Volunteer Cars Wanted
#1
01-08-2005, 12:48 PM
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Yucca Valley, CA (Near Palm Springs)
Posts: 245
Below is a request for FEH owners to volunteer their cars for testing purposes. I have volunteered and am awaiting instructions and confirmation. If interested send an email to:
Ken Wright
Fuels Specialist
ConocoPhillips
918-661-1503
ken.wright@conocophillips.com
Ken Wright
Fuels Specialist
ConocoPhillips
918-661-1503
ken.wright@conocophillips.com
Hybrid Cars And Trucks Needed (Temporarily) For Research
Meetings, Rallies and Get-TogethersCRC (Coordinating Research Council) is looking for a few good hybrid vehicles to test at their upcoming Driveability Workshop in February 2005.
Vehicles will be tested using 2 different formulations of gasoline (one winter grade, one like summer grade with ethanol) to see how they start, idle, and drive in cold (but dry and ice free) conditions. Testing will involve up to 5 miles a day of driving over 3 weeks on a closed track. Vehicles would be shipped on a flatbed truck to Washington state for testing. Only modification to vehicle would be addition of a T-connection in fuel line for draining gasoline out of tank between tests. The hose will be replaced and vehicle returned in same condition as was received.
Rental car would be available to compensate owner while hybrid vehicle is on loan.
CRC is a 60 year old consortium of major auto and oil companies that works closely with EPA and DOE to study mobility and environmental issues of national interest.
CRC conducts cold weather testing of in-use vehicles every couple of years. Plan this year is to test 12 to 20 hybrid vehicles. WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ENOUGH FORD ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES TO TEST.
If you are interested in loaning your hybrid vehicle for this project, please email me or give me a call. Thanks in advance for your help!
Ken Wright
Fuels Specialist
ConocoPhillips
918-661-1503
ken.wright@conocophillips.com
Meetings, Rallies and Get-TogethersCRC (Coordinating Research Council) is looking for a few good hybrid vehicles to test at their upcoming Driveability Workshop in February 2005.
Vehicles will be tested using 2 different formulations of gasoline (one winter grade, one like summer grade with ethanol) to see how they start, idle, and drive in cold (but dry and ice free) conditions. Testing will involve up to 5 miles a day of driving over 3 weeks on a closed track. Vehicles would be shipped on a flatbed truck to Washington state for testing. Only modification to vehicle would be addition of a T-connection in fuel line for draining gasoline out of tank between tests. The hose will be replaced and vehicle returned in same condition as was received.
Rental car would be available to compensate owner while hybrid vehicle is on loan.
CRC is a 60 year old consortium of major auto and oil companies that works closely with EPA and DOE to study mobility and environmental issues of national interest.
CRC conducts cold weather testing of in-use vehicles every couple of years. Plan this year is to test 12 to 20 hybrid vehicles. WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ENOUGH FORD ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES TO TEST.
If you are interested in loaning your hybrid vehicle for this project, please email me or give me a call. Thanks in advance for your help!
Ken Wright
Fuels Specialist
ConocoPhillips
918-661-1503
ken.wright@conocophillips.com
#2
01-08-2005, 02:16 PM
Hi Sdcatcher:
___Great invite other then the chance of them messing up my lmpg
___And on another topic … I have contacted Ford for a particular idea but I am looking for the woman project manager’s name. Ford used to have the Escape HEV team members in a nice write up on their site but it has since been removed. Do you have a link or details as to who the woman project manager lead was? I want to send her an E-Mail directly.
___Thanks in advance.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
___Great invite other then the chance of them messing up my lmpg
___And on another topic … I have contacted Ford for a particular idea but I am looking for the woman project manager’s name. Ford used to have the Escape HEV team members in a nice write up on their site but it has since been removed. Do you have a link or details as to who the woman project manager lead was? I want to send her an E-Mail directly.
