Rickster

So true...! I know...it really is a no-brainer! For awhile i was trying to decide if I would do better with a Focus considering the percentage of higher freeway speeds I do but you guys are definetely swaying me towards the Fusion...and it's such a great looking car! Thanks Jeff for the information! Actually i've already got a Ford dealer in mind, that's the easy part because I work for one! So I get to drool over the cars every day! :drool:

I had made a post a couple of days ago excited about the software updates that Ford is planning. Although afterwards I realized that this was probably the wrong place to post that article as everyone here seems very happy with their fuel economy and are already meeting or exceeding the EPA numbers. I currently do not own a new Fusion Hybrid but have been drooling over them since they came out and am currently getting 18MPG in my current commute of 120 miles a day...OUCH. After all of your positive posts I am thinking I may need to pull the trigger on a new Fusion. It looks like my commute would be similar to gadgetguy as I drive alot of highway miles where the posted speed limit is 70 (real flow of traffic 70-80 mph) and would be thrilled if I could average around 40MPG. Keep up the good work guys and gals and it's inspiring to read your posts! Hopefully someday I will be posting awesome mileage pics of my own! :)

Hey...Have you guys seen the news? Ford is responding to complaints that its gasoline-electric hybrids are not delivering advertised miles per gallon by offering owners a free software upgrade that should improve their real-world fuel economy. Letters will go out by the end of July to about 77,000 owners of the Ford C-Max, Fusion and Lincoln MKZ hybrids. They will be instructed to make an appointment with their dealers for a half-day of work adjusting the software at no charge. New 2014 models will have the upgrades done at the factory. Ford made a big advertising splash last fall, boasting that the new Fusion Hybrid had an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 47 m.p.g. for combined highway and city driving. The new C-Max hybrid also was stickered for 47 m.p.g. The Lincoln MKZ hybrid went on sale earlier this year with a rating of 45 m.p.g. Many consumers reported they were unable to get close to those figures in their driving experience. Some of those owners joined class actions alleging the numbers represent false advertising on Ford’s part. Raj Nair, Ford’s head of global product development, said the voluntary action is not related to the lawsuits, but rather is part of continuous improvement efforts. He would not say how much better mileage will get nor did he estimate the cost of the dealer actions. But he did say the software changes will not change the EPA ratings and the government agency is aware of the program. The calibrations are designed to reduce the variability of the mileage different drivers get on the road with hybrids, more so than with gasoline-powered vehicles. Among the calibration changes: ■ The hybrids will automatically remain in electric-only mode to a top speed of 85 m.p.h., up from 62 m.p.h. now. ■ Active grille shutters will close in cold weather or when the air conditioner is running to warm or cool the cabin faster, allowing the batteries to kick in sooner to run in electric mode. ■ Fan speed will be reduced, requiring less fuel to operate. ■ The engine will warm up 50% faster, which allows stop-start technology to work faster, saving fuel when the vehicle turns itself off when idled. The changes do not affect Ford’s Fusion and C-Max plug-in hybrids, Nair said.