very discouraged

[clummus]

guys I have about 1800 miles and got 33 mpg today. when I try HARD and by that I mean, watching the EV Gage as constantly as safely possible, using eco cruise, etc.. I can get close to 40 mpg. if I drive it without paying any attention to how I'm driving, I get about 30 mpg. I don't think.the dealer is going to be any help. ..sad:(

[djminfll]

Don't be discouraged, sometimes it takes some time to get the hang of it. How fast are you driving? And are you taking a route that is more geared towards a steady pace rather than a lot of stop signs and red lights? You said you are using eco cruise, is it Adaptive? There are a number of threads on here that talk about various methods of driving to obtain the highest mpg numbers. I would recommend looking through some of them and seeing which one(s) work best for you. I have had a couple of tankfuls that only reached the mid-30's, but most are in the mid to upper 40's.

Good luck, and please don't get discouraged! :)

[mikejoconnor]

I really struggled to break 40 for the first 5,000-7,000 miles. Now I hit high 40's and low 50's fairly consistently. I just did a post with a few tips/tricks (http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/7172-cant-get-above-42-mpg/?p=59971).

 

However more than anything, I think these cars just need a few thousand miles, and a couple oil changes until they hit their stride. Once they do, you can tweak your driving to really maximize your milage (assuming you have a little extra time).

[Geremy13]

guys I have about 1800 miles and got 33 mpg today. when I try HARD and by that I mean, watching the EV Gage as constantly as safely possible, using eco cruise, etc.. I can get close to 40 mpg. if I drive it without paying any attention to how I'm driving, I get about 30 mpg. I don't think.the dealer is going to be any help. ..sad:(

 

Mike, I think this is a great post. Can be a real positive one that can help us all. This is why I am replying and hope that everybody on here chimes in.

 

I have been reading and reading and finally got that fuelly thing that everybody has on thier signature.... and it seems that everybody is getting at least 40MPG and are proud to anounce even greater numbers over many fill ups.

 

But, I am like you. (Except I only have 500 miles on the car). My Lifetime is only at 34.1 MPG. When I picked it up it had 226 miles on it since it had to come from another State so I reset my Trip Meter and kept track from there....... Now I get 34.4MPG.

 

I have read and read and read. I drive like a DEAD grandma. Never getting over 2000 RPM... Braking 6 blocks before the stop sign. Accelerating a little faster than I can walk. Reallly bummed if the engine has to kick in. Turned off the A/C in 90 degree weather. Turned off the radio, the lights, the windshield wipers (hard to see in the rain but doeable). I still only get 34MPG.

 

I live 3 miles from work so nearly all of my driving is 3 to 10 mile trips. (Coasting as much as I can). Don't get me wrong, I was a pretty conservative driver before buying this car so I thought I would put everybody to shame and get more than the 47MPG AVERAGE... (AVERAGE!!!). That the car is rated at.

 

My point is: Obviously I am doing something wrong, or there is something wrong with my car. (I'm hoping that it's me).

 

I need to hear,,,, and I'm sure you would like to hear as well. What am I missing!?

 

I don't live to far from work so driving on the highway is less than 1 mile at under 55MPH. In fact, this car has never been over 60MPH. I live in Indiana so it's pretty flat, no mountains, etc.

 

Tomorrow I have a 200 mile trip for an appointment that I have to do once a month. We shall see..........

[corncobs]

Geremy13 I hate to say but the 3 mile trip to work is not doing you any good.

 

There are probably a few comments on this forum that discuss short distance trips. On my daily commute 38 miles I can get up to 55 MPG but driving a short distance for lunch is always disappointing.

At 3 miles I have seen as low as 28 MPG but since its a short lunch the return trip results better mileage since the engine is still warm.

Getting the ICE to operating temp is the biggest mileage killer and a short commute like yours isn't helping at all.

 

As soon the HVB is depleted the ICE kicks in and returns very low instant MPG # and its almost impossible the recoup in 3 miles.

 

If you have a long trip tomorrow depending on your route keep it above 63 MPH if the speed limit and traffic allows. On a very flat road you should see 40+ MPG once the SOC is at around 75 %. If you can stay at this speed for a few miles it can go up the 60 MPG instant.

