Positive Comments ONLY about MPG, Hybrid tips & Powertrain

[hybridbear]

So this is my response to all the negativity on other threads. Please keep the discussion here positive. If you have negative things to say, feel free to say them, just not here. There has been a pervasive negativity in many threads and we risk alienating members by letting that attitude run rampant. Everyone here has something to contribute, and we don't want to push anyone away, that being said, there needs to be order. This topic will help provide that.

 

So come here to comment about positive things about the Fusion. Talk about your MPG achievements, like Coach getting 53 MPG on a tank of gas. Talk about what you've noticed works to improve the mileage in the FFH, and maybe what doesn't work so well. Share what you like about the new Powertrain. Tell us, what is your favorite part of your new Fusion?

 

This way we can keep the negative comments in perspective, we can avoid alienating valuable contributors and we can all benefit.

 

So, please, if you are dissatisfied with your car, your MPGs or Ford, don't share that here. There are plenty of other threads that are appropriate for those discussions. Please respect your fellow Fusion Hybrid Forum Members and allow this topic to be a positive one.

 

Thank you. Who's with me?? :)

[Ric]

Sounds good :)

[tr7driver]

^{Most of the recent chatter here has been about the new 2013 cars. I picked up a 2010 Milan Hybrid Premier about a year ago and I can't be happier about the car. My MPG has been excellent, much better than some have posted here with the 2013's. The car has been extremely reliable, is a pleasure to drive, and is very economical. We drove it to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans last year. I can't speak for the latest version of the Ford Hybrid, but the 2010 far exceeded my expectations. Good Job Ford.}

Edited February 22, 2013 by tr7driver

[elle]

Good idea. I do have to say that critiques are important, but it's been a bit overwhelming here and it's a little discouraging if every thread devolves into a discussion over one issue people have. So it's nice to see a place for keeping things positive.

 

Tr7driver, I was drawn to the Fusion initially by the earlier generation of the car. I liked it and when I went to the Ford website to start looking into it further, I saw that the 2013 was out and I immediately knew I wanted to buy one. So far I have not been disappointed. I just told my husband that when I get in my car to leave for work I always find myself wishing I had a longer commute.

Edited February 22, 2013 by elle

[fusionTX]

Elle, the Bordeaux color is starting to grow on me. I ordered the sterling gray, but lately I've been thinking of switching to the Bordeaux.

My Camry is red (very similar to the color offered in the Fusion), so I don't want to do red again.

 

Decisions, decisions....

[elle]

I still love the bordeaux! When the sun hits it just right, the metallic quality really shines and it reminds me of the ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz! It's a fascinating color for me because it seems so different in different lighting conditions. Sometimes it looks almost black, sometimes brown, sometimes deep red and sometimes just dazzling. I don't think you could possibly be disappointed in the color, though I will say that a darker color is harder to keep clean-looking.

 

My Prius was also red (Barcelona) and I had the same issue with the Ruby Red on the Fusion. Too much like my old car.

Edited February 22, 2013 by elle

[hermans]

I have a Sterling Grey 2010 and a Bordeaux 3023. I like the Bordeaux much better. As far as keeping clean. I bought a car wash package and I can get it washed every day of the week, if I want to.

[neod192]

I love how the transition between EV and ICE is seamless!

[hermans]

It's below 30 degrees here today. I took a short 22 mile trip and got 43.7 mpg. I consider this great mileage considering the temps.

[jeff_h]

I have a Sterling Grey 2010 and a Bordeaux 3023. I like the Bordeaux much better. As far as keeping clean. I bought a car wash package and I can get it washed every day of the week, if I want to.

 

My 2010 was also Sterling Gray, but wow never the Bordeaux '3023', holy cow! I liked the Sterling Gray when I bought it in 2009 but then wanted something with a little more color and now have the Ruby Red. I try to avoid the automatic washes if possible (but had to drive through one a couple weeks ago after it got salted up big time and was 30 degrees so no washing in the driveway), like to wash in the driveway to give it more TLC and be more thorough, then back it into the garage and wipe it down and admire the shine.

[hermans]

2013 In 3023 I'll be driving a car much like George Jetson.

Edited February 22, 2013 by hermans

[elle]

2013 In 3023 I'll be driving a car much like George Jetson.

 

I was gonna call that out but figured I'm already looking like a bit of a jerk in this crowd, so I gave you a pass on the typo ;-)

[hermans]

Typos happen, especially when your brain works much faster than your fingers.

