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

36.56 MPG

499.4 mi, 13.659 gal @ $4.359 = 36.56MPG

59,388 total miles. 76 on Branham.

Man, gas sure is getting expensive! In four months it's gone up by a dollar a gallon, nearly 20%. My mileage has been on track, slightly below what is predicted by the onboard computer (37.5 MPG), but that is to be expected since it doesn't count when the vehicle is stopped with the engine running.

The new 12V battery is working out great. I didn't have to reset any settings or anything when I swapped it; I tried to use jumper cables to ensure either or both the new and old batteries were connected at the same time, and I guess it was successful.

New 12V Battery.

59,027 miles.

After needing a jump again last night at the office I decided it was time to get a new battery. I swung by Sears this morning and picked up one of the Die Hard "group 96R" 12V batteries for a total of $110.62. While waiting I called the local Capitol Ford dealer to check their stock and price. They wanted about $15 more than Sears, and did have stock, but I was already at Sears so I just went with that.

The demands on this battery are lower than with a conventional engine, because the hybrid uses the high voltage battery and motor to start the engine, rather than the 12V under hood battery. I think the 12V battery is something like 565 CCA.

59027 total miles at time of battery replacement. The new battery is warranted for 72 months (6 years), with free replacement for the first 18 months.

37.43 MPG

457.6 mi, 12.225 gal @ $4.079 = 37.43MPG

58,888 total miles. Chevron on California Circle in Milpitas.

I filled up at Valero last tank and the MPG is right in line with my previous tanks from Chevron. I went back to Chevron this time because it was in the right location when I needed it, and a decent price (hardly, but you know what I mean).

Interestingly, the computer now has 37.4MPG as my average, which was dead on for this tank.

After dinner this evening I went out and had a dead battery again. After jumping it and driving 20 minutes it was fine, and started ok the next morning, but I will probably have to replace the 12V "low voltage" under hood battery very soon.