that it was not recharging properly and they were ordering a replacement. It will be mid next week before it arrives and it get installed but at least this is a step in the right direction.

    Luckily the battery pack is still under warranty because they said it was a $10,000 part.
  • alice612alice612 Member Posts: 1
    according to FORD PR people - I am the first consumer to have a ford escape hybrid battery die on me- I have 120 thousand miles on my car. Its 4 years old. One day last week a triangle with an exclamation mark popped up and the message was- pull over safely- I turned off the car and when I turned it on again the message disappeared- this happened 4 more times for the next 50 miles till I got to my Ford dealer- 165 dollars and an hour later I was told the battery was going and it would cost $8,000.00 to replace. but that I could still drive the car safely to Manhatten the next day- Thats about 200 miles round trip. I was told that when the battery starts to go the engine takes over and when the little red triangle comes back on to keep driving. I wonder why no one knew that when the little red triangle comes on if you don't pull over the gas pedal no longer works- I went from 60 to zero by the time I crossed 4 lanes of traffic. I called the service manager who knew that would happen, I have yet to get an answer on why his service people are so poorly trained. I called Ford and they told me I was the first person to ever have a battery die, that there are cabs with 350 thousand miles on them still going strong - If thats the case then what happened to my battery?- they are getting back to me- I keep asking the same question, how long should the battery last and at what point do you decide its time to get rid of your car. One Ford person explained that the warrenty covered the battery up to 100 thousand miles. So I asked, does that mean that at 100 thousand miles you should consider getting rid of the car? The answer was no. I asked what is the threshold, what is the benchmark for these batteries, no one knows, but my Ford dealer was told there was nothing Ford could or would do to help me. Its 8 thousand bucks for a new battery. I think consumers deserve better answers than this.
    I would really appreciate some feedback.
  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    I am afraid you have discovered the main weakness with all hybrids, not just the Escape. The battery. As a hybrid gets older when do you trade it? Who knows for sure. Many variables enter into the equation. What will be the trade in value of a hybrid that is near the end of its battery life? Not much I'll wager.
  • bow45bow45 Member Posts: 21
    Hello~ alice612.

    Before I read your post I was considering 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid for my wife’s next car but after I read your post, I think Volkswagen Jetta TDI is the way to go. :confuse:

    I currently drive a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid AWD with 42,000 miles on it and am having a Reverse Sensing System problem. I also had a Wrench Light issue because of a bad Aux Mode Door Actuator. I’m little disappointed with the quality of my Escape. :sick:

    Please keep post what ‘s happening.

    Thank you and good luck.
  • imcooknimcookn Member Posts: 7
    I just bought a '07 FEH with 90K on it under the theory that the mileage was done on highway travel and the HV battery had minimal charging during this period. What can I estimate the battery life? This car was driven in southern climates.

    :)
  • bow45bow45 Member Posts: 21
    Recently I read an article about the Prius batteries in Car and Driver, May 09, Vol. 54, No.11.

    It says "Toyota sells replacement Prius batteries for about $2,300 and the company pays a $200 "bounty" for the goopy old dead ones." :surprise:

    FYI.
  • imcooknimcookn Member Posts: 7
    That is very interesting. Did you know that Ford is demo testing Escape Hybrids with an additional battery for plug-in operation? I did find that Flex fuel models have also been evaluated I think in California. Now if they could include operation with Natural Gas that would be great! :)
  • mseitz1mseitz1 Member Posts: 1
    Did you ever get any resolution to this problem? I have an '06 Escape Hybrid and it is doing the same kind of thing you described. My local mechanic has punted and is passing the buck to a nearby Ford dealer. My local mechanic 'thinks its either the battery or the computer' but after reading all this on the Escape Hybrid I'm thinking it's the battery. My only hope at this point is that the mileage is only 96,000 and we're supposed to be under extended warranty. I don't want to think about Ford coping out and telling me I have an $8,000-$10,000 repair ahead.

    How was your situation handled?
  • imcooknimcookn Member Posts: 7
    Please take a look at Wikipedia's article about nickel-metal-hydride batteries. It notes that virtually all the hybrid vehicles are using NMH batteries. I have not heard of any major problems with Toyota, Honda, etc.

    As I suspected the article points out that the life of the battery is largely dependent on how it is charged and the handling of their temperature. Most of us probably thought that the job of the computer was to handle the balance between the electric and gasoline power sources. While it does do that, more importantly with regard to the batteries, it handles the recharging of the batteries and control of temperature. That said, there should be a method to check to see if the CPU is doing a correct job. There may even be a monitoring program with history that could be viewed.

