Team-BHP - Ford EcoSport : Official Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunphilip (Post 3617863)

I had decided to try driving in a more sedate manner, since my previous run on the same route resulted in 14.5 km/L, with a heavy foot.

This time around, I got an overall trip mileage of 18.6 km/L for a distance of 415 km. More interestingly, I checked the MID after Mettupalayam, just before ascending the ghats to Kotagiri, and found that until there, I'd had a mileage of 19.9 km/L (i.e. highways, excluding the upcoming ghats). Yes, that's with the EcoBoost engine.

Key changes in my driving style:

Cruising at 100-110 km/h, with very occasional bursts to 120 km/h
If I was slowed down, accelerate quickly in a lower gear to attain cruising speed
Kept watch on the instantaneous mileage indicator :)

While my average speed was definitely lower, it wasn't boring, because the engine felt sharp, responsive and ready to leap ahead.

In all, I'm impressed with the EcoBoost engine - it can deliver the mileage if driven with a light foot, and it can deliver the thrills with a heavy foot.

Distance and mileage from Bangalore to Mettupalayam:

Attachment 1324943
Attachment 1324944

Distance and mileage from Bangalore to Coonoor:

Attachment 1324945
Attachment 1324946

Buddy, Pls use the 'tank full to tank full' method for getting the most accurate figures. The MID most of the times, has some +/- variation against actual.
I arrived this based on the 40K kms in my Manza earlier and 57K trakcer in New Ford Fiesta. Both are diesel powered though. Uploaded the Fiesta tracker for your reference to see the variation. Refer columns 'J' and 'L'.

Regards,
Maverick79.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick79 (Post 3617998)

Buddy, Pls use the 'tank full to tank full' method for getting the most accurate figures. The MID most of the times, has some +/- variation against actual.

I always tank up until the automatic cut-off, to give a stable baseline, and reset the MID at the same time. I've also compared MID readings to the manual calculation technique on the EcoSport periodically, and found only minor variations in the decimals (e.g. 12.4 vs. 12.3 or so), so I usually rely on the MID these days.

EDIT: I've just seen your spreadsheet. OMG! I can't be as meticulous as you :) And that's some awesome mileage you're extracting out of the 1.5 TDCi in Chennai, what with its traffic and heat!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramzsys (Post 3617991)

Are you sure that the 1.5 tdci can match with the lugging and the 'powerful' feel of the safari's engine, especially in the up-slope?

Good question! His Safari has the 2.2L VTT engine, so that is nicely powerful, particularly compared to his earlier Safari that had a weaker engine. While the 1.5 TDCi can't match it outright on power (or maybe even power-to-weight), he's comfortable with the power it offers combined with its size/manoeuvrability.

He had test-driven the 1.5 TDCi and 1.0 EcoBoost on certain steep sections in Kotagiri and came away with a preference for the diesel's power delivery (which I fully agreed with).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt (Post 3617964)

I own a Ford Ecosport Diesel Titanium(O) bought in September 2013. does it qualify for the recall activity carried out by Ford India?

Please check your VIN here: http://www.india.ford.com/ford-servi...service-action

Since yours is a Titanium (O) made in 2013, it is highly likely your car will be in scope of 1 recall, namely "FSA Number: S1411 RCM CONNECTOR WIRING", to rewire the connections for the side & curtain airbags. Since it is a diesel, it will not be in scope of the second recall which is exclusive to the EcoBoost engine.

You can click the '>' next to my name in the below quote, to go to the relevant thread about the recall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunphilip (Post 3604822)

The following models are in scope of only 1 recall, namely "S1411 RCM CONNECTOR WIRING", also known as the side airbags recall. These models have 6 airbags but do not use the EcoBoost engine.

1.5 TDCi Diesel Titanium(O)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACM (Post 3616843)

My Ecosport AT features in the list of vehicle with Airbag related recall.

I did not get a call from them.

The Thane dealer whom I bought the vehicle from is closing down shop and Ford is looking for a new dealer in Thane.

I messaged the SA of Dealer based out of Chembur who serviced my vehicle last time my VIN and Reg no and he messaged back that my vehicle is on the list. Said it would take half a day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by risga (Post 3617483)

Did any other AT owner also get the ECU updated? It will be easier to convince the dealer service centre if they have prior experience with this. My dealer is Wasan and I have been taking my vehicle to their Deonar service centre.

Yes I got the ECU & SYNC update done for my 1.5P AT when fixing the Airbag harness recall. It is super smooth now and I particularly noticed that the Judder which was occasionally present is not there. The acceleration is also very smooth. Overall very happy with the service at Chennai Ford.

Did a longish drive yesterday - Cochin to Thirunavaya.
Took the Ernakulam-North Parur-Kodungaloor-Kunnamkulam-Kuttipuram-Thirunavaya route while going. Distance of 126 kms.
Returned via Kunnamkulam-Kecheri-Thrissur-Ernakulam route. On return the total kms travelled came to around 272 kms. Average speed of 48 kmph and consumption of 12.8 kpl. While going, since it was early morn' and the roads were not crowded, I averaged 52 kmph and 13.1 kpl.
Overall the roads were good and the drive pretty scenic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick79 (Post 3617998)

Those are bloody awesome figures for a 1.5 tdci! My Figo's 1.4 tdci ranges from 14.5 to 21, depending on density of traffic and highway driving. So it does look like the 1.5 is more fuel-efficient than the earlier 1.4. Bang goes that displacement vs FE theory!

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunphilip (Post 3618017)

He had test-driven the 1.5 TDCi and 1.0 EcoBoost on certain steep sections in Kotagiri and came away with a preference for the diesel's power delivery (which I fully agreed with).

Can you please elaborate on this? Is it because the EcoBoost has greater turbo-lag than the tdci?

