How to drive the FFH for best mpg

[peteostro]

So I go my FFH about 2 weeks ago and as I posted before I really love my car. The best mpg I've have had was 48.2 MPG on a 80 mile drive this past weekend. (Nice day for a hike!)

 

I'm trying to understand the best way to drive this car for great MPG's. So far I found that accelerating at even a normal speed from a stop takes the car out of EV mode and will not go into EV mode until you "back off" accelerating. What I do is accelerate to the speed I think ill be able to sustain for at least a few minutes (under 47mph) then I lay off the accelerator and the car will usually go into EV mode (as long as the battery is not very cold) at the point I slowly accelerate to maintain my speed, but make sure I don't get kicked out of EV mode.

 

This can be hard if you are right at 47mph. At that speed it was a little jarring since the car was switching back and forth between EV and gas mode. I recommend keeping it at 45 or under, if you need to go faster dump EV mode.

 

 

Even driving in Gas mode, you can get great MPGs by laying off the accelerator after you get to your desired speed. Even thought I was going 60 mph on level or down hill slopes by slightly laying off the petal my real time MPGs hovered between 40-60 MPG's.

 

There is definitely something to Smart Gauge. Letting you see the right info allows you to drive more efficiently if you want to.

[svjim]

Even driving in Gas mode, you can get great MPGs by laying off the accelerator after you get to your desired speed. Even thought I was going 60 mph on level or down hill slopes by slightly laying off the petal my real time MPGs hovered between 40-60 MPG's.

 

Have you tried this with cruise control on? Also, when you need to accelerate, do you notice if the electric motor kicks in also?

 

There is a video floating out on the net somewhere with a Ford engineer demonstrating basically what you said, accelerate up to speed and then ease up on the accelerator. He also recommended when down hill coasting to slightly tap the break force recharging of the battery. I think Ford has estimated that the friction breaks should last 2 to 3 times a normal car. The friction breaks don't kick in until something like 10mph under normal circumstances.

 

The 48 MPG sounds pretty good. Ford let themselves in for some pretty unspectacular test drives results when they offered the FFH up for test drives this winter. Most of the test driving was in the mid west or so it seemed and the results were not real good. The test drive reports tended to put down the mileage claims but most said it might be because of cold temperatures. A lot compared them to the Camery Hybrid that they had admittedly test driven in the summer. I think your results are just the tip of the ice berg here and hopefully they will get better as time goes on.

 

I had wondered why winter would make such a difference. I supposed the engine had to run more to keep the heater going, which is probably true. But I did not think at all of the efficiency loss that batteries suffer in cold weather.

 

 

Jim

[peteostro]

Have you tried this with cruise control on? Also, when you need to accelerate, do you notice if the electric motor kicks in also?

I have not tried cruise control yet. Will have to see if it can improve MPG's. I do not believe the electric motor assists in this situation. At leat there is nothing on the Smart gauge that is telling me it does. I think the electric motor only turns on in EV mode, but I could be wrong. This would be a great question to ask a the engineers who made this car.

 

 

The friction breaks don't kick in until something like 10mph under normal circumstances.

I was under the impression that they only kick in when you really push down on them. (no matter what speed)

 

The 48 MPG sounds pretty good. Ford let themselves in for some pretty unspectacular test drives results when they offered the FFH up for test drives this winter. Most of the test driving was in the mid west or so it seemed and the results were not real good. The test drive reports tended to put down the mileage claims but most said it might be because of cold temperatures. A lot compared them to the Camery Hybrid that they had admittedly test driven in the summer. I think your results are just the tip of the ice berg here and hopefully they will get better as time goes on.

 

I had wondered why winter would make such a difference. I supposed the engine had to run more to keep the heater going, which is probably true. But I did not think at all of the efficiency loss that batteries suffer in cold weather.