___Thanks in advance.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
#3
01-10-2005, 07:30 PM
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Yucca Valley, CA (Near Palm Springs)
Posts: 245
I would love to have a car like yours Wayne to beat your Maximum MPG. Unfortunately, living in the Neatherworld in the desert, I must have a 4WD truck like the Ford Escape Hybrid to get through the Muck and Guck and Sand. My truck will never match your car but I would bet I can go off-road and beat you. I bet I can beat a Ranger in most catagories.
Today I heard back from the CRC on the possible donation of my beloved FEH for fuel trials for three weeks. I was a bit suspicious so I contacted Conoco Phillips and the project manager for the CRC replied within hours:
*****************************
Mr. Maline:
I received your message about your Ford Escape via both Ken Wright and Jan Tucker, and I can assure you that this a valid request (although I think you were extremely wise to check it out!).
The Coordinating Research Council is an organization that coordinates research between the automotive and petroleum industries on matters of mutual interest. CRC's work is held in high regard by both industries and the government, because it is unbiased by the very nature of it.
CRC is currently attempting to develop a vehicle test that will evaluate the performance of hybrid vehicles when using various fuel properties. That has nothing to do with the octane of the fuel, the brand name of the fuel, or the quality of the fuel. This test will evaluate the vehicle's performance with various fuel properties that are inherent to the fuel. We have been doing this testing with conventional vehicles for over 40 years.
In the upcoming workshop, we will be taking the first step in developing this test for hybrid vehicles. As Ken Wright told you, there will only be two fuels used in this workshop, both of which are typical of marketplace fuels. Your vehicle will be in no danger of being damaged or affected by these fuels.
The testing will be done on a closed course in Yakima, Washington. We have been testing at this location since 1989 because it provides the ambient conditions we need. Yakima has very stable weather - it's relatively easy to predict the temperatures, and it has very little precipitation since it is in the desert.
We are especially looking for the Ford Escape, because we do not have one yet in our test fleet. We have access to the Hondas and Toyotas, but we are lacking on the domestic vehicles.
As Ken mentioned, we would arrange for transportation of your vehicle to and from Yakima and for a rental vehicle for your use during the testing. We would need your vehicle in Yakima from January 31st through February 19th.
I hope I've answered many of the questions I anticipate that you would have - please let me know if you have other questions. We would very much like to use your vehicle in our testing, and we sincerely appreciate your interest in this.
Beth Evans
********************************
Some have told me I am a Saint for sacrificing my car on the altar of research for the common good. The Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager told me he would not do it with his car. I believe in my car. Maybe he does not drive a FEH? Anyway doing this will give me access to test protocolss and a copy of the research paper and maybe give us all insights on why hybrids do worse in cold weather. I wish Ford could have donated a few cars for this study. Apparently there are plenty of Toys and Hondas.
All the rental companies tell me that they do not offer Hybrids. That is a shame. Ford tells me they do not sell to rental companies. That is a shame. Apparently, I can get a Toy Hybrid through TRAK. Maybe I will just let CRC rent me a 4WD. Anyway I am not a saint but I do believe in hybrids.
Mike
Today I heard back from the CRC on the possible donation of my beloved FEH for fuel trials for three weeks. I was a bit suspicious so I contacted Conoco Phillips and the project manager for the CRC replied within hours:
*****************************
Mr. Maline:
I received your message about your Ford Escape via both Ken Wright and Jan Tucker, and I can assure you that this a valid request (although I think you were extremely wise to check it out!).
The Coordinating Research Council is an organization that coordinates research between the automotive and petroleum industries on matters of mutual interest. CRC's work is held in high regard by both industries and the government, because it is unbiased by the very nature of it.
CRC is currently attempting to develop a vehicle test that will evaluate the performance of hybrid vehicles when using various fuel properties. That has nothing to do with the octane of the fuel, the brand name of the fuel, or the quality of the fuel. This test will evaluate the vehicle's performance with various fuel properties that are inherent to the fuel. We have been doing this testing with conventional vehicles for over 40 years.
In the upcoming workshop, we will be taking the first step in developing this test for hybrid vehicles. As Ken Wright told you, there will only be two fuels used in this workshop, both of which are typical of marketplace fuels. Your vehicle will be in no danger of being damaged or affected by these fuels.
