Being at the forefront of Being Green isn't easy

I drive a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. It is a company car, but our company is ahead of the curve when it comes to environmental responsibility. I have been driving it since September 2004. On average, I drive 110 miles per day. Last week, I took the car in for its 95000 mile check up.

I love this vehicle. I drive way too much on the freeway to get the full benefit of the electric motor, but I was averaging nearly 31 miles per gallon. That is, until about 10000 miles ago. My mpg dropped to 28. No explanation could be found at the last two checkups. Don't get me wrong, that mileage is still WELL above the regular Escape. But when you are used to driving380-400 miles per tank and now, you are only getting 320-350, it does get a bit tiresome.

Most everyone knows that when you buy the FIRST of any model, service and glitches become synonymous. The Ford technicians in the greater Sacramento area have gone to school on my car. They have to check the Ford tech website to know what to look for each time I bring it in for service. And, that my friends, happens every 5000 miles.

At about 22000 miles, it took three weeks to get the headlights fixed correctly. I went through eight bulbs, all that had to be special ordered because they are "different" on the Hybrid than on the regular Escape. They weren't supposed to die for 150000 miles. Turned out it was a simple wiring problem. It ended up becoming a service order bulletin thing for ALL Escapes. Truly, other than that experience, it has been a reliable and trustworthy vehicle. Until yesterday.

As I approached the left turn onto my road, the car died. I don't mean got a bit doggy and rolled to a stop, no I mean the entire car shut off. Half way through the turn. DEAD. The dads were with me then, because the on-coming cars did stop. I pushed it out of the intersection and down the little hill and pulled over. The gas engine was still working, but the electric components were dead. The error message just kept saying, please safely stop car NOW. It reminded me of the robot in Lost in Space, Danger, Danger, please safely stop NOW. I pull out the owners book and look for the little symbol that is flashing at me. (Amazing how it shut down electrically, but all the electric signs and symbols were flashing at me.)

The book says that it is a SEVERE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. Car may stop working. Turn it off, and turn it back on. If it starts drive to a safe location and stop. Drive no more than 5 miles. (I was only a mile from home). I drove home. I called my service rep. He said, tow it in. (I live about 40 miles from the dealer). Thank goodness, the vehicle only has 95000 miles on it. Towing is covered up to 100000.

So, I call this morning, have it towed, and get to the dealership. Turns out that I also get a rental car. They tell me it will be Tuesday. No problem. I have the rental. I come home. About 4:30 this afternoon, I get a call. Good news and Bad news.

The part that broke could have, but didn't, fry the hybrid electrical entire system. However, the part has to come from Detroit and it will take no less than 10 days. First time this part has broken. They don't stock them, and neither does Detroit. Guess they are going to be working overtime?

I wonder if I should petition Ford to have them pay me to drive their car, after all they are learning a bunch from my current one. I sure hope if anything else breaks, it does so in the next 4500 miles.

I am just grateful that I was going 30 mph, not 70 and glad I wasn't on the freeway.