I notice that the 3.0l duratec in the Escape FWD for FWD the mpg was 18/24, then for 2002 was 19/24 and for 2003 it went up to 19/25. Does somebody knows what was the changes they did to increase the mpg between years?

 

Could be from the oil change to 5w20, can't recall when that happened, or from some minor computer tuning.

 

The 5w20 oil was also used in 2001 Escapes/Tributes, so I guess is going to be something else.

 

Compare the gear ratios and if its a 4 or 5 speed auto from the model years mentioned.