TSB 13-5-1 Reprogram Direct Current Module

[QbannGA]

So, I take my car in to do the headliner, shifter and Sync update recalls. While there I asked them to check the HVB cells. Just to make sure they were working as they should. Come to find out later on, this TSB was out for my car and I was never notified. My car was one of the first Hybrids built. Build date 10-25-12.. I'm hoping this helps make a difference in my MPG for the better. I'm starting to get 41-43 MPG..

[hermans]

That TSB has to do with the 12v battery and how it charges. There was a problem with people getting continuous 12v battery saver messages. BTW, the TSB was just issued the other week.

Edited May 18, 2013 by hermans

[acdii]

This isnt the first poster who said their MPG improved after the 12V battery was corrected. Makes me wonder if all the issues I had with had any relation. I did get BSM occasionally too. On second thought, no, I have yet heard of anyone else fouling all 4 spark plugs.

[JSKershaw]

I haven't had many problems with the Battery Saver Message, but I will have the dealership look into getting my car reprogrammed with this new software. Especially if it will help with better mileage (not that my mileage is suffering).

 

Here's the link to the TSB: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/3545/tsb13-05-01.htm

[Osofast]

This TSB is no longer relevant and has been surpassed by TSB 13-6-23

[GrySql]

This TSB is no longer relevant and has been surpassed by TSB 13-6-23

Just had that TSB 13-6-23 calibration done on my car. It's too soon to know what difference it will make.

[storksb]

Just had that TSB 13-6-23 calibration done on my car. It's too soon to know what difference it will make.

GrySql any news on whether this update has improved you mpg?

[GrySql]

GrySql any news on whether this update has improved you mpg?

Honestly, I don't know - I haven't run a tank through it yet.

My overall Lifetime average is about the same (37) but I have had a couple 30-40 mile trips that were outstanding.

I'll post if I have proof anything has changed.

Edited July 14, 2013 by GrySql

[elle]

I'd be interested in that, too, since I am also in the less-than-stellar group for mileage. I am pretty much convinced it has something to do with battery charging and retention of charge.

[GrySql]

I'd be interested in that, too, since I am also in the less-than-stellar group for mileage. I am pretty much convinced it has something to do with battery charging and retention of charge.

This is not scientific, just anecdotal observations in the last week.

I don't know what is going on with mine, when the HVB's SOC is above 3/4 it does get 40+ mpg's.

I got a couple of really spectacular 30-40 mile trips but my Lifetime Average is dropping.

I've gone from the high 37's to the low 36's in the last tank, with no difference in what I do or where I go.

My individual trip averages have shown a 64mpg, one in the 50's and all the rest in the low 30's with 36.9 seeming to be the highest in the last several trips.

Really, not sure I'd have the TSB 13-6-23 done on a car that lives in hotter weather - if mine is any example.

 

If, as I've suspected all along, my HVB Li-on pack is one that is sub-par, then all this extra charging of the LVB is just adding to my 'charging load' and affecting my mpg's in a negative way.

It's hot here during the day (90's - 100's) and the A/C is always on.

 

Whatever, it is what it is and I can't spend anymore time at the Dealer with a 'wish' list that is unreasonable.

I think this car will be replaced with a '15 model.

I love driving it and the mpg's are adequate for my needs but I am like some others here that have a car that just doesn't get the right same mpg numbers as others on this Forum.

[acdii]

Yeah, yours doesn't sound right. Even with the hills by me, driving 55 MPH with the AC on in 90* temps I get over 43 MPG.

 

However, if there aren't enough complaints from owners with service records, then Ford really isnt going to "look" into it very much. It might be worth it to at least have it written up and on the record, even if they cant find anything wrong.

[GrySql]

Yeah, yours doesn't sound right. Even with the hills by me, driving 55 MPH with the AC on in 90* temps I get over 43 MPG.

 

However, if there aren't enough complaints from owners with service records, then Ford really isnt going to "look" into it very much. It might be worth it to at least have it written up and on the record, even if they cant find anything wrong.

Before, in my normal routes driving 55mph was the worst mpg range for my car, low 30's - the HVB charging cycle killed it. Driving at 25-35 was good, if I hit the in-town signals I could get mid/high 40's. Driving 65 with easy rolling terrain the car will achieve the low/mid 40's range on the ICE (unless the car is loaded to capacity).

Since the 're-calibration' all those numbers are down, but on two occasions with the car starting with a very high SOC it seemed to want to stay that way (?) and I got very high mpg's.

I cannot make any sense of it, except that the HVB appears to be at the heart of it.

So far, whatever this TSB did to make the LVB stay charged has not improved my overall fuel consumption, if anything it's a bit worse.

 

Last week, the Dealer's main Service Department guy drove it overnight the 50 mile RT to his house and back to double check that everything was 'within tolerances and limits', his opinion is that the car is working correctly.

As you know from personal experience Ford has certain ideas about what is normal that we consumers may not agree with.

These are complicated vehicles and some combinations of components work better than others.

 

I can live with this car the way it is, as long as it is reliable. It has so many positives that I'll wait it out until the bumper-to-bumper warranty is about up and go about replacing it then.

Meanwhile, the driving experience is great and 36 mpg's is still above any previous vehicle I've ever had.

Edited July 16, 2013 by GrySql

[hybridbear]

Is this still the most current battery TSB? This thread mentions 13-07-11A. None of these TSBs have been posted online so I'm not sure which is most current.

[tbranca]

Before, in my normal routes driving 55mph was the worst mpg range for my car, low 30's - the HVB charging cycle killed it. Driving at 25-35 was good, if I hit the in-town signals I could get mid/high 40's. Driving 65 with easy rolling terrain the car will achieve the low/mid 40's range on the ICE (unless the car is loaded to capacity).

Since the 're-calibration' all those numbers are down, but on two occasions with the car starting with a very high SOC it seemed to want to stay that way (?) and I got very high mpg's.

I cannot make any sense of it, except that the HVB appears to be at the heart of it.

So far, whatever this TSB did to make the LVB stay charged has not improved my overall fuel consumption, if anything it's a bit worse.

 

Last week, the Dealer's main Service Department guy drove it overnight the 50 mile RT to his house and back to double check that everything was 'within tolerances and limits', his opinion is that the car is working correctly.

As you know from personal experience Ford has certain ideas about what is normal that we consumers may not agree with.

These are complicated vehicles and some combinations of components work better than others.

 

I can live with this car the way it is, as long as it is reliable. It has so many positives that I'll wait it out until the bumper-to-bumper warranty is about up and go about replacing it then.

Meanwhile, the driving experience is great and 36 mpg's is still above any previous vehicle I've ever had.

Mine exactly the same

[GrySql]

Then I suggest that you do a Hard Reset.

This means that you disconnect both the LVB and HVB for about 10 minutes then re-connect them.

Read your Owner's Manual on how this is done and take all precautions.

Doing that will erase your car's current computer memory tables and in the next 5-10 driving cycles it will relearn the way you drive.

 

This part is very important ---> During those first 500 miles after the Hard Reset you should drive the best hybrid style driving that you possibly can, teaching the computer what you want from the car.

It helped my car improve it's mpg's, did not help others - but it's still worth a try.

 

http://fordfusionhyb...idbear/?p=65241

 

http://fordfusionhyb...idbear/?p=66109

Edited June 18, 2014 by GrySql