Software Updates from Ford to improve MPGs

[Skydogz]

Enviro temperature? Can you elaborate?

Yes the AC temp requested by the temperature knob, I changed it from the default (i think) 68F to 74F, made a HUGE difference in the Texas 100F heat.

[rjent]

Sorry gals and guys, I have been unable to get on as much as I would like, but here is an update:

 

It was early morning, temps about 70 degrees and I drove 77 miles to the south to Las Cruces. Did the max ac, turn off ac, turn off recirculation to defeat the compressor running (that is really dumb, needs to be fixed IMO), drove 70 percent at 65 and I was getting close to EPA at 45 MPG and then took a back road at 55 the rest of the way. Got to my destination at 46.7 MPG. I did run the AC for about 30 miles during the last leg. This is at least a 5 mpg improvement. It could be turning the AC off contributed a lot, but it is still nice to see it cruising on the downhills at 65 in electric and charging the batteries as well.

 

Just though I would update, I feel it has improved my milage a lot. I know my 2 to 3 mile intown circles are much improved (as much as 50 percent.... :)

[jsolan]

There's so many threads on this now I don't know which one to post in, but this one looks as good as any.

 

This weekend I took a 400 mile trip on the PA turnpike. With ECO Cruise set at 70mph for 85% of the trip and the A/C at 73, I got 40.7 mpg. Nothing significantly better or worse than before the PCM update.

 

 

I really do feel like the software learns how you normally drive and adjusts. I seem to get very good mileage for my daily commute, but much less than what some people get who consistently have highway drives. If there wasn't a section of construction where the speed limit was 40 mph, I probably wouldn't have even hit the 40 mpg mark.

[fusionTX]

There's so many threads on this now I don't know which one to post in, but this one looks as good as any.

 

This weekend I took a 400 mile trip on the PA turnpike. With ECO Cruise set at 70mph for 85% of the trip and the A/C at 73, I got 40.7 mpg. Nothing significantly better or worse than before the PCM update.

 

 

I really do feel like the software learns how you normally drive and adjusts. I seem to get very good mileage for my daily commute, but much less than what some people get who consistently have highway drives. If there wasn't a section of construction where the speed limit was 40 mph, I probably wouldn't have even hit the 40 mpg mark.

That is the same behavior I see in my car. I did the battery disconnect thing, and I am optimistic I will see higher MPGs on road trips. i did a short test run and was seeing mid forties going 70 MPH. i have never seen numbers like that before in my car, and in fact, took a road trip right after PCM update, and going 70 was yielding MPGs in the mid thirties. you may want to give that a try.

 

I should add, I do not have definitive proof on an improvement. I did a short run on I-10 in Houston, but of course I need to put it to a test on a real road trip, of which I have none planned right now.

Edited September 9, 2013 by fusionTX

[rjent]

I think running these cars at 70 or above really defeat the design of this car. The wind resistance alone is going to kill mileage, and yes, the five mph difference between 65 and 70 really does make a difference.

 

BTW, do the math and calculate how much longer it would take to drive your trip with the 5 mph difference and then try driving slower. I think you will be impressed .... :)

 

JMHO

[majorleeslow]

not to mention less potential for tickets and accidents.

[gadgetguy]

I think running these cars at 70 or above really defeat the design of this car. The wind resistance alone is going to kill mileage, and yes, the five mph difference between 65 and 70 really does make a difference.

 

BTW, do the math and calculate how much longer it would take to drive your trip with the 5 mph difference and then try driving slower. I think you will be impressed .... :)

 

JMHO

I totally agree with everything you just said! Huge loss from 70 to 75....

[MaineFusion]

I think running these cars at 70 or above really defeat the design of this car. The wind resistance alone is going to kill mileage, and yes, the five mph difference between 65 and 70 really does make a difference.

 

BTW, do the math and calculate how much longer it would take to drive your trip with the 5 mph difference and then try driving slower. I think you will be impressed .... :)

 

JMHO

Above 60mph, you are pretty much assured of losing 1 MPG for every 1MPH in increased speed even with the software update.

 

When cruising country roads at between 35 - 45 mph, I typically get 62-65 mpg. On my daily commute when I set my cruise control to 63 mph I typically get 53 mpg. When I set it to 65mph, I typically get 50 mpg. The one time I did set my cruise control to 70mph for extended periods I averaged 38mpg (back in march about a month after getting my FFH). During the time frame when I got 38mpg doing 70mph, I was getting about 43mpg doing 65mph.

 

I encourage everyone to try setting their cruise control at different speeds over a regular known route to see what kind of MPG they get at different speeds.

[LASooner]

not to mention less potential for tickets and accidents.

 

Driving 65, in LA, increases your chance of getting into an accident, because everyone is driving faster.

Edited September 10, 2013 by LASooner

[MaineFusion]

 

Driving 65, in LA, increases your chance of getting into an accident, because everyone is driving faster.

