Me and my car and what we can do

[md13ffhguy]

Well, it may not be what you and your car can do, so.... YMMV. ;)

 

I enjoy all the mileage reports, but I was thinking recently that, while one-way trip reports are interesting, they clearly don't tell the whole story. I'm pretty sure that the great majority of car owners make round trips, because, well, most of us have a place we call home. Whether it's A to B and back to A, or A to B to C all the way to Z and back to A again, it's the performance over the entirety of the trip that really matters. So, I've decided to document some of my days that begin and end at home.

 

Monday started out like most workdays and I... drove to work.

After work, I had to head directly to my kids' school for an awards ceremony.

I met up with my wife there, and we stopped at a local wing joint

before heading home.

 

I'd have to say it was a pretty efficient day! :happy feet: (Sorry, my exuberance abounds!)

[md13ffhguy]

Tuesday...

 

To work (again!)

and back home.

Running an errand

and back home again.

[md13ffhguy]

The biggest reason behind the differences in my MPGs heading to work vs coming home? I think it's mostly explained by the net change in elevation.

[corncobs]

The biggest reason behind the differences in my MPGs heading to work vs coming home? I think it's mostly explained by the net change in elevation.

Yep that's likely the reason it's for me for sure. I have been getting 53ish consistently to work and 48ish from work.

 

Nice MPG story you have put together there ! I like it.

[lolder]

A 4000 lb. car descending 500 ft. in an hour's drive gains 1 hp. Since 25 hp is a frequent requirement at highway speeds, that is 4 %. That's 2 mpg plus and minus from 50 mpg so you would see a 4 mpg difference in this example. Warmer temperatures in an afternoon commute would be a greater effect.

[lolder]

md13ffhguy, did your kids get better grades than your brake score?

[md13ffhguy]

A 4000 lb. car descending 500 ft. in an hour's drive gains 1 hp. Since 25 hp is a frequent requirement at highway speeds, that is 4 %. That's 2 mpg plus and minus from 50 mpg so you would see a 4 mpg difference in this example. Warmer temperatures in an afternoon commute would be a greater effect.

Nice formula. Btw, I just checked, and work is 580 ft below the elevation at home. I don't think it's the temperature difference so much that causes the variation to and from work. The variances from day to day, however, seem to be more related to the nature of the backups I invariably encounter.

 

md13ffhguy, did your kids get better grades than your brake score?

Sometimes... But, it was an athletics awards ceremony. ;)

[md13ffhguy]

Wednesday's results (even I was surprised)...

 

To work

and home again.

[Riggo]

Do you have the 17" wheels?

[corncobs]

Damn I need to work on my driving style....

 

This is FFE MPG country!

 

Excellent question Riggo I didn't wanna ask.

Edited June 5, 2014 by corncobs

[md13ffhguy]

Do you have the 17" wheels?

Yes. I specifically shopped for a car with 17" wheels, due to the lower replacement cost down the road.

Edited June 5, 2014 by md13ffhguy

[hybridbear]

Wednesday's results (even I was surprised)...

 

To work

IMG_20140604_080323.jpg

and home again.

IMG_20140604_183210.jpg

Is it downhill both ways? ;) Awesome MPG!

[md13ffhguy]

Is it downhill both ways? ;) Awesome MPG!

You would think so. I've had this car since October and these results are really impressing me!

[md13ffhguy]

Thursday - another really good day...

 

From home to meet with a customer,

then to my work location,

and back home again.

[corncobs]

HB I agree with you he must be driving downhill all the time ;)

[acdii]

Or is friends with Coach and has the football team helping out. Haven't heard from him in a while, wonder how he is doing.

[md13ffhguy]

Finally, Friday. Of course, my camera app malfunctions, and I can't get the Trip Summary pic snapped before it disappears...

 

So, here's my Trip 1 that I reset when I fueled up on Thursday, so it includes 2.0 miles from gas station to home, and then Friday's trip to work.

