Ford Escape

odie6l

And I can tell you I want one on 1 condition...they put a rag top over it.

http://www.ford.com.au/motorshow/Motorshow.asp?id=9#info

odie

odie6l

here's another site..this one with alot of pictures.

http://www.autoweb.com.au/id_FOR/doc_for0110114/article.html

Odie

odie6l

Man am I glad that I did not get the Continental Tires when I bought my 2001. I just saw on the news today that they are being recalled for the same reason that the Fireblowns were. Glad I got my Goodyears.

Odie

bess

Not all Continentals were affected. Only those for the larger full size Ford SUV's. Not the Explorer or Escape.

I've been pretty happy with the Continentals on my Escape. They handle well, and tire wear is very good..

tincup47

It was actually one size tire that fitted 2wd Expeditions and Navigators only. Continental is a very well respected tire brand. But all tire brands have occasional problems, tread separation happens to all manufacturers.

donweiler

Have the Firestone Wilderness HT 16 inch. Is 29 psi as recommended by Ford correct?? TIA, Don

baggs32

donweiler,
I have the Continentals and all the stickers say 30 psi for the front and rear. You can always put a few extra pounds in if you want. You may experience a slightly harsher ride, but your fuel mileage and tread wear will also improve a little.

awrw

Picked up our 2002 loaded escape on May 20. On May 22 my wife did $6200 front end damage. Took 3 weeks to get it back. Then in late July the air cond went out which was fixed in 1 days but as I was traveling home with the car it went out again. First time was a bad clutch, the second time was a shorted wire. This time it's in for a loud noise in the engine. They just called and said there is something wrong inside the engine and will let me know what they have to do. All this in 1839 miles. I'm thinking I should trade this in.

woopigdave1

Hertz is currently selling 2001 Escape XLTs for anywhere between $15995 and $16995. All of the Hertz cars are in very good shape, and an extended warranty can be purchased. The Kelly Blue Book value on a 2001 XLT for a private party sale is $18,460 for a car in "good" shape, and is $19,680 for one in excellent shape. Why is the re-sale on this vehicle so high? Are they that popular?

stever

How do those numbers compare with our True Market Value for your area? Hertz pricing looks pretty good from here, although they seemed high the few times I actually wandered around one of their lots. I do recall a few people around the boards bragging about the good rides they got from them.



Steve

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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

woopigdave1

The TMV on them is 18100 or so, so the price looks real good to me as well. These are 4WDs too.

odie6l

When your wife had the collision....it could have done alot of unseen damage that the dealer (or who-ever) fixed your vehicle for you might not have seen. Also, did you do a background check to make sure that your not being taken by said place.

Example : you take car in for a small oil leak, place says the oil filter was not on tight enough. 1 week later you get more oil in your driveway, take car back, this time you have a worn out head gasket seal, 2 weeks later after fix, you got oil again, this time it's comming from a rear seal mount.

Some places (even Dealers) will sabotage vehicle to make money on the repairs. Look into the place your taking the car.

I know it happens because place I used to take my '98 stratus got busted for doing it to some of the cars.

Luckily I have not had a problem with my Escape yet and am very pleased with it. Hope you have better luck with yours. Oh and Always get New parts not Refurbished ones.

Odie

scape2

odie took the words right off the ends of my finger tips.. The accident you were in could have caused more damage than you know. Your trade in is going to be very low, its already known that your vin# has had a severe accident. If you trade be prepared to take a huge loss.
17K? for a V6 4wd XLT Escape?? how many miles? what options? Remember, with the TMV here at Edmunds you must do a custom appraisal. Meaning adding tint, step bars, tow package.. ect...

wgr

The little bit I have looked at Hertz and Enterprise car sales, the cars seem to me to have rather high mileage. Maybe that is why the price is less ?

cmnott

Rental returns are the best deals out there. My current car (wife's) is a 98 Contour SE Sport. V6 and auto and power everything. It was a rental return and I bought it in March 1999 for 13900.00CAD, a full 3000-4000 cheaper for the exact same model, except private sale. The vehicle had 28K on it and it only required new brakes which the dealer replaced prior us picking it up. We are now trading it in on Saturday and other than 2 recalls and an A/C that wasn't ice cold, the car has been a soldier. A few rattles, though. we got 9000 for it after 3 1/2 years so I am very happy. in fact, it's value was maintained a full year after buying it because of the incredible sale price. that is what happens when Hertz buys 10,000 Contours at a bargain basement price and sell them back to Ford even cheaper. Then we can snap them up.