 

Simply driving in LA increases your chance of getting into an accident. :hysterical:

[GrySql]

 

Simply driving in LA increases your chance of getting into an accident. :hysterical:

What, and we're supposed to be monitoring the Empower gauge too? :drop:

 

I wonder what the average mpg's for the FFH in the various major cities might be.

[corncobs]

My avg. in LA traffic down up and down the 405 was 45 MPG.

Around here in Chicago going to and from work I have been averaging ~ 49 MPG for multiple tanks.

[MaineFusion]

My avg. in LA traffic down up and down the 405 was 45 MPG.

Around here in Chicago going to and from work I have been averaging ~ 49 MPG for multiple tanks.

Here's what I can get driving around secondary roads in the greater Portland Maine area. :yahoo:

[corncobs]

Cool those are nice numbers but its also only an 21 MPH average very similar to HB's numbers. Going to work I'm usually @ 51+ MPG @ 35 MPH. There are a couple bad traffic light that hurt when hitting them on red since on the other side there is a 55 MPH speed limit zone.

[MaineFusion]

Cool those are nice numbers but its also only an 21 MPH average very similar to HB's numbers. Going to work I'm usually @ 51+ MPG @ 35 MPH. There are a couple bad traffic light that hurt when hitting them on red since on the other side there is a 55 MPH speed limit zone.

 

Ya, shopping mall parking lots and traffic lights can eat up a lot of time. Especially when I keep the car running when parked to take pictures of the display for all the data collection. ;)

 

I could have increased my MPG and average speed if I hadn't agreed to go shopping with my wife while cruising about.

Edited September 10, 2013 by MaineFusion

[HoustonFirefox]

Had the update performed about two weeks ago and the lifetime average was creeping up, but I didn't do the battery disconnect step.

 

Did that yesterday and will keep and eye on it the next few days to see if there is any improvement over my regular commute.

[Da0ne]

What, and we're supposed to be monitoring the Empower gauge too? :drop:

 

I wonder what the average mpg's for the FFH in the various major cities might be.

 

i havent seen much of a change other than the climate

 

in NYC in the morning i dont get hit with traffic i can get 42 - 48 mpg, but in the evening depending what time i leave work i can get 42 - 52 mpg

 

avg say 44.3mpg lifetime is at 43.8 mpg

[Fastronaut]

Had the update performed about two weeks ago and the lifetime average was creeping up, but I didn't do the battery disconnect step.

 

Did that yesterday and will keep and eye on it the next few days to see if there is any improvement over my regular commute.

Has anyone really proven that a battery disconnect makes a real difference? If it does, why wouldn't the TSB instruct techs to do so?

[corncobs]

Has anyone really proven that a battery disconnect makes a real difference? If it does, why wouldn't the TSB instruct techs to do so?

Remember the comment that Ford Engineers don't know how the hybrid works...

 

I'm being sarcastic but really didn't some guy made the statement after the C-Max de-rating?

[Fastronaut]

Remember the comment that Ford Engineers don't know how the hybrid works...

 

I'm being sarcastic but really didn't some guy made the statement after the C-Max de-rating?

Wish I could find that comment.

[corncobs]

It wasn't exactly said like I said it but you could get the perception from the autobloggreen news article.

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/7418-ford-we-didnt-overstate-c-max-hybrid-mpg-low-numbers-were-a-surprise/

[Fastronaut]

It wasn't exactly said like I said it but you could get the perception from the autobloggreen news article.

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/7418-ford-we-didnt-overstate-c-max-hybrid-mpg-low-numbers-were-a-surprise/

Oh yeah! That got my attention all right. Build it and they will learn ...

[B25Nut]

 

Has anyone really proven that a battery disconnect makes a real difference? If it does, why wouldn't the TSB instruct techs to do so?

I think that some dealers skipped a step during the updating process that is the equivalent of a hard reset. It may be the same as when you do a Windows or other program update and the computer has to be shutdown and restarted before it will take effect. I'm very glad mine worked right off the dealer's lot.

[zebmeat]

Noticed on the motorcraftservices website that the latest IDS release level is 86.03, dated 9/9/13. My FFH PCM upgrade was IDS release level 86.01, and any MPG improvement I've seen since the upgrade is small. I do get EV mode above 62 MPH, so I suppose the upgrade was successful. Does anyone know what may or may not have been added to the latest IDS release? I asked my local Ford service department (not where I had the upgrade done) about the version change, and they had no clue -- just saying they use whatever release is current.

 

Edited September 13, 2013 by zebmeat

[Fastronaut]

 

 

I think that some dealers skipped a step during the updating process that is the equivalent of a hard reset. It may be the same as when you do a Windows or other program update and the computer has to be shutdown and restarted before it will take effect. I'm very glad mine worked right off the dealer's lot.

I'm having the PCM and MFT software upgrades done on Thursday. I'm more optimistic after seeing everyone's results.