    I will spend some time to see what the IEEE publications report about this since I am a lifetime member.
  • escapeforeverescapeforever Member Posts: 4
    You might check a TSB for this (battery problem msg on dash display). I found out about one that fixes a false positive with a battery problem. It seems that something is wrong with the harness (they replace it for free up until August 09) and, if not repaired, can give the exact same symptoms that you describe even tho there is not really any problem. This TSB is not one that notifies owners -- you have to find out about it yourself.
    Check it out.
  • ajsparkajspark Member Posts: 1
    This reply is re: alice612's post:

    "according to FORD PR people - I am the first consumer to have a ford escape hybrid battery die on me- I have 120 thousand miles on my car. Its 4 years old. One day last week a triangle with an exclamation mark popped up and the message was- pull over safely- I turned off the car and when I turned it on again the message disappeared- this happened 4 more times for the next 50 miles till I got to my Ford dealer- 165 dollars and an hour later I was told the battery was going and it would cost $8,000.00 to replace."

    I second both the last post and the one before it, regarding the recall for the HV battery harness and the necessity for temperature control.

    I purchased a 2005 FEH with 37K this past December (becoming its 3rd owner) and it now has just over 40K. Within a month of buying it, I got the message "Stop Safely Now" on the display, and one morning it just plain wouldn't start. We replaced the regular battery (which is a special "low voltage" battery, available only from Ford dealers for over $100). That fixed the problem (but I sure I wish I'd known about the DC-to-DC downconverter that's covered by the 100K warranty - that may have been the problem, and will have it checked Monday to make sure it's working).

    Anyway -- two days ago, while driving on (Thank God) a deserted 2-lane freeway with shoulders, 30 miles from my destination, the engine stalled with the aforementioned red triangle and exclamation mark. I coasted off to the shoulder, switched off the engine, sat for 10 seconds, turned the key, it started. 5 minutes later, same thing. Every five minutes, or even less, I was pulling off, turning off, turning on, continuing. SAME SYMPTOMS AS ALICE612.

    I noticed that my HV battery charge was pretty low, however. So I decided to try just driving on the shoulder at a lower speed to charge the HV battery, but then the engine got too hot. So I let it cool, went back onto the freeway at normal speed. I made it to my destination after 6 or 8 pullovers, and called the local Ford dealership.

    The Ford dealer immediately said, "Were you aware that THERE'S A RECALL for your FEH? STALLING ISSUES ALMOST ALWAYS INDICATE THAT THE RECALL WORK HASN'T BEEN DONE YET." They apparently notified the original owner (see link below), but he either didn't tell the 2nd owner, or 2nd owner failed to inform me.

    I made arrangements to take it in the next day (i.e. yesterday), with the understanding that, if the recall work hadn't been done yet, it would take a half-day to do that (they need to pull out the HV battery to replace the harness). The diagnostics would cost about $150, and if my problem was JUST the harness, I wouldn't even have to pay that.

    He called me a few hours after I took it in, with "good news and bad news". Good news, the recall work hadn't been done yet, but was done now. Bad news, that wasn't my only problem. I had 2 other issues: 1) the HV battery needs to be vented to keep the temperature down, and the pump wasn't working. 2) there's an "actuator" that senses the system's status and controls the various components, and it wasn't working, either.

    So my problem was multi-faceted, maybe more complex than yours.

    There's more info and good discussion here:
    http://tinyurl.com/l9s3p4

    Bottom line: FIND A FORD DEALER THAT KNOWS HYBRIDS, and can give you a knowledgeable analysis of your $165 diagnostic readout. And make sure you get that recall work done ASAP. Good luck!
  • bow45bow45 Member Posts: 21
    I recently found out that Ford Extended Service Plan (ESP), even with the most expensive plan (PremiumCARE), doesn't cover high-voltage battery :confuse: (it does cover other hybrid engine components though). So Ford ESP is useless in this regard. :sick:

    Does anyone know the aftermarket extended warranties that cover high-voltage battery?

    Thanks. :)
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "I recently found out that Ford Extended Service Plan (ESP), even with the most expensive plan (PremiumCARE), doesn't cover high-voltage battery (it does cover other hybrid engine components though). So Ford ESP is useless in this regard.

    Does anyone know the aftermarket extended warranties that cover high-voltage battery? "

    The traction battery carries a federal warranty of a minimum of 8yr/100K, and 10 yr/150K in CARB states. That is longer than the ESP runs under most circumstances. So there is no point in having it covered under ESP.
  • mackattackmackattack Member Posts: 1
    >> After 1/2 hour or less of driving the vehicle will no longer go into EV mode.

    I've had this same problem, twice. 2005 4WD 56K miles. The first time it was the air conditioning compressor, the second the rear AC line. The compressor was covered under ESP, but the rear AC line was an uncovered $750 repair.

    The AC is required to keep the battery cool when outside temps get above 65 or so. When it overheats it goes into a 'limp-home' mode until it cools again. That's what you're seeing, but maybe not for the same reason.