 

Jim

 

The electric motor does not kick in if its too cold. I believe there is a temperature sensor for the battery, if its too cold it tells they system not to go into EV mode. The heat inside the car blows over the battery to warm it up. It needs to be warm or it cant recharge effectively. On mornings around 50 it takes about 10 minutes for EV to start working. The warmer the temp outside the faster EV mode can be entered. I'm expecting less MPG's in the winter since it gets pretty cold up here on the east coast. I just hope it doesn't take a long time for EV mode to be available

[NewNole2001]

The electric motor does not kick in if its too cold. I believe there is a temperature sensor for the battery, if its too cold it tells they system not to go into EV mode. The heat inside the car blows over the battery to warm it up. It needs to be warm or it cant recharge effectively. On mornings around 50 it takes about 10 minutes for EV to start working. The warmer the temp outside the faster EV mode can be entered. I'm expecting less MPG's in the winter since it gets pretty cold up here on the east coast. I just hope it doesn't take a long time for EV mode to be available

 

I could be wrong, but I believe that the sensor is actually on the engine. The engine needs to run to get the exhaust/emissions systems up to a proper operating temperature for proper emissions control.

[Grey]

Ford press release-------

 

 

"Ford Team Aims To Drive 2010 Fusion Hybrid 1,000 Miles on a Single Tank of Gas

- The Ford Fusion Hybrid team will attempt to drive more than 1,000 miles for more than 43 continuous hours - on a single tank of gas, raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the process

- The most fuel-efficient, mid-sized sedan in America - the Fusion Hybrid driven by a team of Ford hybrid engineers, a fuel efficiency expert and a NASCAR star, will have to achieve an average of at least 57 mpg on the challenge to reach its goal

- By using Eco-Driving techniques engineers have achieved 70 mpg during testing of the Ford Fusion Hybrid in preparation for the challenge

- Consumers can improve their own vehicle's fuel economy performance is by adopting Ford's "Eco-Driving" tips used for the 1,000-Mile Challenge

The mileage-maximizing techniques that the Ford team will use and pass on to consumers include:

· Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;

· Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;

· Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;

· Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;

· Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;

· Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;

· Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;

· Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle's kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and

Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum"

 

I will try to get more info on "Pulse and Glide".

[peteostro]

I could be wrong, but I believe that the sensor is actually on the engine. The engine needs to run to get the exhaust/emissions systems up to a proper operating temperature for proper emissions control.

You might be right, but I think thats sorta weird, since the electric motor has 0 emissions, and the gas does but gas works right away

[NewNole2001]

You might be right, but I think thats sorta weird, since the electric motor has 0 emissions, and the gas does but gas works right away

What I'm saying is that when the gas engine and it's exhaust system are below their recommended operating temperature, they will create more pollution than at temperature, so when it is cold outside, the engine will run to keep the exhaust system (mainly the catalytic converter) at the proper operating temp.

 

This is how Toyota's Hybrid system works. The Ford system is different, w/such features as not turning on the engine except as needed, but I would think that once it does turn it on it'll try and get it up into the operating temp range and keep it there. Am I completely off base here, if anyone has familiarity w/the system?

 

I do know that the batteries don't operate as well when cold, but the entire hybrid system will be less efficient in cold temperatures, if for no other reason than the engine has to run to keep the cabin warm, since Ford didn't put an electric heater in like the new Prius has. (Don't know if the older Prii had those.)

[NewNole2001]

Ford press release-------

 

"· Applying the "Pulse and Glide" technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;"

 

I'm surprised that Ford would recommend the Pulse and Glide technique. Here is what it is:

Pulse and glide works like this: let's say you're on a road where you want to go 60 km/h. Instead of driving along at a steady 60, you instead accelerate to 70 (that's the pulse), and then coast in neutral with the engine off down to 50 (that's the glide). That's it. Rinse and repeat. And repeat. And repeat...

Source

 

I guess their version of P&G means to let the Hybrid system kill the engine, not the driver's key. Also, the owner's manual recommends against driving in Neutral for long periods of time, so I wonder.

