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

[Beachcomber86]

Me too. When I'm on what I call 'back roads" driving 45-55 I'm always in the 50s using no special technique. But much of my driving is either freeway (70 mph) or hilly suburban so my usual average is mid 47s displayed (45-ish actual). I'm definitely fine with that.

Are you really getting 45ish mileage at 70 mph? If so, HOW?!?

[mwr]

Are you really getting 45ish mileage at 70 mph? If so, HOW?!?

No, I didn't mean to imply that. My usual driving is a combination of freeway (70 mph) and hilly suburban, more suburban (including 60 mph freeway) than 70 mph freeway.

[ptjones]

Cool. FYI, that's pretty much what I get when under those same conditions, simply by driving at the speed limit... easy on the brake, easy on the gas. I was flirting with 58 about halfway through my last tank, but then we got rain. Oh well.

Our fuel economy is a reflection of average speed which includes when we are stopped like at stop lights, stop signs or stop and go on the FWY. If you are going to be stopped more than 30 sec. I would shut the car off. This is why my average speed is 28 mpg on this tank even though I'm driving 45-55 mph. On your Post#32:

 

Posted by md13ffhguy on 05 May 2017 - 06:52 PM in Hybrid Driving Tips & Tricks

"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..."

Another determinant of FE is the % of EV miles vs total miles, the less ICE mile % the greater FE. OT has a real effect on FE and seems to level off in the 80's*F, I have driven in the AZ Desert close too 110*F with the windows down some for ventilation and wasn't getting much better than in the 80's*F. Short trips really hurt FE even going the seven miles to work using my block heaters my WT only gets up to 182*F with Grill Covers on and never getting to operating temps which is above 202*F.

I'm currently at 57.9 mpg, but should be in the low to mid 58 mpg's tonight with 17.4 mile trip and then 10.4 miles back to home. It's looking like I'll get to 59 mpg, 60 mpg will be pushing it. :)

Paul

[ptjones]

This morning I started out with 58.4 mpg on this tank and went to Atlanta on I-85/I-285 and back for about 70 miles on the FWY and 35 mi. off. My current average now is 58 mpg, so driving on the FWY didn't hurt my MPG's much. So with 693 mi. + 70 mi. to E gives 763 mi. total range, we will see how it goes. Will probably get gas in a couple of days.

Paul

[ptjones]

Posted Today, 10:01 AM

 

Filled up and this is what I ended up with 58.4 mpg/13.14 gal/768.8 mi. Actual Fuelly.com 58 mpg/13.5 gal/ 782.6 mi./ temps 56-95*F/ 50% City so I could have gone at least 25 mi. more.

 

Paul

[ptjones]

raja I moved my GasPods to your location in front of rear hatch for a month and I didn't see any noticeable improvement in MPG's. Yesterday I moved them back to on top of the hatch as shown and my mpg's started getting better. I think it is safe to say my location for GasPods is at least as good as raja's and seems to be better. When we first started using GasPods we did alot of R&D to determine best location and that is why I installed mine where I did. I think the GasPods are worth less than a mile/gal.

 

Using Cruise/ECO Cruise you can expect to lose 1 to 2 mpg compared to driving yourself. I would expect ECO Cruise to be better than straight Cruise, because ECO Cruise slows down going uphill and speeds up going down hill which is more efficient. On flat ground at FWY speeds our CMAXHybird's/FFH's act like Prius with ICE running most of the time with the electric motors assisting. This is very inefficient from the ICE stand point, if the ICE is running you want to be running at 2 Bars power and it doesn't do that in Cruise Control. Now on hilly FWY's ECO Cruise starts to imitate Pulse and Glide which you should be doing not using Cruise Control. Going uphill you should be doing 2 Bars ICE Power and downhill Gliding in EV mode.

 

A couple of weeks ago I filled with the temps in the 80's-90's*F I was getting 61.5 mpg for the first 200 miles with speeds around my local area of 35-55 mph. But then I had to make a number of trips on the FWY's so that I ended up with 57 mpg for that tank, but does show the potential of getting low 60's around town driving.

 

I hope this is some useful info for those working on their MPG's.

