I have had my new 2003 Ford Escape Sport now for about 1-1/2 months. I have yet to do better than 17 miles per gallon. I have been driving 80% on the highway and expected much better. The 3.0 L V6 is rated at 18 and 23. I expected to at least get somewhere in the middle; at least 20. What are all of you experiencing with this model?
I Have A 2003 Escape Also.ive Had It For 3 Weeks And Thats About What I Get.we Took In On A Trip(90 Miles One Way) And It Didnt Do Any Better.i Think They Have Their #'s Wrong!if You Find Anything Out Let Me Know!
I also have 2003 Escape with a V6 engine and automatic trans. I did a little experimentation to find out what would give me the best milage under any conditions. Some had told me to take the car out of overdrive while driving in the city or under 40 miles an hour, so I tried this for a few tanks of gas. It seemed that the car drove a little better and was more responsive with the OD off in this situation, but had no effect on the gas milage and I think it may of gone down.
My usual journeys though are usually highway driving. I travel a few Interstates to get to work. The speed limit is 65 mph on these highways, but if you do the limit, others will be passing you up, honking their horns at you, flipping you the bird, for going so slow. So I went along with them and started to drive 75 to 80 mph on these interstates like everyone else. No tickets, cops can't give 2000 cars a ticket all at the same time. My gas milage was not what it was suppose to be. Taking it out of overdrive in the city and while doing under 40 mph, plus the 75 to 80 mph speed was not working.
So I did a turn around. I left the vehicle in OD ALL THE TIME, never took it out of overdrive no matter what the condition was, city or highway driving. I reduced my speed on the interstate to between 60 and 65 mph, stayed in the right lane and let everyone pass me.
My gas milage went from a pawltry 18 to 19 mpg to 23 and sometimes 24 mpg! I think the biggest contributor to the increase was the speed on the highway. There is some kind of valve in the engine that when under high demand, opens up and lets a major amount of fuel get to the engine to meet this demand. Ever hear the term, "my car is sucking gas", well, at those high speed that is exactly what it is doing...
From now on, I always keep the car in overdrive and limit my speed to 60 to 65 mph. One more thing, always check your tire pressure, make sure it is at where it is suppose to be, low pressure will eat into your gas milage.
Keep in mind that the EPA tested pre 07 vehicles at a highway speed of 55mph. I had an '08 Escape Fwd as a loaner when my Taurus was in the shop for a few days and I calculated it out to 22mpg mostly highway at 60mph. At that speed the engine was turning over around 2000rpm. OD off has its way with fuel economy depending on weather, road and driving style. OD off is best when towing or carrying heavy loads through town or on hilly terrain. This keeps your transmission from constantly shifting and keeps temperatures in check! Your foot and mind (aggressive driving) is the biggest factor in fuel economy. If you are not on flat roads cruise control can even hurt your mileage (ever so slightly). If you coast a bit going up hills and lose some speed (2-3mph) you'll save 1mpg right there.
There is no 'valve in the engine' that opens up to allow more fuel into the engine. Fuel injected engines put as much fuel into the engine as you press the go pedal farther into the floor. Once you get into OD gear (30-35mph or so) you can double your rpm from that point to get optimal highway mileage and the engine isn't going to lug or downshift when you go up hills.
Keep the fuel economy up with a properly tuned engine and properly inflated tires. Coast to red/amber lights and going down hills, stay within 5mph of the speed limit and you will see an improvement!
Not to brag, but my (dodge) AWD 5.9L V8 gets 18.3mpg at 55mph.
Yup. Best MPG I have seen driving my 03 Escape for 5 years was about 24. That was on a 350 mile straightaway traveling with the cruise control at 65. I generally get 15-16 in the city driving aggresively.
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2003 Ford Escape Mileage
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