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Software Updates from Ford to improve MPGs

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I believe that people living in hilly / mountainous regions will see better MPG reported on their FFHs. I live in Florida and work pretty hard to drive it as hybrid-like as possible and average 40 MPG after 7000+ miles. I took a trip to North Georgia for vacation for a week. I thought for sure my mileage would go down, but it didn't. In fact my mileage there was probably at least 3-4 MPG higher than in Florida. I guess it's caused by additional breaking and coasting down steep grades. Look like us folks in Florida and Texas won't be getting the benefits of those hills / mountains on our MPG.

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Ditto what Rjent said. I have seen major improvement in my highway mileage (more than 6 mpg). 80% of my driving is at 65-70 mph. My average before the update was 37.2 mpg. For the time since the update, which has included significant A/C time (it was 97 degrees here yesterday), my average went to 44 mpg when I pulled into the garage last night. I have seen a lot of EV time at 65 mph and above.

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Now reading the previous 3 posts makes me more and more a believer that FFHs control modules adjusts themselves to a certain driving style.

We continued our trip via I-20 and I-26 to Charleston SC and the MPG tool another hit - end-result 38 MPG. :-(

 

I do absolutely believe that having the 18" wheels plus a full trunk makes mileage suffer on rough road surfaces. Just looking at the instant gauge I would saw between 2-4 MPG difference between a smooth and grooved surface.

 

Going over these long up and down hills the behavior between ICE and EV was never really predicable. Sometimes with a high SOC it would not go into EV on a downhill were with lesser SOC it would into EV on an almost flat stretch. It's seems like they have programmed some kind of fuzzy logic that technically should always pick the most efficient combination today I for sure questioned the effectiveness of this logic.

 

We took a shortcut on US 1 between I-20 and I-26 and my FFH likes city driving no change in behavior what so ever. EV mode like crazy like it really missed driving in EV.

 

It's still fresh so I need to sort things out maybe I find a better reason.

Edited by corncobs

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I had the update done on friday, So far im not impressed but it could be my usual driving habit needs to change. I had a decrease on my overall mileage then usual.

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Below was in another thread (thanks to Osofast for posting), maybe your update was using one of those two 'Do not use' versions. Mine was done with v85.05 and applied correctly the first time.

 

Copied from Oasis broadcast today.

 

6477 - Field Service Action 13B07 - Special Instruction

Certain 2013 Model Year C-MAX, Fusion, and MKZ Hybrid Vehicles - Fuel Economy Improvement - Powertrain Control Module Calibration. When updating the PCM and SOBDM-C modules as part of FSA 13B07, use IDS R85.05 or R86.01A with the VCM I or the VCM II. Do not use IDS R86.00 or R86.01.

Thanks - I'll be back at the dealership this week to for another round.

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After a full week+ of driving with the update, I'll say that I don't have enough evidence to suggest that my highway commute has improved, for sure. HOWEVER I have trips to/from work that are record results since the update, so I think it may have. At the very least it has not negatively affected my fuel economy, I'm just getting the results with 20 EV miles per trip, instead of 6.

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I got the update again on Friday and since they used 86.01A this time, it actually got applied properly. I then drove straight to Boston from the New York City area. However, I didn't turn off the car when I reached the hotel, which had valet parking, so I have no idea what my exact mileage was. I can report that it was good though, I saw the average mpg just keep going up during the trip. On the way home on Sunday, I got 41.4 mpg, which I'm pretty pleased with considering how hilly the terrain was. I'm looking forward to seeing what my mileage is on my trip to Indianapolis in two weeks.

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Mine tagged 44 on the lifetime this morning and stuck there. It has been roughly 2 weeks since the Update and I gained .5 MPG since then. I am also seeing good consistency between trips of higher averages than before. It was good before, but even better now.