Actual Trip Summary MPG was 64.4.

And, back home again (not outstanding MPG, but not bad!)

 

[md13ffhguy]

So, work to home is my most challenging trip. Varies from low of about 47 to high of 54, but usually toward the lower end. Main difference from day to day? The amount and location of backups. If the slowdowns occur in just the right places (usually uphill areas), the mileage can be better. When there's not as much traffic, I'm forced to maintain highway speeds over a few inclines that really take a toll on MPG.

 

That completes my work week. I'll update with another week's worth of round-trip data when I see noteworthy changes.

[hybridbear]

Of course, my camera app malfunctions, and I can't get the Trip Summary pic snapped before it disappears...

Very nice to see your excellent MPG! When this happens you can turn the key to the "On" position without starting the car and then turn it back to off and the previous Trip Summary will appear again.

[md13ffhguy]

Can't express how satisfied I am with this car! So, yesterday, every MPG factor seems to align and I get 71.6 MPG on the way to work! 49.8 brought me back to reality on the way home, but.... Wow! And, tonight was my 6th straight 50+ MPG fuel up. I don't really feel like I'm "hypermiling" - just driving gently and adhering to the speed limit. My last car was intended to be a fun car (Mitsu Eclipse GT), but somehow, I'm having more fun with this Fusion Hybrid! A long time fast lane driver, and now I'm almost exclusively right lane. I also can't get over how much this experience has de-stressed me.

 

 

P.S. A music app or two for MFT would be the icing on the cake. ;)

Edited June 21, 2014 by md13ffhguy

[corncobs]

Awesome numbers you are displaying here. I would say the Ford goodwill payment will last you for quite a few miles at your average. :)

[GrySql]

I also can't get over how much this experience has de-stressed me.

That right there is one of the most amazing things about driving this car. If you are getting good mpg numbers you should also be enjoying the drive and being calm, they seem to go together.

We were mentioning this effect early last year and I'm glad to hear that some are getting the same good feeling when they arrive at their destination.

That is why I named my car 'the Time Machine' - you get in, drive, get out and I'm not all tensed up but instead relaxed and it was easy.

It's a wonderful side effect to this advanced technology.

Edited June 21, 2014 by GrySql

[hybridbear]

I also can't get over how much this experience has de-stressed me.

As GrySql said, this comment is the best part of the FFH. I'm glad you enjoy your car that much. So many ppl buy a Camry or Accord and never experience that emotion. I'd rather have the FFH and truly enjoy the car.

[2014FordFusionSE]

I think md13ffhguy secretly works for Ford and has photo-shopped the MPG.

:)

 

Awesome numbers.

 

My best numbers have been in the last few days. (Sorry, my iPhone has an issue with close-ups and so I can't post proof)

 

Last night, 7 mile drive, 81 MPG. I drove it as carefully as I could.

Today, 2 mile drive, 136 MPG. Had to make sure that I was really in my FFH and not someone else's Energi :)

 

In general, my fuel-up average has been 42 or 43. Can't drive hybridly for too long.

[md13ffhguy]

I think md13ffhguy secretly works for Ford and has photo-shopped the MPG.

:)

 

Awesome numbers.

 

My best numbers have been in the last few days. (Sorry, my iPhone has an issue with close-ups and so I can't post proof)

 

Last night, 7 mile drive, 81 MPG. I drove it as carefully as I could.

Today, 2 mile drive, 136 MPG. Had to make sure that I was really in my FFH and not someone else's Energi :)

 

In general, my fuel-up average has been 42 or 43. Can't drive hybridly for too long.

Secretly works for Ford... Nope!

 

So, your best numbers go against the premise I intended for this thread - sure, anyone can find a long, flat stretch and use EV almost exclusively, or a downhill stretch and go further that way. What I challenge you to do is turn around and make it a round trip.

 

Can't drive hybridly for too long? Well, that's why I titled this ME and my car and what WE can do - it takes both of us! ;)