How to Drive a FORD Fusion Hybrid to get Great Gas Mileage

[Texasota]

If Ford engineers thought grill covers were beneficial to the car's operation and longevity, then they would have incorporated that concept into the design of the FFH. But, they didn't do that which tells me that there are important reasons they did not do so.

[ptjones]

Or, alternatively, you can forget about all of the above and think of two words -- Drive gently. Much less complicated.

This thread is about driving your Hybrid as efficiently as possible, not driving slow. BTW this isn't complicated, it becomes normal driving after after a while and I have gotten 68 mpg on a tank a couple times using these techniques so it works. :)

 

If Ford engineers thought grill covers were beneficial to the car's operation and longevity, then they would have incorporated that concept into the design of the FFH. But, they didn't do that which tells me that there are important reasons they did not do so.

I'm sure the FORD Engineers saw my Posts 4.5 yrs ago and looked at it, but got shot down by the bean counters. FORD hasn't really done anything to improve the Hybrid System since the cars were first built in 2012. ;(

 

Paul

[md13ffhguy]

This thread is about driving your Hybrid as efficiently as possible, not driving slow. BTW this isn't complicated, it becomes normal driving after after a while and I have gotten 68 mpg on a tank a couple times using these techniques so it works. :)

 

Where did I say anything about driving slow? I never hold up traffic. I'm usually somewhere between the speed limit and +5. Gently does not equate to slow. I just don't think it's necessary to focus on techniques so much. Early on, I played around with different driving techniques, but found it much more relaxing to just drive it - gently. I find I have much more awareness and a greater sense of security, too.

[bdginmo]

If Ford engineers thought grill covers were beneficial to the car's operation and longevity, then they would have incorporated that concept into the design of the FFH. But, they didn't do that which tells me that there are important reasons they did not do so.

 

I hear what you're saying, but I can see reasons why grill covers like what ptjones has haven't been included. However, keep in mind that active grill shutters are included. I just don't think they're as effective as they could be. Just this morning I drove 30 miles to work in mid 40's weather and my ICE never got above 165F. Though, to be fair, I have the Energi and I was running pure EV about 10 of those miles, but still...

[Waldo]

If Ford engineers thought grill covers were beneficial to the car's operation and longevity, then they would have incorporated that concept into the design of the FFH. But, they didn't do that which tells me that there are important reasons they did not do so.

 

Yes, they did. Every Fusion comes with active grill shutters which are exactly the same thing as grill covers, they just aren't as efficient because they are designed to open to support all conditions. There are plenty of conditions in which Ford engineers would have preferred to use pure grill covers, but they do have to protect for the extreme conditions.

[ptjones]

Where did I say anything about driving slow? I never hold up traffic. I'm usually somewhere between the speed limit and +5. Gently does not equate to slow. I just don't think it's necessary to focus on techniques so much. Early on, I played around with different driving techniques, but found it much more relaxing to just drive it - gently. I find I have much more awareness and a greater sense of security, too.

Interesting looking at your fuelly for the last several fill ups you are averaging only 32-33mph which I would equate to driving slow. :) If you had been using My EV to 15mph/accelerate at 2 Bars, your MPG's would have gone up 2-3mpg and your average speed would have gone up too! :yahoo: Think of all the time you would have saved. :) BTW I averaged 33.9 mph on my 68 mpg tank traveling 931mi. :shift: :)

 

Paul

Edited May 5, 2017 by ptjones

[md13ffhguy]

No technique is going to increase my fuel efficiency by 2-3 mpg. I drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, but do have significant intervals at highway speeds. Btw, looking at my timer isn't an accurate way to determine my average speed... Because it's 0 when I'm not moving...

 

At some point I'll have to post about a factor that did cause my mpg to drop by 10% - tires.

[ptjones]

No technique is going to increase my fuel efficiency by 2-3 mpg. I drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, but do have significant intervals at highway speeds. Btw, looking at my timer isn't an accurate way to determine my average speed... Because it's 0 when I'm not moving...

 

At some point I'll have to post about a factor that did cause my mpg to drop by 10% - tires.

