Software Updates from Ford to improve MPGs

[jsfusion]

Very glad I found this forum...After reading a story online about this, I requested the software update on 8/2 while my fusion hybrid was being serviced. Unfortunately, I did not see any changes take effect (still can't hit EV mode above 62 mph). Now that I have more info, I can double check with the dealer and request the correct version. Maybe we'll get it right the 2nd time around. Thank you Ford Fusion Hybrid Forum...this is very helpful!

[Sleddog]

 

We are on our 3rd Ford Hybrid since 2005, geez you would think there should be an adequate number of trained hybrid techs... but I tried to schedule my software update for Saturday and THE guy that works on hybrids is not there on Saturday... so I am in the same boat and hope my one hybrid guy knows what he is doing -- will see him on Friday morning.

I have the same issue. The hybrid tech works Monday - Friday. The dealer is 30 plus miles away (I won't go to any of the local dealers because of bad service previously) and I have to either drop off the car the night before or take a day off. I'm hoping they will start scheduling a hybrid tech for Saturdays when they move to their newly built dealership. They did get my update right the first time. But I also double check and verify their work.

[jsolan]

I specifically choose a dealer 20 miles away (theres one less than 2) because they have a hybrid tech, I hope they don't screw it up. Getting mine done on Wednesday so it will be applied before my 400 mile road trip up to Boston next weekend.

[hermans]

My dealer has three certified hybrid techs. They are a larger dearer and sell Lincolns too. A tech is available from Mon-Sat. In my area there are 18 Ford dealers within a 20 mile radius.

Edited August 4, 2013 by hermans

[blinkstafoo182]

So has anyone seen better MPG after the software update?

[corncobs]

Not for me on short trip... a couple samples from yesterday, but admittedly just a couple samples thus far.

 

Changed oil yesterday morning so drove to county dropoff (6.6 miles) to drop the oil. Normal results for past trips is about 59-61 (each way has some good hills to anticipate for EV/regen), yesterday was 64.6, so that's about an 8% increase.

 

Then went to Walmart yesterday afternoon (3.3 miles, too short?), in the past I would normally get about 58-62 on the way there and 51-53 on the way back, difference due to better terrain/hills on the way there. Yesterday's trip was 70.2 on the way there and 59.9 on the way back, so that's about a 10% increase...

 

The above are just short trips where I think just stopping and restarting a couple times may make a big difference when compared to past trips, so I don't get too hung up on them. I have a long commute and curious as those results when I now set the cruise at a higher speed.

[terryb]

I completed the outbound trip from Houston to Oil City, PA and had tank averages of around 40.3 running at up to 75 w/AC. Last spring I got 38 MPG to Tampa w/o AC running. My refill here in PA has run 42.3 so far in the Allegheny Mtns.

My tank averages prior were between 33 and 36 mpg. I'm very pleased so far.

.

[Fastronaut]

I completed the outbound trip from Houston to Oil City, PA and had tank averages of around 40.3 running at up to 75 w/AC. Last spring I got 38 MPG to Tampa w/o AC running. My refill here in PA has run 42.3 so far in the Allegheny Mtns.

My tank averages prior were between 33 and 36 mpg. I'm very pleased so far.

.

Sounds like a winner.

[hermans]

I completed the outbound trip from Houston to Oil City, PA and had tank averages of around 40.3 running at up to 75 w/AC. Last spring I got 38 MPG to Tampa w/o AC running. My refill here in PA has run 42.3 so far in the Allegheny Mtns.

My tank averages prior were between 33 and 36 mpg. I'm very pleased so far.

.

I travel West to East and back across the Allegheny mountains often and I get 44.5. I've been quite surprised at the mileage as I thought it would really suck. I'll be traveling to Ohio later this week. This my first trip since my PCM update. My last trip was over 44 mpg and I'm making the same exact trip this time. It will be interesting to see the difference.

Edited August 4, 2013 by hermans

[MidnightX]

Since I've had the update done, the ICE on due to cold temperature no longer kicks in when I first drive the car. When I would leave work late in the evening, no matter what the outside temperature is, I would get that message. And if the battery was less than 1/2 full, when I would go up the spiraling exit (round and round), I would have to press the accelerator almost all the way down to get enough power to get to the top. A couple times I wasn't sure it was going to make it since it would bog down so much. I have less than 2,000 miles on the car so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. But since the update, I only get ICE on due to normal operation, even early in the day when I leave for work.

[djminfll]

I'm glad I have my appt to have the update done correctly, b/c the one they did originally has screwed up how everything is working. Tonight, we went out for dinner and drove about 20 miles each way - my mpg going was 38, the mileage coming back was 34mpg. When I got on the highway, the EV did not come on except for the few times when the ACC slowed me down to 62mph. But my 40-50mph stretches are not working the way they should be at all.

[smr2112]

RE: Saturdays -

 

Got my update an a bunch of stuff this past Friday after leaving the car for the day. I specifically ask what work can be done on a Sat if any?

 

He said they have 4 Hybrid mechanics during the week, probably none on the weekend, be sure to ask before you go. But his key remark

was that anything warranty related on the Hybrids has to be done by these mechanics. Anything else, oil changes, tires, alignment, etc.

can be done by regular mechanics including Saturdays. So ask before you go if you have any question. I think for most dealerships,

don't expect to get the PCM update on a Saturday unless the Hybrid mechanic happens to be work - so ask.

[expresspotato]

My dealer will have me in tomorrow morning at 8am for the update.

[djminfll]

Well, I brought the car in for the re-update, and reported the issue with the radio yesterday (I couldn't shut it off, even with the engine off, key removed and the doors open), and the MFT screen went black. They gave me a loaner (2011 Lincoln Town Car - huh????), called me at 4PM to say that they were bringing in a "Hybrid Specialist" from another dealership, so the car won't be ready for pick-up until tomorrow or possibly Wednesday. I hope they didn't screw the car up with the original update.

