Most Efficent FFH Highway/Internet Speeds

[Starlifter]

I would like to have some feedback from some "Road Warriors" who own FFHs. The men and women who drive the interstates and other highways day in and day out, to give real world feedback on their Fusion Hybrids MPG. One of the topics I would particularly like to hear are the highways speeds you find to be the most efficient in your Fusion Hybrid. I'm not looking for the out-of-sight MPGs which area achieved by ultra-milers, just good real world experiences.

[mwr]

Since no one had yet replied, I'll do the honors by not really answering your question and saying that I drive the speed that I want to drive and let the mpg do what it does. Interstate speeds of 70 to 80 mph with trip mpg always in the 40s.

Edited February 8, 2018 by mwr

[Starlifter]

I have a similar philosophy, many thanks.

And for other readers, the "internet" in the title should have been "Interstate". A senior, sleepy moment.

[Waldo]

Hybrids are not like gasoline engine vehicles, they don't have a "sweet spot", especially with the CVT transmission. Slower will always be more efficient in the FFH, so it's just up to you on how much you value the time/mileage trade-off.

[lolder]

FFHs get better mileage the slower they go. In 2008, a 2010 FFH went 1445 miles on a 17.5 gal. tank but the average speed was 22 mph. At highway speeds, every 10 mph speed increase reduces mpg by 6 mpg.

[johnnyp12]

The highway is of course not the most efficient place for a hybrid, as the only thing recharging the battery is the small generator motor that usually runs when the engine is on. Versus, a stoplight every couple miles to capture regenerative braking.

 

In my experience, the cruise control isn’t that great at switching to EV mode, so I try to be mindful of battery level, upcoming hills, etc. If you know the throttle to be within EV threshold, you can do a cancel followed by a resume. You can go like 84mph in EV mode, not for very long though ... But of course the EV motor will assist the engine with propulsion periodically depending on battery level, throttle position, etc.

 

 

35-40 mpg depending on speed.

[B25Nut]

On my last 300 mile trip I tried to keep my speed between 68-72 mph. I got 45 mpg. The same trip at 75 and above will get 39-41 mpg.

[Cobra348]

I am going to caution against relying on the car/trip computations for mileage as they are off to some degree. Use the fillup receipts for a more accurate picture. The odometer is under by a couple % and the MPG will be on the generous side that and more sometimes.

 

Personally, I use the Empower screen (left side) and on '17+ the Fuel History on the right screen. I believe Fuel History is available in the left screen Myview on earlier models.

 

As noted the higher the speed, the less efficient mileage is. I take regular trips from home to Rochester, NY - about 85 miles. With a few exceptions the posted speed is 55 but I'm usually about 60 or so. Mileage is pretty decent but nothing to really brag about. I don't use all the "hybrid driving" techniques so my MPG is lower than those who do. It's not a fragile egg ... it's a car. So I drive it - sometimes like I stole it. <shrug>

[Starlifter]

Like the comment "It's not a fragile egg ... it's a car". Responses like this are what I am looking for...Real Word driving.

 

Many thanks

[mwr]

I'll refer you to a thread I started after my first long trip in my 2015 FFH. Posts #1, #9, and #10 describe my first, second, and third trips. Trip #4 is coming up on 2/14/2018 :-)

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9836-took-first-long-trip

Edited February 13, 2018 by mwr

[Beachcomber86]

Swapped a 16 Fusion SE for a 18 Fusion Hybrid SE. First tank of gas, 35 mpg..WTF???

 

Granted I commute 50 miles to work, 8 city and 40 on 70 mph interstate. Still, 35 mpg, by ecoboost got 30 to 32 combined. Cruise is set at 71.

[Cobra348]

The faster you go the lower the MPG - as discussed early on in this thread. Also, allow 2 or 3 tanks of gas before you really look at things. Third, use gas receipts as a reflection of your true MPG. Fourth, watch how you brake and take off ... jackrabbit starts/stops will screw with MPG at all levels.

 

Easy on the gas, easy on the brake. HINT: Braking you should start about twice the normal stopping distance, gently then with increasing pressure as you get close to the stopping point.

[Beachcomber86]

I'm getting 95%+ on regen braking. Driving 71 on a 70 mph road isn't dogging it!

[ceilidhdog]

Recently went on a 600-mile trip from Denver to Iowa in our 2013 FFH SE. The first 300 miles on I-76 and I-80 the cruise was set at 71 mph and the car showed 49mpg. The second 300 miles, following my brother-in-law at 75-80 mph, the car got 39 mpg.

[mwr]

Recently went on a 600-mile trip from Denver to Iowa in our 2013 FFH SE. The first 300 miles on I-76 and I-80 the cruise was set at 71 mph and the car showed 49mpg. The second 300 miles, following my brother-in-law at 75-80 mph, the car got 39 mpg.

Wasn't that first 300 miles mostly downhill :-)

[ceilidhdog]

Wasn't that first 300 miles mostly downhill :-)

 

The first 300 miles was a gradual drop of a couple thousand feet. The last 300, from the middle of Nebraska into Iowa, was pretty much flat. ;)