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New Ford Escape Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report

125 messages,  Last post on Nov 01, 2008 at 10:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid


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#113 of 125
Re: Ford Escape Hybrid - terrible mileage problem [mecheng1] by dguild
Feb 06, 2008 (1:42 pm)
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Replying to: mecheng1 (Feb 06, 2008 9:39 am)

Thanks for your response. Actually my best mileage occurred between 3000 and 4500 miles. I am at 6600 miles now. I have been searching on line for others having similar problems and it seems there are at least some. The regenerative braking issue seems to be common with Toyota (and maybe Honda) hybrids as well. It seems that the battery cannot be charged at a high current when temperatures are below 35-40F or so. The colder it is the slower it recharges.
#114 of 125
My Experience In the Canada Cold by maksime
Feb 06, 2008 (5:57 pm)
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I bought a 2008 FEH 4WD with 11000 miles and now it’s at 13000 miles. I live in the Ottawa Valley, ON, Canada and the last couple of days, temperature was around -15 to -25 C (5 to -13F)
 
START UP
I had no problem with startup, only that the normal sounds during startup were louder and became quieter as the vehicle warmed up. (i.e. CVT, ABS unit, click from the battery vent, engine was actually very loud...etc) Instead of the vehicle starting with 1500 RPM, it would reach 2200-2500. The display screen was not as responsive, LCD screen was probably frozen.
 
DRIVING
It would take at least a good 10 min of normal driving around for the engine to run at the normal 1500. I did not put the defroster and left the climate control on ECON and 68F. It took longer trips (i.e. 8-10 miles) to get the electric propulsion. I believe the shortest distance I’ve driven before EV mode was around 5 miles, driving a long stretch, not too much stop and go, -5 C (23F).
 
So far, I got on average between 22.3 to 25 mpg (Gas tank full/mileage recorded since fill up). Lower that I would have expected but very decent compared to non-hybrid sedans given these temperatures. I can’t wait for the warmer days to see how it will behave.
 
One thing I would like to see the threshold speed for EV to HEV propulsion go up. Now, every time I reach 31 mph, the vehicle goes in HEV.
 
Is there anything that can be done to raise the threshold speed i.e. disconnecting the low volt battery in hopes to reset the vehicle controller, owner’s manual p. 224? What about PHEV conversions? Anybody?
 
Bottom Line, I love my FEH.
#115 of 125
Re: My Experience In the Canada Cold [maksime] by mecheng1
Feb 07, 2008 (8:16 am)
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Replying to: maksime (Feb 06, 2008 5:57 pm)

Resetting the PCM (vehicle controller) will have the opposite effect. It will erase things stored in the memory and your FEH will re-enter a kind of "break-in" period that allows even less EV mode. When you start to experience less extreme temperatures you will probably learn how to get the vehicle to stay in EV all the way up to 40 mph - use the L gear at appropriate times, switch between L and D, etc. That's about all we can hope for until the Li-Ion battery PHEV retrofit kits come down in price. Then we will be able to go 30 to 50 miles in EV at all speeds before the ICE kicks in.
#116 of 125
Re: My Experience In the Canada Cold [mecheng1] by dhuang2
Feb 07, 2008 (1:26 pm)
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Replying to: mecheng1 (Feb 07, 2008 8:16 am)

mecheng1,
Thanks very much for your many inputs for this forum. Could you provide some EASY steps how to switch between L and D for maximizing MPG? What'd be most efficient RPM range for 2008 FEH?
 
It looks like I am getting 1~2 MPG boost when I use L for stop and go condition.
 
Thanks,
#117 of 125
Re: My Experience In the Canada Cold [dhuang2] by mecheng1
Feb 08, 2008 (7:08 am)
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Replying to: dhuang2 (Feb 07, 2008 1:26 pm)

You will want to type "hypermiling the ford escape hybrid" or "Low gear advantage" into your favorite search engine and read through all the various reports of tricks and techniques that can be used to improve FE. THEN, you want to practice with the ones that work for you on your particular routes. I find that keeping RPM between 1800 and 2200, during times when the ICE is on, returns well over 30mpg. (but is hard to do 100% of the time and still keep up with traffic)
 
An immediate boost can be gained from running 40-44psi in the tires, BUT NOT during the winter in cold climates where you need the traction. Good Luck and Be Safe.
#118 of 125
fsbartlett by fsbartlett
May 26, 2008 (4:38 am)
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I purchased a new 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 2wd about six months ago. I am very happy with the vehicle. It looks good, gets good gas milage, we had a large SUV before. My only complaint are rattles and the wind noise!
 
My Escape has a high pitched squealing wind noise when driven at freeway speeds, that is worse when it is windy outside. The noise seems to be coming from around the dash area. I have had into the dealer two times to see if they could figure out what was causing the noise, I even took a Ford technician out so he could hear the squealing noise. They have not been able to find out what causes the noise. I wrote Ford Customer Service and asked them if they had heard of this problem in any other Escapes. They replied that my dealership is not at "liberty to find this abnormality" and they instructed them not to look for the wind noise anymore, Basically they told me tough luck, if it is that bad, trade it in for something else. Has anyone else had this problem?
#119 of 125
Re: fsbartlett [fsbartlett] by dhuang2
May 28, 2008 (2:14 pm)
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Replying to: fsbartlett (May 26, 2008 4:38 am)

I had put 15k miles on my 2008 FEH FWD since last May. I did not experience the excessive wind noise on highway. Actually, the FEH has less wind noise than my 2005 Explorer Sport Trac. I can hear the electric motor wining when accelerating, but it is not an issue for me. Following are something that I can think of:
1) Does windshield wiper (non-OEM) introduce noise
2) Does windshield leak air through cracks between glass and vehicle body?
 
Good luck
#120 of 125
Re: fsbartlett [dhuang2] by fsbartlett
May 28, 2008 (8:43 pm)
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Replying to: dhuang2 (May 28, 2008 2:14 pm)

The dealer has replaced the windshield wipers in hopes of getting rid of the wind noise, but it didn't work. They also thought that windshield might be leaking air between the glass and vehicle body, but nothing was tried to seal up the window to see if that got rid of the noise. Ford's stance now is, and this is from corporate, that they tried and they are not going to try anymore.
 
The noise when it happens is like a high pitched screeching noise, like a fan belt slipping, or high pressure air blowing across a small hole. I will keep looking, thanks for the ideas.
#121 of 125
Re: fsbartlett [fsbartlett] by fsbartlett
Jul 09, 2008 (3:32 pm)
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Replying to: fsbartlett (May 28, 2008 8:43 pm)

Before a recent trip to Arizona for our daughters wedding, I resealed the windshield with silicone and the wind noise went away. I contacted Ford to let them know that I had fixed it after they refused to look for the problem and they have yet to respond.
#122 of 125
Press request by KarenS HOST
Aug 04, 2008 (4:51 pm)
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A reporter with a large financial magazine would like to speak with hybrid owners and their experiences. If you are a hybrid owner, please respond to ctalatiedmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Wednesday, August 6th.

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