Newbie here - Question about ECO Cruise

[AnneSoCal]

Okay, I'm a relatively intelligent person and I've read almost the entire Ford Fusion manual but I still have a question about ECO Cruise.

 

What is it exactly?

 

I checked to see if it was "On" in my car and it is, and I see it mentioned here on the forum with regard to mpg, but I guess I'm still a little confused. I'm thinking it's just a feature on the Cruise Control that helps with gas mileage when I'm using cruise control, but has nothing to do with every day driving around town, right?

 

I've only had my FFH for a few days and am still figuring things out!

 

 

[kuzzi]

Your thinking is correct. It only does its thing while cruise control is on. Basically, if you are coming to an incline in the road with Cruise control on, the car would allow itself to slow down below the speed that cruise control is set on, thus engaging the ICE a little later than normal.

 

I believe it does this in anticipation that after cresting and going on the decline, it will regain the speed that it lost and continue normal cruise control operation.

Edited September 6, 2013 by kuzzi

[keithsm2]

I believe it also lets it speed up a little more on the Decline....... I know a long down hilll section near trinidad colo it got to going pretty good.......had to hit the button on the shifter to help slow it down.

[corncobs]

I believe it also lets it speed up a little more on the Decline....... I know a long down hilll section near trinidad colo it got to going pretty good.......had to hit the button on the shifter to help slow it down.

keithsm2 you are absolutely right it will allow for higher speed than set speed going downhill. When the downhill assist (button on shifter) is activated the FFH will actually use more regen or ICE to slow down and stay at set speed.

[B25Nut]

The regular setting for cruise control is very aggressive in its acceleration when resuming speed. The EcoCruise smooths this out. As has been said, EC will also allow the vehicle to go below the set speed on an incline.

[terryb]

Think of ecocruise as being more laid back and tolerant of the set speed, and regular cruise as being uptight about maintaining the speed setting.

[acdii]

It's designed to mimic how the Hybrid should be driven. It is also a great learning tool for HyNewBs. When you use it, pay attention to the Empower screen, and then try to duplicate it when accelerating. With practice you will get the hang of accelerating the FFH and be able to do better yourself than with the cruise.

[AnneSoCal]

Thanks everyone. I gave it a try yesterday, but was only going a short distance on the freeway so I didn't get a chance to really tell the difference.

 

I appreciate all the comments and help/suggestions!

[corncobs]

Since we are talking about ECC here have you noticed that with the PCM update the ECC works a lot better in terms of willing to go into EV mode?

 

I noticed this week after trying ECC at 35 / 45 / 55 MPH again after I abandoned the idea of using CC in this speed range because I could do better with my foot.

It goes into EV even if the SOC is not very high that's definitely something it didn't do before very easily.

Edited September 7, 2013 by corncobs