 

But anyways, if you want to see a great example of driving for gas mileage, watch the Top Gear episode where the three guys drive from Switzerland to the west coast of Britain on one tank of gas.

[robm15]

I had wondered why winter would make such a difference. I supposed the engine had to run more to keep the heater going, which is probably true. But I did not think at all of the efficiency loss that batteries suffer in cold weather.

 

 

Jim

 

I believe there are at several reasons that winter driving hurts the gas mileage so much. The first is obvious of course, the colder the temps, the more more gas is burned until the engine and drive train heat up and negate out the added friction from cold grease and just tighter joints. The cold also contracts the air in the tires and lowers tire pressure, adding friction to the drive. The second reason is that fuel mixtures are different in the winter than in the summer. Every car I have owned gets worse mileage in the winter when the gas is oxygenated more, and I also believe they had a compound that resists moisture accumulating in the gas tanks. Once spring arrives and the gas mixtures change, I see an immediate change in mileage that isn't always equivalent to the outdoor temperature.

[WPWoodJr]

He also recommended when down hill coasting to slightly tap the break force recharging of the battery. I think Ford has estimated that the friction breaks should last 2 to 3 times a normal car. The friction breaks don't kick in until something like 10mph under normal circumstances.

I thought that actual braking wasn't necessary to recharge the battery. When you let up on the accelerator in electric mode, there is no natural slow-down from the engine back pressure, so the hybrids recharge the battery to provide an artificial back pressure and slow the car down, making for a gas engine feel.

[Quincy]

What I'm saying is that when the gas engine and it's exhaust system are below their recommended operating temperature, they will create more pollution than at temperature, so when it is cold outside, the engine will run to keep the exhaust system (mainly the catalytic converter) at the proper operating temp.

 

This is how Toyota's Hybrid system works. The Ford system is different, w/such features as not turning on the engine except as needed, but I would think that once it does turn it on it'll try and get it up into the operating temp range and keep it there. Am I completely off base here, if anyone has familiarity w/the system?

 

I do know that the batteries don't operate as well when cold, but the entire hybrid system will be less efficient in cold temperatures, if for no other reason than the engine has to run to keep the cabin warm, since Ford didn't put an electric heater in like the new Prius has. (Don't know if the older Prii had those.)

 

Actually, the Toyota Hybrid system is the same type of system as the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Prius gasoline engine does not run unless it's needed.

 

Both the Prius and Ford hybrids use the same Power Split Device system-- Gasoline engine and two electrical motors (MG1 and MG2) connected to a planetary gear system, allowing the car to run on electric alone at low speeds. How the Power Split Device system works: http://www.eahart.com/prius/psd

 

You can almost say the Fusion Hybrid is a Prius on steroids. ^_^

 

The Honda IMA system is the one that needs to have the gasoline engine run whenever your foot is off the brake pedal. That's because its drivetrain is much closer to a regular car, with a conventional CVT-belt transmission and torque converter.

 

You can apply the same P&G techniques long used by the Prius owners to great effect on the Fusion Hybrid, since they share the same kind of drivetrain.

[Quincy]

Oh, forgot to add what I was going to say about cold weather..

 

In the winter, it's harder for hybrids like the Prius and the Ford Fusion Hybrid to keep their engines warmed up since they are not running all the time the car is in operation. That is why in the winter you will notice the gasoline engine turning on more often to keep the coolant heated so you can get heat in your cabin.

 

Also, a car engine runs most efficiently when it has been warmed up, so if the engine is always running cold, it won't be as efficient.

 

Those are the reasons why in the winter you will see your MPGs decrease by quite a bit.

 

That's also why an Engine Block Heater is standard equipment for Toyota Priuses sold in cold areas like Canada and Alaska. You plug that into a 110VAC outlet in your garage so your engine is already warmed up when you drive out the door.

 

Hopefully Ford will offer something like that for the Fusion Hybrid if it turns out to be necessary.

[NewNole2001]

Actually, the Toyota Hybrid system is the same type of system as the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Prius gasoline engine does not run unless it's needed.

