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2013 Ford Escape Gas Mileage - READ ONLY

565 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 8:42 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Forum.

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

Please note the engine, AWD/FWD, type of gas you buy, and something about the type of driver you are and your driving conditions (city/highway, commuting) when you post about your mileage.

Messages Page 18 of 58

#162 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [frank181] by automelon48

Jan 06, 2013 (11:31 am)

Replying to: frank181 (Jan 06, 2013 9:18 am)
frank181, I presume you have a 2.0 AWD? If so, the EPA average is posted at 24MPG.
I too have noticed that the range seems pretty short. I have put as much as 12.9 gallons in the tank, and that took me less than 300 miles. I do find the gas guage and "distance to empty" display are very conservative. I have read the fuel tank level from the OBD-II port before filling up, and it showed a higher number than the guage. (I will document that info and share it with you the next time I fill up)
Having said that, it is not generally a good idea to run a tank completely empty. Fuel pumps are cooled by gas, sloshing around them. A 13 gallon fillup should be about right for this 15 gallon tank. (yes, 13 gallons is not much)
 
I would also add, as many have in the past, that the EPA numbers are a guide and there are many variables to gas mileage. Driving habits, Ethanol content tire pressure, terrain, speed etc etc.
I have only used Ethanol free gas in my SEL 2.0 FWD,. (not an option for everyone) I have 17" snow tires mounted on steel rims and I have been in winter driving conditions for most if not all of my first 10 tanks. My 10 tank average is 24.3 MPG. Best was 27.6 which was mostly highway.
 
I find that cruise control is less efficient. Cruise control has one mandate and that is to maintain a constant speed. It will not anticpate hills approaching and will apply lots of throttle (turbo-boost) when it hits the hill. This is normal cruise control operation.
 
I hear your frustration with mileage, but there are so many variables in this eqation that it is a very difficult topic to address. If you look around any forum from any manufacturer, you will find people unhappy with their mileage.
 
If you look at fuelly.com you can browse through a large database of drivers who report each and every fillup. Apply the filter to show 4-cylinder gas engines on vehicles like the Toyota RAV-4, VW-Tiguan, Honda CR-V etc, and you will see that the average 2013 Escape owner is right in line. (yet the Escape offers significantly more performance if you have the 2.0)

#163 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [tinycadon] by automelon48

Jan 06, 2013 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: tinycadon (Jan 06, 2013 10:49 am)
tinycadon, From everything I see on the web, the Crosstrek is smaller and 500 lbs lighter than the Escape and has significantly less torque and HP than the Escape. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison.
In addition, the little 148 Hp engine should be getting an average of 28Mpg according to the EPA, so you are falling short of the EPA combined average.
 
Difficult to slam Ford based on this criteria.

#164 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [automelon48] by tinycadon

Jan 06, 2013 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: automelon48 (Jan 06, 2013 2:48 pm)
Automelon, go back and read my posts, it's a hell of a lot more than just the mpg's that I'm slamming Ford about. I had a 2010 Escape that had better mpgs & range than this beast & regretted opting for the "better" "superior" Escape!
 
Well, if I'm only 1mpg below the EPA figures driving in the winter & using the winter blend, then the Escape was a complete disaster this summer. I guess comparing the two isn't "apples to apples" but considering the two are close enough in epa mpg figures (same hwy, 2mpg difference in city) then the Escape should've had better #s driving in better conditions this summer. I never got better than 22mpgs in mixed driving & it's only when you combine the mixed with the straight highway miles did it go above the 23mpg city rating (23.5). I hand calculate everything & keep a spreadsheet.
 
As far as the comparison in weight & hp/torque, the added 500lbs has a HUGE impact on real life comparisons between the two. I subscribe to Consumer Reports, here are the comparisons of the tested vehicles:
 
0 to 30: Escape(4wd) 3.4 Crosstrek 3.8
0 to 60: 9.9 9.7
45 to 65: 6.5 6.6
Quarter-mile: 17.5 17.5
Quarter-mile: 80 82
 
So the Escape is quicker to 30 but slower to 60, with passing time (45-65) a statistically insignificant .1 second difference. So all that HP & Torque advantage the Escape has is completely wasted because of the weight.
 
Fuel Economy Tests:
 
CR's overall mileage: Escape 22 Crosstrek 26
CR's city/highway: 15/31 19/34
Crusing Range: 335mi 420mi
 
So much for the "ECO" in that ECOboost. The Crosstrek came out +1 in EPA hwy and -6 for the city. The Escape -2 in EPA hwy and -8 for city.
 