And even you've got an enviable FE of 19.9 on plain roads. That's fantastic, compared to the highest figure I've got on my 1.6 Duratec : 16.7.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunphilip (Post 3618017)

He had test-driven the 1.5 TDCi and 1.0 EcoBoost on certain steep sections in Kotagiri and came away with a preference for the diesel's power delivery (which I fully agreed with).

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi (Post 3620387)

Can you please elaborate on this? Is it because the EcoBoost has greater turbo-lag than the TDCi?

To a small extent, it's the turbo lag. However, the greater pain point is the gear ratio of the 2nd gear for the EcoBoost: You have to be at or above 25 km/h in 2nd for you to be in the turbo band. However, mentally you feel like shifting up to 2nd at a lower speed (based on engine noise and feel), which bogs the car down.

This is because Ford have given a 2nd gear ratio that is more tuned towards high speeds... I've regularly hit 80 km/h in 2nd at just 5000 rpm, which means I can hit the ton at the redline.

This makes it awesome on highways (when diesels are upshifting, I can just plug on, and change directly into 4th great once I've attained my cruising speed), but conversely makes 2nd a weak link in the city and hills! :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi (Post 3620387)

Thanks mate.
I feel the aerodynamic shape of New fiesta has a very little drag coefficient than any of the Ford's products in India as of Now. Period.
(Unfortunately, I don't have the figures right now.)
May be this could be one of the other reasons for a better F.E. other than early shifting / maintaining low rpms, etc.

regards,
Maverick79

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObsessedByFIAT (Post 3612401)

I was facing the below issue with my Ecosport Titanium TDCi:

On applying the brakes gently, there was a metal to metal rubbing sound which would penetrate through in the cabin.
On applying brakes with pressure and releasing it, there was a loud THUD noise everytime.

With the 10K servicing, brought up this issue with the SA and he got the disc and the brake pads cleaned.
Though the noise now was almost gone when the brakes were applied gently, the loud THUD noise was still present.

The floor supervisor took a test ride and confirmed that the disc and the pads will need a replacement under warranty.
Same has been carried out. I haven't driven the car yet, but whatever small distance I traveled from the showroom till my home, I did not hear any unwanted noises from the brakes.

Showed this to the SA and he confirmed that this might be a one of case. If this repeats again, the system software might need an update.

Has anyone faced similar issues?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajiv0909 (Post 3613598)

Brake noise has been a perennial problem with my car. Brakes make a metallic screeching noise when pressed gently. In these 26k Kms of use twice they have replaced the pads, however it refuses to go. It has become quieter after the second replacement though

Before replacing the pads they did try cleaning the pads/discs on a few occasions however that didn't help for long

Hi I had this issue long back and it is almost there only on heavy braking.

After taking it to the SA at Kairali ford what I cam e to know is that -

"The cranky noise that even breaks into the cabin is normal with Ford Cars with ABS, especially with endeavor and ecosport. They told me that the noise in the ecosport is minimal as compared to the endeavor still, there is no major solution and also assured me that there is nothing to worry about."

I havent driven or tested any Endeavors as yet, but to say, I have got used to it, i think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajiv0909 (Post 3613598)

Tell me about it. I got my break pads removed and softened against a sand paper. The noise disappeared for few days and now its back.

Usually occurs after driving a while, not immediately after starting the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by penpavan (Post 3621828)

Our Fusion used to exhibit similar grinding noises after applying brakes. They tried all sorts of things at the service centre but there was no improvment.
Finally I insisted on their greasing the caliper guide pin. problem got solved. Try it. It may help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by royfernandez (Post 3618224)

I got an email from Ford India and took my 1.5P AT on 5Jan15 to the Chennai Ford service centre. Its a 2 hour job but I decided to also do the update for the ECU and SYNC and both were done and I got my vehicle back in the afternoon.

Yes I got the ECU & SYNC update done for my 1.5P AT when fixing the Airbag harness recall. It is super smooth now and I particularly noticed that the Judder which was occasionally present is not there. The acceleration is also very smooth. Overall very happy with the service at Chennai Ford.

Sir can you please share the mileage figures you are getting after the ECU update for your 1.5P AT, How many KMS have you clocked and does your vehicle takes more time to settle RPM's on a cold start, Mine starts at around 1200-1400 RPM on Cold Start and takes more than a minute to settle to around 750-800 RPM does it happen to you as well or is it only a rare feature for my particular Ecosport.......lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarNut (Post 3622920)

Yes KarNut my 1.5P AT behaves in the same manner on a cold start starts at 1200-1400 rpm and settles into the idling mode of 750 rpm in about 60 seconds. I think this is normal.

I have clocked 15K Kms as on date. I am unable to breach 9 kmpl in City and a maximum of 15 kmpl on highway driving Chennai - Bangalore - Chennai. After the ECU update the engine surely feels smoother and more silent and the juddering (on sudden hard acceleration) is absent as of now. The car feels much more responsive after the ECU update for sure.

Got my Ecosport serviced today. 3rd service, 20000Kms. I had this problem of wiper fluid not spraying when activated for a long time now. Informed the same to the adviser. The adviser called me later saying a part of the motor has chipped off and the motor assembly has to be replaced for Rs 2000. I asked for warranty and he said since it is external damage warranty cannot be honoured.
At the time of delivery I asked him him to show me the damage. He said the part is deep inside and cannot be seen directly. When I asked him how can it be damaged when it is hidden deep inside he didn't have an answer. Sent a mail to Ford last night explaining the situation and asked them to honour warranty. Got a call from the service centre today asking me to bring the car so that the part can be replaced. Went there and got it replaced without any extra payment.
I drove out of the service station, a happy and satisfied customer:)