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Had some training for my job and here are my trips from my house to Englishtown race way in central jersey all of the NJ turnpike i drove 70 mph then in route 9 i drove 50 - 65 mph which did net a bigger mpg

 

here is the difference since i got gas as soon as i got out of the turnpike then the drove down route 9 between 50 - 65 mph

 

NJ Turnpike 70 mph Eco Cruise the whole time

20130815_081430.jpg

 

me driving down Route 9 to English town raceway 50 - 65 mph (better brake score)

20130815_083918.jpg

 

i do have combined once also since i was driving down there for 3 days

Edited by Da0ne

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here is the complete commute 75% highway 70 mph the rest is between 50 - 65 mph

 

20130816_075732.jpg

 

the drive home

 

20130816_200453.jpg

 

the update did help so im happy and my fuelly says 40 mpg only because i didnt have my car during the month of June car is displaying 43.5 mpg lifetime now

Edited by Da0ne

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I had the following addressed yesterday:

 

Fixed

TSB 13B07 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION

Confirmed via "Empower" mode and resetting of EV+ that the update was made.

 

Fixed

TSB 13-6-17 - SYNC - VARIOUS FUNCTIONALITY CONCERNS

Phone syncs up MUCH faster than before. Controls are much snappier.

 

Parts ordered

TSB 13-5-24 TING/POP/CLICK-TYPE NOISE - FRONT HALFSHAFT

Service writer said they would be there the next day (today) but was called to say they are back ordered--no ETA :-( I'm hoping the repair will go smoothly because this is not a "electric vehicle certified" shop.

 

Not Fixed

TSB 13-5-28 Reprogram the Front Controls Interface Module

Service writer said that "Ford doesn't let them do repairs when there are no symptoms." I sort of agree. We'll see in the winter.

 

August 15, PCM updated and EV+ settings wiped out. August 18th, EV+ is now appearing again.

 

 

No call yet from Ford Service on when the thrust washer parts will be in stock.

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No call yet from Ford Service on when the thrust washer parts will be in stock.

 

My thrust washer kits were ordered on a Friday and arrived the following Wednesday (installed 2 days later and now oh so quiet), so hopefully it won't take long for yours.

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Had the powertrain control module update done on August 17, along with the 20K 'the works' service. They also checked the fuel delivery module, and although there's no problem, they ordered parts, so my service rep said. Reset the trip meters when picking up the car. Will see if there's any improvement after a couple of tanks. Haven't noticed any difference in the way the car handles since the upgrade. Did manage to get into EV mode (for a few seconds) at speeds between 65 and 70 mph on the way home from the update.

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So my commute today makes me very happy.

 

559757_10153239052115160_1255274873_n.jp

 

I ran into some traffic and a badly timed stoplight so the brake score is not nearly up to my standards, yet I still managed to blow my record out of the water by like 1.5 MPGs. My return trips home have also been improved to about 42 MPGs, up from around 39-40. I think the PCM update has done well as far as hilly driving is concerned. I have changed nothing in my driving habits (set cruise control [no ACC] to 65 and go on the hwy). Pretty pleased.

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Got the update, took about 45 minutes, and the dealer checked a number of other items as well, such as multipoint Inspection, tires, brakes, and battery test. Everything appeared to be done perfectly.

Took a short trip (150 mi) at speeds not exceeding 65, with average MPH of 60. AC set at 73, with 3 adults, some heavy rain, and luggage.

The trip back and forth gave me an average of 44 MPG, with the first half being driven with no particular attention to mileage. The second half I was driving and doing nothing exceptional to try and get better mileage.

I am very happy with the mileage and overall performance since the powertrain control module calibration (service action 13807) was done.

In town driving seems to be about the same, with maybe a tendency to slip into EV mode more readily.

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The upgrade worked wonders for me. I dropped off the car on August 19, picked it up on August 20, and drove it a bunch since then. I got the highest mileage I've ever gotten since I picked it up on July 28. I got 51 mpg on a short, local trip and 48 mpg on a mid-range trip on a local route. I got 47.2 mpg on a long highway trip, and 42.8 mpg on a shorter highway trip. My previous high was 46.2 mpg.

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I got wondering how the mileage is calculated in the car and decided to query @FordService on Twitter.