Edited July 17, 2013 by corncobs

[djminfll]

I agree 100% with corncobs (I usually do!) that the cold engine doesn't get a chance to warm up and let EV mode take over in only 3 miles.

 

I always do the worst on my shortest trips. As an example, I filled up this afternoon, the engine was still warm, and from the gas station to home, about 1.5 miles, I got 78.5 mpg. About 2 hours later, I had to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, also about 1.5 miles from the house, and due to the cold engine, my average for this fill-up dropped from 78.5 to 27mpg. After picking up the prescriptions, the engine was warmed up, and my overall for the fill up went up to 39mpg, the drive from the pharmacy home was at 49.2 mpg.

[Geremy13]

Geremy13 I hate to say put the 3 mile trip to work is not doing you any good.

 

There are probably a few comments on this forum that discuss short distance trips. On my daily commute 38 miles I can get up to 55 MPG but driving a short distance for lunch is always disappointing.

At 3 miles I have seen as low as 28 MPG but since its a short lunch the return trip results better mileage since the engine is still warm.

Getting the ICE to operating temp is the biggest mileage killer and a short commute like yours isn't helping at all.

 

As soon the HVB is depleted the ICE kicks in and returns very low instant MPG # and its almost impossible the recoup in 3 miles.

 

If you have a long trip tomorrow depending on your route keep it above 63 MPH if the speed limit and traffic allows. On a very flat road you should see 40+ MPG once the SOC is at around 75 %. If you can stay at this speed for a few miles it can go up the 60 MPG instant.

 

This is somewhat sad because I enjoy living so close to work. I can get there in about 5 minutes and be home about 5 minutes after work. I do have a 200 mile round trip tomorrow that I have to do monthly. I was thinking of keeping it at 60MPH since the EV can only help me up to 62MPH...... also using the ECO-Cruise...... keeping it at between 55-60.

 

So,, since I am brand new (less than a week), why would I want to do 63PMH.... and what is SOC?

 

I am sure once I hit Indianapolis that everyone will want to do 70+.... but not my driving style... don't need to do it unless I'm traveling across country.... which I don't.

[Geremy13]

I agree 100% with corncobs (I usually do!) that the cold engine doesn't get a chance to warm up and let EV mode take over in only 3 miles.

 

I always do the worst on my shortest trips. As an example, I filled up this afternoon, the engine was still warm, and from the gas station to home, about 1.5 miles, I got 78.5 mpg. About 2 hours later, I had to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, also about 1.5 miles from the house, and due to the cold engine, my average for this fill-up dropped from 78.5 to 27mpg. After picking up the prescriptions, the engine was warmed up, and my overall for the fill up went up to 39mpg, the drive from the pharmacy home was at 49.2 mpg.

 

So what your'e saying is that I should have bought the Energi...... Damn!..... something we seriously considered but couldn't justify another house payment. Now that we have this one.... (I mean car / house payment).////

[djminfll]

 

So what your'e saying is that I should have bought the Energi...... Damn!..... something we seriously considered but couldn't justify another house payment. Now that we have this one.... (I mean car / house payment).////

A couple of thoughts:

 

Since you live so close, can you take a longer route to work? Instead of 5 minutes/3miles, why not do 10 minutes/6 miles? This will give you a chance to warm up a bit more and hopefully see higher mpg numbers on each trip. Plus, for me personally, I use any excuse to drive a little longer!

 

If not, considering that you drive such short distances, does it really matter if you are getting 30 or 40 mpg? Try taking some longer side trips outside of to and from work to bring your overall average up.

 

As a last resort, if none of these work, try bringing it to Ford service to look at it. They probably won't do anything, but it's worth a shot.

 

Finally, don't feel bad that you didn't get the Energi - driving 3 miles to work each day, it would take you hundreds of years to make up the additional cost in gas savings!

Edited July 17, 2013 by djminfll

[corncobs]

Don't get me wrong I would love the live so close to work and save myself over 2hrs of driving per day.