 

Both the Prius and Ford hybrids use the same Power Split Device system-- Gasoline engine and two electrical motors (MG1 and MG2) connected to a planetary gear system, allowing the car to run on electric alone at low speeds. How the Power Split Device system works: http://www.eahart.com/prius/psd

 

You can almost say the Fusion Hybrid is a Prius on steroids. ^_^

 

The Honda IMA system is the one that needs to have the gasoline engine run whenever your foot is off the brake pedal. That's because its drivetrain is much closer to a regular car, with a conventional CVT-belt transmission and torque converter.

 

You can apply the same P&G techniques long used by the Prius owners to great effect on the Fusion Hybrid, since they share the same kind of drivetrain.

Yeah, I had read that page a few weeks ago, but I was under the impression that Ford is being much more aggressive in its attempts to keep the car in EV mode than Toyota has been w/the Prius. Am I wrong here?

[Quincy]

Yeah, I had read that page a few weeks ago, but I was under the impression that Ford is being much more aggressive in its attempts to keep the car in EV mode than Toyota has been w/the Prius. Am I wrong here?

 

Heya Newnole,

 

Yep, Ford has indeed went more aggressive on the electric side of the PSD system, by enlarging the size of MG2, which is the main AC traction motor directly geared to the wheels (90hp if I remember right), and increasing the capacity of the HV battery. In contrast, the MG2 motor in the Camry Hybrid is only 50hp.

 

The elegant simplicity of the PSD system used by Ford and Toyota continues to amaze me. The complexity of Honda and GM's hybrid drivetrains are nightmarish in comparison!

[cngrevolution]

Well I have owned a 06 Prius, 08 Escape hybrid, 06 Civic Hybrid, 08 Camry hybrid and now have a Fusion hybrid on order. I guess I'm a bit of a car nut. anyway the one car that I just could not get used to was the civic hybrid. I tried to like it but i just got ruined on the toyotas and fords. I like the way they are set up much better. I'm not bashing honda by any means but i just could not get into the civic. I took out a FFH for a test drive before I ordered it and we went on about a 20 mile drive and I was getting like 50mpg in it and it only had about 40 miles on it. Not bad for a cold start and new car!

[WPWoodJr]

Well I have owned a 06 Prius, 08 Escape hybrid, 06 Civic Hybrid, 08 Camry hybrid and now have a Fusion hybrid on order. I guess I'm a bit of a car nut. anyway the one car that I just could not get used to was the civic hybrid. I tried to like it but i just got ruined on the toyotas and fords. I like the way they are set up much better. I'm not bashing honda by any means but i just could not get into the civic. I took out a FFH for a test drive before I ordered it and we went on about a 20 mile drive and I was getting like 50mpg in it and it only had about 40 miles on it. Not bad for a cold start and new car!

Did you consider the new Prius?

[cngrevolution]

yes i did. But toyota is so unclear of when it will come out. Also since i got the x-plan the price was somewhat better. The FFH seems much tighter and smoother than the prius. Don't get me wrong I love my prius and its staying in the family (giving it to the girlfriend) but I was so impressed by the FFH and I am kinda a gadget junky so all the tech stuff is cool. I think the biggest thing I will miss on the FFH would be smart key. I will have to get used to taking a key out of my pocket!

[peteostro]

I thought that actual braking wasn't necessary to recharge the battery. When you let up on the accelerator in electric mode, there is no natural slow-down from the engine back pressure, so the hybrids recharge the battery to provide an artificial back pressure and slow the car down, making for a gas engine feel.

 

I think this might be true, but my FFH does not show the recharging symbol unless I am pressing on the brake. There is a up arrow above and down arrow below the battery gauge that does come up in gas and EV mode, this might be it saying to charging or dissipating. Not sure will have to see if I can look it up.