[B25Nut]

"figured I'm already looking like a bit of a jerk in this crowd"

 

Elle, what are you talking about! I've been wanting you to switch over to the Hybrid forum for over two months. Welcome! You've made great inputs here. I was going to suggest that you move from Blue Oval (where I have a different name) but didn't want to upset anyone there.

 

Is acdii banned from this thread? I hope not. On his good days he can be very positive.

[acdii]

 

Is acdii banned from this thread? I hope not. On his good days he can be very positive.

Love the Fusion

 

:)

 

Hey I still have a 2010 that is a great car. I promise no negativity in these thread? K?tanxbye

[hybridbear]

I love how the transition between EV and ICE is seamless!

I agree. That is one area that the Ford Hybrids really outdo the competition

 

It's below 30 degrees here today. I took a short 22 mile trip and got 43.7 mpg. I consider this great mileage considering the temps.

That is great for those temps. We are getting around the same or a little less in the cold weather because our trips are mostly less than 8 miles between cold starts. Rarely do we drive that far in one trip unless we're driving more than an hour to go somewhere.

 

My 2010 was also Sterling Gray, but wow never the Bordeaux '3023', holy cow! I liked the Sterling Gray when I bought it in 2009 but then wanted something with a little more color and now have the Ruby Red. I try to avoid the automatic washes if possible (but had to drive through one a couple weeks ago after it got salted up big time and was 30 degrees so no washing in the driveway), like to wash in the driveway to give it more TLC and be more thorough, then back it into the garage and wipe it down and admire the shine.

We are also avoiding the power car washes. At our apartment building we can wash underground year-round in a heated garage. I try to wash the car every single week.

 

Is acdii banned from this thread? I hope not. On his good days he can be very positive.

Haha no one is banned. We just hope they will keep their comments on this thread positive and go share the negative ones in other threads. I don't think any of us feel that it is wrong to be upset if your mileage isn't reaching what you expected. We just don't want to hear non-stop complaining about low MPG on this particular thread. There are already a lot of other topics that have been established for that purpose. Acdii and others are welcome here as long as they keep their comments within reason.

[hybridbear]

Love the Fusion

 

:)

 

Hey I still have a 2010 that is a great car. I promise no negativity in these thread? K?tanxbye

 

And the 2013 would be great if only you hadn't gotten a lemon. I hope Ford fixes your issues with the 2013.

[acdii]

And the 2013 would be great if only you hadn't gotten a lemon. I hope Ford fixes your issues with the 2013.

Well I got contacted by Trina from Ford via Facebook, so I'm keeping fingers crossed that we can come to some resolution. I do miss driving the car though. If the car had a larger gas tank, probably wouldn't be so bad, I'm just so used to having to fill up only once a week with my 2010. I like being able to go 600 miles between fills.

[GrySql]

but figured I'm already looking like a bit of a jerk in this crowd

I like your spunk in this forum, it is refreshing and needed.

The 'crowd' that made you feel that way should be ashamed, you are doing well here and your comments are cogent and appreciated.

Forums are for everyone, not just the best typists with time on their hands or an agenda.

I like my car too but several unhappy owners do cast a pall on those of us who are called Ford apologists and other unfortunate names.

My FFH is a welcome addition to my life and I do feel sorry for those that are having a less than a pleasant experience with theirs.

But pity soon turns to scorn when it is plastered all over places that cannot help them.

 

Harping and complaining in this forum does not let Ford know too much about one's problems, we're just talking amongst ourselves mainly.

If the wasted time spent by some on these forums were to be applied directly to Ford in a determined and thoughtful manner maybe things could change for the better.

Hopefully some who have tried that venue will meet with success.

Having worked a long time in a complicated bureaucratic organization I know that some things can be accomplished with the right words when a stone wall is encountered with other communication formats, verbal judo, if you will.

 

However, I personally had an issue with my FFH and with help from a 'competent' dealer it landed on a very high up desk in the Ford corporate chain of command.

After that, things moved swiftly and I am satisfied with Ford's commitment to me with that issue.

I wish more FFH owners had competent dealers that could and would got to bat for them like mine did, actually solving problems and not passing the buck.

It's not a perfect world but to me the object is to win the battles you chose or need to fight - my reasoning may not appeal to some.

