Ford fuel efficiency update guinea pig testers

[hybridbear]

As we near the release of the updates I was thinking it would be good to know who exactly on the forum is willing to get the update first and share their results.

 

If you're willing to get the update first and report back on your results please say so below. My idea is to then create a topic for each user who gets the update early on so that each person can individually report on their results, independent of what other users might say.

 

Also, while we all love sharing our personal experiences and reading those of others they don't always add a lot of value. So also please comment below any ideas you have of more scientific tests that we can do to see the effects of the update.

 

Ideally the guinea pig volunteers would run the tests before the update and then again after the update. Please don't use this topic to discuss the update or say things like "I'm not going first!" as that can be done here. Thank you.

[hybridbear]

One test would be a sustained 65 MPH freeway drive before and after. The drive should be at least 25 miles or more to allow the car to make up for the initial lower fuel economy of getting into ICE high mode. It's important when running the test to make sure that you record temperature and wind speed/direction as well as HVB SOC at beginning and end to account for all these factors.

 

Another idea is a short trip that you regularly drive and have been tracking your fuel economy currently on that trip. For example if you drive 3 miles to work every day you could start recording now your MPGs on each trip and then after the update record a week or 2 of trips to average and see if there is a difference.

 

We should also do some sort of air conditioning test if anyone has any good ideas of how to do that.

[GrySql]

I am ready to join the GP Corps.

Not sure I am as disciplined a driver and scientific observer that you may require but I'm always good for an ancedotal story or two... ;)

The 73 mile drive home from the Dealer is always a good first test, I know what to expect.

[mikejoconnor]

I have a 56 mile drive to work, including 40 miles of non-stop interstate driving. I've been trying to maximize my milage for the 1000 mile challenge, but in the last week I've decided to see where my milage lands when driving more normal speeds (72mph).

 

I'm planning on having the update done next time I go in for an oil change(fairly soon).

 

As far as test methods, it would make sense to simply reset the trip when I hit cruising speed, and record it just before I exist the freeway. While that won't be perfect because of the occasional slowdown, it should average out over a week. This would give a solid 40 miles datapoint.

Edited July 23, 2013 by mikejoconnor

[aaronj1159]

My daily commute is exactly your first test, albeit on very hilly roads. I've been keeping pretty good track of my performance so far and don't plan to quit. I'll have to figure out a regular short drive to test, but I'm absolutely getting the update when I can.

[rjent]

I am going to get the update. I trust Ford and the engineering that they have already demonstrated they can do. I will do whatever you want. I am looking for short trip improvement more than long distance, but the sustained 65 MPH increase would be nice if it does it....

 

Count me in ... :)

[terryb]

I'd love to get the update before my vacation to PA next week, but the timing doesn't look so good.

[hybridbear]

Thanks everyone for volunteering for this!! Hopefully Ford will soon release more info about when the update will be released to dealers so that we can get some data.

 

As far as test methods, it would make sense to simply reset the trip when I hit cruising speed, and record it just before I exist the freeway. While that won't be perfect because of the occasional slowdown, it should average out over a week. This would give a solid 40 miles datapoint.

That's been my thought of how to track the higher speeds. If you use a trip meter we can see the time to see how much you slowed down versus constant higher speed. And over the course of a week or two we'll account for the small sample size errors. Thanks!

[hybridbear]

Here's another test I thought of relating to the faster warm up time promised...record the outside temp and the coolant temp in Celsius according to ET Mode when starting the car. Then leaving it in park depress the accelerator until the ICE kicks on. Then start a stopwatch and see how long it takes for the ICE to turn off and what the coolant temp reads when it shuts off. It would be nice to have maybe 3-5 data points per vehicle before getting the update and 3-5 data points per vehicle after the update to see what has changed.

[acdii]

I wonder if the individual threads can be listed as a sub topic under this thread to keep them in order. Might want to see if Robert can set this up.

[neod192]

I got the software update, but since I wasn't planning on getting it I didn't do any of the "before" tests. Since I logged my trips and pretty much know how the car handles I'll be able to report on how it improves things :happy feet:

[Charrua]

I just got updated. So far I have 0.9 miles (from the dealer to where I'm working today) with the update. I can report that the car still runs.