I also used them to squeeze the thrust washer parts out of my dealer. After waiting 2 months, a C/S

rep in FL made a call or two and voila! - the dealer magically had them in stock that same day, go figure....

 

But here's what they said when I ask them to find out from an engineer how mileage is computer. It seems

now that these nice short term high MPG numbers are great, but the longer term ones are what really

matters. But we all knew that...

 

21 Aug

Thx about how fuel use is calc'd and also your recent help on TSB/part issue - that is on it's way to being fixed now with Ford's help ^NM

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

You're welcome. :) The average fuel economy is based on the calculated fuel used by the engine and how far the vehicle has gone. ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

The distance to empty is what the vehicle thinks the average fuel economy was for the last 500 miles times how much fuel is left in the ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

fuel tank, minus the reserve capacity. The average fuel economy can be reset at any time. If it has not been reset for a few tanks ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

it could be way off from what your vehicle is actually getting each tank. ^NM

Tweet text

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I got wondering how the mileage is calculated in the car and decided to query @FordService on Twitter.

I also used them to squeeze the thrust washer parts out of my dealer. After waiting 2 months, a C/S

rep in FL made a call or two and voila! - the dealer magically had them in stock that same day, go figure....

 

But here's what they said when I ask them to find out from an engineer how mileage is computer. It seems

now that these nice short term high MPG numbers are great, but the longer term ones are what really

matters. But we all knew that...

 

21 Aug

Thx about how fuel use is calc'd and also your recent help on TSB/part issue - that is on it's way to being fixed now with Ford's help ^NM

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

You're welcome. :) The average fuel economy is based on the calculated fuel used by the engine and how far the vehicle has gone. ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

The distance to empty is what the vehicle thinks the average fuel economy was for the last 500 miles times how much fuel is left in the ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

fuel tank, minus the reserve capacity. The average fuel economy can be reset at any time. If it has not been reset for a few tanks ...

---CURRENT_LOGO---_Customer_Sevice_logo_
21 Aug

it could be way off from what your vehicle is actually getting each tank. ^NM

Tweet text

 

Make sure they do both sides.

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Picking up dinner tonight! I have to confess that it was mostly downhill and I tried everything I could to get this.

20130814_163324_zps3f040b81.jpg

 

I see your 162.8 and Riggo's 101.6 and raise you 256...I think the last .4 miles were in EV+ since the car after a week and half after the update has now found my house.

 

post-12049-0-40040800-1377286275_thumb.jpg

Edited by corerwh

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August 15, PCM updated and EV+ settings wiped out. August 18th, EV+ is now appearing again.

 

 

No call yet from Ford Service on when the thrust washer parts will be in stock.

OK, "thrust washer" just sounds like a joke!

Does it make the thrust cleaner? LOL

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OK, "thrust washer" just sounds like a joke!

Does it make the thrust cleaner? LOL

Just makes the thrusting cleaner, thats all......................

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So has anyone seen better MPG after the software update?

I'm surprised to say I have. mine jumped from 52 avg to 57ish. May be I'm learning the car more or the cars learning me who knows.

 

Note, I haven't filled up the tank after the update so can't say the number on the dash is accurate. but I'm logging every trip i make however small in computer so that I can compare a few tank fill averages. I really hope this update wasn't just a trick of numbers from Ford.

 

I will be very very pis@#d if that was true.

Edited by majorleeslow

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I am not sure if my 2014 came with the software upgrade, but it is finally getting the advertised mileage after I read the posts on this forum and took ONE major step

to change my energy use.

 

I changed my Enviro temp from 68 to 74 and suddenly I'm getting 40 to 50 mpg!

 

Just thought I would pass that along.

 

 

Dave

 

FirstGOODmpg

Edited by Skydogz

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I am not sure if my 2014 came with the software upgrade, but it is finally getting the advertised mileage after I read the posts on this forum and took ONE major step

to change my energy use.

 

I changed my Enviro temp from 68 to 74 and suddenly I'm getting 40 to 50 mpg!

 

Just thought I would pass that along.

 

 

Dave

 

Enviro temperature? Can you elaborate?

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