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Ford Escape Hybrid - Driving Tips & Tricks

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

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#8 of 43 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [cdold] by stevewa Jan 14, 2005 (12:50 am)
Replying to: cdold (Jan 13, 2005 11:27 am) "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. Replies to this message: anng2 (Jan 23, 2005 12:25 pm)
#9 of 43 Re: Problems with Escape Hybrid [stevewa] by anng2 Jan 23, 2005 (1:25 pm)
Replying to: stevewa (Jan 13, 2005 11:50 pm) 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 43 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.
#11 of 43 by xcel Jan 21, 2005 (6:32 pm)
Hi All:   ___The Escape HEV will easily receive 40 mpg with the right driver, conditions, and proper setup. This non-hybrid Ranger XLT is close to the 40 mpg mark in 20 to 30 degree F temps and the Escape HEV is worth even more … In 65 - 85 degree temps, 45 mpg is a slam dunk in either. With the right pilot of course   http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/details.php?cid=380   ___Good Luck   ___Wayne R. Gerdes Replies to this message: stevewa (Jan 21, 2005 11:37 pm) xcel (Jan 22, 2005 8:02 am)
#12 of 43 Re: [xcel] by stevewa Jan 22, 2005 (12:37 am)
Replying to: xcel (Jan 21, 2005 5:32 pm) This goes to the "how do you define your MPG" question. I'm talking about mixed driving over the course of a full tank of fuel. Certainly there are conditions where you can well exceed the EPA but most people's transportation requirements do not stay within the limits that would permit that on a constant basis. For example, when driving my Prius from the gas station to our house I have had the mileage up as high as 70MPG. That's because it's almost completely flat terrain, 35MPH with few stop signs. It's also only a little over a mile, and since the car is already warmed up the engine shuts off for most of the trip. I have yet to manage the same trick in our FEH but I'm still trying Replies to this message: xcel (Jan 22, 2005 8:02 am)
#13 of 43 Re: [stevewa] by xcel Jan 22, 2005 (9:02 am)
Replying to: stevewa (Jan 21, 2005 11:37 pm) Hi Stevewa:   ___You will have to change something in the setup, technique, or simply slowing down but place that Ranger XLT in your sights and it won’t be long. If you keep trying, you will learn all the tips and tricks as well as use this ability in whatever else you drive   ___Good Luck   ___Wayne R. Gerdes
#14 of 43 More reasons to love the Escape Hybrid by hybd4me Feb 14, 2005 (6:45 pm)
The car really is fun to drive around town.   First, I am impressed with the ECV transmission. It is hard to describe. The only word I can think of is "smooth." There is no sense of a shift whatsoever so the car maintains a smooth pull from 0 mph to whatever speed.   Also, you will notice the the near instantaneous torque that you get from an electric engine -- it really feels different from any straight gas car I've driven. And it's not just at low speeds. The electric motor provides some nice kick even on the highway. If you're at 50 mph and want to go to 70, the car will respond instantly with the first response coming from the elctric engine. The gas engine will take some time to rev up and then will jump in after the accleration has started.   Finally -- and this is really cool -- when you release the gas pedal, you will notice in the power meter that the car instantly switches to "regeneration mode" in order to capture the energy from the excess RPMs that a gas engine produces as it slows down.   The power management algorithym (sp?) seems very intelligent - Ford I'm very impressed.
#16 of 43 CVT on the Hybrid, curse or blessing by zadscmc Apr 14, 2005 (5:55 am)
I have both an Escape hybrid and a Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH) with mt.   I cannot get used to the CVT on the Escape, it seems like I am always in "passing gear" revving the motor in excess when trying to accelerate. I can get the vehicle to 33-36 mpg in normal traffic but as soon as I need to accelerate modestly I hear the gas slurping out of the tank. (Boy I wish this thing had a bigger gas tank, too.)   I am by no means a lead foot, does anyone else have this problem?   -C... Replies to this message: stevewa (Apr 14, 2005 7:14 am) cdold (Apr 30, 2005 7:02 pm)
#17 of 43 Re: CVT on the Hybrid, curse or blessing [zadscmc] by stevewa Apr 14, 2005 (8:14 am)
Replying to: zadscmc (Apr 14, 2005 4:55 am) It's doing what it's designed to do. When you accelerate it's revving up to its best efficiency and using any extra energy to recharge your battery.   The Ford and Toyota systems have a completely different design philosophy from Honda.   My advice is "don't worry just drive and be happy". If you look at your overall efficiency it's unlikely that the higher RPMs are having a sigificant negative impact.

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