![]() ![]() ![]() The high-mileage hybrid 804 has been a focus of the company's promotion, including a popular photo with Arthur, the company owner's late dog and company mascot (above). Issues before the accident, he says, were all just wear from racking up thousands of miles a month. "Aside from the steering column issue," Bayer says, "most of what has gone on is within what we would expect of a car. There is now an update kit available, which we believe resolves the issue.] At the time, Ford told us the only possible repair was full column replacement. The driver's seat was replaced due to wear and compression-common to all of Bayer's higher-mileage vehicles.At 480,000 miles, major repairs were required to 804's air-conditioning compressor and system.At 450,000 miles, the in-dash digital display for the audio system wouldn't turn on consistently, and had to be replaced.The left front axle was replaced at 436,000 miles, and wheel bearings have been replaced several times-again due to hard use, Bayer suggests.At 402,000 miles, the throttle mechanism had to be replaced to cure the engine remaining at high idle all the time.At 323,000 miles, Bayer had the hybrid battery's filter replaced to eliminate acid build-up.At 300,000 miles, the car needed major front suspension work, which Bayer attributes to heavy fleet use by a variety of drivers.In February 2011, it was involved in a major front-end collision-which required most of the front sheetmetal to be replaced, and led to subsequent repairs, Bayer says.At 253,000 miles, the Escape Hybrid required more than $2,000 worth of work to its anti-lock braking system, including replacement of the main unit.The steering column has required replacement twice.Wheels and suspension get normal wear and tear, and it's had its share of flat tires-and several sets of new tires since 2008.Like any car that's covered half a million miles, 804 has had its share of maintenance over the years: That's due to the regenerative braking a hybrid vehicle uses to slow the vehicle while recharging the battery pack. The company routinely changes the oil in all its vehicles every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, using only synthetic oil.īayer notes that the hybrid Escape seemed to require less-frequent brake replacement than the conventional version, although its discs have been resurfaced and it's been fitted with new pads several times. The only modification made to 804 by Bayer on delivery was to add a light bar on the roof, along with a control box inside the car, plus company logos on the exterior. "Most vehicles have a 3/4-inch or 1-inch binder," he chuckles, but now "804 has a 3.5-inch D-ring binder." "No matter how well we take care of the cars," Bayer says, "you can't fix bad drivers before they have an accident."Īs Bayer notes, "We keep copious records on all our vehicles," including "starting and ending mileage, fueling, miles per gallon, and any issues" encountered during a shift. The conventional Escape hasn't racked up anywhere near the miles of the hybrid, though. That vehicle had to have its transmission replaced, costing $3,000, meaning its cost-per-mile was higher even outside of its higher fuel consumption. In 2008, the company also bought some non-hybrid Escapes, and a conventional Escape known as car 801 (also white) provides a good comparison to 804. 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid owned by Bayer Protective Services, Sacramento, CAĪll but one of the 25 vehicles in the company's fleet are Fords of one sort or another, and Bayer Protective Services was one of the first security companies to buy hybrids. ![]()
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