First time breaking 500 miles on one tank of gas. How do I reach the 600 mile club?

[Youngtusk]

Yesterday i filled up at just over 509 miles. My dashboard said I had another 20 miles to empty, but I didn't have time to fill up between yesterday and this morning before work.

 

90% of my driving is to and from work, about 12 miles round trip. Add a few extra miles for lunch breaks and commuting around town on the weekends. I think I only had two freeway trips of short distances, and one short trip in which my wife drove. It was her first time driving my car and she drives a manual normally, so I know it was weird for her which affected my MPG.

 

So, how can I stretch it to 600 miles on my next tank? I thought I've seen people post this is possible, but even if I could make it to 55mpg instead of 49.8 with 10.22 gallons of fuel, I would still only reach 562 miles total.

 

To be clear, I am happy with my 500 miles on a tank to be sure. But I'm always looking for ways to optimize.

 

Any tips?

 

Image of my trip summary

[jeff_h]

Congrats - several have made 600+, I think I made it over 700 once, but of course that was with no HVAC and keeping speeds down to less than 60... plenty of anticipation of upcoming traffic lights etc to be as smooth as possible on the slowdown and speeding back up again. At least that's how I've found it to work well.

 

Before long you will be over 600, and in the meantime it makes the drive more of a game --

[Youngtusk]

I have avoided using any creature comforts like AC or warmed seating, but living in Florida I drive with my windows and or moon roof cracked daily. I know this affects my drag and therefore my MPG, but otherwise I'd be driving in an oven!

 

My driving habits have already been changed so much since driving this fine piece of machinery. I am a much more defensive driver now, focusing on smoothing my acceleration, drifting, and braking than I ever did with my conventional car. I am also very dismissive of other drivers who tail gate or cut me off. I don't let other people bother me in my car because I am focused on maximizing my fuel efficiency.

 

Driving a hybrid is like yoga for automobiles.

 

Ever since I got a hybrid I've been obsessed with the journey rather than the destination. It is a nice change of priorities.

[ElectricFan69]

One of the things I've wondered about is exactly what constraints/drivers made Ford put a smaller fuel tank in the FFH than in the ICE-only versions. I get the weight dimension - being 1 weight tier down can allow you to claim slightly better FE ratings - but I can't help but wonder/fantasize about the range with the larger fuel tank of the ICE-only version...

 

Ford does seem to go with relatively small fuel tanks - our Explorer, particularly if towing, has a pathetically short range with a 17 gal 'Safely Useful Fuel Capacity', and 13-15 MPG with the trailer. The range is not as bad with 22-24 MPG running without a trailer, but still. The FFH, with a 12 gal SUFC has a better range, but that's still only ~ 420 miles running at 70-75. Having a 15 gal SUFC of the ICE-only version would make a one-hop to Atlanta more easily doable.

[ptjones]

Yesterday i filled up at just over 509 miles. My dashboard said I had another 20 miles to empty, but I didn't have time to fill up between yesterday and this morning before work.

 

90% of my driving is to and from work, about 12 miles round trip. Add a few extra miles for lunch breaks and commuting around town on the weekends. I think I only had two freeway trips of short distances, and one short trip in which my wife drove. It was her first time driving my car and she drives a manual normally, so I know it was weird for her which affected my MPG.

 

So, how can I stretch it to 600 miles on my next tank? I thought I've seen people post this is possible, but even if I could make it to 55mpg instead of 49.8 with 10.22 gallons of fuel, I would still only reach 562 miles total.

 

To be clear, I am happy with my 500 miles on a tank to be sure. But I'm always looking for ways to optimize.

 

Any tips?

 

Image of my trip summary

The important facts are you actually have a 14.1 gal. tank(I ran one out to find out. :) no big deal, car runs in EV up to two miles) and you might try 50 psi in the tires like alot of us do. 50 mpg X 14 gal. = 700 miles. :) You are already getting over 600 miles on a tank, you are just filling up to soon. Good Luck on your next tank. :yahoo:

 

Paul

[ElectricFan69]

The important facts are you actually have a 14.1 gal. tank(I ran one out to find out. :) no big deal, car runs in EV up to two miles) and you might try 50 psi in the tires like alot of us do. 50 mpg X 14 gal. = 700 miles. :) You are already getting over 600 miles on a tank, you are just filling up to soon. Good Luck on your next tank. :yahoo:

 

Paul

Are you sure about that? The Ford PDF for capacities had a figure of 13.5 for the '16 non-Energi hybrid. The amount the pump will actually be able to get out is likely to be somewhat lower - simply due to air aspiration as you near the bottom that will make the fuel pressure drop.

Given the risks (including fuel pump failure /overheat), running to the last drop is one of those academic exercises that offers little return and much opportunity for inconvenience and expense.

[ptjones]

Are you sure about that? The Ford PDF for capacities had a figure of 13.5 for the '16 non-Energi hybrid. The amount the pump will actually be able to get out is likely to be somewhat lower - simply due to air aspiration as you near the bottom that will make the fuel pressure drop.

Given the risks (including fuel pump failure /overheat), running to the last drop is one of those academic exercises that offers little return and much opportunity for inconvenience and expense.

