Hi Sdctcher:

___There is not anyone that would think you are lying in the least. What I want you to realize is that your Escape HEV is worth so much more then the lowly EPA estimates you are just beginning to see now. You don’t know how much I wish I had one to play with for just 5 tanks as I know they are worth at least low level Prius I/II like FE in warmer temps but you really do need to practice patience and to hone your own hypermiling skills. You have the 4WD model, right? If so, that one is hamstrung by a small amount but it is still easily worth > 40 mpg in warmer temps if setup and driven properly. I have already pointed you in the right direction, now it is time for you to pull the tools out of the toolbox use them to shove your Escape HEV into levels only the Prius II and HCH’s have seen. Stop using the EV mode as much as you have. The ICE drain on recharge is a killer let alone the incremental damage you are doing to your pack with the heavy cycling. You have no SoC meter to go by but just believe both what I have seen of the Prius II and said with Hybrid’s and non-Hybrids alike. Get that ICE started up and keep a low load/low RPM strategy in force as your Atkinsonized 2.3 is worth some truly spectacular FE if you would just let it.

___Do not forget to update your tanks. It has been a while since you posted tank #2.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net