ptjones

#207 • 4 h ago Just got this from my Dealer from FORD. This is really annoying, atleast it will be a 2021, Hope my 259k/8 yr. old CMAX will last that long. Maybe end up with a Hybrid instead. Paul

Well I heard from my Sales Mgr tonight and he got a text from his friend that has worked for FORD for 30 years and works at the Escape Plant. He said "They are building some Pre production units now. Nobody can give a date when they will go into production and be shipped to Dealers. I don't know if they even sell the PP units or if they drive them to see if there are any problems with them." So my take is that the earliest we will see our FEHP is still a month out. If I hear anything new I will pass it on to you. Paul

I theory my FEHP is suppose to be built tomorrow, but at this point I'am not feeling to optimistic because my FORD Sale Mgr left a message with his friend at the Escape Plant, hasn't heard back and same goes for the FORD Sale Rep.? Paul

The latest info I have for my FEHP is scheduled to be produced on Sept. 3 so should have by middle of the month. I contacted Dealers in SCal and they already have them, so unfair, I have had mine ordered since Jan 31 and was suppose to be built week of Aug. 10.☹️ after they came back to work. Paul

I blew up my iphone pics from Atlanta Car Show and it looks like it says Plug in above Hybrid on the name plate on the back door. Just talked to my Dealer and got a Vin# and will be built the week of Aug. 10th with delivery about two weeks later, around the end of the month. so about a month to go. Paul

Just saw this for the FORD KUGA(Escape Europe) Plugin 72 km/44.7 miles range EV. https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/europes-all-new-kuga-declared-fords-most-electrified-vehicle-ever/ Paul

It is interesting that MPG's keep going up with temps(88-94*F), lunch time I went up to Atlanta and back(48 mi. one way on I-85/I-20) not using A/C and front windows open a couple of inches. I averaged 59.5 mpg going up and 63.5 mpg going back in medium traffic, no stop and go. My tank averaged started with 59.5 mpg and ended with 60 mpg/ 323 mi./ 212 mi. EV. It is amazing how much MPG's are affected by outside temperature.? Paul

Just heard from my Sales Manager that My 2020 FORD Escape Hybrid Plugin is scheduled to be build Aug. 24, 2020, He thinks it will be the first one for the Atlanta Area because it was listed #1 for this area. Will probably show up first part of Sept.? Paul

I got 99k out of my first one and got it replaced for FREE ? and have 150k on my second one. I don't see a big problem here. Paul

Checked with my Dealer and he said my order was listed as S0 I think which is the highest priority. Should have a build date when they get going. ? Paul

Well with the Corona Virus slowing things down and 22 days since last fill up I ended up with 50% City, 58.8 mpg/776.2 mi./ 13.2 gal. the Best MPG in year and a half.? I could have made it to 800 Miles with about .7 gal. left. Paul

Looks like production is starting May 18 from News Release. Paul

I think as long as you order it before the incentives expire you should be OK. I don't think it is physically possible with the plant getting ready to open. I think 2 months is the best we can hope for. IMO Paul

FORD.COM has 2020FEH Plugin info, I looked and I couldn't find the block heater 41H option for $95. And there was a $645 Acquisition Fee too that wasn't on my Dealers Preview order. I'm sure we are at least 2 months yet. They did have available incentives at $8,115. Then - $1400 for the X Plan I maybe looking around $31,000 Paul

The 2020 FEH plugin uses a Coolant Cooling system to keep HVB temps down and has 30+ mile EV range so we will see how that goes.

BTW= By The Way Running the EV for a minute at a time shouldn't raise the HVB much. I was thinking that using the heater to cool the WT down is a waist of heat energy/fan electricity that wouldn't be made if EV is used for a short time like a minute at a time to cool down ICE. In that way all the heat energy the ICE makes is used to turn the wheels and charge the HVB. Running EV for a minute will cool down the ICE 5-10*F and then you could run the ICE for 5 minutes and repeat. This would only be necessary when going up hills. If you could combine ICE and EV together for an extended period of time going uphill you could keep the ICE from getting hot but the HVB temps would go up so you would need to monitor that too. I have a ScanGaugeII. I monitor SOC, HVB temp,TFT and WT. 4. Not sure what you mean by "why not fill your HVB for Free".