Edited February 23, 2013 by GrySql

[hybridbear]

However, I personally had an issue with my FFH and with help from a 'competent' dealer it landed on a very high up desk in the Ford corporate chain of command.

After that, things moved swiftly and I am satisfied with Ford's commitment to me with that issue.

I wish more FFH owners had competent dealers that could and would got to bat for them like mine did, actually solving problems and not passing the buck.

It's not a perfect world but to me the object is to win the battles you chose or need to fight - my reasoning may not appeal to some.

 

Do you mind sharing more about your issue and resolution? It might help some of the members who have concerns/complaints about their car to see the correct way to approach the issue to get results. Because complaining on the forum does them no good, and complaining to the dealer does no good if it isn't done correctly.

 

Thanks

[elle]

"figured I'm already looking like a bit of a jerk in this crowd"

 

Elle, what are you talking about! I've been wanting you to switch over to the Hybrid forum for over two months. Welcome! You've made great inputs here. I was going to suggest that you move from Blue Oval (where I have a different name) but didn't want to upset anyone there.

 

Thanks for the kind words! I think I might know who you were over there, now that you mention it!

[elle]

Haha no one is banned. We just hope they will keep their comments on this thread positive and go share the negative ones in other threads. I don't think any of us feel that it is wrong to be upset if your mileage isn't reaching what you expected. We just don't want to hear non-stop complaining about low MPG on this particular thread. There are already a lot of other topics that have been established for that purpose. Acdii and others are welcome here as long as they keep their comments within reason.

 

 

I hope no one feels banned. I think it's important that everyone feels like there's space to offer their opinions. But I used to be a moderator at a huge forum with a very different subject matter. There were one or two people who had a very negative experience with a certain topic there, and in any thread where that topic came up, even offhandedly, they'd jump in and soon the thread would devolve from whatever it had started out as to discussion of their negative experiences. The topic took over every single thread and made the forum utterly useless for any real discussion of its subject because, every single time, every thread became about the negative opinion.

 

So at some point, as a moderator, I felt like I had to jump in and actually carve out some space for people to talk about something other than the negative experiences of some of the members and also create a dedicated space for those who wanted to talk about the negative stuff to do that too. I saw the same dynamic here, so figured it couldn't hurt to try doing the same thing. And I think that's all that hybridbear is trying to do in this thread, as well.

Edited February 23, 2013 by elle

[GrySql]

Do you mind sharing more about your issue and resolution? It might help some of the members who have concerns/complaints about their car to see the correct way to approach the issue to get results. Because complaining on the forum does them no good, and complaining to the dealer does no good if it isn't done correctly.

 

Thanks

In this case I am a little hamstrung about the specifics because the Dealer representative I used asked for anonymity because he shared some insider info with me as the technical issue progressed through Ford's system.

BTW, it was NOT a poor mileage problem.

My guy was in an advanced management position in his particular dealership, had the connections and the sincere belief that happy customers bring business back to his Dealership.

 

My lesson from this is if the people you are talking to cannot, or will not, get you satisfaction you must somehow advance to a level where the authority rests.

Getting past the shield wall that protects that authority is not always easy - which is what I was able to do this time.

Sometimes a change of dealership is required as there are always differences in dealership policy and ability.

 

Not all dealerships are EV qualified for this generation of hybrid and some only recently.

I believe Ford has a massive campaign going on right now to certify 900 more dealerships as EV capable.

That shows you how little is really known at many dealers which have to use Ford's EV Hotline to figure out problems.

[hybridbear]

That's quite the experience Elle. And I'm trying to do the same thing here. I'm trying to keep the discussion positive so that we can have real discussion. There's nothing wrong with sharing things that we dislike about the car, the issue is keeping a balance

[ace8726872]

Hi Hybridbear, great idea to start this positive forum. I like this forum and the other one that Elle started! First and foremost, I really like my FFH itself. I do get great MPG as advertised so it is even better. In my opinion, fuel economy usually isn't the #1 reason a person who buys a $30,000 car. I mean, if you are starving and can't put gas in the car, how could you afford to spend that much money on a car?

 

I figure people are upset that somehow Ford intentionally deceived the public which I don't agree with since I am getting almost exactly the advertised MPG! I want to feel good about my substantial investment. I want to make the most of the hybrid system since I made a conscious choice to buy a hybrid. It is fun to drive because it is challenging to get the most MPG. It is a great place to be challenged in though!