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Hybrid Vehicles Ford Escape Hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid
1583 messages, Last post on Sep 26, 2009 at 4:59 PM
You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
| I'm considering a FEH to replace my Jeep Cherokee that I use for skiing in New England. In the mountains overnight low temps often hit -15 to -25 F and driving in snow is almost a daily occurrence. I'd like to hear from people who own Escape Hybrids and operate them in similar conditions. Any problems with extreme cold? How well does the AWD system work on snowy roads? I'm used to a true 4X4 and it always starts in the cold and in snow it's unstoppable, so am I making a mistake to buy an Escape Hybrid for this purpose? | |
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Replying to: jim2345 (May 15, 2008 7:08 pm) Occasional cold starts when the temperature has plummeted to -40F (-40C) were not a problem. One's fuel economy does take a bit of a a hit during the winter months but that is to be expected with any vehicle. Having leased several Ford Explorers since 1995 plus formerly driven a 2005 Escape XLT, I often say that this 2008 FEH is my ultimate dream vehicle -- which is good since I'll be driving it for several more years. Stephen  Canmore, Alberta
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Replying to: sksuh (May 16, 2008 12:55 am) |
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Replying to: jim2345 (May 15, 2008 7:08 pm) in your scenario, IF you get this model in the both axle drive, i would certainly say that replacing the factory tires with a really good snow and ice rated set is the most important thing you could do to make your FEH a better winter snow beast. my experience with the Continentals on my vehicle (a 2008) has been that roads with broken surfaces, ridges, or anything which might be less than ideal conditions is unsettling to my factory tires. it goes ok, but the change to something like Blizzaks will really make it keep it's teeth on the trail.
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Replying to: anne_d_h (Jan 10, 2008 5:02 pm) mine makes at least 3 distinct sounds one of which is whistling and they are most noticeable when i am at or below the gas engine starting event. the other noises both sound like a state cop with his siren on chasing me! my wife thinks the same. |
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Replying to: keegs54 (Dec 26, 2007 1:54 pm) heard was accurate. (delays due to battery supplier being the main problem i have heard) i placed the order in the last week of Dec., 2007. just got the vehicle last week. June 2008. i thought with such a late order cycle, mine might be a 2009 but all the papers show it is a 2008. |
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Replying to: jasoncarp (Dec 01, 2007 2:54 pm) tires on your vehicle? i started this on all my trucks and cars a few years ago and can't believe the difference it makes in snow or ice or even heavy rain for that matter. traction is the key. i know my FEH needs these and will have them on before i see flurries in the Northeast USA. |
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Replying to: pensive (Jun 05, 2008 8:03 am) Do you leave the snow tires on all year or change them back seasonally? I never thought about the tires because I don't plan to use the FEH off road. I just want to be able to stay on the roads in conditions that are less than ideal - especially the steep and curvey mountain access roads in winter. Afternoon flurries are common here and can make these roads pretty treacherous when descending at the end of the day. The highways are generally OK except when the snow is falling but then visibility tends to be the limiting factor for my Jeep rather than how slippery the road surface is. My Jeep came with all-season radials (Wranglers) and I never had a problem until they were almost worn out. I had to replace them last Fall after 50K miles and bought some Michelins that turned out to be mud and snow tires (I didn't realize- I just liked the tread). I felt a difference right away but I'm comparing new M&S tires to used-up all-season radials. It's a good thing I do most of my driving in the winter because I don't think these tires are a good choice the rest of the year. Where you live, do you have extreme low temps overnight in winter? I'd also be interested in your experience with the FEH batteries and electric motor in these conditions. And the gasoline motor is tiny - right? Does it really heat the cabin OK in extreme temps? I find when I'm driving my Jeep in falling snow, I need to blast my heater onto the windshield to prevent my wipers from icing up. Sometimes this is not enough - that's when I know it's time to get off the road and wait it out. Any experience you or others reading this have had with FEH's in extreme conditions would be greatly appreciated.
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Replying to: jim2345 (Jun 06, 2008 2:05 pm) |
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We are considering buying a 2006 Escape Hybrid and would like to know if anyone has had problems with the vehicle.
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