 

Paul

Edited June 26, 2019 by ptjones

[ptjones]

I just filled up and got a Fuelly.com 56.7 mpg and so with my total miles of 227.2k miles my average since new has gone up to 49.4 mpg.

 

Paul

[ptjones]

I drove about 3k miles this past week and had 4 fill ups which covered 2437.7 miles, mostly FWY's and averaged 54.4 mpg with Actual distance and gallons used, with minimal rain and A/C use. First tank was from Valdosta, GA to Deltona, FL via I-75, FL St. Route 42 and back to Valdosta, GA. Second tank was from Valdosta, GA to Newnan, GA to Charlotte, NC via I-75/SR16 / I-85 to VA I-77 exit #1. Third tank was on I-81, I-76 to Philadelphia then I-95 to VA I-95 Exit 104. Then back home via I-95/ I-85. This is just an example what can be done with temps 65-85*F.

 

Paul

[Beachcomber86]

I drove about 3k miles this past week and had 4 fill ups which covered 2437.7 miles, mostly FWY's and averaged 54.4 mpg with Actual distance and gallons used, with minimal rain and A/C use. First tank was from Valdosta, GA to Deltona, FL via I-75, FL St. Route 42 and back to Valdosta, GA. Second tank was from Valdosta, GA to Newnan, GA to Charlotte, NC via I-75/SR16 / I-85 to VA I-77 exit #1. Third tank was on I-81, I-76 to Philadelphia then I-95 to VA I-95 Exit 104. Then back home via I-95/ I-85. This is just an example what can be done with temps 65-85*F.

 

Paul

What was your average speed?

[ptjones]

I would say 65 mph, but with pit and eating stops it drops it down to 55 mph. Any time the car is on it's recording time which puts a dent in your average speed. ;(

 

Paul

[Beachcomber86]

I would say 65 mph, but with pit and eating stops it drops it down to 55 mph. Any time the car is on it's recording time which puts a dent in your average speed. ;(

 

Paul

So you were driving at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit?

Were you using cruise control or surge and glide?

[ptjones]

So you were driving at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit?

Were you using cruise control or surge and glide?

Actually the speed limit going across FL on SR 42 is 60-55 mph, PA is 65 mph, BAL-DC Area 55-65 mph and I like to use extended drafting with Semi's going 65-70 mph. I almost never use the cruise control, It isn't as efficient as Pulse and Glide which is an automatic function if you are driving in a hilly area which seems to be almost every where. Using ICE uphills and EV/coasting down the hills. :)

 

Paul

[ptjones]

Filled up today and went 762 miles/ 13 gallons and 58.6 mpg with temps 70-94*F about 50% City speeds here are mostly 45-55 mph. About a perfect two weeks for local driving, some times work in your favor gas mileage wish. Just an example what can be done.

Paul

[ptjones]

In two months My Fuelly has gone up another .1 mpg. to 49.5 mpg, my Life Time average for the last about three years has been 54 mpg. This is an example of what can be done if you want to make the effort. I currently have 233k miles on MADMAX.

Paul

[ptjones]

For newer owners of CMAX/FFH's with temps in the 80-90's*F if you use Premium Gas and 50 PSI in tires you should be getting 47 Smart Gauge MPG if you keep your speed bellow 70 mph and don't use A/C. I know that can be uncomfortable, but I'm trying to make a pretty exact prediction and A/C is a big variable. Have Fun improving your mpg's.

Paul

[ethermion]

???

 

Premium gas does nothing special in a FFH (which you do not own), other than drain your wallet.

 

50 PSI on the tires is seriously contrary to the advice of Ford and Michelin and Bridgestone and Goodyear.

 

Why have A/C if you don't use it? Really? Why buy a FFH (which you do not own) if you arrive at your destination soaked in sweat and smelling like a farm animal?

 

Silly and dangerous post. What next? Only drive downhill?