I just helped my father-in-law purchase another rental return, this time a 2001 Olds Intirgue. A new Intrigue would be 32500.00CAD and used ones were listing at 21998-22998. We got it for 17500.00! It needed new brakes and a few dings were repaired. It has 41K, but it is highway. Besides he drives on ly 10K a year.

I strongly recommend these vehicles. The only concerns are what people don't care about when they drive the rentals. brakes. And of course they are more careless with the exterior so more scratches are guaranteed. I think the days of pulling the handbrake at 60mph or slamming it into reverse at 30mph are over, really. Most of these cars are businessmen who just need to get to their destination.

cmnott

Got up close and personal with a 2003 Escape Limited, charcoal colour. All body coloured mouldings and cannot emphasize enough how much better it looks...and yet, all of a sudden it has lost its youthful character. It looks more mature now, classy and somehow being all one colour deceives the eyes to make it look smaller.

Interior wise, there is now the popular metal trim around the major console and on the doors around the window/door controls. It looks very nice and substantial. The interior was black leather and the leather is much improved. Much softer and thicker looking. Attractive stitching. The heated seats button mimicks the Explorer's position but it is angled towards the driver so you can see it. The roofliner and carpeting also looked better than the 2002s.

Big disappointment are the doors. the armrests, if you could call it that since you are resting it on plastic hard as a rock, is unchanged. the doors still look like huge plastic stamped plates.

All in all, I think that the Escape will demolish the competition with the changes to the exterior and will convince some import fans with the interior. It is simply well built, I would say on par with a CRV or RAV4.

We have decided to go with an Explorer Eddie Bauer. It is bigger but drives like a smaller vehicle. Also the incentives were too good to pass up, whereas the Escape is a hot seller and delas are much tougher to come by.

Either way, Explorer or Escape or Expedition, I don't think any company out there does it better than Ford.

scape2

about the interior improvemnts for the Escape. I own a 2001 and this was one of the weaknesses I could see. However, I feel the plastics fit and finish are on par with the CRV/RAV4 of this year. I feel the Jeep Liberty would win the nicest interior award in this SUV category in my opinion. But, now with these subtle upgrades sounds like the Escape is ontop..

awrw

FMC decided to replace motor with brand new one off the assy line. It will take about 10-12 more days till i get it back. Said it was the lower end. Owned the car since late May and has been in the shop over 5 weeks total from and accident and various other mechanical problems. Total to date the odometer says 1839 miles.

scape2

Ford replaced your engine because you were in a major accident with your Escape and had problems with it??? I would say this is pretty damn good! I hope you know Ford is doing you a huge favor. Ford doesn't have to replace anything do to an accident. That is not covered under warranty.

odie6l

I just had my oil changed after at 21000 miles and after 3000 miles under the tornado the techs wanted to check the vehicle on the dyno to see if their was any difference. (at no cost to me) The result being increase HP from 201 to 215 HP and the torque was increase from 200 to 210 lbs-ft.

I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself. And I know someone will ask.. so the price was $74.10 for the Tornado. (after PA state sales tax) I did not purchase off of the Infomercial... I bought it at a local NAPA.