Yes I'm sure about it, I did it. :) I understand you are thinking from a ICE car stand point, but a FFH/CMAX are Hybrids which are quite different. The fuel pump stops in a few seconds after running out of gas and the car turns to EV Mode like it does every time the ICE stops normally. :) From the research I have done I couldn't find any problems with running out of gas, I have done it 5 times and the car starts up immediately after putting gas in it. BTW I do have 131K mi., uses no oil and I'm getting mpg in the 50's now. What can I say, these cars are fun to drive. :shift:

[Youngtusk]

Okay, so from the sounds of it I need to up my tire pressure and not be afraid of the little yellow gas icon haha.

 

I don't suppose there is a way to disable that low fuel warning? It get's a little annoying every time I turn on the car.

[Waldo]

What is the point of running your car out of fuel? It doesn't save you any money, if just makes the fill-up more expensive actually. I focus on the MPG number, I don't care how far I go.

 

BTW the tank in the hybrid is the same tank as the ICE Fusion, it's just intentionally restricted in volume to avoid bumping the FFH into a higher weight class.

[Texasota]

What is the point of running your car out of fuel?

Its about the personal challenge and boasting rights. These threads are like Ground Hog Day. They keep popping up and repeating in an endless cycle.

[Cobra348]

Yes I'm sure about it, I did it. :) I understand you are thinking from a ICE car stand point, but a FFH/CMAX are Hybrids which are quite different. The fuel pump stops in a few seconds after running out of gas and the car turns to EV Mode like it does every time the ICE stops normally. :) From the research I have done I couldn't find any problems with running out of gas, I have done it 5 times and the car starts up immediately after putting gas in it. BTW I do have 131K mi., uses no oil and I'm getting mpg in the 50's now. What can I say, these cars are fun to drive. :shift:

The 2015 Non-Energi Hybrid OM states 13.5 gallon gas tank ... page 351.

[ptjones]

The 2015 Non-Energi Hybrid OM states 13.5 gallon gas tank ... page 351.

The CMAX also says 13.5 gal. but it holds 13.9-14gal. I'm guessing that is a minimum value ;)

 

What is the point of running your car out of fuel? It doesn't save you any money, if just makes the fill-up more expensive actually. I focus on the MPG number, I don't care how far I go.

 

BTW the tank in the hybrid is the same tank as the ICE Fusion, it's just intentionally restricted in volume to avoid bumping the FFH into a higher weight class.

Actually I find it saves you money by knowing you can go another 100 miles to find cheaper gas along the way on you route. I usually save 10 to 20 cents a gallon so the last couple of gallons could be free. :yahoo:

 

Its about the personal challenge and boasting rights. These threads are like Ground Hog Day. They keep popping up and repeating in an endless cycle.

Yes and there are still some of us having FUN driving our cars :shift: and improving our gas mileage, to some it is a form of entertainment as oppose to a boring drive home. :) Have FUN driving your cars.

 

Paul

[Cobra348]

Regarding the fuel usage and running it out. It's not recommended as some fuel should be in the tank to act as primer for the fuel pump, so running it dry - even if past 13+ gallons is not a good idea. You could ruin the fuel pump and that's a lot more than saving 20-30 cents/gallon.

 

@Youngtusk - I haven't busted my butt to hit 600 on a tank but it has happened twice (last Summer). I drive the car and that's it. Winter it never gets below a quarter tank but in Summer I'll run it to about 10-20 miles to empty. First 600+ tank, the miles to empty rolled to zero as I pulled up to the pump. Fun!

 

Just enjopy the ride ... use common sense and all will be fine.

[ptjones]

Regarding the fuel usage and running it out. It's not recommended as some fuel should be in the tank to act as primer for the fuel pump, so running it dry - even if past 13+ gallons is not a good idea. You could ruin the fuel pump and that's a lot more than saving 20-30 cents/gallon.

 

@Youngtusk - I haven't busted my butt to hit 600 on a tank but it has happened twice (last Summer). I drive the car and that's it. Winter it never gets below a quarter tank but in Summer I'll run it to about 10-20 miles to empty. First 600+ tank, the miles to empty rolled to zero as I pulled up to the pump. Fun!

 

Just enjopy the ride ... use common sense and all will be fine.

You can't hurt your fuel pump, it won't run more than a few seconds after you run out of fuel when the ICE stops, according to my FORD Dealer Service Manager. :) There is no need to prime the pump, when you put gas in the tank it solves that potential problem. Every time I have run out, the car has started immediately with no hesitation. All I'm saying is it not a problem for the car to run out gas, just at most an inconvenience for you if you weren't prepared for it. I don't make it a common occurrence, 5 times in 221 fillups. :)

The one time I intentionally ran out of gas in FFH to find out how big the tank was I thought by the end it would never run out of gas. Having two extra gallons after you reach E=0 is ridiculous, so that effectively gives you a 11.5 to 12 gallon tank like a Prius. ;) :drop: That's 80 to 100 more miles you could have gone, CMAX is about a 1/2 a gallon or so. :)

 

Paul