Author Topic: 2005 Ford Escape Gas Consumpation (Read 19529 times)

Heather Jean · « **on:** November 11, 2007, 09:34:22 pm »

My son just bought a 2005 Ford Escape XLT V6 4x4. The gas consumption is absolutely horrible. He drives about 400 km or so on a tank. It cost $50 to fill it. This seems like a like of gas to go anywhere. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or is this normal. Everyone we talk to seems to think their gas consumption is OK but not ours. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

articsteve · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2007, 09:46:03 pm »

What is the current mileage? Has he replaced the air cleaner?

The resale prices on those 4x4 V6 Escapes is low for a reason. Mileage doesn't seem out of the ball park for that vehicle.

airbalancer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2007, 09:48:14 pm »

So little information, size of tank, is his drive in a hilly area

Ford Escape rating 13.3/100km city and 9.9 / 100km city
If you want good mileage get a TDI

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2007, 09:50:50 pm »

This is the EPA website for fuel consumption:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov

For the 2005 Ford Escape the metric numbers are
13.8L/100km city
11.8L/100km highway

The tank size is 62.5 L.
If we assume that 50L gets him 400km, then his fuel consumption is 12.5l/100km. Pretty much in line with the EPA numbers.

gotak · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2007, 09:51:24 pm »

That mileage seems about right actually from my experiences with SUVs. 400 km for 50 bucks doesn't sound horrible for a SUV. I get about 425 for 30 something on my car but I expected that cause of it's engine.

Heather Jean · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2007, 09:59:05 pm »

I posted this on the cars but then noticed the SUV section. Sorry ... new here.

My son just bought a 2005 Ford Escape XLT V6 4x4. The gas consumption is absolutely horrible. He drives about 400 km or so on a tank. It cost $50 to fill it. Not sure of the tank size, but if gas is $1/litre then I'd say around 50L. This seems like a like of gas to go anywhere. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or is this normal. Everyone we talk to seems to think their gas consumption is OK but not ours. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:01:45 pm »

This is the EPA website for fuel consumption:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov

For the 2005 Ford Escape the metric numbers are
13.8L/100km city
11.8L/100km highway

The tank size is 62.5 L.
If we assume that 50L gets him 400km, then his fuel consumption is 12.5l/100km. Pretty much in line with the EPA numbers.

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:02:36 pm »

2005 Ford Escape 4WD
Find a Car
Fuel Economy
We have revised the 1985-2007 MPG estimates to make them comparable to the new 2008 MPG estimates!
Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 16
MPG (highway) 20
MPG (combined) 17

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/21389.shtml

The thing is a GAS PIG considering it's size. Live and learn OR spend 20 minutes on the internet before buying.

EV Dan · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:08:39 pm »

Ouch! thats what my f150 makes

EV Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:11:52 pm »

To Heather :

it Is worth checking air filter and spark plugs. Sometimes ppl put "upgraded" ones in and they burn like hay.

swishguy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2007, 10:19:58 pm »

I owned a 01 & 03 mazda tribute which is the identical vehicle & that is close to what i got.

JVan · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2007, 01:02:39 am »

I rented a new Escape a couple weekends ago, I was very unimpressed by the gas mileage, for something that size I would hope for better.

Railton · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2007, 09:35:37 am »

My Wife has a 2003 Escape Limited with the V6 and AWD. She has about 80K kms on it now. If your son is only getting 400km/tank then the truck needs a tune up...or he rides the brakes.
How many kms are on the truck?
When was it serviced last?
Does he have it locked in 4wd. The truck is basically a FWD vehicle untill the front wheels slip if it is left in auto.
Either way, this is a SUV with a V6, not a economy car or cute-ute with a 4 cyl.
Railton

Heather Jean · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2007, 10:05:39 am »

He just bought it from a dealer in August. It was supposed to be tuned up when he bought it. There is only 45,000 km on it. How do you take it out of 4WD? We were told that it is always in 4WD, which seems ridiculous but we haven't been able to find any info on it. The owner's manual says it's always in 4WD.

articsteve · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2007, 10:54:46 am »

Quote from: Heather Jean on November 12, 2007, 10:05:39 am

He just bought it from a dealer in August. It was supposed to be tuned up when he bought it. There is only 45,000 km on it. How do you take it out of 4WD? We were told that it is always in 4WD, which seems ridiculous but we haven't been able to find any info on it. The owner's manual says it's always in 4WD.

It was supposed to be tuned up when he bought it

The "tune up" was really a good cleaning inside and out. Go to Canadian Tire, buy an air filter for the motor and install. That is about all you can do OTHER THAN buy a good air pressure gage and set tire pressure to 36 psi or higher if the tires call for it. Also get a PCV valve for it, if equipped. Very cheap. Also at Crappy Tire.

The V6 in that vehicle is a dinosaur.

How do you take it out of 4WD? We were told that it is always in 4WD, which seems ridiculous

Whats ridiculous is that he bought one.

It's not always driving in all 4 wheels. A complex system of wheel sensors, etc., determines when the transfer case sends power to the rear wheels. It's a 4wd system for dummies

(most are these days). It appeals to the type of ppl who don't like having to think about when they should use their vehicles 4wd capability. The only downside is it's a Ford and when those complex set of sensor malfunction the cost of lousy mileage will seem like a bargain.

When it gets to be 3 years from the first day it hit the road, change the anti freeze, "dump a fill" the transmission (if that is possible on that vehicle). For spark plugs; follow the owners manual

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2007, 11:53:27 am »

You'll have to take whatever articsteve says with a pound or two of salt. He's a Toyota fan-boy, with a real hate-on for anything American.

There's nothing wrong with the Escape/Tribute. They're reliable, good handling and roomy. The drive-train uses older technology, which might cost a couple of mpg compared to the newest stuff out there. The reality is that any SUV is going to get worse mileage than a similar sized car simply because they are less aerodynamic, heavier and have higher drive-line losses due to the 4wd system.

BTW, I wouldn't put more than 32psi in the tires unless the manufacturer called for it.

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2007, 12:29:50 pm »

The drive-train uses older technology, which might cost a couple of mpg compared to the newest stuff out there.

It does?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2007, 02:19:37 pm »

The 3.0L and the four speed auto have been around a long time. The 3.5L with the 6 speed in the Taurus X gets marginally worse mileage though it puts out ~260hp.

Of course the mileage king, apparently, is the Escape Hybrid.

articsteve · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2007, 02:44:41 pm »

Indeed, but commencing in the 2005 Escape, Ford disposed of the manually controlled 4WD (preferred IMO) to the "intelligent" zero input from driver 4WD, where one is at the mercy of sensors galore.

Do I think Ford has durable electronic systems that are easy to diagnose and reasonable to repair $$$$.

This is the test. PPL should ask themselves this one question.

If I could turn back the clock would I still make the same purchase for the same money?

In this case, if honesty is in play, the answer is a big NO.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2007, 02:51:38 pm »

Quote from: articsteve on November 12, 2007, 02:44:41 pm

Indeed, but commencing in the 2005 Escape, Ford disposed of the manually controlled 4WD (preferred IMO) to the "intelligent" zero input from driver 4WD, where one is at the mercy of sensors galore.

Do I think Ford has durable electronic systems that are easy to diagnose and reasonable to repair $$$$.

This is the test. PPL should ask themselves this one question. If I could turn back the clock would I still make the same purchase for the same money?

In this case, if honesty is in play, the answer is a big NO.

Whatever Toyboy. The Escape is still by far the best selling small SUV in Canada. They have been consistently average in Consumer Reports ratings. I know 3 people who have them. Two still have them, the third has just replaced his Tribute with...another Tribute.