keybman

Yes. and Yes. I had to look back in this thread to find the date where I had taken notes of the difference in temps. It was April 2 (pg 10, reply #196) and it was 61 for the morning commute, and 83 on the trip home (17.3 miles). Morning was 55.6 MPG, while the afternoon, in stop-and-go traffic was 62.9 MPG. And being 83 degrees in Houston, I most definitely used my A/C. Kind of a necessity around here. It's one of those non-negotiable factors that I am willing to sacrifice a few MPG to stay comfortable. I cannot tell you if I would have had better gas mileage if I had not used the A/C, because I would not appreciate that experiment! :drool:

acdii, I am being purely selfish in saying that I would like to see you in a 2013 or 2014 FFH. I really appreciate your knowledge and hybrid driving experience. There is no doubt in my mind that if anyone was going to get max MPG out of their hybrid, you would be among that group - given a "good" FFH, of course. Almost everything I have learned on how to drive my FFH came from this forum and specifically, members like yourself. And if you were to have a 2013/14 again, you most certainly would continue to contribute to my learning experience. As far as what my numbers are telling me, I think that my driving is now consistent enough to where I can see differences depending on the circumstances. There is a definite warm weather bias - I am consistently getting 53-56 MPG when the temps are above 60 degrees, and 46-49 when it is below 60 degrees. When the temps have hit 80 here, it seems like the car just wants to run in EV forever. But, the numbers are consistent. My driving persona has changed since driving this car. I am definitely a calmer driver, not so much in a hurry anymore, and I enjoy driving again. Previously, I found myself getting frustrated and upset, over the last 10 years or so, with crazy/rude/dangerous drivers, slow commutes and high gas prices. Now, I rarely worry about the other drivers, slow commutes add up to higher MPG for me, and I have cut my monthly gasoline bill by $200 (was getting 14-19 MPG previously). So, here's hoping that you find the Right Deal at the Right Price!

That makes sense to me. I had tried as Imp has suggested to calculate the ICE mileage (4.0 mi / .3 gal), but the results were 13.3 MPG and that seemed low. (I would expect low 20s.) Thus, the question arose. The Owner's Manual is not too clear on these matters, but my assumption was that there likely was not an easy way of determining the efficiency of the system's separate drives.

The following sounds like an Algebra problem, but here it comes anyway… Using the Empower mode when a trip is completed, the display shows total trip miles, EV miles and Regen miles. Is there a direct correlation to MPG numbers that can be derived from this information? For instance, this morning I traveled 17.6 mi (11.8 EV, 1.8 Regen). If I am reading this correctly, that means that I traveled 4.0 miles on ICE alone. Can I determine what MPG the ICE is producing from these numbers? (The other part of the equation is total MPG for the trip was 55.8)

When I have opened the moonroof, the pressure changes inside the vehicle and it becomes unbearable to my eardrums. Each time I simply closed it right back. If pressure differences are the issue, my assumption would be that opening a window or two would likely relieve that pressure (I haven't experimented - I like my a/c). Having said that, 1) I can appreciate that the cabin is well sealed and 2) I really like my moonroof window to the world.

I experienced a similar issue with my FFH in January. Didn't affect driving but the multiple warnings continued for my trip home. In addition to what you described, I also had the "yellow wrench", which normally would mean a powertrain issue. The next morning, I started the car but there were no warnings at all, and again driving was fine. I called the dealership anyway, and they said I definitely needed to bring it in for them to look at it. I took it in the following day and left it with them for the day. Obviously, it was the first 2013 FFH the Service dept had serviced, so the head mechanic was in touch with Ford from the beginning. Even though it was not showing any active warnings, the car's computer had recorded all of the fault codes so they were able to verify the issue. Ford told them to change out the 12V battery and that it was not performing up to par. Having seen other battery issues in the C-Max forum and this FFH forum, I accepted this as a reasonable problem identification as well as fix. Don't know if it was a bad batch of batteries that were installed in some C-Max and FFHs, or if it was not the right kind of battery in the first place (design/engineering flaw). But, I do know that I have not had a problem since. My MPGs have increased by over 10 MPG since the end of January (although my hybrid learning curve is still a factor too) and I have not experienced any other issue, related or not. Considering the well-documented battery issues, I would encourage you to ask them to replace the 12V battery. It is a quick fix and they should be able to determine if that addresses your issue as well.

