2013 Ford Fusion MPG Challenge

[hermans]

The fact that Hermans chose the FFH is one of the best indicators of the bright future Ford has in store. It should be used in their advertising. The son-in-law of a friend is a BMW owning lawyer. He wanted a car to give himself an environmentally correct image so he bought two Smart cars. He fell asleep on his return home from showing off the Smart car at a party and hit a tree at 35 mph. He was in the hospital for six months. I think Hermans made the better choice.

I drove a Smart once when I was in Germany. Never again.

[acdii]

Not very smart are they, unless you plan to have an Excursion land on TOP of you instead of ram you.

[B25Nut]

Fynack, I guess I didn't state it clearly enough for you. He still has a big BMW but wanted an additional vehicle to give him the image he required depending upon what people he would be around. He owns seven cars.

[hermans]

Seven cars and I thought I was a car guy.

[Riggo]

Here is my video of the mileage challenge.

It is a bit dodgy but it is close to the specs.

I covered up the microphone holes with my finger near the end of the video.

The trip was 53.7 MPG.

I don't expect the $100 but I DO expect that, in the future, I will not be accused of being less than honest about my MPG.

 

 

What is that clicking noise that starts at about the 6:14 mark of the video and continues for quite a while? It almost sounds like a typewriter in the background.

[jeff_h]

What is that clicking noise that starts at about the 6:14 mark of the video and continues for quite a while? It almost sounds like a typewriter in the background.

 

Good question, I just went back and listened to it... I have never heard anything like that in my car.

[acdii]

His teeth chattering because he turned the heat off! :rockon:

[jeff_h]

His teeth chattering because he turned the heat off! :rockon:

 

In Arizona?

[acdii]

What, it gets cold there

 

 

 

 

sometimes

[ace8726872]

Must have gone below 50F. Now, that's cold! :hysterical:

[GrySql]

I've left PHX at 70˚ and driven to Flagstaff through a snowstorm. Lots of elevation changes in AZ.

[hermans]

I used to have a home in Scottsdale. We had a cottage in the Prescott area where we would spend summers. It was like another whole different world.

[Code_Warrior]

What is that clicking noise that starts at about the 6:14 mark of the video and continues for quite a while? It almost sounds like a typewriter in the background.

 

I have tried to find the source of the clicking but failed. We get a lot of crickets here so maybe one was along for the ride. ;)

 

Last year here was the hottest on record. It may be nice now but June through September will be brutal.

 

I also know cold. I have been to Rochester Minn 6 times, all in winter. Likely, because, according to the locals, winter there is 46 weeks long.

[ace8726872]

So MotorWeek did a MPG test that show that different driving styles affect the MPG greatly, in the tune of 43% difference. They did the test with a pair of Chrysler 300C with 5.7 liter Hemi with cylinder deactivation which is EPA rated at 18 city / 24 highway. In the 30 mile two-lane country road test, the difference was not much with the frugal driver getting 4% better than the spirited driver. However in the highway test, the difference was more dramatic. The economic driver recorded 24.4 MPG with the fun driver recording 17 MPG, a difference of 43%. Here is the link. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/motorweektranscript.shtml

There are owners who are getting 50+ MPGs and there are owners getting low 30's in this forum. Some have obvious mechanical / battery issues which will never yield good MPG. I suspect that some drivers are getting less than advertised MPG due to their driving style. Some can't get good MPG due to the terrain being too hilly. Or combination of all of the above.

Just yesterday, I traveled 50 miles to see a friend. On the way there, I got 50.2 MPG there and only got 38.6 MPG on the return leg. This is a 30% difference due to the fact that there were a lot more downhills on my trip there. But the average is still pretty good at 44.4 MPG.

Yes, you will need to do your own research before making a purchase. Yes, after you purchase, you will need to learn how to drive your new hybrid, not just FFH, but in all hybrids to get the most MPG. If MPG was your sole reason for buying a hybrid, you would have never bought FFH because there are other vehicles that return higher. But once you buy your new FFH, it is fun to get the most MPG and this forum is a great place to learn tips and tricks to help you do just that. Some owners just like the car regardless of the MPG, and want to hang out here because this forum has plenty of friendly, easygoing, knowledgable members.

I, for one, really appreciate this forum and the members who made my FFh ownership just that much better.

Edited March 24, 2013 by ace8726872

[acdii]

Good point. One thing for sure, driving a Hybrid helps you get the most out of a non Hybrid. When I road tested an MKT last month, I took it on an interstate jaunt that ended with 35 MPH city traffic on the return. I got 23 MPG in that 360 HP Twin Turbo charged beast. That exceeded the highway EPA of that particular model. That was a really nice car that got exceptionally good MPG.

 

OTOH driving the Flex, which is the same vehicle, I have been known to get -12 MPG in it :shift: :headspin: While also getting 27 highway in it. All depends on your right foot.

[Code_Warrior]

OTOH driving the Flex, which is the same vehicle, I have been known to get -12 MPG in it

Does this mean you made the trip in Reverse ?

[acdii]

Does this mean you made the trip in Reverse ?

No LOL 1/4 mile in 14 seconds flat. yeah it would move out under full throttle but so would the gas gauge.