    I'm trying to convince Ford that if a part is vital to keep the hybrid operating, it should be covered under the hybrid warranty. Ford won't sell a hybrid without AC, for this very reason.

    Wish me luck, I wish you the same.
  • wisillwisill Member Posts: 9
    Your posted message indicates your electronic coolant pump (found on the passenger side of the engine compartment not far from the hood brackets and is black in color and a little bigger than a soda can) has failed--a known issue with these vehicles after 50,000 miles. The second issue is the blend door acutator failure. This is the device found on the driver's side of the rear cargo area that opens and closes the vent on the drivers side rear cargo window. This is a known issue also. The hybrid battery is designed to be maintained at a certain temperature and if it goes out of specification, the vehicle can go into limp mode.

    Other owners have reported on these issues at other forums.
  • bartbbartb Member Posts: 2
    hello
    just got back from FOMOCO about the same problem, the vehicle shut down without notice, a stop vehicle safely, message came on. got it to dealer the cooling pump for the ev computer had burnt out (not covered) I asked how can this be, It got to hot was the answer I checked around in the manual to find out about a cooling unit for the pack in the rear. On the outside drivers side rear disguised as part of the rear window is a vent, this give fresh air to the battery what the fail to tell you is that there is a filter about 6x4" that fills with all sorts of stuff, it is located inside on drivers side upper quarter panel there are 2 covers to remove (snaps in/out) and there is at least some of the problem. It is refered to as a cabin filter. The dealer didnt even check it
  • bartbbartb Member Posts: 2
    Many hybrid owners seem to be having the same symptoms as I do. Not being able to find answers to what should be routine problems, after all the techs are trained to find all the problems -right.
    Something that is overlooked often is a "cabin air filter" that is not really a cabin filter, it is for the fresh air to the bat pac. On the rear drivers side is a vent disguised as part of the window - that gets air to the actuator and to the bat pac There is a filter accessible inside the rear drivers side panel below the outside vent its about 4x6" and must be kept CLEAN this can also lead to the fan failing and also, Im told, the computer pump failing. Most service people ignore it or do not know about it. When you remove the 2 covers it is supposed to slide out, be prepared -be very prepared for what you may find in there. After getting a new one at a local parts store (about11.00) replace it and close up the covers, remove the rug and see if any thing is in the bottom, there is a plastic cover that has to be removed (easy) check its not clogged and replace.I hope this may help many out there from a costly repair Purolator Part number C25571
  • cablegi306cablegi306 Member Posts: 2
    I just got my 2005 escape back from Ford garage after getting same message. I couldn't get it to run at all. They replaced the switch on the battery pack in the back($700) the coolant pump behind the bumper in the front ($300) the 12 volt battery ($115) and the harness on the rear batteries ($17). The harness also had a $300 labor charge, In total it was $1764 to get it back and took 2 weeks.
  • cablegi306cablegi306 Member Posts: 2
    Sorry that should have been 2006 with 53,000 miles
  • imcooknimcookn Member Posts: 7
    I found this article that gives you some idea of the possible lifetime in miles that FEH can last.
    ______________________________________________________
    Company Information
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    FORD’S STRONG HYBRID SALES BUCK INDUSTRY TREND
    Print | Email this page | Subscribe
    Ford Motor Company’s year-to-date hybrid sales are 73 percent higher
    than the same period in 2008, fueled by the introduction of hybrid
    versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan
    More than 60 percent of the sales of Fusion Hybrid are by non-Ford
    owners – with more than 52 percent of those customers coming from
    import brands

    Numbers of Ford Escape Hybrid taxis growing on streets of San
    Francisco and New York where vehicles in service have exceeded 300,000
    miles since their introduction
    Ford hybrids help “green” federal government fleets
    DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s hybrid
    vehicle sales have risen 73 percent this year in sharp contrast to a
    14-percent decline in hybrid sales across the industry.

    The fuel economy and durability of hybrid versions of Ford Fusion and
    Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner also are winning over large numbers
    of conquest customers, many of whom are previous import owners.
    Through September, Ford has sold 26,016 hybrid vehicles, up 73 percent
    versus the same period in 2008, according to figures from Autodata Inc.

    “Hybrid customers increasingly are considering Ford,” said David
    Finnegan, Ford hybrid marketing manager. “More than 60 percent of
    Fusion Hybrid sales have been from non-Ford owners, and more than half
    of those are customers coming from import brands, mostly from Toyota
    and Honda.”

