Ford Escape Hybrid

[iandraz]

After a bit of a hiatus from ExPo I'm back with a different vehicle - a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid:



4WD, 8.6" ground clearance, and 28 mpg. My first modification has been the tires - 215/85 R16 Goodyear SilentArmor. Drops the fuel economy by 1 or 2 MPG but they are pretty sweet off-road. Was worried about the fit but no rubbing that I've noticed. The hybrid system handles the change in diameter well since it is like a continuously variable transmission.

Just got this a couple weeks back. So far I'm really happy with it. I can get mid 30s MPG if I'm careful and don't drive too fast. My favorite part is driving off road in full electric mode. Lots of torque and totally silent. Haven't really pushed the 4WD aspect yet - it's actually an electric motor on the rear wheels that kicks in when slipping is detected.

Thinking about California desert adventures and a roof top tent or a trailer in the near future, we'll see how things go!

[Bigfoot1963]

I have a 2006 non-hybrid v-6 4x4 that does quite well off the pavement, however with the auto trans if the hill gets too steep it just runs out of go. The 4x4 works great in deep sand and snow.

[iandraz]

Just took this camping in the Sierras near Tahoe. Worked great climbing some rough roads to a campsite at 7500 feet. Averaged 28 mpg traveling the 350 miles from SF and back:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/iandraz/6098922396

[K2ZJ]

I have a 2006 non-hybrid v-6 4x4 that does quite well off the pavement, however with the auto trans if the hill gets too steep it just runs out of go. The 4x4 works great in deep sand and snow.

Not in snow if you have traction control!

I drive one for work, same color! I think it is not to bad except for the traction control! I would love to punch the ford engineer who made it so you can't turn it off! You can push the off button but it still hits the brakes if it spins a wheel. It took me 15 minutes get out of a tiny depression filled with 8" of snow. I had limited run up to the exit and the tc kept killing my momentum. On a flat and cornering it is pretty cool how it pulls you right around a corner, but if you need some spin you are stuck! I think it is cool you are using something other than the norm. Also I have gotten up to 34mpg out of it. Have fun!

[iandraz]

http://www.iandraz.com

[AdjusterTim]

What's the word on water crossing in this? Can you go full electric and prevent the risk of hydrolocking or does the fact that you're running electric increase the risk of shorting it out while water crossing?

I wonder how deep one could go without a snorkel if there were a means to waterproof the electric engine and battery and use that in water crossing.....

[K2ZJ]

The batteries are inside.

[AdjusterTim]

So theoretically, assuming the doors are water tight, one could turn the gas engine off, run the electric and water cross up to the windows without worrying about the usual engine perils of water crossing? That's the (checking craigslist auto section) $15,000-$20,000 question it seems. It's not like electric engines need air or vent that much heat when running the engine, unless I'm wrong. I'm no engineer, I usually hire them to answer questions like this for me...lol

[nely]

The $20,000 answer is... With the engine not running there nothing keeping the water from flowing up the exhaust system and filling the engine with water. Exhaust will push the water out but intake will suck it in. But the same goes for the intake. It wont suck water in but water will flow in on its own.

Now if one was to make a snorkel and have the exhaust exit higher than the water level... I guess it might work.

[K2ZJ]

So theoretically, assuming the doors are water tight, one could turn the gas engine off, run the electric and water cross up to the windows without worrying about the usual engine perils of water crossing? That's the (checking craigslist auto section) $15,000-$20,000 question it seems. It's not like electric engines need air or vent that much heat when running the engine, unless I'm wrong. I'm no engineer, I usually hire them to answer questions like this for me...lol

I don't know of a way to keep the engine off. It starts and stops on its depending on your interior temp settings and throttle position.

The $20,000 answer is... With the engine not running there nothing keeping the water from flowing up the exhaust system and filling the engine with water. Exhaust will push the water out but intake will suck it in. But the same goes for the intake. It wont suck water in but water will flow in on its own.

Now if one was to make a snorkel and have the exhaust exit higher than the water level... I guess it might work.

I am sure there would be some that got in, but it would probably not go as far as the engine. You would need to replace the air with water, it would have to climb the exhaust up into the engine. I would guess it would drain out as you left the water and the back of the car was pointing down. Same for the intake, you would have to force it in there, an air bubble would stop it from passing all the way.