Greetings, all. Due to the recent spike in gas prices, I took the plunge and bought the FEH. It's great, despite a few niggles.

The two I'm most concerned about are 1) the vehicle's reputation for rollover, and 2) the somewhat excessive engine noise. I'd like to know if there are solutions for either. Would better tires (than stock)/wider tires/larger rims have any effect on rollover or handling? If I got new tires, I'd probably get Bridgestone Dueler A/T's, but I don't know how soon that would be, primarily because the Escape has only 4k miles. I'm not a necessarily aggressive driver, but I take driving seriously (mainly due to my occupation, which can require emergency driving).

Second, the engine noise occasionally grates on me. When I purchased the vehicle, the dealer tried to get me to purchase a bunch of "enhancements" (leather conditioner, some kind of wax, etc.). Anyway, one of the items was an undercarriage spray that supposedly had sound insulation properties. The salesperson said it reduced road noise (and provided undercarriage protection). It was about $200. Should I take the plunge? The noise isn't a huge deal, but it suggests lack of refinement.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input you fine folks could provide. I'm glad this forum is available for all of us hybrid owners. Cheers.

Jim

 

I would avoid the dealer pack. I think the dealer is trying to pad his profits.

I have a new 2006 FEH and have previously had a 2003 Escape. The tire noise on the old one was cured with a new set of tires. I had very good success with the Toyo brand but avoid any "agressive" tire pattern. The Michelin (although expensive) and Pirelli are also good brands.

I'm unaware of any "reputation" for roll-over problems with this vehicle. I think one would have to race one for this to be a problem for for normal use, I can't imagine it would be a concern. It is not, however, a true off-road vehicle. I wouldn't be using it for this purpose.

If the "noise problem" really concerns you I would investigate true sound deadening with experts in this field but under no circumstances would I be applying substances that could actually increase the opportunity for body perforation.

The engine noise as you describe it might be somewhat more than the conventional V6 model but only, in my view, upon steep climbs such as up long mountain passes, etc. But I don't find it objectionable. The quietude around town and at stop lights will more than offset any temporary noise in climbing steep hills or mountains. I don't generally climb steep hills for lengthy periods of time but will later next year. Because it has a CVT transmission the engine speed is greater than one would normally have with the conventional V6 model. However, it adjusts to the load requirements. You might find it up to 4,000 rpms and then drop to around 1,500 rpms at a level 60 mph or so. You won't find any appreciable noise under those conditions.

Expect to get between 28-30 mpg overall. This would be approximately a 50% improvement over the conventional V6 model. On longer trips I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the mid 30s and in town, after warm-up it should also approach those figures. However, the engine will have to run upon start-up to reach operating temperatures as do all vehicles. After it warms up, you will find the engine will begin to shut down frequently. Normally it starts up at about 25 mph although down steady declines it may be up to 35 mph.

Tire noise has always been the bane of the Excape and that is almost solely because of the poor original equipment tires. This model, however, has a different tire, although the same manufacturer, as the ones on the conventional Escape. I'm withholding judgment on those for now.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

Well, there's two firsts for me.

As to the Rollover, that's never been an issue that I've read in any safety report, though it can happen, it is built a bit like a siege tower.

As for the engine noise, again I just can't relate. My engine is so quiet that I can't hear it running at times when it is on and the windows are down.

Sorry I can't help.

 

Are you thinking of the Explorer with regards to rollover reputation? Back in the 28psi Firestone tire debacle?

 

Hi Jim,
As stated in previous threads, changing tires/rims and adding the undercoating all will contribute to an overall vehicle weight gain. This may affect FE. Not sure how much but with wider/heavier tires you also get more road friction.

Maybe there is a lighter foam insulation that can be injected into certain areas of the frame that will decrease engine and road noise??? Someone on this forum will probable have that info.

happy motoring,
Ralph

 

As far as the engine noise you must remember that this is a 4 cylinder engine. Listen to a non hybrid 4 cyl engine car the next time one of them passes you, you can hear them even with your window rolled up. Fortunate for us is the fact that ours cruises at around 2000 rpm when up to a cruising speed. The other 4 cyl cars are cruising at around 5500 to 6000 rpm. The difference being the type of transmission an ECVT and the extra power being supplied by the electric engine on demand. If you were to punch the gas pedal ( excuse me, speed requestor), to a point where the electrics cannot provide the extra power then the ICE needs to ramp up to the higher rev's. I rarely need to push the engine like that from a dead stop to say 60 or 70. When I do I use the fake shift technique that is talked about in other posts on this board which keeps it under 4000 rpm.
Just my $0.02 worth

 

Engine noise usually has to do with three things, engine balance, exhaust tuning and intake tuning. Sometimes other factors are involved, such as valve train, valve timing system, etc.

