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New Ford Escape Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report

149 messages,  Last post on Jul 14, 2011 at 8:28 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid

Messages Page 4 of 16

#24 of 149 Almost a week now... by jeezydeezy

Oct 10, 2006 (10:52 am)

I got my 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid last week, and so far, I am loving it! It took a few days to get used to the steering, and I am training myself to drive differently to get maximum fuel efficiency. I have a nasty commute to work with over an hour of residential streets and stop signs. I just got rid of my '97 Passport, because it was only getting 12-13 mpg and the price of gas was killing me! Over the last two days, I have averaged over 35 mpg on my commute. The other night I ran a short errand to the neighborhood pharmacy and that trip alone averaged over 50 mpg because it was nearly all battery-powered! I am not a fan of the CD Navigation system, because the first three things I looked up were not there (my house, Citibank, and UCLA!), so I am hoping they update the CDs soon. The only other thing that bugs me is that the six CD changer is under the passenger seat, but in order to access it, the seat must be pushed all the way back, yet it is not electronically powered, so you really have to SIT in it, in order to access your CDs. I can't have it back all the time, as I have a babyseat directly behind it. No matter, it's a small beef, and better than having to go all the way to the trunk to change your CDs.

#25 of 149 Re: Almost a week now... [jeezydeezy] by stevedebi

Oct 13, 2006 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: jeezydeezy (Oct 10, 2006 10:52 am)
"No matter, it's a small beef, and better than having to go all the way to the trunk to change your CDs."
 
But not so good as the Honda system, where the 6 CDs are in the dash, behind the screen of the NAV system. The screen folds up and back to load CDs.

#26 of 149 My new hybrid by escabelle

Oct 22, 2006 (7:41 pm)

hello hybrid owners,
I bought my 2007 FEH/ FWD on Oct 7th.; I am totally in love with my "sweet Escape".
My friends, family, & coworkers were very surprised [read- impressed] that I chose to buy a Hybrid. Probably because I am a 57 y/o,divorced female; and I did not have a male go with me to buy it.
I had read up on the hybrid on the web and liked what I saw about the fuel economy.
I have put a little over 500 miles on it and am seeing about 29 mpg per the info system. (I did not get the Nav system).
I do sit in Houston traffic and part of the route home is thru suburbia, so my little baby gets to use her electric system a lot.
I do have a question about washing the hybrid.
 The manual says to be careful not to get water and soap in the back air-vent ( at the back side window for the HV battery).
I prefer to go to a Mr. CarWash or a gas station car wash, rather then to wash by hand, so I am concerned about water spraying in that vent from those types of places. What are your thoughts on that?

#27 of 149 Re: Almost a week now... [stevedebi] by mschmal

Oct 31, 2006 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Oct 13, 2006 3:57 pm)
>"No matter, it's a small beef, and better than having to >go all the way to the trunk to change your CDs."
>
>But not so good as the Honda system, where the 6 CDs are >in the dash, behind the screen of the NAV system. The >screen folds up and back to load CDs.
 
Honda makes a Hybrid SUV? news to me....they don't even make a FULL HYBRID vehicle.
 
Mark

#28 of 149 Re: Almost a week now... [mschmal] by stevedebi

Nov 01, 2006 (11:05 am)

Replying to: mschmal (Oct 31, 2006 1:11 pm)
"Honda makes a Hybrid SUV? news to me....they don't even make a FULL HYBRID vehicle. "
 
I guess you think that only hybrids have NAV systems with multiple CD changers? However, for the record, I have since discovered that the 2007 CR-V with NAV only puts the NAV CD behind the screen. The audio CDs are in the console between the front seats.
 
I don't recall writing anything about a Hybrid Honda SUV in my post. However, I personally am waiting for the 2009 CR-V with the CDI 2.2 diesel engine. That should be good for 30 MPG city / 40 MPG highway. And it will be better for the environment

#29 of 149 My 2007 Report After Two Months by smitty150

Dec 08, 2006 (5:52 pm)

We love the FEH 4WD. My wife wants to steal it from me. It rides and handles better than our Sienna Van.
 
My only concern is a drop in MPG from the low 30s to around
28-29.
 
However, maybe I should add a few things.
 
1. My longest drive is 24 miles RT, takes about 40 minutes (20 each way), and is mostly 35-45 MPH with about 6 stops at lights.
 
2. I also do a lot of short hauls (errands) in the 3-5 mile range between stops which can number up to 4 or so.
 
3. Its gotten colder in the last month and this corresponds to the mileage drop. Is there a correlation?
 
4. I do "baby" the accelerator and can often get it on battery for a few blocks at least.
 
Ideas and reactions greatly appreciated!
 
Smitty from Southern Oregon

#30 of 149 Cold weather by pf_flyer HOST

Dec 09, 2006 (4:07 am)

Hybrid or not, the cold is certainly going to affect your mileage performance. From the low 30's to just under 30 doesn't seem at all unusual.

#31 of 149 Re: Cold weather [pf_flyer] by smitty150

Dec 10, 2006 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Dec 09, 2006 4:07 am)
I should also add we are in Southern Oregon and not
 
in bone-chilling weather. 30 overnight and 45-50 during
 
the day.

#32 of 149 Mileage. by mschmal

Dec 11, 2006 (10:33 am)

Colder temp will definately affect your FEH mpg. The battery is temp sensitive and there is heating system to keep the battery in its best temp range. Ah but the heating system runs off the gas engine.
 
If you have the opportunity to garage the FEH overnight that should help.
 
Also CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE. every 10 degree drop in temp drops your tire pressure by 1 lb/sqin. Low tire pressure will lower your mpg.
 
Mark.

#33 of 149 Fun To Drive! by karls

Dec 17, 2006 (10:38 am)

Purchased our 2007 FEH AWD from a local dealer's lot two weeks ago after seeing the 2008 sneak-peeks and the LA auto show text/pics. The new design probably improves on some of the prior version's looks/layout issues. I'm sure the Ford fleet managers and focus groups love the changes, but the 2008 seems too truck-like for us. (Of course, that's certainly our subjective opinion; your mileage may vary).
 
My wife's the primary driver. We've only put a bit more than 500 miles on it so far, and both of us like almost everything about this vehicle. No buyer's remorse at all.
 
Nice performance; comfortable front heated seats (although the switches need to be moved to the dashboard); great space/capacity behind the 2nd seats; very smooth transitions between the elec and gas propulsion systems; exterior fit and finish look really great; the interior is familiar when compared to our 2004 Expedition, although most of the non-leather materials are very bland.
 
The GPS' technology is long-in-the-tooth (using CDs), plus the CD set is two years old. When updates are available every 24-30 months, they'll cost $200+ per set, based upon the mapping company's response to my inquiry.
 
Above all, this vehicle is fun to drive! We look forward to going through our first winter with this economical AWD.

Messages Page 4 of 16

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