37.34 MPG

507.4 mi, 13.578 gal @ $4.259 = 37.34 MPG

60,373 total miles, 76 on Stevens Creek at 85

Replaced Air Filters.

60,237 miles.

Just replaced the three air filters I bought from Amazon.com:

FP51 is the rear AC/cabin filter (hybrid only)

FA1772 is the engine air filter

FP66 is the regular cabin air filter

Total cost for all three from Amazon was $51, and less than an hour to install. In fact, the two most important (rear AC and engine air filter) didn't even require hand tools, and both were done in under 5 minutes! Seriously, do not EVER pay the dealer or anyone else to do this work for you, it is even simpler than driving the car!

The rear AC filter (hybrid only) should be checked every 10k miles and replaced every 20k. It's fairly small and slides in on the left side of the rear cargo space. Just pop off the cover panel, squeeze the two tabs holding it in, and remove the old filter.

The engine air filter is also easy, it's in the air box on the right half of the engine compartment. The two metal clasps holding the lid on are on the left side of the air box. You don't have to remove any of the other cables, ducting or wires.

The filter that was not easy to replace is the regular cabin air filter. Apparently it is optional, as my Escape did not have one, and it does not look like much thought was given to changing it. In fact the whole thing just seems like a big afterthought from the guys at Ford. Here's some instructions I found online which helped, if you want to dig into this project:

Open hood and remove the seven "phillips screws" and screwholders that attach the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield. Unscrew while pushing up from bottom of screw. Pry up the left side of the cowl plate, exposing a cover on held by two tabs in front. Lift cover and see if there is air filter present. Filter is odd shaped so only goes in one way. Press in to fit snugly. Put cover back down and secure tabs. Reinstall seven screw holders and screws.

35.52 MPG

477.1 mi, 13.431 gal @ $4.359 = 35.52 MPG

59,865 total miles, Shell in Seaside, Ca.

We drove down to Monterey this weekend for Phil's wedding. It was a great time, and the Escape was perfect for hauling the speaker system and groomsmen around. Unlike a conventional engine/car, the hybrid actually gets worse mileage on the highway, which I think is why this tank is down a bit from the usual. The next will probably be a bit lower as well.

Oil change and tire rotation.

59,625 miles.

Took the Escape in this morning for my first service appointment, and my first experience with the local Ford dealer. All in all it was a fine experience, and I will probably return to them every 10K miles for the same oil & filter change and tire rotation.

Of course they tried to sell me on their 60K mile service package which includes changing all the fluids: oil, transmission, power steering, engine and motor coolant, and all air filters replaced as well. It was $600, when I was expecting a $50 oil change. So that didn't go over well. I checked the owner's manual and the coolant isn't scheduled to be replaced until 100K miles. There was no mention of when to change the transmission fluid, but the section about the transmission said it was "filled for life".

The other thing that annoyed me a little was he told me that they'd washed the vehicle, and set the tire pressure to 35 PSI. I could see clearly when I walked out to the parking lot that the car was not washed, and when I got home I checked the tire pressure and it was still around 40 PSI where I had it. So neither of those were actually done. In the case of the tire pressure it was actually ok, because I didn't want them to mess with it anyway. Then I checked the spare tire pressure and it was very low, around 20 PSI. I had already charged up my air compressor so I put that up to 45 PSI.

My tires are going to need to be replaced soon; they are the "eco" Continentals. The dealership quoted $630 to replace all four, but after a $150 rebate it would be closer to $500. Probably not a bad price, but I prefer Discount Tire or America's Tire (same company). Also I should be able to get another 10K on these tires, so I'll plan to replace them this fall.

He quoted me $75 to change the rear air filter for the battery cooling/AC system. I bought the filter on Amazon for $16, and it takes less than one minute to change it with no hand tools needed. But they changed the oil and rotated the tires like they were supposed to so I guess I'll go back for that.

Total out the door charge was $46.81.

Here's the link for the FP-51 rear cabin air filter: http://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-FP51-Cabin-Air-Filter/dp/B000C5FL16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304529674&sr=8-1