[Fastronaut]

Well, I brought the car in for the re-update, and reported the issue with the radio yesterday (I couldn't shut it off, even with the engine off, key removed and the doors open), and the MFT screen went black. They gave me a loaner (2011 Lincoln Town Car - huh????), called me at 4PM to say that they were bringing in a "Hybrid Specialist" from another dealership, so the car won't be ready for pick-up until tomorrow or possibly Wednesday. I hope they didn't screw the car up with the original update.

When a dealer has to bring in help from another dealership, watch out. Dealers should be going to Ford Technical Assistance directly, not through other dealers. Are they covering up a blunder?

[djminfll]

When a dealer has to bring in help from another dealership, watch out. Dealers should be going to Ford Technical Assistance directly, not through other dealers. Are they covering up a blunder?

That is exactly what I thought. I never had issues until they performed the first Software Update. Then my mpg went down and I started having trouble with the radio and the MFT screen. If they did make a mistake, I want to make sure they correct it. Once I pick the car up, if it is not right, I will get Ford Corporate involved, and probably bring it to another dealer to correct things.

[aaronj1159]

Well, I brought the car in for the re-update, and reported the issue with the radio yesterday (I couldn't shut it off, even with the engine off, key removed and the doors open), and the MFT screen went black. They gave me a loaner (2011 Lincoln Town Car - huh????), called me at 4PM to say that they were bringing in a "Hybrid Specialist" from another dealership, so the car won't be ready for pick-up until tomorrow or possibly Wednesday. I hope they didn't screw the car up with the original update.

This is what I'm currently contemplating. the FordOwner website lists my regular dealer as not having an electric vehicle specialist, but the smaller dealer down the road does. I want it done right and so far, my regular dealer has yet to fix anything on my car on the first try (mostly just trim pieces and whatnot so far). So I actually have 2 appointments set up now. One at the EV certified dealer for the update and my 10,000 mile service, and the other at my original dealer to fix what they broke on the interior trim last time I was there.

[Fastronaut]

This is what I'm currently contemplating. the FordOwner website lists my regular dealer as not having an electric vehicle specialist, but the smaller dealer down the road does. I want it done right and so far, my regular dealer has yet to fix anything on my car on the first try (mostly just trim pieces and whatnot so far). So I actually have 2 appointments set up now. One at the EV certified dealer for the update and my 10,000 mile service, and the other at my original dealer to fix what they broke on the interior trim last time I was there.

There a reason for certification. It's what we call a "clue".

[Fastronaut]

This is what I'm currently contemplating. the FordOwner website lists my regular dealer as not having an electric vehicle specialist, but the smaller dealer down the road does. I want it done right and so far, my regular dealer has yet to fix anything on my car on the first try (mostly just trim pieces and whatnot so far). So I actually have 2 appointments set up now. One at the EV certified dealer for the update and my 10,000 mile service, and the other at my original dealer to fix what they broke on the interior trim last time I was there.

There a reason for certification. It's what we call a "clue".

[Fastronaut]

This is what I'm currently contemplating. the FordOwner website lists my regular dealer as not having an electric vehicle specialist, but the smaller dealer down the road does. I want it done right and so far, my regular dealer has yet to fix anything on my car on the first try (mostly just trim pieces and whatnot so far). So I actually have 2 appointments set up now. One at the EV certified dealer for the update and my 10,000 mile service, and the other at my original dealer to fix what they broke on the interior trim last time I was there.

There a reason for certification. It's what we call a "clue".

[smr2112]

Non-Hybrid mechanics are not supposed to do any warranty work on Hybrid cars. So things like this don't

happen. If that's what you find out, I'd raise a stink at that dealer and to Ford.

[corncobs]

No complaints about my dealer 30 min done and done. He just gave me a look when I told him about the version they need to use and he responded " our computers get updated daily and our tech's know what they are doing " Well it appears they really know what they are doing.

 

Update successfully applied!

 

 

First feedback it seems nothing is broken so that's good and it seems more willing to charge th HVB during acceleration and ICE running but the throttle seems even more sensitive it's really "hard" to keep EV mode while accelerating.

 

Driving from the dealer o work same result which I'm not unhappy with.

 

[djminfll]

No complaints about my dealer 30 min done and done. He just gave me a look when I told him about the version they need to use and he responded " our computers get updated daily and our tech's know what they are doing " Well it appears they really know what they are doing.

 

Glad yours was done right, they better get mine right too!

[djminfll]

This is what I'm currently contemplating. the FordOwner website lists my regular dealer as not having an electric vehicle specialist, but the smaller dealer down the road does. I want it done right and so far, my regular dealer has yet to fix anything on my car on the first try (mostly just trim pieces and whatnot so far). So I actually have 2 appointments set up now. One at the EV certified dealer for the update and my 10,000 mile service, and the other at my original dealer to fix what they broke on the interior trim last time I was there.

I just checked the Ford owner site and checked my dealership. Info states:

Special convenience services:

Online Appointment Scheduling

>>>Certified Electric Vehicle Repair<<<

Quick Lane™ Tire & Auto Center

Sells Tires

Participates in Owner Advantage Rewards®

Saturday Sales

Saturday Service

 

So the dealership should be capable. I'll find out this afternoon, I guess...

[corerwh]

I just scheduled mine for Friday morning. The guy on the phone said it would take half a day. I pointed out to him that other people have reported that it only took an hour and he made it sound like they had to call someone special in to do the job. He also didn't know that there was an update out. So it sounds like I will be their first subject...makes me nervous...and they are listed as a Certified Electric Vehicle Repair dealership too, just like djminfll. HERE GOES NOTHING!!