Odie

jeffrey15

The sticker on this model cleams premuim heated leather seats. Anyone know if there is really any difference between these and the seats in the XLT other then the heater?

siss62

I just picked up a 2002 Escape XLT with the V6 engine last night. Odie, I read your posting about the tornado with much interest. Not to sound like a "stupid female" :-) What is this tornado? A turbo kit? Is this something I can install myself? Where can I get more information about it? I appreciate any information you can give me.

odie6l

the tornado is a device that goes into the air intake hose of your engine. you can usually see the infomercial on sat/sun mornings. Or goto http://www.tornadofuelsaver.com If by chance you want to send the shipping and handling buy it from either of those.... but check around at local auto part stores (Pep-boys, Napa, Auto Zone) they should be carrying it. I had mine put in at no charge by my local Quicklane during a routine oil change. (I watched them install it, and it looked easy enough, but would rather have the pro's install it.) Then 3000 mile later at the next oil change is when the same techs wanted to put the escape on their dyno to see if there was any difference. And as you saw in the other post there was.

My neighbor has also gotten one for his Durango, and has noticed an increase in power but not as much in mileage, but then again he has the v-8 and is a heavier vehicle.

Odie

bess

Did the same tech's dyno your escape before and after you installed the tornado?

Was the tempature the same, relative humidity, baramoter, fuel type, taken into account between the before and after dyno (assuming there was a 'before'. Heck, just resetting the computer alone can account for some differences between dyno readings.

I don't dispute your claim that you saw an increase in HP or in MPG, but I'm wondering if there are other factors that you didn't consider that would contribute to the HP change..

On the MPG change, I already have a fairly good idea what would cause you to see an increase there.

siss62

Odie, thanks so much for the info!

stever

If such a simple device works such wonders, why isn't it standard OEM equipment?

300michael "Tornado Fuel Saver...Hype?!?!?" Sep 23, 2001 11:18pm

Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

tronsr1

I agree with our host, Steve....I have read many posts about the Tornado and the bottom line was that it is not any improvement as stated. It's the old adage......"IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE."
If it was as good as advertised, don't you think that Ford, GM and all the other manufacturers would have them already installed?
Let's face it, any improvement in HP or GAS mileage would be a GODSEND to all manufacturers
I expect to be flamed for this, but believe me,
it's like PT Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute."

rfruth

For those of you who know the TornadoFuelSaver really works I've got some ocean front property in Arizona for you. (Thanks George S.)

kayakr

I have a 2001 Escape XLT with V-6 and am looking to add the elements of the tow package to increase the towing capacity to 3500lbs. I've installed a class III tow hitch (excellent fit and towing ability) with wiring harness already. I cannot find out from Ford what the "engine oil cooler" is. Meaning, Ford is not sure if it is a transmission cooler or an engine oil cooler. The ad info printed on the Escape states an engine oil cooler, but six local dealers said it is probably a tranny cooler. All of the local Ford dealers state refer this install to a local topper dealer. This second party has never done an install in an Escape! Ford HQ in Detroit is clueless - does not know/cannot ask the engineers. Does anyone know what it is that I need to add to bring the tow rating up in my Escape to the 3500# capacity? Otherwise...I love my Escape! RR

bess

If it says its an engine oil cooler, then thats what it is.. Engine oil coolers cool the engine oil. Tranny coolers cool the tranny fluid.

According to the 2001 Escape Service manual:
"Transaxle Cooling

All vehicles with automatic transmissions are equipped with a transmission fluid cooler integral to the radiator which cannot be repaired separately. The integral transmission fluid cooler transfers heat from the transmission fluid to the engine coolant. The auxiliary transmission fluid cooler transfers heat from the transmission fluid to the outside air."

From my understanding, that engine oil cooler plus tow hitch and wiring harness are the only additions to get the 3500 max.. (assuming you start with a v6 Escape).

It appears that the engine oil cooler is the silver thingy that the oil filter screws onto (and lines to/from radiator).

I do not represent Ford in any way. The research I did was strictly looking at my own vehicle, web sites and the Escape service manual.

kayakr

The saga continues...I called the local Ford dealer's service manager and asked about the engine oil cooler - describing what Bess said about looking under their own Escape. He was clueless, uninterested and suggested I call a local hitch place. They were similarly clueless, stating that the Escape only needed a class III hitch to tow 3500#. NOT! I am amazed that none of the Ford dealers service managers are willing to climb under the vehicles and compare an Escape with & without the packages to see exactly what this mysterious 'oil cooler' is. All this trouble is due to the fact that I was told that my selling dealer would add the tow package the following weekend after I bought my Escape. This will certainly be my last Ford product! I will likely be trading this thing soon for an Xterra or Liberty. RR

bess

Are you saying your selling dealer promised they could do something, and then later said they could not? I would call the 1-800 ford customer service number to document your disappointment in that dealer.

