I've just purchased a 2005 escape hybrid, and am looking for a mechanic that is hybrid-savvy.

There is a dealership in town that seems to know them fairly well (although I couldn't find a new one on their lot) but an independent mechanic would be nice.

Thanks for any recommendations!
-eric

 

No response, eh?

Does anybody know what questions I might want to ask a mechanic before having them work on my car?

I'm getting 'check 4x4' and 'check brakes' warnings on my 2005, and I think I am probably due for some scheduled maintainence (CVT fluid???) and just a good inspection. I'm at 115K, and it was 95k when I was last all caught up.... been rotating tires, changing oil and monitoring brake wear since then, but little else. Put a new air filter on the battery....

Is the check brakes warning (in the LCD) just triggered by mileage, or by some condition of the brakes? How about the 4x4? I'm suspicious that they both came on simultaneously, but maybe something affected both. I was driving on a washboarded dirt road at the time.

Thanks for any tips!
-eric

 

Still no response !!
Waiting for hear an answer from someone..

 

Hey, you can search the topics through google, if you still didn't receive any answer.

 

You could PM gpsman as I think he lives in the Denver area.

 

I'm getting 'check 4x4' and 'check brakes' warnings on my 2005,

Symptoms of a cracked tone ring(s)--common issue. I had the same thing.

 

+1 You can check this yourself. If the tone ring is loose, you can turn it with your hand. Fix ranges from replace just tone ring for $20 part cost to have dealer install new axle shaft for $600.

 

I'm in the Denver area and have not found any hybrid-knowledgeable independents, but I haven't looked too hard, either. Post your findings here if you are successful. I have had the brake pads replaced by an independent shop--they weren't fazed by the hybrid braking system.

Regarding the CVT fluid drain/refill/flush, there's years of back and forth on the subject of timing and exact fluid to use on this site. The drain and refill is an easy DIY job.