Ford fuel efficiency update guinea pig testers

[Riggo]

This is from a Motortrend article Q & A with Adrian Whittle, Fusion chief engineer...

 

Is the Hybrid's underbody very different than those of the gasoline models?

 

No pretty it's much the same. The only thing with the Hybrid is that it's got every single aero tweak that we can give it so there is 100 percent shielding, even down to little tiny ones that we didn't put onto the gas models. Active Grille Shutters, which are on some of the gas models, but are on all of the hybrid models.

 

 

Full story here... http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1209_2013_ford_fusion_first_test/

 

 

Some Fusions don't have them. There was no simple way to well which ones do and which ones don't.

[corncobs]

I just read the same article looking for an answer to this question. Maybe the EB and Hybrid models have the AGS.

 

With the new update they should be doing a better job.

[David Henry]

So had my first commute this morning after getting the update. When on engage, I still see the EV threshold disappear above 65 mph with almost full charge. Climate control usage is def lower. I also got 49.7 mpg this morning so that seems better. Any other way to verify for sure the update was applied properly?

[Charrua]

I drove 150 miles to a customer location last Thursday. I got the update Friday and make the exact same trip yesterday.

 

Trip details:

• 100 miles divided highway at eco cruise set at 70 MPH, no stopping.
• 50 miles rural roads cruise set 60, slow down / stop through a couple of small towns.
• Terrain generally flat (mid-Michigan).
• 60 deg outside (in July?) so no AC.

Before update: 46 MPG (no picture - didn't know at the time I'd be getting the update the next day and taking the same trip in a few days)

After update: 48.2 MPG

 

On the way home I experimented a bit. I had it in EV mode at 85 MPH.

 

[Charrua]

Short trip report: throw out everything you thought you knew about driving a hybrid on short trips.

 

Details:

• This is the commute where I always was getting 30-34 MPG in the winter.
• Outside temperature was 56 degrees F.
• The ICE does not appear to ever run for temperature reasons. It never kicked in until the SOC got too low.
• The engine temperature never even got to the low threshold (bottom photo).

Conclusion: if you have a short commute get updated today!

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2013 by Charrua

[David Henry]

Can someone verify that they see the engage EV threshold at over 65 mph? Just concerned that dealer didn't apply update properly. Thanks!

[David Henry]

Charrua, I see that you said u had it in EV mode at 85. What was the scenario that you were able to do that? Did you see what the power flow screen looked like?

[Da0ne]

Can someone verify that they see the engage EV threshold at over 65 mph? Just concerned that dealer didn't apply update properly. Thanks!

 

i can confirm i did go EV at 70 mph i will take a pic tonight when i head home from work

[neod192]

Can someone verify that they see the engage EV threshold at over 65 mph? Just concerned that dealer didn't apply update properly. Thanks!

It's there, but not all the time. You have to be slowing down 75 to 70 for EV to kick in. EV will also kick in over 65 if you're going downhill. If you're on level roads or even slightly uphill, the power demand will be too high for EV to kick in, or even for the EV threshold to show up.

[David Henry]

Ok thanks ill do some more testing tonight. Thanks!

[Charrua]

Can someone verify that they see the engage EV threshold at over 65 mph? Just concerned that dealer didn't apply update properly. Thanks!

 

 

Charrua, I see that you said u had it in EV mode at 85. What was the scenario that you were able to do that? Did you see what the power flow screen looked like?

 

Confirmed. At any speed up to 85, if you are not going up hill, let off the gas for a few seconds and then just gently step on the gas. If your SOC is more than say 1/3, you should be in EV mode.

 

Sorry, didn't look at the power flow screen. I'm assuming the "excessive speed" message goes away unless you're going faster than 85.

[djminfll]

As far as I have seen references to the grill shutters all Fusions have it not just the FFH.

What makes you believe you don't have them?

I can't feel anything inside the grille that is hinged. That's why I assume that I don't have them.

[gmarshall]

If you go to FordEtis site and put in your VIN number and under vehicle Summary it will show every option that you have or don't have on your vehicle and if you look it will show "Active Grilleshutter" if this is installed on your vehicle or not, I believe all FFH have this feature.

[keithsm2]

I can't feel anything inside the grille that is hinged. That's why I assume that I don't have them.