I have been thinking about what strategy I will use to improve My 2020 FEH Plugin gas mileage on Hwy trips, when I finally get it. I looked at Energi Posts and it seemed like they drive them like Hybrids and only drive EV at slower speeds . I have an Idea to improve MPG's using HVB EV to control ICE WT. Here are the important info for improving MPG's for an Energi: 1. ICE runs too cold for maximum efficiency, I found running between 215 to 226*F WT is the best temp range and you need to use Grill Covers to get that high. 2. You gain about 4 mpg using Grill Covers, 2 mpg for reduced Drag and 2 mpg for improving ICE efficiency with higher WT's. 3. Most of the time the ICE WT will be just fine with Grill Covers on, but with significant uphill climb ICE WT will go up, at 225*F I would go to EV Mode for a minute allowing the ICE to cool down. With my Hybrid I use heater/defrost to lower WT which is a waist of energy. 4. BYW using Neutral to coast down hill improves MPG's and cools the HVB and ICE down. 5. I would guess that a 4 to 5 mpg improvement could be realized doing this. Let me know what you think. Paul

It's been awhile and I haven't been traveling like I usually do for obvious reasons. (Corona virus) Filled up the other day at BJ's for less than $20, 12.5 gal./$1.55/ gal. for Premium, the lowest price for a tankful of Premium in 7.5 yrs that I have had MADMAX. That works out to 55.3 mpg, not bad considering lower temps and some rain. For those New to this Forum you can go to POST #1 to see my 3 videos on how to do it.? It will give you something to do with all your spare time.? Paul

I think it was 2018 gained 3-4 miles range. Maybe the dealer can find out, I just think it's just better batteries. Paul

It maybe they need to brake in although this should be regen braking and I notice it is pretty aggressive. It surprises me how strong the EV is and how little SOC you need like just in the 40's %. Something I just noticed about the FEH is the gas capacity of Hybrid 14.2 gal. and plugin 11.2, I'm a little disappointed in that.☹️ I guess I'm going to have to do a lot of charging to make up the difference. Paul

Just test drove a 2020 Escape Titanium Hybrid and only went 3.3 miles, but got 56 mpg. Hard to get use to the brakes being to touchy. The EV acceleration is very good and regen charges quickly. Needed to do a test drive to get a $50 gift card from FORD that I registered to get at the Atlanta Car Show. Frank are you getting use to monitoring the gauges yet? It's going to take some time to get use to the shifter. What kind of MPG's are you getting? Paul

Went to the Altanta Car Show yesterday and FORD had a 2020 FEH Plugin so I took some pics. FORD people said they would be available in June. The tires were Michelin Primacy A/S, not the Bridgstones Ecopia's on the Hybrid's. Looking at the Center Console there was no switches for EV only/Hybrid only or Auto. No Plugin Badge on the car and only Plugin Door.I'm not sure that this plugin had the everything the production car would have. It is a SEL, not Titanium. Paul

It's been 2 months since I've posted on here. I filled up today for $2.339 for Premium at BJ's Newnan, GA and got 49.6 mpg actual fuelly.com mpg. With temps here in 40's to 50's*F with some rain. I usually see 2 mpg loss in mpg's in the rain. This time of the year it is hard to get the ICE up to operating temps of above 202*F even on the Fwy with the Grill Covers on and City driving you can't even get close. Paul

Driving 73 mph is a real killer for EV range, driving 65 mph would have increased range by 2+ miles anyways. IMO. Paul

Talk to my Dealer today and My FEH plugin is on order, it won't be ready till sometime in May. I may have to buy a used 2017 CMAX Plugin, not sure how much longer my CMAX Hybrid is going to last with 247K miles, power steering hasn't been coming on every time. I have to shut it off and try again and it works. Paul