Buying an Escape
Created November 9, 2006, at 3:08 pm by timetraveler
Hello all. First of all, apologizing for re-hashing what you've probably covered. I've read some of the prior posts but want to get updated info for a 2007 vehicle. I'm very interested in buying an Escape FWD but have a few questions. (1) I drive 5 miles each way to work, speeds between 25-40 mph - is this good or bad for the car? (2) I live in Michigan where it gets cold - any problems with that? (3) I am NOT a car geek - I just get in and drive. Do I need special instructions to drive this? Do I need to worry about all the acronymns I've seen in the posts? Thanks much! Annie
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5 years ago
(1) 5 miles each way at 25-40 mph should be just fine for this car. You won't see the super mileage that some report since the engine will barely get warm by the time you get to work - but that will be the same with a pure gasoline car as well.
(2) I can't testify to the cold performance myself but the Escape should do better than any pure gasoline car.
(3) You just drive the escape hybrid. The only way you'll know it's a hybrid is if you look carefully at the gauges and notice the gasoline engine stops occassionally.
All of these concerns are not problems. You can just drive like you always have but you'll use less gasoline.
You'll hear of folks who do go extreme with their Escapes and other hybrids and alter their driving styles. This is not necessary for you to enjoy the better economy that the hybrid Escape gives you over pure gasoline vehicles. Note that if you don't really need the extra size of the Ford Escape, the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic hybrids will get you a lot better gas mileage than the Escape. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid will give you a bit more room and the Honda Accord Hybrid will be lot faster.
5 years ago
Hi Annie
I heard some people got engine block heaters automaticly with their FEH in the state of Michigan. If the one your looking at has that on the window sticker, your in luck. You can plug that into a timer to help warm the engine before going to work, and I've heard you can go electric much quicker. I would use the block heater at any temp. below 55F to save fuel and cut emissions. Five miles will not give you peak fuel efficiency, but you should be able to go electric within 2 miles, even shorter with a block heater.
Those speeds are ideal for the FEH (Ford Escape Hybrid), and if you decide you want to learn some of the tricks and techniques to get even better mileage, many here can help you out. For example, today my average MPG was 48.9mpg after 76 miles of city driving in my FWD FEH. I could settle for low to mid 30's, but I enjoy a challenge and the $ savings. You have a choice on how you want to drive it.
GaryG
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