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Comments
If it's not too far, you might just go in to the Ford dealer with a tape measure...
All I want to do is tow a cedar rowboat & trailer (300 pounds) or possibly stick a bicycle carrier in the tow hitch.
Has anyone here had the Ford tow hitch installed afterwards into FEH? Is the hitch receiver 1 1/4" or 2"? Do you have a part number I can take to my local dealer?
Thanks and cheers!
Escape hybrid owners.
Yahoo has a Escape Hybrid group, with people who have installed hitches -- and fyi they are aftermarket, not Ford hitches .... there are detailed posts there, information on how to secure the part and where it is mounted (to stay clear of the under-car spare tire and the piping apparatus to the rear battery air unit).
I remember that the OEM hitch on my '01 Escape was 1 1/4".
there's also greenhybrid.com, some of the same people on Yahoo are on that group.
Any independent shop should be happy to install a Hidden Hitch model 70758, along with a 30130 lighting harness. etrailer.com will sell one that you can install yourself. (don't enlarge the holes, work with it)
I occasionally tow a two horse trailer with my 2005.
1. Does anyone here have the FEH without the Nav system? I've seen some sites that say the MPGs as measured by the Nav system aren't all that accurate and the only reason I would get it is for the feedback on the hybrid system. If anyone has the FEH without the nav system, do you feel like you're missing out on info? If you do have it, does it help you drive more efficiently?
2. I'm aware of the study by CNW Marketing claiming that from production through disposal, hybrids don't actually save energy. Has anyone seen any other similar studies? Or comparisons of energy usage over the life cycle in purchasing a new hybrid vs. a comparable used non-hybrid?
Thanks!
Mine does not have the Nav system. I wanted to save a few bucks.
In place of the Nav system is a single gauge that you can toggle. Some of the items you can select are avg mpgs, miles till gas tank is empty, efficiency high or low, and a few others.
I know I’m missing out on the cool display, but I’m already over it.
My driving is definitely getting better. It’s kinda funny, for some reason now anybody that drives behind me tells me I’m NUMBER 1!!
Has anyone installed this in their FEH or any Ford vehicle?
Was it hard to install? Does it work? Can you talk handsfree and listen to the other party using your audio system? What cellphone were you using?
FYI the '08 will be the big revision ... look for it the start of next year at all the best auto shows. There have been spy pix of the '08 ... engineers are driving them .. the body will change a bit, there's a new front end look, upgrades to the hybrid electric system [if equipped] and more.
On a related note, did I read correctly that the new Drive on Us program will include the 2006 FEH? :surprise:
------------------
A national finance magazine is looking to interview consumers who are looking to purchase a hybrid vehicle and are looking at it from a financial standpoint, hoping to save money from the high cost of fuel. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Saturday, June 10, 2006 by 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET containing your daytime contact information and the hybrid vehicle you are considering.
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
Consider it a blessing in disguise. I had a Garmin 2610 I used in my last car and considered selling it when we got the new Escape. I'm glad I kept it. In my opinion, the Ford navigating system is inferior. In fact, a pain in the [non-permissible content removed]. The Garmin is much better. This seems to be a common opinion. Many people I've talked to agree; factory nav systems are just not that good. And too expensive. Get an after-market one.
has been all the extra wires around the dash due to my Sportster.
I was very excited when I bought my 2007 FEH hybrid last week
because the stereo is "satellite radio ready." Which usually means
that you just have to add a tuner and antenna and you're ready to
go. Cost to do that would normally be around $100-$150. When I made
some inquiries about upgrading it at the dealer, I was shocked to
find that to do it with this radio you supposedly have to use Ford's
tuner and harness - TO THE TUNE OF $538.
When I talked to the installer, I said, well, it would be less
expensive for me to buy a better stereo plus tuner at Circuit City
and have it put it. He told me that the car will not run correctly
with another stereo in it - I DO NOT have the Nav system, just the 6
CD changer - because of computer problems and that I might void my
warranty.
Has anyone else heard of this?
Has anyone replaced their Ford stereo in the Escape Hybrid? Has it
affected the way your car runs?
Has anyone successfully added on a Kenwood Sirius $99 tuner without
coughing up the $538 to Ford?
I have to say that the sound quality on my stereo is pretty poor -
the worst sounding car stereo I've had in years. I wouldn't
hesitate to replace it in a minute, if it weren't for the warning
that I might screw up my car and void my warranty.
I have heard "satellite ready" with the Toyota hybrids as well. One of the reasons I would not own one. I think Toyota charges in the $700 range to add XM/Sirius. I bought my GMC with XM factory installed and love it. I just don't trust any dealer installed equipment. I went through that with Honda and never again. I would make sure that whoever you buy the Stereo from is aware that it is a hybrid. That they will accept responsibility in writing for anything they may do that messes up the hybrid operation. The auto makers are making it very difficult with all the complexity and integration to add anything except through them. It is a pain for sure. Good luck. Next time check out the stereo system and have the Sirius part of the original deal.
But why not call Ford and ask them yourself if the shade of gray is a big deal to you? (it wouldn't matter to me - anything but TAN would do) They are very helpful on the phone.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060629/AUTO01/606290380/1148-
It has to do with parts. The same reason that Toyota is not building as many as they had projected. Aisin builds the HSD portion for both Ford and Toyota. Toyota put the squeeze on their fellow Japanese Aisin and Ford is having a hard time getting parts.
I went with the Mariner Hybrid, and one of the reasons was that it came with a tan (really pebble) interior.
As far as I know, the 2007 Nav system is still the 12 disc CD version used in previous model years.
Just to make it worse, far worse, is that the 12 discs have never been updated. The 2007 models are being delivered to customers with the same 2005 version discs. For map data from Navteq, that is VERY outdated.
I thought the hybrid displays and HVAC controls went through the NAV system, so you can't replace it?
HVAC controls may share a wiring harness somewhere in the truck but they are certainly not dependant on the NAV system
I've seen photos in other forums of Double-DIN sized head units installed in the FEH. They fit the length and width of the hole but not the depth....some minimal amount of plastic has to be removed to get units of this size to fully recess into the dash.
I've heard other rumors about what can and cannot be replaced in the FEH. Mostly started by unknowing dealer employees trying to sell something.
I am looking to install one in my 2005 FEH but I do not know if the large unit- needs a 4" opening will fit. I have an audio installer looking into now. If you have any additional information re: how it would fit please advise.
Eric
The thread at this address has some pictures:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/aftermarket-stereos.2810.html?page=3&pp=10
Good luck, let me know what you find out.
I did the exact same thing. Kept my Garmin 2610. The Ford nav system is crap.
Thinking about buying one for 4-down tow vehicle behind our MH and this would also allow me to uncouple all four wheels from the driveline while towing. Additionally it is my firm belief that FWD and front torque biased AWD vehicles are patently UNSAFE for driving in wintertime roadbed conditions.
Anyone know enough details about the method of coupling in the rear driveline to offer advice?