 

When you drive tomorrow even if you do 70 MPH you should still see around 40 MPG as average. SOC = State Of Charge of the HVB (high voltage battery) as indicated by the battery symbol.

Here is an example for last week or so, you can see the SOC is very high at this state there no longer demand on the ICE to charge the HVB making the ICE very efficient.

 

 

You can try both way below 62MPH and above 65MPH and see what yields better results. The problem is that it takes longer the recharge the HVB than what you can drive in EV mode.

Edited July 17, 2013 by corncobs

[Geremy13]

Thank you everybody ........!!!!

 

It is really appreciated.

 

I will do the 100 miles there one way...... and the 100 miles back the other.

 

I will post my results tomorrow.

[terryb]

Since retirement, I'm in the short trip rut going to the grocery store and coffee. Sorry to disappoint, but adding miles to a short trip to give the engine a chance to warm up won't fix the mileage for the trip. It only adds distance. The initial short distance still eats the same gas. The longer trip has a higher average mpg, but over a longer distance so more gas burnt for the same result.

[Geremy13]

If not, considering that you drive such short distances, does it really matter if you are getting 30 or 40 mpg?

 

 

Finally, don't feel bad that you didn't get the Energi - driving 3 miles to work each day, it would take you hundreds of years to make up the additional cost in gas savings!

 

30 or 40 mpg? Well, Yes! It does matter to me considering my Sonata can get 30MPG and it's paid for and in fact a really nice comfortable ride.

 

On the Energi?... well, I didn't get one so I guess I saved a hundred years in gas savings expense. However, It will take me a hundred years to make up the additional gas savings in this new FFH over my paid for Sonata.

 

But!...... My Wife is Happy!....... And that my friend is worth a Hundred years of Car Payments!

[corncobs]

 

But!...... My Wife is Happy!....... And that my friend is worth a Hundred years of Car Payments!

How did your trip turn out? Did make you happy?

[Geremy13]

If you have a long trip tomorrow depending on your route keep it above 63 MPH if the speed limit and traffic allows. On a very flat road you should see 40+ MPG once the SOC is at around 75 %. If you can stay at this speed for a few miles it can go up the 60 MPG instant.

 

Ok,,,, Here are the results of my trip today. Hopefully it provides information for all, and of course I really appreciate the advice from everyone.

 

Total trip mileage was 199.3 MI, 87.7 EV, 43.2MPG, 4.6 Gallons. Half the mileage was on the way up and half on the way back. Took the same route there and back. Weather was clear skys, no rain. Temp was 90 degrees. Drove the entire trip 99% freeway with 1% off the highway to my destination. Drove ECO-Cruise the entire trip and 55MPH. Climate control set to 'Auto' at 74 degrees. Slow accelerations and almost 100% brake score.

 

I believe this is the absolute best my car can do. I believe this is a fair test over a 200 mile distance as opposed to the 48MPG I got once over a 10 mile trip coasting downhill back to my home.

 

I am here to learn. I am ready to hear what I need to improve on. I really appreciate all of the people here on this forum.

 

Thanks!

[Geremy13]

How did your trip turn out? Did make you happy?

 

Well, I was hoping to beat the 47MPG estimates. BUT, The wife was VERY happy! (with the comfort of the ride).

 

My wife is very beautiful, a former Miss (can't say the city), but she has back issues and 8 surgeries in the last 3 years. This is the purpose for our monthly trip to Indianapolis. But the ride and the comfort was much improved for her. Actually she cranks up the heat on the leather seats and then blows the A/C on her to keep her comfortable... and truly, she noticed a difference in the comfort of the drive that she usually hates and is normally extremely painful.

 

While she is beatiful, I am nothing but a Troll, so her happiness is important to keep our marriage together for another 25 years. :wub:

[hermans]

I agree. I have back issues and on trips I often turn on the heated seat on low. This really helps me.

[corncobs]

 

Well, I was hoping to beat the 47MPG estimates. BUT, The wife was VERY happy! (with the comfort of the ride).

 

Happy wife happy life! I think that matters more than 47 MPG.

