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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 6 of 57

#45 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [kyfdx] by steve_ HOST

Oct 27, 2012 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Oct 27, 2012 11:53 am)
Regular at that station is $3.55. Premium is $4.45. It better be some good stuff.

#46 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [steve_] by usa1fan

Oct 29, 2012 (3:57 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 27, 2012 2:14 pm)
Ours is (or was, yesterday..) running around $3.29 for regular. I haven't paid attention to what premium is, but I may be trying a few tanks of that soon to see what kind of effect there is on fuel economy with these little turbo engines. My 08 Malibu LTZ V6 saw no effect at all (not really expected though- rated for regular, with nothing from Chevy / GM indicating it would be different with other grades). Since Ford has rated the power higher with higher grade gas, maybe it'll impact economy too?

#47 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [usa1fan] by steve_ HOST

Oct 29, 2012 (6:09 am)

Replying to: usa1fan (Oct 29, 2012 3:57 am)
I think drivers should run the octane that their car is tuned for, and the gas cap or manual will tell you that. (link)
 
To quote Mr. Shiftright around here, premium gas isn't a doggie treat for your car.

#48 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [usa1fan] by wwest

Oct 29, 2012 (7:31 am)

Replying to: usa1fan (Oct 29, 2012 3:57 am)
"..impact economy too?.."
 
No. unless you mean $$ economy.
 
Premium gas will only make a difference at or near WOT, when the cylinders are being fully filled with A/F mixture and thus effective CR = base/native CR.

#49 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [steve_] by wwest

Oct 29, 2012 (7:33 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 29, 2012 6:09 am)
Most modern day engines are "tuned" on the fly, mixture ratio and timing "remapped" .

#50 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [wwest] by automelon48

Oct 29, 2012 (8:38 am)

Replying to: wwest (Oct 29, 2012 7:31 am)
Premium gas may give better fuel mileage IF it is 100% gasoline AND your 87 octane fuel contains ethanol.
This is confusing to many consumers as they may be led to believe that Premium gas allows for better fuel economy than regular gas. ie; 91 octane is better than 87 octane for mileage.
It might, but it may be the ethanol content in the two fuels that makes the difference, not the octane rating.
 
Ford does state that the Ecoboosts make more HP on 91 octane, that is public knowledge. Does 91 octane yield better fuel mileage than 87 in an Escape Ecoboost? I think I would have to ask a Ford engine designer that question.

#51 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [automelon48] by steve_ HOST

Oct 29, 2012 (9:31 am)

Replying to: automelon48 (Oct 29, 2012 8:38 am)
People always get confused about the performance aspect too. It really boils down to whether the engine application has been designed to take advantage of it.
 
"Octane ratings are not indicators of the energy content of fuels. " (Wikipedia)
 
"If your car is designed to run on 87 octane gasoline then a higher octane will not improve mileage, and if it does there is likely a problem with the control system for your engine." (Bettermileage101)
 
Those links aren't the last word by a long shot, but I think the best bet is to follow the recommendations in the owner's manual.

#52 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [steve_] by automelon48

Oct 29, 2012 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 29, 2012 9:31 am)
Agreed!
 
Below is a great article that I read, way back in 2001 that is very informative. Nice to see that it is still available on the Car and Driver website.
 
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/regular-or-premium

#53 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [automelon48] by usa1fan

Oct 29, 2012 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: automelon48 (Oct 29, 2012 12:32 pm)
Thank you for the link Steve. The last three paragraphs on page one explain exactly *why* I'm interested in the results of trying out higher octane fuel with my Escape. It is exactly what is described there- Ford 'recommends' regular unleaded, but has indicated an increase in power with premium (9 hp?). This indicates that it is in fact relying on the knock sensor to allow for timing advance. Another site I found indicates that this can have a side benefit of increased fuel economy in some situations (enthusiastic driving, pulling a certain gear on a grade longer before requiring a downshift because of increased torque, etc.). I don't know if or how much benefit there might be, but the simple fact that the power and torque numbers increase, by a not quite insignificant amount, at least when you consider how much some will spend to get the same increase from other cars, means that the ECU is doing something with these cars.

#54 of 565 Re: 1.6L Ecoboost FWD SEL [usa1fan] by steve_ HOST

Oct 29, 2012 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: usa1fan (Oct 29, 2012 6:46 pm)
One "advantage" of higher gas prices is that the .20 or .30 cent a gallon difference between regular and premium that's typical around here is that the percentage difference isn't so much.
 
Back in the day of $1.50 a gallon gas, a twenty cent bump was a lot bigger percentage difference. $3.50 to $3.70. Big whoop.

Messages Page 6 of 57

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