JimFFH

I have heated leather seats in my minivan, and they get so cold its ridiculous. I think I'd rather have non-heated fabric like in my hybrid.

My BLIS warning came on twice, both occasions was during rain. Reset both times within roughly 20 minutes. Doesn't bother me. If it happened a couple times a month or more it might bother me.

Most probably don't think about it, but I think the tire pressure is part of this equation as well, may bump it two pounds and check the mileage out. May reduce that winter hit.

I don't know about cruise control and how the car acts, I haven't used it yet. Others with more experience may be able to offer up some more help. Did you have a carload full of people? and trunk full of luggage? Roof rack? Good to know at least your shorter trips are reasonable. I have a 2005 Town and Country, and I hate the way cruise control acts with hills. It'll nearly drop 5mph, then downshift and roar like crazy to get back up to speed and then some. Maybe the Fusion cruise control is affecting your highway miles when dealing with these hills, where as in Florida cruise control wouldn't have that issue. Definitely check/properly inflate your tires first. I personally run mine at 40PSI.

Check your tire pressure, you might be running PSI in the 20s or something. Tire PSI seems to make a big difference. Going down those big hills in NY, are you seeing lots of 60+ readings? If you don't get out of the gas or use a light foot on a downgrade, then the gas engine won't shut down and kill your mileage. How is it behaving besides these 2 trips? I'd take it in to the dealer if it continues to be that low.

When I saw the news, I was thinking, are they really trying to get with the times? Not really, but they are trying to be environmentally conscious. I used to be a big fan in the 80-90s until it got all blown up and Fox took it over. I think its outdated, peaked.

With 40 psi, I was getting 46mpg down to a quarter tank, that is until the wife got a hold of it and dropped it down into the 44s. That is with no AC running, mainly driving 23miles to work, mostly 55-65 mph highway speeds.

I definitely won't go above 44. Read this on the Insight forum separately from the Gerdes article. It makes total sense. "You are safe to fill the tires to the max inflation pressure on the sidewall when COLD, the fact that they warm up while driving is factored in and there is even more of a fudge factor too, the tires are underrated to account for pretty much every condition including a few patches, some damage, and terrible roads. Many people in the 1st Gen forums run higher than the sidewall max and I haven't seen any issues come of it, but do so at your own accord. The fuel savings of running above what Honda suggests is significant, especially with the front of the car where it is heavier. " http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/honda-insight-mpg/17486-tire-psi-mileage.html

I just increased to 38psi, waiting to see what happens over a tankful. I was reading a 2006 hypermiling article from Wayne Gerdes (helped pilot the 81mpg Fusion hybrid in DC) and he made a statement about setting psi up to 25% over the sidewall posted pressure. I'm guessing that is what he did to get that ridiculous 81mpg figure. 25% over 44 psi would be 55psi.

:hysterical2: I used to do that to my remote control car to reduce weight for racing! Still have that old RC10 from over 20 years ago! It doesn't weigh much probably, but the plastic 'Hybrid" cover on top the ICE looks useless. Wonder if they make light weight lug nuts.....maybe titanium or something....

Sorry, I'm the opposite, I usually can't leave anything alone. I love tinkering and making things better. I will probably never own a Toyota, Honda, Kia, etc. so no way was I getting a Prius, and just really love the FFH. I'm thinking of dirtying/ruining the carpets, then putting in the nice factory mats in when the carpets get dirty. Also, no chance of floor mat issues!!! Already removed my spare and jack, going to go with the ~1/2 to 2/3 tank of gas idea next. I'm hovering around 45mpg on this tank, but think I would do better if I didn't have as much highway miles and lost my carpool passenger :shift: . Going to switch to Full Synethetic 5w-20 at some point after car is broken in good, most likely Mobil 1.

I know someone with a new Prius. They said in Econo mode it drives like a 'golf cart' and to accelerate faster they need to switch to Power Mode. I'm glad the FFH switches automatically with application of the gas pedal. I'd guess with the added wait, the Fusion is also the safer vehicle.

No, not a joke. Just want a thorough discussion on weight reduction. What can be removed and how much does it weigh. Obviously there is usually a comfort tradeoff in these scenarios. I'm guessing you never hung out at a drag strip at all? You wouldn't believe the means some go to remove weight to get down the track quicker, and with cars only a couple years old. Rear seats come out, maybe passenger seat, ac compressors get taken off, lighter weight battery, remove heavy sound deadening materials, etc. I'm not at that level, not willing to sacrifice a good sound system, but would love to know what others have done/plan to do. There has to be a few people out there really pushing the envelope on this thing to get ridiculous gas mileage. Just need to find them. Ford did a nice job with this car, but there is always the pursuit of more. Another example, I'm guessing the front seats weigh a good bit and could be replaced with lightweight racing type. Again, I wouldn't do that, but there may be some trying to get every ounce out of this car they can. I think an interesting thing for Ford to do would be to sponsor some sort of 'hybrid race' where teams can enter, run at a NASCAR type track, and see who can make the most laps with their Fusion Hybrid on 1 tank of gas. That would be interesting and inspire people. People have great minds and would invent some cool stuff to get more out of the vehicle.

????? No, I said the fix a flat will get me on my way quickly. The only magic happening is whats under this cars hood....

Amen to 'no alternator.' They always seem to let go eventually.