[corncobs]

I can report that the car still runs.

That's a very good first step! LOL

[rjent]

I am scheduled for the update and oil change next Wednesday. I have a 150 mile return trip from the dealer to do, so I should see, barring any head or tail winds, if an improvement is the order of the day.

 

I will post as soon as I get home next Wednesday or Thursday morning. :)

 

Hoping for the best, like I said, I trust the Ford engineers to give us an improvement (and I am really not needing or looking for one).

[jeff_h]

I am scheduled for the update and oil change next Wednesday. I have a 150 mile return trip from the dealer to do, so I should see, barring any head or tail winds, if an improvement is the order of the day.

 

I don't know if disconnecting the battery is part of their update process (probably not, but you never know)... just want to point out the below from the Owner's Manual, to prevent someone from getting the update and immediately thinking that the update and/or the dealer really jacked things up when in fact it could be the below activity?

 

 

If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after you reconnect it. This is because the engine management system must realign itself with the engine. You can disregard any unusual driving characteristics during this period.

Edited July 26, 2013 by jeff_h

[acdii]

Well they do wipe and reload the computer, so most likely all trip information may also get wiped out.

 

 

Oh I hope not, I would hate for trip one to be reset, it is still in sync with my Odometer.

[Barsoom]

This is now listed for my VIN in ETIS as 13B07 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION.

 

I have an appointment for next Friday for the TSB 13-5-23. I guess they'll do this one, too.

[rjent]

Thanks for the headsup Jeff. I was going to reset the lifetime and trips anyway, but getting a clean slate would be actually nice. I keep an accurate journal of our adventures with this car anyway, so nothing will actually be lost. As far as the erratic operation, I plan on at least 10 to 15 miles before heading out. I always fill the tank for the 160 mile run home.

 

I have high confidence in seeing an improvement, I don't need one, but it would be a nice surprise anyway. This is new technology. It is going to take some tweaking. This is one of those "tweaks"..... :)

 

I don't know if disconnecting the battery is part of their update process (probably not, but you never know)... just want to point out the below from the Owner's Manual, to prevent someone from getting the update and immediately thinking that the update and/or the dealer really jacked things up when in fact it could be the below activity?

 

 

If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after you reconnect it. This is because the engine management system must realign itself with the engine. You can disregard any unusual driving characteristics during this period.

[Sleddog]

When my car is in on Monday I'm gonna see if they have it available. If so, I'm gonna twist an arm or 2 to see if they'll install it.

[rfruth]

Wonder if Ford will brag about this software upgrade or try to keep it lokey ?

[Aquineas]

When my car is in on Monday I'm gonna see if they have it available. If so, I'm gonna twist an arm or 2 to see if they'll install it.

You can check the Ford ETIS site now by VIN number and it will show up if it's available. Incidentally it is available for mine, so I'm assuming it's available for yours now as well.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Aquineas

[David Henry]

Count me in for this. I like being an early adopter :)

[MaineFusion]

It just got finished being installed on my car this morning, so I'll report back what I observe. I'm pretty methotical with my driving and drive the same route (100mi round trip) three days a week, so I already have good bench marks to go with.

[MaineFusion]

I'm back from the dealer and running other errands. The new PCM software is supposedly installed (don't know how to verify). Nothing to report yet about performance changes as I haven't driven enough yet. However, I can happily report that this update did NOT reset the tripometers. Both trip 1 and trip 2 were basically as I left them plus whatever driving the shop did. Also all my settings were as I left them. Only different screens were displayed, which was to be expected if the mechanic had to go to different screens.

[rjent]

Thanks MF, I look forward to seeing your results. I go to get mine updated on Wed.

 

Hope you have good news.

 

BTW, what kind of driving does your 100 mile route consist of?

I'm back from the dealer and running other errands. The new PCM software is supposedly installed (don't know how to verify). Nothing to report yet about performance changes as I haven't driven enough yet. However, I can happily report that this update did NOT reset the tripometers. Both trip 1 and trip 2 were basically as I left them plus whatever driving the shop did. Also all my settings were as I left them. Only different screens were displayed, which was to be expected if the mechanic had to go to different screens.

Edited July 28, 2013 by rjent