Towing With A Ford Escape Hybrid

By: Susan Harris
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 4, 2009

Information - 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

Towing with a Ford Escape Hybrid is very similar to the Escape SUV conventional counterpart. The Ford Hybrid SUV still uses its gasoline engine to do most of the towing at higher speeds. However, the vehicle is designed to tow at slower speeds by running on its electric motor.

When the vehicle needs to pull more torque, or needs more power to haul cargo, the Hybrid system is designed to activate the gas engine to provide more power. The 2010 Escape Hybrid has a greater towing capacity than previous models. The sport utility vehicle still offers 34 MPG in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

The electric motor does not tow the Hybrid. However, the electric motor is used when the SUV is operating at speeds below 40 miles per hour. The Escape Hybrid doesn't use any gasoline when it operates in electric-mode. This is why the fuel economy for the SUV is greater in the city than the highway. The vehicle uses no gasoline when stopped in traffic or driving at slower speeds.

The Ford Escape Hybrid MPG rating is better than most standard cars. The vehicle is powered by a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle I-4 engine and it handles seamlessly when converting to electric mode operation. The gas engine will automatically shutoff when the electric motor activates. The engine is also used to recharge the Hybrid battery when it runs low.

Ford uses a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery which is stored under the flat rear cargo area. It is completely sealed and encased in the load floor. The Escape has a new Hybrid component which recharges the NiMH battery each time you apply the brakes.

While the Regenerative Braking System will recharge the battery, the energy gets stored for later use. When you hit the brakes in a conventional automobile, the energy is lost as heat. However, the electric motor on the Escape Hybrid captures this energy and sends it back to the battery pack to be stored for later use.

Ford Motor Company is one of the first automakers to unveil eco-friendly seats in its Escape Hybrid SUV. The seats are made up of bio-based polyurethane foam derived from the oils of various plant seeds. Most of the material is made up of soybeans. You can tow using the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid at slower speeds, but the battery may need to recharge more frequently.