[peteostro]

I think this might be true, but my FFH does not show the recharging symbol unless I am pressing on the brake. There is a up arrow above and down arrow below the battery gauge that does come up in gas and EV mode, this might be it saying to charging or dissipating. Not sure will have to see if I can look it up.

 

Heres some info out of the user guide:

 

minimize emissions.

Driving: The gas engine automatically starts and stops to provide power

when it’s needed and to save fuel when it’s not. While coasting at low

speeds, coming to a stop, or standing, the gas engine normally shuts

down and the vehicle operates in electric-only mode. Conditions that

may cause the engine to start up or remain running include:

• Considerable vehicle acceleration

• Vehicle speed above 45 mph (73 kmh)

• Ascending a hill

• Charge level of high voltage battery is low

• Very high or low outside temperature (to provide system

cooling/heating)

• Engine not warm enough to provide passenger requested cabin

temperature

Stopping: The gas engine may shut off to conserve fuel as you come to

a stop. Restarting the vehicle is not required. Simply step on the

accelerator when you are ready to drive.

Transmission Operation: Due to the technologically advanced,

electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transaxle (eCVT) you will

not feel shift changes like those of a non-hybrid vehicle. Your hybrid’s

transmission is designed to do its work seamlessly.

Since engine speed is controlled by the transmission, it may seem

elevated at times. This is normal hybrid operation and helps

deliver fuel efficiency and performance.

Neutral: It is not recommended to idle the vehicle in N (Neutral) for

extended periods of time because this will discharge your high voltage

battery and decrease fuel economy. Because of the unique nature of the

hybrid vehicle, the engine will not start in the N (Neutral) position. Also,

the engine cannot provide power to the hybrid system in N (Neutral).

Low Gear: L (Low gear) is designed to mimic the enhanced engine

braking available in non-hybrid vehicles. L (Low gear) will produce high

engine speeds to provide necessary engine braking. This is normal and

will not damage your vehicle.

Reverse: ® Reverse Gear vehicle speed is limited to 22 mph

(35 km/h).

Unique Hybrid operating characteristics

Your Hybrid, with its new technology, behaves differently compared to a

non-hybrid. Here is a description of the major differences:

Battery: Your Hybrid is equipped with a high voltage battery. A cool

battery ensures battery life and provides the best possible performance.

Your hybrid high voltage battery may periodically re-condition itself to

ensure maximum efficiency. You may notice slight changes in drivability

during this process, but it’s an important part of your hybrid’s high

voltage battery optimization features.

The high voltage battery is cooled by cabin air drawn from vent holes in

the front of the rear seat cushions. Avoid placing objects at the vent

holes which block air flow to the high voltage battery.

The high voltage battery is located between the rear passenger seat and

the trunk. Due to this location, the rear seat for the hybrid vehicle does

not have the ability to be lowered to allow pass-through between the

trunk and the rear of the passenger compartment. Do not attempt to

lower the rear seat.

If the vehicle is left inoperative for over 31 days, it may be necessary to

jumpstart the vehicle. For more information, refer to Jump starting

(Low voltage [underhood] battery only) in the Roadside Emergencies

chapter and also refer to Low and high voltage battery — storage in

the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.

Engine: The engine speed in your hybrid is not directly tied to your

vehicle speed. Your vehicle’s engine and transmission are designed to

deliver the power you need at the most efficient engine speed. During

heavy accelerations, your hybrid may reach high engine speeds (up to

6000 RPM). This is characteristic of the Atkinson cycle engine

technology helping to maximize your hybrid’s fuel economy.

In prolonged mountainous driving, you may see the engine tachometer

changing without your input. This is intentional and maintains the

battery charge level. You may also notice during extended downhill

driving that your engine continues to run instead of shutting off.

During this “engine braking”, the engine stays on, but it’s not using any

fuel. You may also hear a slight whine or whistle when operating your

vehicle. This is the normal operation of the electric generator in the

hybrid system.

