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.
The dealer registers a new vehicle for an initial period of 3 years, which must then be renewed yearly. For vehicles with license plates available, LTO will need to match the plate number with the prescribed renewal schedule. In the case of our EcoSport, the 3-year registration expires February 2020 while the last digit of the plate number is 9 (September).
In order to align the yearly payment schedule with the plate number’s last digit, we paid for an extension from February to August 2020 (7 months only), and by September 2020, we will again renew the registration, but this time, for a full 1 year or 12 months (to cover the period September 2020 to September 2021). Other requirements for the registration include a copy of the most recent OR-CR, emission test, and a TPL insurance.
With a loose connection, the battery is unable to supply the necessary current to sudden hi-wattage demands of accessories such as the headlights high beams. Loose connection problem may cause momentary blacking out of the dashboard, which means the safety features of the car are also momentarily compromised while rebooting (the electronic-assisted power steering, in particular, will be unavailable).
The video was taken with our EcoSport in mid-2019, showing the dashboard shutting down as soon as the high beams are switched on (leaving the car in-gear will automatically re-start the car). This issue was later found out and verified to be due to a corrosion on the positive battery terminal. Cleaning the terminal fixed the problem. The battery continued to serve for a few more months (with the issue fixed and never to recur) but was later replaced as part of a regular maintenance schedule. Always check the terminals for any possible leaks as corrosion is one of the main reasons for a faulty battery terminal connection.
To prevent damage to your EcoSport due to neglect, a strict schedule in performing vehicle maintenance procedure must be followed. This is called the Periodic Maintenance Schedule (PMS).
The idea behind the PMS is simple: perform maintenance procedure as you cover some road distance (measured in km) and as the vehicle ages. Consumable parts are replaced once they reach the end of their service life (as checked against a certain threshold). Below is a list of key maintenance procedure that must be attended to as part of the PMS:
Replace oil every 10,000 km (at most every 20,000 km)
Replace oil filter whenever new oil is used
Replace drive belt every 80,000 km to 100,000 km
Replace engine batteries (DIN 44 or 55) every 2 to 3 years
Replace coolant fluid every 240,000 km or top-up as needed
Replace brake/clutch fluid every 60,000 km or top-up as needed
Replace all tires every 5 years (including spare tire)
Replace cabin filter (air-con) every 20,000 km or as needed
Clean brakes every 10,000 km or as needed
Replace brake pads/shoes once minimum thickness is reached
Replace spark plugs every 40,000 km (up to 80,000 km) or as needed
Replace engine air filter every 40,000 km or as needed
Replace fuel filter every 40,000 km or as needed
Replace wipers every 5 years or as needed
Replace remote key battery every 3 to 5 years or as needed
Perform an under wash every 2 years (optional)
Perform an engine wash every 2 years (optional)
Replace transmission fluid AT/MT every 240,000 km
Replace clutch material (MT and AT) as needed (clutch material are designed to outlast the life of a vehicle when used properly)
Multi-point inspection such as checking instrument gauges, warning lights, horns, bulbs, washer and wiper operation, exterior lights, handbrake, seat belts, hood latch and hinges, wiring, pipes, hoses, heater, radiator, engine drive belt, steering and suspension, under body, brake system, A/C, bolt tightening, wheel rotation (as needed), refilling of wiper wash fluid, and battery health check, are also performed during PMS
Only vehicles that follow the dealer-recommended PMS are eligible to receive warranty claims within the vehicle’s warranty period of 3 years, or an equivalent of 100,000 km distance covered. Failure to perform key maintenance procedures will lead to costly repairs. Keep your EcoSport in good condition by following the recommended PMS.
EcoSport’s remote key may need battery replacement anywhere from 3 to 10 year interval, depending on usage. The remote uses a CR2032, a type of lithium button cell used in small low-power devices. Only a small prying tool (such as screw driver) is needed to open the remote’s casing and swap the old battery with a new one.
To watch a video on how to replace the battery of the remote key (for Trend and Ambiente variants), head directly to Replacing Remote Key’s Battery.
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, particularly, in 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 results 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 remote key of an EcoSport (across all variants) uses the battery designated as CR2032: C refers to the battery chemistry (lithium type), R refers to the shape (round), 20 and 32 refer to the dimensions (20 mm in diameter, 3.2 mm in thickness).
A pair CR2032 typically cost 1 USD in a local hardware store, and should last for 3-5 years even with daily use.
ECOSPORT DIY SERIES 