Stop and go traffic is the same as City driving and I was comparing your timer to my timer. My record run was primarily 55 mph and slower driving through city's over 4 days which is a lot of stopping. HWY driving is 50 mph or faster and not by what kind of road you are on. :) On my highway tanks I'm averaging mid 40's to mid 60's using the timer. :)

 

Paul

Edited May 6, 2017 by ptjones

[Texasota]

 

Yes, they did. Every Fusion comes with active grill shutters which are exactly the same thing as grill covers, they just aren't as efficient because they are designed to open to support all conditions. There are plenty of conditions in which Ford engineers would have preferred to use pure grill covers, but they do have to protect for the extreme conditions.

Most everything I have read about grill shutters indicates that they were designed to open and closed automatically to reduce aerodynamic drag (primarily at highway speeds) while still allowing for proper cooling. Ford's marketing described them this way. I think I remember posts from you, Waldo, stating that their primary purpose is to provide improved aerodynamics.

[Waldo]

Most everything I have read about grill shutters indicates that they were designed to open and closed automatically to reduce aerodynamic drag (primarily at highway speeds) while still allowing for proper cooling. Ford's marketing described them this way. I think I remember posts from you, Waldo, stating that their primary purpose is to provide improved aerodynamics.

That's true. But you could get even better aerodynamics with a complete grill blocking, in fact that's how they run the early models in the wind tunnels. My point is that because of the constraints of requiring them to open occasionally, they aren't as efficient at improving the aerodynamics as they could be.

[Texasota]

That's true. But you could get even better aerodynamics with a complete grill blocking, in fact that's how they run the early models in the wind tunnels. My point is that because of the constraints of requiring them to open occasionally, they aren't as efficient at improving the aerodynamics as they could be.

Seems like there are two different reasons being argued (and introducing confusion) when advocating for grill blocking/covers or grill shutters:

1. PT, HybridBear (in the past) and others have advocated grill blocking to increase the water temperature of the ICE. HybridBear's focus was on using them in the winter to reduce the time required for the ICE to reach operating temperature. PT advocates using them year round including during summer operation to induce higher operating temperatures for the ICE.

2. Ford's marketing, numerous online articles, and posts by you point out the aerodynamic benefits that are achieved with grill shutters (and grill blocking as you indicated above) which is the reason they were designed and incorporated into many cars from multiple manufactures.

I'm not aware of any any Ford literature or other technical articles articles describing increased ICE operating temperature as a benefit or reason for the design/deployment of grill shutters into late model cars. If that was a goal, then it would likely be better achieved with less cost by changing the thermostat operation.

[Waldo]

 

I'm not aware of any any Ford literature or other technical articles articles describing increased ICE operating temperature as a benefit or reason for the design/deployment of grill shutters into late model cars. If that was a goal, then it would likely be better achieved with less cost by changing the thermostat operation.

 

Changing the thermostat would not produce the same effect. The airflow coming into the engine compartment will slow down the heating of the engine the same way no matter what the thermostat is set to up until the point that it opens.

[md13ffhguy]

I'm no engineer, but the aerodynamics explanation just doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure there's more to it, but redirecting the air after it passes through the grill seems counterintuitive. Seems like there'd still be a lot of turbulence created. If they really wanted to smooth things out, one might think they'd turn the actual grill into shutters.

[bdginmo]

They're right in front of the radiator. Aerodynamics is probably part of it, but it's hard to deny that control of the ICE temperature is another.

[Waldo]

I'm no engineer, but the aerodynamics explanation just doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure there's more to it, but redirecting the air after it passes through the grill seems counterintuitive. Seems like there'd still be a lot of turbulence created. If they really wanted to smooth things out, one might think they'd turn the actual grill into shutters.

 

That's my point, it would be better if it was the actual grill. But with the shutters the air basically forms a high pressure block of stagnant air in front of the shutter so that the incoming air is redirected around the grill. Think of it like a lake, the water flows into a lake, then it flows out on the other side but the water at the bottom of the lake doesn't really move.

