JonE

Just thought I'd chime in with some more Minnesota hybrid Fusion observations. I bought my car last March and had increasing lifetime mileage until about October (maxed briefly at 46MPG lifetime). Since October that lifetime mileage has been declining. Now it is about 43.8mpg lifetime and the car has almost 12,000 miles on it. When I take a look at mileage and compare tanks, and trips (I, like many, drive the same route to work (17miles one way) everyday and this makes comparisons in temperature very valid), now in the winter months, especially December and January have been very cold here, I am averaging about 10mpg less on my trips and tanks. There still are occasional trips to work, say, where it may have been above 20-25degree F and I was able to eke out about 40-43mpg, but, overall, I'd say the reduction for winter months so far is about 10mpg. I have also observed that perhaps the biggest factor of all is heating the cabin, the 2nd being having to have the ICE at proper operating tempurature, thus, the ICE comes on much more often than the warmer months. In other words, if I am bundled up and can stand driving without heat and use the seat heaters, I can get 4-6mpg better than warming the cabin to about 68-70degrees. Not much can be done about simply having to have the ICE up to operating tempurature, it seems to be similar to the 2-4mpg deficit I used to get in my 3 Series BMW in winter vs. summer. Interestingly, I haven't noticed much MPG difference (maybe 1-2mpg) using the block heater, although, I can get heat in the cabin quicker...

Yep, I have started using the block heater since it got "chillier" (below zero for highs) to see if this helps the ICE warm-up period/MPGs at all. Interesting, I had plugged the car in several times previously and no wrench showed up. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks for the info by the way, fellow MNan.

Dang, I just got the yellow wrench this morning! And all had been going so well with the car... I made it to work without incident and didn't notice any change in behavior of the car at all. When the warning came on, as I initially started the car, all I got was a message in the left screen to check my manual. So I checked and found that it is some sort of power train fault, so, time to call the dealer. Hopefully I can make it home as it is very cold here in Minneapolis.

Just ticked up to 45MPG yesterday! :) I'm pretty happy with this mileage so far.

I'd also like console buttons rather than the hyper sensitive touch types that turn seat heaters and whatnot on with the slightest touch. Then when I'd like to quickly adjust the hvac up or down it frequently won't always respond! Give me a tactile button. I'd also like a few choices in stereos, like the old days. I thought the stereo in my SE was adequate until I rode in the backseat one time, very poor bass response back there. I don't even think there is a sub or anything on the back shelf. Then I was reading that it is difficult to add speaker components due to the noise canceling system, don't like that either. I'd also like to have co-pilot control of navigation while driving, could be made available when the passenger is seat belted in. I hate when the stereo doesn't work when the seatbelt is not clicked in on the passenger side. My wife frequently unbelts as we're rolling into our driveway, I'd just like to hear the end of the song... More padding in the sunglasses holder please. I did buy a spare, the 16" convenience spare from a 2012 Focus works perfectly in the space under the trunk floor. Purchased from a salvage yard for $125 and it was like new, added a scissors jack, lug wrench and it all fit under there. I wrapped the fix a flat in a bag and stuffed it in with the car battery behind that rather flimsy panel on the left side of the trunk. Trickle charge option via the block heater socket would be great! Get a full hybrid battery every time you start out, brilliant. Otherwise I pretty much love the car, 44.9 mpg lifetime, so,far.

Another Minnesota FFH user reporting in... Just starting to use the AC occasionally as it heats up into the 80's today. So far, from March when I purchased, my lifetime average is 44MPG. It did get better as the car broke in, or I got broken in (learned to drive the thing). My driving is mostly city with mixed highway and streets. No major freeway trips so far, but will have one down to Madison, WI this weekend. I expect that the MPG will drop. Keeping comfortable definately costs something in mileage as the MPG was poorer when it was still cold here and will take an expected hit as I use AC. I definately think this is the car to have if you do alot of commuting and city driving. Many of my trips can get over 50mpg in town. So far I am impressed. We'll see on the "highway"/freeway...