 

You might disagree but 43 MPG isn't bad at all for all interstate. Yes it's not 47 MPG but your avg speed was also a lot higher than EPA cycle specification. But this has been discussed a lot on various threads.

Edited July 18, 2013 by corncobs

[tbranca]

All the ford rep's told me my mileage would go up after 6000 miles well 10800 late 34 MPG is the best I can do. I was get 37 but my front wheels were Clicking after they fixed the clicking 34 is my average.

[Geremy13]

All the ford rep's told me my mileage would go up after 6000 miles well 10800 late 34 MPG is the best I can do. I was get 37 but my front wheels were Clicking after they fixed the clicking 34 is my average.

 

I am concerned as well. My lifetime just went up to 36MPG after this unusual 43MPG drive.... but I normally drive short distances and 32-34 is what I am expecting which will not make me happy. NOTE: I only have 700 miles on it so far BUT so far I get nothing like the folks on this forum and I drive like a grandma... (Purposely, to try and beat everyone else)... But I have a feeling that I am going to lose........ :shift:

[mokee]

Geremy13 - Have patience. We took delivery of our FFH in February and drove to FL from Chicagoland and back averaging 44mpg. Last weekend with 6600 miles on the FFH, we drove a 150 mile round trip to a friend's lake cottage with 4 adults in the car, the A/C blasting and a trunk full of picnic goodies and averaged 47.2mpg. Also, Ford's new programming strategy is supposed to help mileage after cold starts. That could result in better mileage for your commutes.

[Geremy13]

Geremy13 - Have patience. We took delivery of our FFH in February and drove to FL from Chicagoland and back averaging 44mpg. Last weekend with 6600 miles on the FFH, we drove a 150 mile round trip to a friend's lake cottage with 4 adults in the car, the A/C blasting and a trunk full of picnic goodies and averaged 47.2mpg. Also, Ford's new programming strategy is supposed to help mileage after cold starts. That could result in better mileage for your commutes.

 

Thank you.... I am patient and appreciate everybody's input. Your comments are very encouraging (For You!). But I drive 3-10 mile 'Trips' regularly and I'm struggling to get 34-37 even driving like a grandma. Fortunately I live in a town where nobody minds me driving 20MPH in a 40MPH zone (as long as there's noone behind me ;) ) :)

[clummus]

I'll chime in again. I'm getting about 30 mpg average lately. very frustrated, although I don't want to be. I've never paid much attention to mpg before. I got about 18 in my previous car and didn't care. it's just that I researched this car, picked it out specifically for mpg and safety features, ordered it, waited for it, and love it in every other , way. it's just somewhat tainted to me because I can't get even close to 40. my boyfriend gets better in his altima and he paid alot less for it. :(

[Aquineas]

I'll chime in again. I'm getting about 30 mpg average lately. very frustrated, although I don't want to be. I've never paid much attention to mpg before. I got about 18 in my previous car and didn't care. it's just that I researched this car, picked it out specifically for mpg and safety features, ordered it, waited for it, and love it in every other , way. it's just somewhat tainted to me because I can't get even close to 40. my boyfriend gets better in his altima and he paid alot less for it. :(

I'm really sorry to hear you and others are getting such crappy mileage. I know how long you had to wait for your ride, and as someone who also had to wait, I can't imagine how disappointed I'd be to have waited that long and feel the disappointment. Hopefully the forthcoming software fix will fix things.

Edited July 19, 2013 by Aquineas

[mikejoconnor]

 

I believe this is the absolute best my car can do. I believe this is a fair test over a 200 mile distance as opposed to the 48MPG I got once over a 10 mile trip coasting downhill back to my home.

 

 

Geremy13,

 

I struggled to get above 40mpg during the first 5,000 miles. I'd say 43 is great considering how new the car is. Quite honestly I was disappointed in the my car, and thought I made a mistake until I had between 5k and 10k miles. I thought something may have been wrong with the car, my driving, or ford's marketing. Turns out I just had to let it break in. My average in the first 5k was around 38mpg. The 2nd 5k was around 41-42, and I'm on track to have an average of 45mpg at the 15,000 mile mark.

 

So hang in there, 43mpg before the first oil change is great.