I'm an old Ford fan so I think my comments are fair, but I've driven my fair share of Ford 4-cylinders of the past and most of them have not been particularly smooth or quiet. Between exhaust note, valve system noises and general vibration, they are solid engines, but not quiet or polite. Ford has done a nice job improving their 4-cylinder engines, but when I purchased the Prius, I was so surprised and impressed at how different The Toyota 4-cylinder behaves compared to older Ford 4-cylinders I'm used to. Less noise, much less vibration and much more polite overall. As a side note I find it very interesting that the I-4 that Ford is selling in the Fusion/Milan is a 2.3L like the old Tempo/Topaz series. Although I'm certain it is a very different design. However, over the years 2.3L has been Ford's favorite displacement for 4-cylinders along with 1.8L and 1.9L for Escort and Focus.

Anyway, the hybrid drive system that Ford uses is quite similar in construction to the HSD system Toyota has, specifically with the use of a power split device and 2 motor/generators. Simply put, engine RPM is not related to ground speed but is related to what the computer deems necessary to maintain the ground speed that you are requesting with the throttle. This means that unusually high RPMs can often times happen when you least expect them, at least according to conventional logic. There is some conventional logic which kind of has to be thrown out the window with hybrids of this mechanical design.

As for rollover: Ford has been real aggressive in designing that out of their vehicles, at least as far as engineering can take them. User error is still an important and heavily glossed over issue with regard to vehicle rollover. My take on the 28psi/Firestone incident is that the factory tire inflation spec was too low and to make things worse, factory rubber is notorious for being the most inexpensive rubber you can put on the shipping rims. Being that Ford was using Firestone rubber, it was probably the worst rubber they could get away with and Firestone was happy to sell it to them. Just talk to Prius drivers. Most of us are not happy with the factory rubber. I'll be really glad to get rid of mine when I believe they have sufficient wear to not be a waste of money to get rid of. What I find so interesting about the rollovers is that in general the Explorer has the lowest center of gravity of any SUV built up to and during the time of the rollovers. Mudders and outdoors enthusiasts always ragged on the Explorer as being a pavement 4wd, which it was. I was not inclined to believe that the vehicle was at fault or that there was a design flaw in the suspension. It was definitely related to the factory spec tire pressure and the Firestone rubber. Now, the question is who was at fault? Both. Firestone knew that Ford was specifying a very low inflation pressure. Ford knew that they were putting cheep rubber on the Explorer. A conglomeration of errors.

 

To all,

I greatly appreciate all the responses. As I alluded before, I'm generally happy with the FEH, but I was concerned about the engine noise because it makes the vehicle sound "cheap," or like it has a lack of refinement. I understand the issue of the engine revving independent of gas pedal inputs. I've just heard great things about the vehicle ("most technologically advanced vehicle Ford makes," "numerous patents awarded," etc.), so I was expecting a certain amount of refinement.

About the rollover issue, I read in Consumer Reports that the FE had an "unacceptable risk" of rollover. I don't know how much tire selection has to do with that. I understand that stock tires are typically and unsurprisingly average. My thinking was that grippier tires would contribute to more stable maneuvering. It's not a huge deal because I don't drive anywhere near the vehicle's limits, but it would be nice to know that those limits are accomodating.

As an aside, what's ironic about the engine noise is that both of my eardrums were blown out when I was wounded in a suicide bombing in Baghdad. Subsequently, me hearing is a mere fraction of what it was before I was injured. (Actually, the ears were the least of my wounds.)

In any event, I appreciate the timely and comprehensive responses. Cheers.

Jim

 

The Ford in question is a truck. The premium stereo seems to be loud enough to drown out the engine noise.

The Prius is a spaceship pretending to be a car. We have both and like them both.

The AWD Escape Hybrid with its factory rubber (Continental Cont-Trac Eco+) seems a lot more confidence-inspring in the rain than the Prius with its factory rubber (Goodyear Integrity). How much of that is the tires and how much is the AWD I don't know.

Usually I put on Michelins on my cars when the factory rubber wears out (doesn't take long in the mountains). Not sure what that would do the the FE. Is anyone running Michelins on their Escape?

 

I'd like to address that roll over problem with the Explorer. Car and Driver did some tests and found that even blow-outs staged at 70 mph they couldn't get the car to roll over. What was happening as best I can understand is that people were jamming on the brakes and the vehicle went out of control. Proper driving techinque would have been merely to have driven the car to a stop in a controlled manner. Most of these accidents happened because of poor driving habits. Incidentally, I happened to have a set of those tires on my '96 Ranger and they were just fine although I got a free set of new Michelins at 42,000 miles that I had until I sold the vehicle.

The roll-over problem WAS a problem on the old Bronco II model but that hasn't been manufactured in 15 years and there are still many on the road. The problem with the Explorer is underinflated and marginal tires with a rating of "B" and "C". If you will check the tires on the FEH you should find "A" and "B" and I wouldn't worry about those failing. But no one should ever drive a vehicle with under inflated tires. That is just asking for trouble. And one other thing. Pay attention to the load factor. Even a full sized half ton pickup is rated at 1,000 pounds. That's why it is called a 1/2 ton pickup. If a driver puts four heavy passengers in a vehicle along with luggage, etc., one can easily exceed the load rating. The sticker on the door is put there for a reason. My further $0.02.