Yes, I'm slamming Ford, not on the old Escape, but this new Escape that sucks eggs as far as I'm concerned!!!

#165 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [tinycadon] by automelon48

Jan 06, 2013 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: tinycadon (Jan 06, 2013 5:14 pm)
tinycadon, Glad you have found a vehicle you like. For whatever reason, I am able to get 24+ MPG combined in winter driving conditions, with the bigger engine and have trailer towing power and passing power to spare. I have had zero problems with my Escape. Perhaps I am lucky, or perhaps you are unlucky. In either case, happy motoring in the future!

#166 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [automelon48] by tinycadon

Jan 06, 2013 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: automelon48 (Jan 06, 2013 6:04 pm)
There are far more "unlucky" new Escape owners than lucky, maybe you live somewhere where they have pure gas and not 10% ethanol??? I had issues with the MFT system as well, things working, not working, turning on and off for no reason & then 3 recalls for engine fires was enough for me. Glad you are satisfied with your car, I wasn't and I loved it at first, sad.

#167 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [tinycadon] by tinycadon

Jan 06, 2013 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: tinycadon (Jan 06, 2013 5:14 pm)
I used the Fwd EPA #s instead of the 4wd EPA #s when I calculated the Consumer Reports test figures, the Escape did get +1mpg for hwy and -7 for the city not -2 hwy & -8 city.

#168 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [automelon48] by johnnyuma

Jan 07, 2013 (4:23 am)

Replying to: automelon48 (Jan 06, 2013 11:31 am)
I understand the variable factors that contribute to the actual MPG that one may see (ie ethanol content, outside temp, head wind/tail wind, snow/ice on the road, driving style etc).
 
However, my 2013 Escape Titanium is the 5th new vehicle I've purchased since 1998. With the previous 4 vehicles I was able to obtain the EPA hwy mileage (cruising on the interstate 70 mph - the posted speed limit where I live) after a reasonable break in period. I've yet to come close to attaining the hwy mpg on my Escape (the best I got was about 24 mpg cruising 70). The best I've achieved - about 27 mpg was cruising 55 - 60. I'm at 24 mpg overall - just like the sticker says. But I live in a small town and I don't really drive in city traffic. My vehicles have always had a bias towards the highway mileage.
 
I have 2,700 miles on my vehicle. I understand the 2,000 - 3,000 mile break in period stated in the owner's manual before we should check the mpg. So far it's not looking too good for the hwy mpg (in my case). But I'm not officially disappointed yet. I'll be patient and give it more time.
 
The final exam will be next month when I head to Florida (from SW MI). I'm planning a round trip of about 3,000 miles with quite a bit of time spent on the interstate. I'll post the results after my trip.
 
But I'm beginning to think Ford engineered this vehicle to perform on the EPA test and not on the road (wrt to fuel mileage). If so, they may be technically correct and passed the EPA test but could lose in the court of public opinion.
 
Overall, on all other factors I'm extremely satisfied with my new Escape! The vehicle's performed flawlessly so far (even the My Ford Touch)!

#169 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [tinycadon] by johnnyuma

Jan 07, 2013 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: tinycadon (Jan 06, 2013 6:14 pm)
"There are far more "unlucky" new Escape owners than lucky, maybe you live somewhere where they have pure gas and not 10% ethanol???"
 
What's your source for this conclusion? or is it simply an emotional knee jerk reaction? I'm interested in the hard data source.

#170 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [johnnyuma] by tinycadon

Jan 07, 2013 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: johnnyuma (Jan 07, 2013 1:34 pm)
Hey Johnny, read the thread before attacking my assertion, unless you go around personally testing out every single Escape on the road yourself where's your "Hard Data" to support your assertion that most people ARE getting close to EPA ratings? You want "Hard Data" then buy yourself a subscription to Consumer Reports like I did, their "Hard Data" is right there in their "Hard Data" tests. In a 4wd 1.6L SE the "Hard Data" they came up with was 15mpg in city driving, 7mpg under the EPA rating of 22mpg. Is that "Hard Data" enough for you???

#171 of 565 Re: 2013 Escape 1.6L AWD Fuel Mileage [johnnyuma] by escapeism

Jan 07, 2013 (5:48 pm)

Replying to: johnnyuma (Jan 07, 2013 4:23 am)
Pretty much mirrors my mileage experience. Not sure I made the right choice with this turbo.

Messages Page 18 of 58

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