In March 2018, we’ve visited Bolinao, Pangasinan for their white sands and starry skies. This photo shows the Milky Way with our EcoSport, taken at 3 am just outside our hotel.
To learn more about the Milky Way, check out my astronomy website Night Sky in Focus.
The average engine temperature of a vehicle depends on how efficiently heat is removed from the engine and dissipated through the metal fins of the radiator. A fault on any of the systems involved in the heat transfer and dissipation will lead to higher engine temperatures and in some cases, overheating. Below are some factors that affect a vehicle’s engine temperature, applicable also to an EcoSport.
Heat from the engine is dissipated through the radiator. A dirty radiator with its metal fins covered with dirt or oxidation will not dissipate heat as effectively as a radiator with clean radiator fins. Radiators need cleaning as soon as you notice an increase in the average operating temperature of your vehicle (87 °C on a brand new EcoSport).
If there is no air flowing through the radiator (e.g., when the vehicle is stopped on traffic or idling in a parking lot), the engine temperature rises due to minimal heat transfer to the atmosphere. To force air through the radiator and keep the engine temperature to about 100 °C or lower, the auxiliary fan spins.
Heat from the engine is transferred to the radiator by circulating a liquid (called coolant) through the engine, letting the coolant absorb the heat, then transfer the heat to the radiator where it will be dissipated. A coolant that has passed through the radiator then becomes cooler, and the cycle continues as the coolant is pumped back to the engine to absorb heat. The coolant must be maintained at the proper level (volume) and have the proper water-additive ratio to effectively absorb heat.
A failure in the pump that circulates the coolant result’s to heat not being transferred to the radiator, thus, leading to rising engine temperatures. Failure is usually caused by broken pump mechanism, or a snapped drive belt that spins the pumping mechanism.
The coolant reservoir, hoses, and all connected parts must be checked for possible leaks. When a leak occurs, there will be no coolant to absorb and transfer the heat from the engine to the radiator.
Based on our EcoSport, the average engine operating temperature is around 84 °C to 87 °C when at cruising speeds, and up to 100 °C when idling and stopped. The auxiliary fan spins at 100 °C to bring the temperature back to 87 °C. Overheating of the engine begins when the temperature goes beyond 129 °C.
To minimize heat generation through friction and prevent premature engine damage, proper oil lubrication is essential. Check the oil level regularly. Ford recommends changing the oil every 10,000 km.
Active monitoring of the engine temperature is essential. Consider installing a tool that displays the vehicle’s engine temperature such as an HUD.
To prevent issues related to overheating, perform regular maintenance checks and never ignore any temperature-related alert or warning.
When I was just learning how to drive, I was only getting around 352 km in one full tank. Three years later and after covering 65,000 km road distance, it has improved to about 797 km estimated range (700 km actual measured range on a Manila-Bataan-Manila-Bicol trip).
There are many factors that could impact fuel consumption, some of which are the traffic conditions, load the vehicle is carrying, proper tire pressure, selecting the correct gear and RPM, acceleration, condition of the vehicle, uphill or downhill roads, idling when stopped, temperature settings of your car’s climate control (air-con), installing various accessories that add weight to the car, driving habits, and many others. Among these factors, there is one that I think matters the most: how hard you step on the gas and how often you use the brakes.
Regardless of the car condition, a key factor to good fuel economy is the optimal management of resources—use just enough gas to move the vehicle and let it roll to a stop with very minimal use of the brakes. Every time you step on the gas pedal, you consume gas, and every time you step on the brakes, you are wasting that gas! The vehicle could have moved further, but you opted to stop it because you have given it way too much gas. Go easy on the gas pedal, and if you’ve been stepping on the brakes quite too often, then perhaps it is time re-evaluate your driving habits.
Just recently, I’ve found a website that features technical drawings of various car models, including an EcoSport 2013-2018. Below are some examples of the diagrams that EcoSport DIY enthusiasts may find useful.
The copyright on these materials belongs to Ford Motor Company Limited 2013-2015. To access the catalog, head directly to EcoSport Parts Catalog.
The following product review is NOT sponsored by Osram. There are NO sponsored reviews nor advertisements on this website, EcoSport DIY Series.
EcoSport’s headlights are designed to accept bulbs with H4 specifications. H4 and HS1 bulbs are different bulb specifications but with almost identical dimensions—HS1 bulbs have wider center pin (A) compared to an H4 (B). Also, a standard HS1 bulb is rated at 35W/35W, while a standard H4 bulb is rated at 60W/55W (HS1 is less bright than an H4).
With just a minor modification, it is possible to swap the H4 with an HS1 bulb. While an H4 bulb fits on an HS1 mounting fixture without modification, fitting an HS1 on an H4 slot requires bending of its reference pin.
HS1 bulbs are intended for use in motorcycle headlights as they feature low wattage and relatively high light output. In this particular modification, I used an OSRAM 12V 35W-35W HS1 bulb. Due to lower wattage than the stock bulb (35W vs 55W), the light output appears to be a bit dim, but adequate enough for normal city driving conditions.
Important: This is just a test to see if HS1 and H4 bulbs can be swapped. I’ll be reverting back soon to an H4 OSRAM Night Breaker Laser .
Portable ultrasonic diffusers can be used to fill a car’s cabin with a fine water mist and oil fragrance of your choice. The amount of mist dispensed can be varied depending on your preference. The unit is powered via a 5V USB port and features glowing LED lights.
To watch a video featuring an ultrasonic diffuser for cars, head directly to Car Ultrasonic Diffuser.
I was back at Subic to attend a work-related event. I took this chance to take a photo at the Subic Bay, which we were unable to do on our last visit due to a stormy weather .
To view other road adventures with our beloved EcoSport, click here.
