Hi Copyboy1:

___I cannot help you directly although I have wanted to jump into your rant thread for some time now … About the only item I can add is that either your Escape HEV is screwed up or your driving skills and setup are not where they could be for your 10 mile commute. Let that ICE run down the hill if that is what it wants to do when warming up but don’t give her any fuel. Just coast down. Until an experienced hypermiler drives YOUR Escape HEV, you can ***** all you want but from my vantage point, your complaints are a bit over the top until an experienced driver sets it up and takes it for a nice drive for a comparison. Afterwards, please post back with the results or at least wait until it does hits 65 degrees + for an extended period of time and you have more miles on her. . It appears as if the Berkeley area will have colder temps and rain this weekend so that is out but get your pressures up and go for a longer ride on Saturday afternoon between the rain with the wife and kids. Get that ICE running after the initial slow acceleration or at least coast down that monster hill you mentioned earlier and keep it running while providing propulsion unless coasting into a light, sign, or traffic dictates otherwise.

___On a similar note, Ericbecky had a day or two with in an Escape HEV in the Madison, WI. area and told me they are a bit tougher to hypermile then our Insight’s. I believe he said he averaged 27 mpg while commuting in 0 - 20 degree F temps and it was setup (incorrectly of course) as he received it from Ford. One of these days I will get my chance as well but right now, it is far too early to tell given your short trips and relatively colder temps.

___Good Luck

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