2006 Ford Escape Hybrid from North America - Comments

The Ford Escape Hybrid is uncomfortable and has a bumpy ride. Furthermore, the mileage I've been getting is below their estimates. My mileage is 24.8 mpg versus the 30 + Ford boasts about.

The car does not handle well in rain or snow. I've had numerous occasions where the back of the car has dove-tailed.

Fish-tail NOT dove-tail... jeesh... sure you can drive?

Try replacing the fuel filters or air filters, do some other servicing to the engine as well, that should help out with you mpg problem.

In addition to the maintenance items mentioned above, your mileage also depends on how the vehicle is driven. Hybrid vehicle mileage is best in the city, where stop-and-go driving enables the regenerative braking system to recharge the batteries. At low city speeds, the electric motors are only in use. At highway speeds the gasoline engine is only in use.

I have a 2006 hybrid which I bought in Dec 05. Mileage is pretty good, currently 31.5 MPG, about what I would expect with a 4 "banger" but it can be better. I installed a "Scan Gauge" in my car and noted that it first went into all electric mode after the engine temperature reached 160 degrees. It will drop out after about 139 degrees. I have no way to measure the charge on the battery to determine if it needs further charging..When I questioned a Ford rep by e-mail, I was told that they run the engine up to operating temperature to ensure that the emissions will be properly processed. To make sure I understood, I observed, “So you run the engine to eliminate the emissions you wouldn’t have if you didn’t run the engine!”. I never rec’d a reply. It seems to be they have used flawed logic. As an example, let’s say the engine is cold. I come to a stoplight and the engine keeps running. In about 30-45 seconds the light would change and the engine would have started anyway once I went more than 30 mph (you can only drive in residential areas at less than 30 mph. I find that one has to drive around 1.5 miles to reach operating temperature, so that if you have a bunch of short hops, you’re out of luck..

Winter is murder on mileage if you’re in a cold climate (around 29 mpg) I’m hopeful that Ford or someone will come out with a replacement controller that would allow you to each 35 mph (if you have the voltage) and turn off the engine at all stops except for the noted conditions in the owners manual. I never had a car that was “forced” to reach operating temperature. Still it’s a good car, but could be better.

Engines are forced to run rich when cold to warm up quicker. Engines run more efficient when warm. Running a cold engine for a few moments at a time is bad on the engine. Therefore, they want the engine to be efficient and protect the longevity. It will also kill your exhaust system if you run it cold for short bursts.

Also, I just noticed, that this was written with only 3000 miles on the clock. Generally all cars will not be up to spec on fuel consumption during the break in period which is usually 3000 or 5000 miles. Once you give your engine time to properly break in, there should be an improvement in the mpg's.

And also in respond to the handling issues, I live in one of the rainiest parts of the USA with rain about every other day. I drive everyday in our FWD 2.3 Escape with no problems in the rain at all. In fact the only problem I have experienced with the car handlingwise is torque steer. It handles OK for a SUV running on FWD IMO. We do get some light powder snow that usually turns into the slush after the first day. Again I had no problems as long as I was driving for the conditions.