I guess what you are asking for is for the dealer to install a towing package as promised (and I assume you'll still have to pay the extra cost of the package).

It's unfortunate that the actions of the dealers would cause you to shy away from Ford, but I understand and agree that it is as important to have quality dealerships as it is to have quality vehicles.

To be honest, I'm not sure if the dealer can install this option or not, but thats something they should have checked on before promising. I remember a questionaire after I purchased my Escapes where one of the questions was 'did the dealer deliver on all promises'.

In my area, I'm lucky to have 2 excellent Ford dealerships that I've had great experiences with. And a 3rd in the area that also gets high marks.

I wish you the best of luck.

btw: I looked at my Escapes oil filter placement. I don't have the tow package, and the filter screws directly into the block.. However I see 3 empty bolt holes around the filter where it looks like something else would bolt there, (like the engine oil cooler perhaps), and then the filter would then screw onto that unit.

kayakr

I'm pretty hot at this point. I called Ford Customer Service and found them to be anything but service oriented. First, let me state that I am only looking to find out exactly what the thing is that is added to the engine/tranny that increases the tow capacity to the 3,500 lb that Ford advertises. I am not looking for Ford to spend any $$$, not am I looking for freebies. I only want information, and honestly feel that I am entitled to it when I spent approx. $21,000.00 on this Escape.
The first "customer service" person, Renee both insulted me and then laughed at my requests for information. She then proceeded to suggest that I - not the dealer - should get busy and crawl under the cars at the dealership to see what it is that I want to know! The second "customer service" person, Jennifer attempted to defend person #1. After waiting for a "supervisor" for some time, I had Helen on the line. She proved to be uninformed, unhelpful and insulting. The conversation was left that there was nothing further Ford would or could do for me. Those are her statements. She also informed me that she was as high as I could go in talking with someone in a supervisory position. Dead end there at Ford Customer Service.
At this point, I have no intention of letting this go. I want to find out how to contact the southeast zone representative to get this resolved. If anyone knows how to do this, please let me know.
Through all this I have been persistent and firm, but not abusive at all. I am not a jerk or con artist looking for a handout. I simply want and expect for my questions to be answered in an intelligent and factual manner.
It is mind boggling that Ford Motor Company apparently does not employ anyone who knows what the parts they offer on their SUV's actually are.
More to come!
RR

albertaman

I beleive its the oil cooler that helps to bump it up to 3500 lb
The other stuff is : Oil Cooler
Includes trailer hitch receiver, wiring kit, 4-pin harness

jedwards45

Well, 3 excellent months/ 6000 miles and today, my 2002 XLT 4X4 succumbed to the dreaded stall. Same as all the others, around 40mph, slight downhill, lost all engine power and got the usual warning lights. It is at the dealer now and they seemed confident in knowing the problem and the solution, (as do I after reading this board over the past 6 months). Another issue that I have come across is the fuel gauge. It seems like it stays near "full" too long and then rapidly decreases at 1/2 tank. Nothing serious, but annoying.

Other than this, I have absolutely loved my Escape and plan on driving it to Alaska next summer!

stever

Why wait till summer? You have 4x4 and you'll see lots more animals this month with the leaves falling. And there won't be all those RV'er's blocking your view this time of year :-)

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

nippononly

customers something they could use to restart their vehicle and temporarily fix the problem if it stalls like this out in the middle of nowhere, like on the Great Alaska Highway. pretty cold up there this time of year, though...brrrrr.

scape2

and things seem pretty slow here. Just clicked over 16,000 trouble free miles on my 2001 Escape XLT v6 4wd. The season is turning here and can't wait for skiing!!! and playing in the snow with my Escape. I put my 2 jet skiis I tow with the Escape to bed for the winter also.. I am going to take the Escape into the dealer and pay the $$$ to have the 15,000 mile service done... Been pretty busy with my girls in soccer and basketball..

tronsr1

There is a TSB on the fuel guage. I had to have the TSB as my guage would register full {when full}...but...after about forty miles, it would drop to half a tank...something about the fuel module...Check the TSb's or have your dealer lok up same.

swooshman65

I just bought a 2002 Escape with the MACH 6 cd changer. The unit wasn't put in until delivery becaue dealer lot theft problems.

