Shifter Knob replaced after 6 Years

After about 6 years, we have replaced the shifter knob of our 2017 EcoSport Trend MT. The rubber started to peel off and while it is still usable, we’ve decided to replace it with a new one. The knob was not easy to remove and you may need to use some very good pliers to pry out the plastic components holding the knob (and the boot cover) in place.

Related links:
Shifter Knob Button
Replacing the Shifter Cover

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Celebrating 100000th Kilometer

After about 5 years and 6 months, our daily-driven 2017 EcoSport Trend MT has reached a kilometer-age of 100000. We have not encountered any issue with our unit since its purchase in December 2016. Thank you for keeping us safe on the road!

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

DIN60 Battery Installed in EcoSport

Our EcoSport’s first battery was a stock DIN44 battery, which after 2.5 years, replaced by a DIN55 battery. After another 2.5 years, we are replacing the battery with a DIN60. Apparently, the battery compartment of EcoSport can fit DIN44, DIN55, and DIN60 batteries.

DIN60 battery fits in EcoSport’s battery compartment

Replace the battery at regular intervals to minimize the chance of a failed engine start due to a battery that is unable to hold enough charge. In the case of our EcoSport, we prefer to replace the battery every 2.5 years.

Related link: When to Replace Your Car’s Battey (EcoSport)

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Chocobo at Camp John Hay

We went on a recent Baguio trip with Chocobo. Baguio has started to open their tourism to visitors that comply with their health and safety protocols (such as requirement for complete vaccination and registering to their visitor database). One of the places we’ve visited is Camp John Hay, which Chocobo enjoyed.


To view other road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Tires Replacement After 5 Years | 93,000 km

We’ve replaced our EcoSport’s tires after five years of use, at about 93,000 km distance traveled. Tires degrade with age and suffer from the usual wear and tear. The tire’s thread wear indicator and manufacturing date are indicated on the tire (consult with the dealer). For safety reasons and as a matter of preference, we’ve decided to replace all four tires at once (every five years).

The stock tire size of 2014-2018 EcoSport Trend variant is 205/60R16. We had a road emergency once and had to use a 215/60R16 with the stock rim, which also fits perfectly.

Tire shops may offer (1) free installation in which the old tires are removed and replaced with the new tires and (2) free wheel balancing to ensure that the tire which has been mounted on the rim, has a balanced spin without wobble. The tire valves may also need replacement which you need to purchase separately, and also pay for the wheel weights used in balancing. Shops may also offer additional service such as wheel alignment (not needed in the case of our EcoSport, as reported by the wheel alignment machine).

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Spare Wheel Upgrade for Our EcoSport

Our 2017 Trend MT EcoSport was supplied with a standard spare wheel with smaller diameter. Since the spare wheel is smaller than the stock wheels, driving at speeds above 80 km/h will result to vibrations due to the tire size difference (one being smaller than all the others). In January 2022, we purchased a stock mags with tire from a fellow EcoSport owner, upgrading our spare wheel to one that is identical to the other four wheels. A stock wheel with tire size 205/60/R16 still fits in the spare wheel compartment.

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Celebrating 90000th Kilometer

After about 5 years, our daily-driven 2017 EcoSport Trend MT has reached a kilometer-age of 90000. We have not encountered any issue with our unit since its purchase in December 2016. Thank you for keeping us safe on the road!

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Timing Belt Replacement at 80,000 km

We had our EcoSport’s timing belt replaced in December 2020 at about 80,000 km. In an EcoSport 2014-2018, there are two belts that need replacement, the (1) drive belt that spins the alternator, the coolant pump, and the compressor for the air conditioning unit (replaced every 40,000 km), and (2) the timing belt that spins the shaft that controls the timing of the valves and the ignition sequence of the four cylinders (replaced every 80,000 km). As you replace the timing belt, you also need to replace an idler pulley (called a tensioner), which guides and provide tension to the timing belt.

Timing belt replacement at Ford Makati

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Replacing EcoSport’s Fuel Filter

EcoSport’s fuel filter must be replaced every 40,000 km. To replace the filter, carefully remove the two fuel line connectors and unscrew an 8 mm bolt that clamps the filter in place.

To watch a video on how to replace EcoSport’s fuel filter, head directly to Replacing EcoSport’s Fuel Filter.

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Removing EcoSport’s MAF Sensor

The amount of air flowing into the engine is measured and monitored using a sensor called the Mass Air Flow sensor or the MAF sensor. The MAF sensor provides input to the engine in order to help caculate the optimal fuel-to-air ratio in various engine load conditions.

To watch a video on how to remove an EcoSport’s mass air flow sensor, head directly to Removing EcoSport’s MAF sensor.

To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)