During certain events (such as vehicle servicing) your low voltage

(underhood) battery may become disconnected or disabled. When this

occurs, and after reconnecting the low voltage (underhood) battery and

driving the vehicle, the engine may continue to operate for 3-5 seconds

after the key is turned to the off position. This is a normal condition, as

the vehicle’s computers are relearning the operating characteristics of

your particular engine in order to operate it at maximum efficiency.

Braking: Your hybrid is equipped with standard hydraulic braking and

regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is performed by your

transmission and it captures brake energy and stores it in your high

voltage battery.

Driving to optimize fuel economy

Your fuel economy should improve throughout your hybrid’s break-in

period. As with any vehicle, fuel economy can be significantly impacted

by your driving habits and accessory usage. For best results, keep in

mind these tips:

Tire Inflation: Keep tires properly inflated and only use recommended

size.

Drive Habits: Aggressive driving increases the amount of energy

required to move your vehicle. In general, better fuel economy is

achieved with mild to moderate acceleration and deceleration. Moderate

braking is particularly important since it allows you to maximize the

energy captured by the regenerative braking system.

NOTE: Having your engine running is not always an indication of

inefficiency – in some cases it is actually more efficient than driving in

electric mode.

 

 

Additional Tips:

• Do not carry extra loads

• Be mindful of adding external accessories that may increase

aerodynamic drag

• Observe posted speed limits

• Perform all scheduled maintenance

• There is no need to wait for your engine to “warm up”. The vehicle is

ready to drive immediately after starting

Refer to Essentials of Good Fuel Economy in Maintenance and

Specifications chapter for more fuel saving tips.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

 

What are the series of clicks from the cargo area when I first turn the key in the ignition?

The high voltage battery is electrically isolated from the rest of the vehicle when the key is OFF.

When the key is turned ON, high voltage contactors inside the battery are closed to make

the electricity available to the motor/generator and enable the vehicle to drive. The clicks are the

sound of these contactors as they close and open during start up and shut down.

 

Why does the engine sometimes start at key-on?

The vehicle’s computer will determine if an engine start is required at key-on. The engine will

start if it is necessary for cabin heating or windshield defrost. The engine will also be started

when ambient temperatures are low.

 

Why does it take a long time before the engine shuts down?

There are several reasons the engine stays on for an extended amount of time when it is first

started. One common reason is to ensure that the emissions components are warm enough to

minimize tailpipe emissions. As the climate gets cooler, this “engine-ON” time is extended.

[WPWoodJr]

I've written about an interesting 2-day test drive of the Mercury Milan by a hyper-miler.

[Carnivore]

Great stuff. I have a camry hybrid and that car will never get those kind of mileage stats. THe best i can get on a 200 mile trip in the camry was just under 41 mpg on a VERY flat trip to the beach on the east coast right at sea level. Most combo city/highway mileage i get though is around 35 or 36 mpg

[WPWoodJr]

Right now these guys are on track to hit 1400 miles on one tank!

[Quincy]

Yeah, I had read that page a few weeks ago, but I was under the impression that Ford is being much more aggressive in its attempts to keep the car in EV mode than Toyota has been w/the Prius. Am I wrong here?

 

Just an update!

 

One month later, we see that Lexus is doing exactly what Ford did with the Fusion Hybrid drivetrain-- Going more aggressive on the electrical side.

 

Check it out: http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-hs-250h-...ive-review.html

 

The new Lexus HS250h will sport a 120hp MG2 electric motor. The Fusion Hybrid has a 90hp MG2. All the previous PSD hybrid sedans like the Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrids had just 50hp MG2s.

 

I guess with such a big MG2, the Lexus HS250h will be able to cruise on electric alone at even higher speeds, if that's the case!

[rfruth]

what kind of stock tires came on your (anyones) FFH, what PSI do you run ?

 

low rolling resistance ?

[WPWoodJr]

...

I will try to get more info on "Pulse and Glide".

I wrote about FFH and "pulse and glide" here: http://ffh.squarespace.com/blog/2009/6/3/p...-and-glide.html