My question is should the head unit have the MACH name on it. I have a friend who has Mustang and I seem to remember it saying MACH on the head unit. I think the model I got comes with a standard 6 cd changer.

Thanks

Brett

landcruiserman

1500 mile update--0 miles to 1500 miles had no problems.

1500+ miles-- Well had my 2003 XLT for 3 weeks and unfortunately it is at a Ford dealer for maintenance. Before I reached 1500 miles I thought Ford had improved on the misc. maintenance issues but at 1500 miles whenever I was at a stop light the SUV sounded like a Diesel and bucked like a horse...only at low idle speed. The dealer has the Escape and said I could have been left stranded..and I'll get it back on Thursday after 6 days at the dealership. This should not happen with a new vehicle!!! I wonder how much this would have cost me after the warranty is up?

nippononly

you will know when they hand you the invoice after the repair is done...

bess

I don't think the Escapes get the mach logo. I also have the Mach system (2001 Escape), and there is no visible logo on it either.

jedwards45

no MACH logo on the Escape's CD Changer, but take a look at the subwoofer in the back, I think there is a logo there?

tronsr1 - Thanks for bringing that TSB to my attention, I'll look into it.

Got my Escape back from the dealer after my first stall. Tried my hardest to get to stall again, no luck (thats good I guess).

landcruiserman

Well, my 2003 is ok now and the dealer in Green Bay, WI did a great job. Just a stuck EGR valve. I do have to say that the Escape is fun to drive...I drive 600+ miles per week and it drives great and seems well put together. It actually compares well to my wifes Acura MDX but for half the price.

If anyone is considering buying an Escape, I would recommend buying one. If you can afford the extra cost consider Honda CRV and Toyota RAV since the resale value will be higher.

thebear2000

I love my 2002 Escape. We've had it for a few months now. I bought it with a moonroof, because I love to drive with the windows open. But- guess what? When I do- the WORST vibration is sent through passenger eardrums. so bad- that one feels as if you need to get to the hospital....unless you close the windows. What is more disturbing- the roof itself (if you're sitting in the back seat) vibrates so vigorously I am afraid of the long term wear and tear on the sunroof, luggage rack and even for the safety of anyone in the back seat below the lights.
Anyone have similar problems? The noise is the worst when the back windows are down. dealership claims that the 2 other Escapes they drove (1 w/moonroof- the other without) did the same thing. So- they're trying to tell me this is an unfixable manufacturers defect??

corynat

I have a moonroof on my Escape and I do not get any vibration. I think they are giving you a line. On the car before this one, if I have the moonroof open to a certain point, I have to crack a window to stop the buffeting. If you have it open and it is making the noise, you can try closing the moonroof a little at a time to see if it stops when you reach a certain point. I finally figured that out on my last car. Fully open, it was almost concussive. Two inches forward from fully open it went away. Strange, but true.

scape2

CRV's are selling for MSRP or more.. In my region.. Northwest. They advertise 02 CRV EX for 22,900! I paid 22,800 for my V6 XLT 4wd..setbars, Mach 6CD changer, 4whl anti-locks, tinted windows and more... CRV's look like they actually cost more??

millsde

Has anyone had any luck with getting Ford to replace the older style mirrors with the new ones due to excessive noise? Or looked into the cost?If someone has input, I'd appreciate them copying their reply to my email, so I didn't miss it. Thanks. millsde@pcola.gulf.net

scname

stop spreading falso info. CRVs are selling $500 over invoice in most part of the country.

How do you solve the Escape/Tribute stalling problem? Upgrade to a Toyota or Honda.