The testing will be done on a closed course in Yakima, Washington. We have been testing at this location since 1989 because it provides the ambient conditions we need. Yakima has very stable weather - it's relatively easy to predict the temperatures, and it has very little precipitation since it is in the desert.
We are especially looking for the Ford Escape, because we do not have one yet in our test fleet. We have access to the Hondas and Toyotas, but we are lacking on the domestic vehicles.
As Ken mentioned, we would arrange for transportation of your vehicle to and from Yakima and for a rental vehicle for your use during the testing. We would need your vehicle in Yakima from January 31st through February 19th.
I hope I've answered many of the questions I anticipate that you would have - please let me know if you have other questions. We would very much like to use your vehicle in our testing, and we sincerely appreciate your interest in this.
Beth Evans
********************************
Some have told me I am a Saint for sacrificing my car on the altar of research for the common good. The Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager told me he would not do it with his car. I believe in my car. Maybe he does not drive a FEH? Anyway doing this will give me access to test protocolss and a copy of the research paper and maybe give us all insights on why hybrids do worse in cold weather. I wish Ford could have donated a few cars for this study. Apparently there are plenty of Toys and Hondas.
All the rental companies tell me that they do not offer Hybrids. That is a shame. Ford tells me they do not sell to rental companies. That is a shame. Apparently, I can get a Toy Hybrid through TRAK. Maybe I will just let CRC rent me a 4WD. Anyway I am not a saint but I do believe in hybrids.
Mike
#5
01-18-2005, 01:02 PM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Washington State
Posts: 443
Originally Posted by sdctcher
The testing will be done on a closed course in Yakima, Washington. We have been testing at this location since 1989 because it provides the ambient conditions we need. Yakima has very stable weather - it's relatively easy to predict the temperatures, and it has very little precipitation since it is in the desert.
The following is my favorite web site for getting weather. Click and it will take you to Yakima.
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...st?query=98902
I suppose what I'm most curious about is why they don't offer some form of cash compensation to volunteers in addition to the rental car?
#6
01-18-2005, 09:14 PM
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Yucca Valley, CA (Near Palm Springs)
Posts: 245
I had hoped that I could contribute to this venture but received an email from the Project Team stating they would not now need my car because they got an Escape H from anothe source. I hope it was because I begged Ford Marketing to volunteer one of their cars to the effort.
Mike
PS: Soon it will be a Great Spring in Yakima.!
Mike
PS: Soon it will be a Great Spring in Yakima.!
#7
01-19-2005, 03:40 PM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Washington State
Posts: 443
It looks like this thread has probably taken its course. However, spring may be coming back here. In no time at all most of the west side of the state of Washington will be under water, and the east side of the state will be thoroughly wet, but not under water. Everything is melting. What a strange month this has been weather wise. This last weekend we had freezing rain, now we are approaching 50 degrees.
Anyway, Mike, I bet you are kind of glad you do not now have to send your Escape up here for testing. I can't say as I would be so willing to send my Prius anyplace for any group to test. Although it would be easy for me to do considering that I live where they do the testing. Still, I'm not that brave.
Anyway, Mike, I bet you are kind of glad you do not now have to send your Escape up here for testing. I can't say as I would be so willing to send my Prius anyplace for any group to test. Although it would be easy for me to do considering that I live where they do the testing. Still, I'm not that brave.
#8
01-21-2005, 06:00 PM
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Yucca Valley, CA (Near Palm Springs)
Posts: 245
Yes. Thanks! I am willing to bleed for this car and thankfully something happened to make my sacrifice not necessary. I had sent out a number of emails to some at Ford asking them to help so I would not lose my car. I will never know but I choose to believe that Ford found a way to help.
At least, I will have my Hybrid to 'race' against any that might want to challenge me at the LA Challenge on January 29th. I was not looking forward to showing up with my Mustang GT and trying to best an Insight MPG-Wise. He-He.
Mike
At least, I will have my Hybrid to 'race' against any that might want to challenge me at the LA Challenge on January 29th. I was not looking forward to showing up with my Mustang GT and trying to best an Insight MPG-Wise. He-He.
Mike
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