[ptjones]

Sometimes it makes you wonder why some people buy Hybrids if they don't take advantage of their advantages over a ICE Fusion and then again some just don't get it that FFH/CMAX have the same Hybrid system. Many other FFH/CMAX owners get 1-2 mpg improvement with Premium, FORD also said in owners manual your performance will improve with Premium. BTW using a ScanGaugeII you can watch ignition timing advance more with Premium vs Regular, the more timing advance the better MPG's. :) Also many owners use 45-50 psi in tires to improve tire wear and mpg's. :)

 

Paul

[billford]

, FORD also said in owners manual your performance will improve with Premium.

Paul

 

 

Where does it say that in the 2014 fusion owners manual?

I only found that ford recommends using regular unleaded

 

 

"Octane Recommendations

Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump

(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is

recommended."

[ethermion]

Don't see it in my 2013 manual either. 87 is recommended.

 

Maybe if you are taking your FFH (which PT does not own) to track day, but most of us do not.

 

Why pay 25-40% more for fuel, to save 2 mpg -which is not true? Kinda stupid in my book.

[mwr]

Don't see it in my 2013 manual either. 87 is recommended.

 

Maybe if you are taking your FFH (which PT does not own) to track day, but most of us do not.

 

Why pay 25-40% more for fuel, to save 2 mpg -which is not true? Kinda stupid in my book.

The manual for my 2015 FFH says "Premium fuel will provide improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such as trailer tow." Here (Northern California), premium is about 5 or 6% more than regular, so it could be worth trying. But I probably won't bother since it would be difficult to know what mpg difference might have been caused by the change in fuel vs the myriad of other things that affect gas mileage.

[Cobra348]

FFH from '15 on seem to have the premium option specified/allowed. TBH I have run my tank to <10 DTE then used premium for several tanks with no alteration of driving habits or routes, etc. Other than added drain on the wallet, difference was negligible. I went back to regular and have stayed there.

 

Like oil changes, what you do is your choice.

= = =

I would also add that the '11+ Fiestas also stated option of premium gas. Tried it on one of them as well and really didn't see too much improvement there either.

Edited September 12, 2019 by Cobra348

[billford]

FFH from '15 on seem to have the premium option specified/allowed. TBH I have run my tank to <10 DTE then used premium for several tanks with no alteration of driving habits or routes, etc. Other than added drain on the wallet, difference was negligible. I went back to regular and have stayed there.

 

Like oil changes, what you do is your choice.

= = =

I would also add that the '11+ Fiestas also stated option of premium gas. Tried it on one of them as well and really didn't see too much improvement there either.

 

Your right.

I found it in the 2015 manual and its not there in the 2014 manual.

[billford]

BTW using a ScanGaugeII you can watch ignition timing advance more with Premium vs Regular, the more timing advance the better MPG's. :) Also many owners use 45-50 psi in tires to improve tire wear and mpg's. :)

 

Paul

 

If your spark is advancing on premium, it means its retarding on regular due to detonation. For that to happen, one or both knock sensor numbers must be high.

It makes sense since your intentionally blocking air flow though your radiator, which makes the engine run hotter, which increases the tendency for detonation.

 

Whats the fuel cost per mile between regular and premium with and without blocking airflow through the radiator?

Edited September 12, 2019 by billford

[ethermion]

Here in Northern Virginia, pump gas can be found as cheap as $2.21. Premium, best I have seen is $2.75. We get close to 45 mpg on pump gas. Premium is silly.

 

Trailer tow? Really? Unibody cars don't like that. Maybe tiny trailers. Otherwise, the doors won't close properly, and the car will refuse to drive in a straight line. Forever.

[ptjones]

I gain 2 mpg with Premium which is $2.49 and Regular is $2.19. I'm currently averaging 58.5 mpg with speeds of 45-55 mph and also your ECM is constantly advancing the timing to get the best gas mileage as possible no matter whether it's hot or cold, Regular or Premium. Without grill covers your ICE rarely gets up to best MPG temp of 215-225*F which you can see from using the ScanGaugeII. :) Premium does cost a little more, but I feel I make it up by not having to stop for gas as often. :) Using the Grill Covers improve gas mileage by 2-4 mpg by allowing the ICE to get hot enough to run efficiently. If you got an OBDII gauge you would see how cold your ICE is running. ;(

Have Fun Saving Gas

Paul