    Ford’s strong 2009 hybrid sales have been fueled by the introduction
    of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, the most fuel-efficient
    midsize sedans on the road. Both vehicles deliver a certified 41 mpg
    rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry
    hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

    Durable and fuel efficient
    While the introduction of the Fusion Hybrid has spurred sales from non-
    Ford owners, Ford’s longest-running hybrid nameplate, the Escape
    Hybrid, has proven particularly popular with Ford customers operating
    taxi, lifeguard and government fleets due to the combination of fuel
    efficiency and durability. The front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid
    delivers 34 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway, making the
    most fuel-efficient SUV on the market.

    In 2005, San Francisco became one of the first cities to adopt hybrids
    into taxi service, with hybrids accounting for 14 percent of its
    current fleet. Each of the original fleet of 15 Escape Hybrids
    exceeded 300,000 miles per vehicle before being retired and replaced
    with more Escape Hybrids. There are almost 200 Escape Hybrid taxis on
    San Francisco’s streets today.

    New York has more hybrid taxis in service than any other city in North
    America with 13,237, of which more than 2,000 are Escape Hybrids. The
    Big Apple recently has begun retiring its original fleet of Escape
    Hybrids put into service in the 2005 model year after accumulating
    300,000 and 350,000 miles per vehicle.

    “We’re extremely pleased with the performance of the Escape Hybrid
    in taxi service,” said Gerry Koss, Ford’s fleet marketing manager.
    “Not only have they proven very reliable, they’ve also saved taxi
    drivers money on gas and contributed to lower tailpipe and greenhouse
    gas emissions in the cities that use them in taxi fleets.”

    “Greening” the federal government fleet
    Government fleets also are seeking cleaner, more fuel-efficient
    vehicles and hybrids are filling that need. In 2009, federal agencies
    have purchased more than 3,000 hybrids from Ford, more than any other
    automotive brand. Included in the sales were 1,900 vehicles acquired
    through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the purpose of
    improving the fuel economy of the federal fleet. The U.S. Army was
    the single largest purchaser among the government fleets, acquiring
    400 Fusion hybrids.

    Saving lives and conserving fuel
    In 2008, Ford began delivery of a fleet of 45 Escape Hybrids to the
    Los Angeles County Lifeguards, a division of the Los Angeles County
    Fire Department, for use on rescue patrol along 72 miles of Southern
    California coastline. After the first 11 months of service,
    lifeguards reported that Escape Hybrids had played a crucial part in
    thousands of rescues and more than a million rescue preventions at
    L.A. County beaches.

    The Escape Hybrid fleet enabled L.A. lifeguards to reduce their entire
    fleet’s fuel usage by 25 percent – more than 5,000 gallons of gas
    – during the first six months of service. That fuel cost savings has
    helped L.A. County to maintain its critical front line staffing
    despite the economic downturn.
  • unaccept1able_unaccept1able_ Member Posts: 1
    My grandfather was a foreman at Ford dating back to the 1920's. I am a huge supporter of new technology and had no problem paying more for my 2006 Ford Escape to support Ford in its development of the hybrid vehicle. However, I was just informed today, after taking all maintenance recommendations of Ford dealers for 4 years regarding the hybrid battery that at 120k miles (with $10000 left of financing) that my hybrid battery needs to be replaced to the tune of $8000.00!!!!! t $8000.00 is significant and absolutely unacceptable for any auto repair or replacement at anytime!. I was supposed to close on a house on May 15th but my downpayment may be made to a Ford dealer instead! for repair so I can get to work! Unacceptable. Ford needs to step up and support it's early supporters of its new technology.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    edited April 2010
    "However, I was just informed today, after taking all maintenance recommendations of Ford dealers for 4 years regarding the hybrid battery that at 120k miles (with $10000 left of financing) that my hybrid battery needs to be replaced to the tune of $8000.00!!!!! "

    If you live in a CARB state, the battery has a 150K warranty. If you live in one of these states you are in luck.

    Map of CARB states.
  • kratekinkratekin Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone know where the fan is that cools the rear battery my 2005 escape hybrid has a noise that sound like a clutch fan going bad and it does it when it hot out and i am thinking maybe it is the rear fan but i don't know where its at.
  • kratekinkratekin Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2005 ford escape hybrid and after reading some of the post on this site i have found out that there is a fan that cools the battery in the back.Every now and then in the summer months i hear a sound that sounds like a clutch slipping on an Ac compressor but the Ac up front is fine.I am now thinking it is the fan for the back battery but i don;t know where it is if anyone has an idea of where it is at please let me know.Also if you had the same problem and know of something else it could be please let me know, I also did not know there was a filter for this in the back but i did check it and it was dirty.Please email me with any information that will help.
    [email protected]
  • researcher101researcher101 Member Posts: 1
    What is a CARB state and which states on the map you provided are carb states.
    Thanks
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    "What is a CARB state and which states on the map you provided are carb states. "

    The CARB states are in color on the map. Those states have a longer hybrid system warranty (10 years / 150K miles).
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