Don't know whether it's the warmer weather or passing the "break-in period" (just passed 3000 miles), but MPG has improved the last couple of days, over the same path (17.3 miles) that I take to work everyday. Yesterday, it was 61 degrees, I recorded 55.6 MPG on the trip to work in moderate traffic, and then on the return trip home, with 83 degrees and stop-n-go traffic, it was 62.9 MPG. This morning under a cloudy 64 degrees, the trip was 56.3 MPG with heavier traffic. I can get use to this really easily!

My MPG has been consistently getting better, mostly due to my learning curve on how to drive a hybrid. But, living in the Southwest, the temperature has always been from the high 30's to the mid-70's, and has not seemed to be a factor. I seem to get the same stats at 35 degrees that I do at 75. EV kicks in usually about 1/2 mile after a cold start. Plus, the terrain here is mostly flat - no large uphill drives. The biggest environmental factor that I have experienced so far was last week, after a cold front had moved through our area - there was a high sustaining wind. Driving into that wind, my MPG for the trip was around 37 MPG. Bottom line for me is that I am not sure that I will see a temperature benefit, considering our climate here. Hopefully, the summer blend will help to improve, but I am not expecting any personal dramatic difference otherwise. On the other hand, I am looking forward to seeing the positive jumps in MPG for my friends from the North.

I am not an expert in how insurance companies determine premiums, but I have a first guess. I assume that the cost differences have to do with the valuation of risk. If you have a total loss of the vehicle, your Hybrid would cost $5300 more to replace ($27.2K vs $21.9K), or about 24% more. If this factor is involved in the risk determination, and based upon your $82 figure, I calculated that you got quotes for $342 for Gas, and $424 for Hybrid. Do these figures come close to your quotes? Same principle would apply if you bought a $50,000 car - I would expect a higher premium. Hope this helps.

No, it makes sense. I think I understand the concept now. Thank you. I applied it today and I found that I was going further in EV mode on the uphill than I normally do. And, it seemed like I was in EV mode longer overall for the trip to work this morning and the trip home as well. The problem, however, was the same outcome that I experience when using eco-cruise in that I experienced overall lower MPG with this method. 17.3 mile trip = 47 MPG Lately, I have been getting 51-54 MPG on the same trip. It may be what acdii was saying, "grade and distances". I definitely see how this technique would be useful under different circumstances. (I need to get out of the city and go on longer trips!) And by the way, the "cruise control and controlling the speed with the SET + and - buttons" was a tip that I was going to suggest as well, since that was the only way I have found so far to see a gain in MPG that way. Usually, its 1 or 2 taps of the "-" and I am cruising in EV. So, are there other tips to add to the list for the 2013 FFH?

Thanks, acdii. I think the difference in my driving experience may have to do with the definition of "downhill". My "downhill" overpasses may be a slight ramp to others. Driving at 62 MPH, when I take my foot off everything at the top of the overpass, I can cruise down in EV mode and then up almost all the way to the top of the next overpass. Then, I apply a little gas to the top and repeat the process. If I were applying gas the whole way downhill, I would likely be exceeding the 65 MPH speed limit (and heaven forbid that I get caught speeding in a hybrid!) and I think I might effectively lose the gain of the battery charge and utilize more gas than necessary. But I will experiment as you suggest, as I do respect your experience. I really do want to take advantage of the FFH's full potential.

