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stevedebi

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Everything posted by stevedebi

  1. stevedebi
    Well, an Escalade is a luxury car, and folks with money will buy what they want, assuming the fuel is available at all (which it will be). Hybrid technology has been powering trains for a long time and makes sense for some heavier applications. But I'm not convinced that alternate fuels (not biofuels) would not be developed if indeed oil became scarce. It is not about the technology, it is about the practicality of charging, and infrastructure. I think a lot of folks forget about the Western states, with their large distances between areas. What works in urban LA won't be so good in rural Utah.
  2. stevedebi
    The stops for food, potty, etc. don't count since they would presumably be the same for both vehicles. The C-max will actually do around 550 to 600 at highway speeds. My VW Passat TDI will do nearly 700 if I want to push it. But currently, the bigger issue is where those charging stations are located. The ICE simply can go more places. Unless oil is depleted such that additional charging stations are viable, they simply will not be there in enough places. Yes, you can go cross country on some interstates, but try taking a 100 mile side trip and the picture becomes different.
  3. stevedebi
    Yeah, that describes my situation. I always get the extended warranty to cover the amount of time/miles I expect to use when paying a loan. That way I know my costs so long as I'm making payments, and I never have unexpected repair costs while still making those monthly payments. After the loan is paid, I can easily save up the money to make repairs.
  4. stevedebi
    Electricity is going to go up, at least here in CA. I currently pay almost as much for electricity as I do for gas, in running my Energi. I keep track of both, to calculate MPGe.
  5. stevedebi
    No, I pretty much doubt that prediction. Electricity is going to be too expensive compared to oil. As to hybrids, that depends on a lot of factors, including how fuel efficient they can make the ICE only vehicles.
  6. stevedebi
    The stuff I'm speaking of relates to the mechanical braking system. Regen is covered under the hybrid warranty because it is done by the transmission and battery. Anyway, to me the cost of the warranty is worth the peace of mind. To others it is not.
  7. stevedebi
    Modern cars are pretty good on reducing pollution. I think ICE will be around so long as oil is available, or until alternate energy works out cheap enough. That combination of events will probably be a while to occur. And we have to keep in mind that the developing world will need energy to get out of poverty. I think the industrialized nations tend to forget that.
  8. stevedebi
    I'm speaking of pure freeway, and from my experience. I have the Energi, but on the freeway the two vehicles perform identically (except that the Energi is 300 lbs heavier, which would account for some MPG). Any in-town driving is going to up the mileage significantly.
  9. stevedebi
    I consistently get around 40, but I think their 37 is more likely at normal freeway speeds of 70 or 75. At 55-60 it would return 42.
  10. stevedebi
    Well, there is this note in the owner's manual: Octane Recommendations Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is recommended. Some fuel stations offer fuels posted as regular with an octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87 are not recommended.
  11. stevedebi
    I suspect the Ford dealer wasn't charging the 12v. When I was shopping the dealer tried a half dozen C-Max - and every one had a dead 12v battery. I finally got an Energi, which happened to have a good 12v when we went to look at it. Having that 12v go flat on the lot can't be good for them.
  12. stevedebi
    I just thought I'd mention that the warranties can be canceled if desired, and are refunded on a pro-rated basis depending upon how much of it you have used.
  13. stevedebi
    Statistically, yes. However, each car is different, and build quality can vary.
  14. stevedebi
    The radio is run off of the 12v, not the HVB battery. As you note, the replaced the 12v battery, not the big one.
  15. stevedebi
    Not the pads, the mechanical components in the engine compartment. I have not had a Ford that energized the braking system when the car was unlocked - unless it was a hybrid. I think you will find the systems are different. I realize that some folks have bought these and never used them. I've bought 3 and used each two such that it was worth it. The third car is still new and I don't know if that will turn out to be worth it. It is a personal decision.
  16. stevedebi
    In those states I use the mid grade. In NM it is around 89 as I recall. I also get better MPG at high altitudes.
  17. stevedebi
    It is cD PLUS cross section. A sports car has a much smaller cross section. I was also surprised to find that my C-Max Energi was the exact same weight as my Escape Hybrid. The C-Max gets good mileage for the size and weight. The Prius is a lot lighter.
  18. stevedebi
    If a C-Max Diesel had been available, I think I would have bought that one instead of my Energi model.
  19. stevedebi
    The Ford ICE products do not have those same components. They are specific to the hybrid design, and so far as I know, more expensive to repair (but I don't follow other Ford forums as much). A single repair on any of those system would cover an ESP warranty. But, as many has said, Ford is betting they will last the length of the ESP, or they wouldn't offer the protection...
  20. stevedebi
    It is worthwile to note that the hybrid has components that are not covered by the 8/100, even though Ford doesn't use them on anything except hybrids. The 8/100 is the engine and hybrid components, which basically means the engine, battery, and powertrain. It does not cover the braking system / ABS, which (as an example) on my 2008 Escape Hybrid, would be a 4K repair. The Ford PremiumCare warranty is basically everything except wear and tear items. That is the one I will purchase when I get over 30K. But as others have noted, it depends on your personal risk tolerance.
  21. stevedebi
    It would get worse mileage because of the cD and larger cross section than either the Passat or Golf.
  22. stevedebi
    That reminds me of an old VW Type II I had. It could be preheated based on a clock setting. Of course, the heater burned gasoline to provide heat. I never used that option, because by the time I bought the car the gasoline part of the heater was broken. I used the heat exchangers off the air cooled engine.
  23. stevedebi
    And a Happy April Fool's Day to you also!
  24. stevedebi
    If the key fob was in your pocket, there is a chance the unlock button got pressed. If you hold it down for several seconds, all the windows will roll down,
  25. stevedebi
    I just saw another owner over on the C-Max Energi forum with the same problem.
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