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Ford Escape Hybrid - Driving Tips & Tricks

46 messages,  Last post on Apr 13, 2011 at 8:32 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 1 of 5

#1 of 46 Ford Escape Hybrid: Driving Tips & Tricks by pf_flyer HOST

Aug 23, 2006 (6:46 am)

This is the place to share drving tips for getting the most out of your Escape hybrid.

#2 of 46 Problems with Escape Hybrid by copyboy1

Dec 16, 2004 (1:19 pm)

We bought a Escape Hybrid about a month ago and have about 700 miles on it so far. But here's the deal: we're getting about 24 mpg overall.
 
In highway driving, we get close to 40 mpg, but around town, we're only averaging about 15 mpg.
 
The engine, which is supposed to run on electric until about 25 mph, always kicks in right away - no matter how slowly we accellerate.
 
We took it into the dealership, and they claim there's nothing wrong - the batteries just need a "break in period."
 
Is anyone else having this problem? It kind of defeats the purpose of buying a hybrid if we're only going to get 24 mpg.

#3 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [copyboy1] by xcel

Dec 16, 2004 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: copyboy1 (Dec 16, 2004 1:19 pm)
Hi Cowboy:
 
___To go along with what larsb said, if it is to cold outside, EV mode may not be available either. Autostop in the IMA equipped Honda’s in non-existent below 40 degrees F without some tricks and IIRC, the Prius II didn’t like EV mode much in 32 degree F temps when I test drove one of those almost a year ago. Hopefully a Prius II or Escape HEV owner can add a bit to your troubles if it is indeed trouble.
 
___With that, where do you live and in what type of temperatures are you driving in? What the dealership said about the pack needing to be broken in is complete and total BS.
 
___Good Luck
 
___Wayne R. Gerdes

#4 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [xcel] by copyboy1

Dec 16, 2004 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: xcel (Dec 16, 2004 3:15 pm)
I live in Berkeley, CA, so the temp rarely gets below 40. I don't think that's the problem.
 
The users guide says that when using max AC, the engine might not go into EV mode, and we have noticed that keeping the heat completely off lets us run on EV mode up to about 15 mph.

#5 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [copyboy1] by stevedebi

Dec 16, 2004 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: copyboy1 (Dec 16, 2004 3:53 pm)
Is there a light that comes on when the AC compressor is engaged? The defrost setting will engage the AC automatically, and would account for the problem.

#6 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [stevedebi] by copyboy1

Dec 16, 2004 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Dec 16, 2004 4:33 pm)
With the AC/Defrost on even the lowest setting, it won't go into EV mode at all. And with the AC/Defrost completely off, we might be able to get it up to 15 mph (accellerating incredibly slowly) before the engine kicks in.

#7 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [copyboy1] by cdold

Jan 13, 2005 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: copyboy1 (Dec 16, 2004 1:19 pm)
"The engine, which is supposed to run on electric until about 25 mph, always kicks in right away - no matter how slowly we accelerate. "
 
My wife can't accelerate away from a stop without the engine starting. I can. I have gotten up to about 30 before the engine starts, consistently on one stretch of road. Anything resembling an upslope causes the engine to start.
 
My son was annoyed with my attempts to drive electric only, because it requires a rather slow start. The most sensitive point seems to be about five feet away from dead stop, where the engine normally starts.
 
I imagine that there's an electric power burst from dead start that is "allowed", and then there is a decision made whether to start the engine or not. Maybe pressing the pedal for a second or two, and then backing off for a moment, letting inertia keep you rolling, and then slowly applying the "gas" will let you stay on electric.
 
If you can get to 5mph, you can probably get to 25mph, but it's almost worthless on a city street. It works pretty well in a parking lot, wandering around, looking for a space, except that you sneak up on pedestrians while you are in stealth mode.

#8 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [cdold] by stevewa

Jan 14, 2005 (12:50 am)

Replying to: cdold (Jan 13, 2005 12:27 pm)
"The engine, which is supposed to run on electric until about 25 mph, always kicks in right away - no matter how slowly we accelerate. "
 
Part of the problem here is how Ford has publicised this. They oversimplified how the hybrid system works for the digestion of the "enthusiast press" by saying "the vehicle can run electric only up to about 25mph".
 
A more correct statement would have been something like "Depending on conditions the vehicle will shut down the gasoline engine and run in electric only mode when it is possible for the electric motor to provide the required torque, but it will also take into account other factors, for instance whether the A/C is on, whether the engine is fully warmed up, or whether the battery is sufficiently charged." The reality is for typical driving the gas engine is going to start shortly after you start moving. Don't worry about it. You get a large portion of the energy savings from having the engine not idling at the red light. You should be able, OTOH, to coast down most hills without the engine starting (or at least without it consuming much or any fuel), especially if you are using light braking (helps charge the battery).
 
Ambient temperatures make a big difference here. Because Ford decided to cool the battery using outside air (Prius and I think Honda get cooling air from the passenger cabin) the Escape may have to start the A/C compressor (and thus the engine) just to keep the battery pack within acceptable temperature range. The system also works hard to keep the catalytic converter up to operating temperature, because when the cat is not hot it doesn't do nearly as good a job of cleaning up the exhaust.
 
It is certainly possible to stay electric only in a typical urban stop-and-go gridlock type situation where speeds seldom get over 10 mph. My observation is that trip length also plays a major role in the fuel efficiency. With my commute (approx 25-30 minutes) I can get about 27MPG pretty consistently, even with a big hill between me and work. When I go on longer trips, whether they are city or highway driving, the mileage goes up. Shorter, it drops. This should not be a surprise based upon the constraints listed above.

#9 of 46 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [stevewa] by anng2

Jan 23, 2005 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: stevewa (Jan 14, 2005 12:50 am)
I have about 2500 miles on my 4 WD Escape Hybrid.
My mpg has not gone above 24.6 not matter what combination of city/highway driving I have done.
My dealer contacted Ford about this situation and I was told I had to wait until around 10,000 miles for the engine to "break in". I am going to try to get something in writing from Ford since I paid thousands of extra dollars for this feature. I am only getting 3 mpg more than my 1986 Volvo 240 DL wagon. At this rate, it will take over 40 years for me to realize the savings in gas mileage...
I can get up to 39 miles per hour going downhill and braking and keep it on the battery. At 40 mph, it kicks into gas.
My road slows from 55 to 35. I can keep in in electric going up to 35 mph if I slow down to it from a higher speed and I use a very, very light touch on the gas. I find if I accelerate the speed I can't keep it electric past around 10-15 mph.
My dealer said an engineer drove with an egg under the accelerator pedal and got 50 mpg. He didn't say how many rear end collisions this caused.
At any rate, I still can get my milege up and I am really trying...

#10 of 46 Go back to the dealer.....they are wrong... by larsb

Dec 16, 2004 (1:48 pm)

quote copyboy1-"The engine, which is supposed to run on electric until about 25 mph, always kicks in right away - no matter how slowly we accellerate."-end quote
 
If that is true, then you have a problem you can show the dealer. Take it to them and show them that the battery is not kicking in at low MPH like it should. Here are some reviews that mention the "electric only" feature:
 
"In fact, the Ford Escape Hybrid will be able to go as fast as 25 mph without burning a drop of fuel, albeit for short distances."
 
"The Escape Hybrid can be driven up to 25 miles on electric power alone, thus using no gasoline and causing no emissions."
 
One caveat: The "electric only at slow speeds" MIGHT only happen after the truck is warmed up. I do not know that for sure, but I do know that in the Civic Hybrid, the "autostop" feature will not kick in until the engine is warmed up.

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