They are kind of hard to see in my opinion. I expected them to be closer to the front of the grill. But if you look back farther you will see some black things that are similar to wood blinds. Maybe easier to see when started on a cold motor, I haven't done this yet myself

[djminfll]

Thanks corncobs, gmarshall, and keithsm2 - I checked etis.ford and my vehicle does indeed have the Active Grille Shutters. I made an appointment for tomorrow morning at 8:15AM to get the software update taken care of. I'm going to fill-up after I pick the car up and will start monitoring my mileage after that.

[greycrx87]

Well no update for us here in West Suburbs of Chicago. There is a strike going on across a few dealers and 0 mechanics are available. I need to wait until at least next week.

[keybman]

Okay, I'm diving in. And my dealer's service dept actually agreed to get me in and out tomorrow morning (Wed 7/31). <thud> (sound of my jaw hitting the floor as they have actually agreed to do something expediently)

 

I am very interested in seeing whether this will help my summer heat A/C efficiency. Our local forecast here is for ~100 degrees every day for at least the next 2 weeks, with no rain possibility. Currently I am seeing 56-63 MPG in the early morning hours with little or no A/C running, and 46-50 MPG in the baking afternoon drive home with A/C running. Not bad numbers overall, but would love to see if there is an improvement in the afternoon. It can't make it worse, right? Right??

 

Guinea pigs R us.

[keithsm2]

Got my update today. To the op about the grill shudders. I did a remote start and watched them close on the bottom grill. Pretty cool. As for software. After getting in hot car on 85 deg day, the climate drew 2 bars of energy. I think before it was 2.5. Seemed much easier to maintain hvb charge. I haven't driven enough to give mileage improvements

[acdii]

WOOHOO Sounds like Ford is actually delivering on what it said it does. Looks like I will get mine done maybe next week then.

[Aquineas]

I have mine scheduled tomorrow morning (7/31) as well. As I'm sure is the case with many of you, mine will be the first car my dealership's service department has done this to (or at least that's what they told me when I made the appointment).

Edited July 30, 2013 by Aquineas

[keybman]

I have mine scheduled tomorrow morning (7/31) as well. As I'm sure is the case with many of you, mine will be the first car my dealership's service department has done this to (or at least that's what they told me when I made the appointment).

 

Are you going to Gullo or PF? If its PF, maybe I'll see you there in the AM. If Gullo, I am seeing if I can schedule my other FSAs and TSB there in the future - I really liked my initial conversation with their service dept. More of a "can do" vs a "we're real busy, sorry, get in line" attitude.

[djminfll]

I have mine scheduled tomorrow morning (7/31) as well. As I'm sure is the case with many of you, mine will be the first car my dealership's service department has done this to (or at least that's what they told me when I made the appointment).

Hmmmm, I didn't think of that! When i called about it, the guy knew what I was talking about, but I don't know if I am the first to get this update. Actually, when I told him that I wanted to have the software update completed, he asked me "which one?" I asked him, "how many are there?" and he said that they have a lot of different models, and each one has it's own updates. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that whoever does the udpate knows what he is doing!

[Aquineas]

 

Are you going to Gullo or PF? If its PF, maybe I'll see you there in the AM. If Gullo, I am seeing if I can schedule my other FSAs and TSB there in the future - I really liked my initial conversation with their service dept. More of a "can do" vs a "we're real busy, sorry, get in line" attitude.

I'm going to Gullo, which also happens to be where I bought the car. I have read some not-so-flattering reviews of PF, but ironically, not until after I'd already ordered my car from Gullo. I guess I just lucked out this time. Gullo was awesome about pledging to fix (and subsequently fixing) some paint issues present in the car when it came off the truck. So far, I have good things to say about them.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Aquineas

[Sleddog]

Got my car back today with the update installed. I total forgot to ask about it, but saw it on the service ticket. It goes back in regular service tomorrow. So we'll see what difference it makes.

[corncobs]

I guess I won't be a guinea pig tester anymore but I stopped by my dealer today setting up an appointment for next Tuesday.

 

The service adviser was a bit surprised when I asked him about the update but he checked my car in the system and it showed up. So he said yes of course no problem should take about an hour.

 

On a side note, I talked briefly with my sales guy and he told me that he has been referring people to this forum for advice on hybrid driving tips. A while back I sent him the link after I praised the knowledge base of this forum to him.

He also said that he has quite a few people coming in and "complaining" about FE. Our small talk got cut short by another customer arriving picking up his new FFH.

Edited July 31, 2013 by corncobs