[md13ffhguy]

 

That's my point, it would be better if it was the actual grill. But with the shutters the air basically forms a high pressure block of stagnant air in front of the shutter so that the incoming air is redirected around the grill. Think of it like a lake, the water flows into a lake, then it flows out on the other side but the water at the bottom of the lake doesn't really move.

That seems like a good analogy!

[ptjones]

I stuck a video camera in the grill and watched the shutter operation. I was surprised to find out the shutters stay closed till 210*F at 50 mph and 215*F at 70 mph. Now in theory you would want shutters closed all the time from an aerodynamic stand point, especially when you are going fast. :doh: From a practical stand point it would seem the shutters are there to heat up the ICE and Grill Covers are better for doing both by up to 4 mpg. :)

 

Paul

[bdginmo]

I stuck a video camera in the grill and watched the shutter operation. I was surprised to find out the shutters stay closed till 210*F at 50 mph and 215*F at 70 mph. Now in theory you would want shutters closed all the time from an aerodynamic stand point, especially when you are going fast. :doh: From a practical stand point it would seem the shutters are there to heat up the ICE and Grill Covers are better for doing both by up to 4 mpg. :)

 

Paul

 

I just a did 300 mile drive and I was paying attention to the ICE temp with my ScanGauge. In my 2015 FFE it never got above 196F and it seemed to want to hug 184F'ish most of the time. I wonder if our cars have slightly different programming or tuning parameters for the thermal control.

[ptjones]

 

I just a did 300 mile drive and I was paying attention to the ICE temp with my ScanGauge. In my 2015 FFE it never got above 196F and it seemed to want to hug 184F'ish most of the time. I wonder if our cars have slightly different programming or tuning parameters for the thermal control.

I don't think so, where you using the A/C, the shutters open up then and radiator fan is running. Going uphill the temps will rise noticeably after awhile. thermostat starts to open at 182*F and is fully open at 202*F.

 

Just got back from trip using the A/C and it reminded me that the Radiator Fan is running all the time when A/C on. This effects gas mileage in two ways, one the fan and A/C pump use electricity from battery and the fan lowers WT to below Operating temp for the ICE. BTW YouTube views are up to 400 now.

 

Paul

[bdginmo]

Okay, yeah, I had the A/C on so that probably explains it. I know I've seen it above 200F before...just haven't paid attention enough to get a feel for how the temperature behaves under different scenarios except to say the correlation between ICE temp and mpg is very noticeable.

Edited May 11, 2017 by bdginmo

[ptjones]

Okay, yeah, I had the A/C on so that probably explains it. I know I've seen it above 200F before...just haven't paid attention enough to get a feel for how the temperature behaves under different scenarios except to say the correlation between ICE temp and mpg is very noticeable.

This is true. With the thermostat opening at 182*F the WT rise is slow because of the cold coolant from the radiator. I also have two oil pan heater pads on the bottom of ICE that increase WT by 5-10*F over what it normally would be. :)

 

Paul

[Texasota]

 

Changing the thermostat would not produce the same effect. The airflow coming into the engine compartment will slow down the heating of the engine the same way no matter what the thermostat is set to up until the point that it opens.

That makes sense and I see your point (the grill shutters, when closed, shorten the amount of time for the ICE to reach operating temperature). I can see how that would be beneficial on short city trips in cold temperatures. However, on a longer road trip I would think the quicker warmup time becomes negligible to the point where it would have almost no effect on overall MPG but the aerodynamic effect does provide a positive effect on MPG.

[ptjones]

With a cold ICE it takes 20 miles with Grill Covers on to get to operating temps, you would have to be going pretty fast to get up to operating temps with the Grill Covers off. ;(

Paul

[ptjones]

Up to 458 views for My YouTube Videos and 2013 CMAX MPG's on Fuelly have gone up about .5 MPG's. I haven't kept track of FFH mileage, I looked at Fuelly.com and it appears that FFH are averaging about the same as CMAX mileage. It would have been nice if Fuelly would have separated Hybrids from regular FF.IMO :)

Paul

[ptjones]

I was wondering if anyone has looked into a ECM Tuner for our Hybrids to improve fuel economy?

 

Paul