I appreciate the idea of putting all the 2013 FFH MPG tips into 1 thread, so, Thank you. (and I will find it if you move it to Hybrid Tips and Tricks section). This is my first hybrid so I am trying to follow the best advice I can to stretch out my fuel dollars. And I sometimes I find that different drivers (and different car situations "late Oct/early Nov 12") may have different answers to their particular situation. So, I have questions about your list, as it relates to my personal experience (last 3 months). First, I would agree on items #s 1, 3, 5-11. #2 - I didn't realize that my "Eco-Cruise" had to be activated first before using. Thus, I only have 1 month of experience so far. But, it seems to me that I have a better ability to keep my FFH in EV than cruise control does. When I am in Eco-Cruise, often it does not even go into EV for large stretches and I watch both my efficiency leaves falling off and my Lifetime MPG doing down tenth by tenth. It might relate to some of the other tips, as I may be trying to keep EV on as much as possible when maybe I shouldn't, but I may be doing something wrong when it comes to cruise control. #4 - Here in the city, we don't have many "hills" per se, but there are long stretches of elevated highways that go up and down repetitively as they fly over each cross street. I have been "cruising" downhill and then applying just a little gas on the uphill to keep up speed. This technique has been increasing my MPG, but if I am reading this tip correctly, I might be seeing a greater gain if I do the opposite?? Help me understand. #12 - Don't have any steep downhills here to confirm this tip. One question, though, is this an automatic feature or is there a function or command to activate? #13 - I have seen this tip elsewhere so I am familiar with it. But, I still haven't grasped the concept that driving at 65 MPH using the ICE uses less gas than driving in EV at 62 MPH. Why don't I want to stay in EV mode? When I can stay in EV mode on the freeway, I consistently get 51-54 MPG for the trip. Or, does this tip simply mean that when going on long downhills (which again, we really don't have here), it is better to save the charge on the battery and utilize the fact that you are not using gas either when you are in ICE mode?

Was the hit on the MPG during July and August from the effect on the batteries or from using the air conditioner? (or both) I definitely have found that not using the heater during cool mornings helped to increase the MPG. But, I can't imagine being willing to sacrifice air conditioning when its 100 degrees outside, just for a few more MPGs. Somehow, I hope they cancel each other out.

I just completed my first fill-up in the FFH. Officially 41.3 MPG (40.3 by the computer's reckoning). (50%/50% city/hwy) Having never driven a hybrid before, I would say that I am learning every day and like Allegany, I am finding that the computer's avg seems to climb higher the more I drive, tenth by tenth. And yes, it definitely a different way for me to drive. I tended to be more of a jackrabbit upon lights turning green, and generally driving 5-10 miles over the speed limit. But now I am employing the P&G, coasting after reaching speed limits, and especially, keeping the car more frequently at 62 MPH or less, allowing the EV to run much more often. It has made me a more patient driver in only 1.5 weeks. I've had several trips in the high 50's. Even in my own neighborhood, the other morning, I was coasting at the 30 MPH (enforced) speed limit, only to look up and realize that the car behind me had decided to put his front bumper near my back bumper, urging me to speed. Normally, I might have reacted with the accelerator, or maybe tapped the brake lights....but to my surprise, I simply looked up and said to myself, "hmmmm...." and continued to drive like an law abiding citizen. Driving smoothly, comfortably and saving fuel costs at the same time hopefully will continue to calm my driving persona. And it looks good too! Not received the fingers or horns yet, but definitely a lot of second looks.

terryb - I live in the same area as you. Mine arrived via railcar on 12/18 (ETA was 12/21) - it was not unloaded and delivered to the dealer until 12/28 - a total of 10 days later. I thought it was just because of the Christmas holidays but maybe this is the railyard's regular speed (or lack thereof). The railyard is likely WestField which is along FM1960 between 1-45N and Hardy Toll Road. "So close and yet so far away" is how I felt. Hang in there...it will be here soon.

UPDATE - Build Date 12-4-12 Arrived in town on 12-18-12 Not unloaded from railcar until 12-27-12 I took delivery on 12-28-12. And it looks and drives beautifully!

keybman - ordered 10/16/12 - Ingot Silver c black leather, Loaded (except no Park Assist)