Ford fuel efficiency update guinea pig testers

[Geremy13]

Geremy you should definitely benefit from the PCM update!

 

I had to make a fuel stop this morning it's only 1.6 miles from my house and I got a whopping 31 MPG. There is almost nothing I can do different since the engine just runs because its cold and that really sucks literally. I didn't use the AC since its rather comfortable in the morning.

 

I would be as unhappy as you are when I would drive such short distances daily returning unhappy MPG results.

 

Corncob, Thank you so much. Yes, I will entertain the update.

 

Turn it off auto and make sure you select an output location such as upper body. Then you can toggle the AC off. Watch the graph to confirm climate goes to 0 then AC is truly off. The fan shows up on the other bar not climate.

 

Jamone, thank you as well. I need to learn this AC better. I would have thought turning it off.... would turn it OFF.

 

Thanks

[cwb1183]

Well the results of my drive to Houston after the update were underwhelming temperature was 98-100 ac going full blast, speed up to 75mph 38.1 going and 38.3 returning, a trip of over 200 miles each way.

I was able to maintain EV mode going down hills no problem. I would say My mpg has improved at high speeds maybe 1-2 MPG.

That being said, for a car this size and comfort, 38 MPG at posted hiway speeds up to 75 mpg is still amazing.

I was hoping for over the magic 40 mpg but it is not to be.

Congrats to those of you who are able to get 40 mpg at those speeds!!

 

As some other posters have mentioned my EV+ mode reset with the update, now the system will have to relearn those frequently visited places.

Edited August 5, 2013 by cwb1183

[dmt1971]

After getting my update do e a second fime on Friday I just drove 400 miles from Sacramento to LA and achieved 44.4 mpg. Outside temp ranged from 75 to 101 and speed averaged over 70. AC was theoretically on most of the time. Not too shabby.

[acdii]

Well the results of my drive to Houston after the update were underwhelming temperature was 98-100 ac going full blast, speed up to 75mph 38.1 going and 38.3 returning, a trip of over 200 miles each way.

I was able to maintain EV mode going down hills no problem. I would say My mpg has improved at high speeds maybe 1-2 MPG.

That being said, for a car this size and comfort, 38 MPG at posted hiway speeds up to 75 mpg is still amazing.

I was hoping for over the magic 40 mpg but it is not to be.

Congrats to those of you who are able to get 40 mpg at those speeds!!

 

As some other posters have mentioned my EV+ mode reset with the update, now the system will have to relearn those frequently visited places.

Considering I got 35.5 going those speeds, 38 is pretty good.

[cwb1183]

After getting my update do e a second fime on Friday I just drove 400 miles from Sacramento to LA and achieved 44.4 mpg. Outside temp ranged from 75 to 101 and speed averaged over 70. AC was theoretically on most of the time. Not too shabby.

That is GREAT MPG for that speed, do you have an SE Hybrid with the 17" wheels or the Titanium?

Edited August 5, 2013 by cwb1183

[corerwh]

I plan on doing a few tests "pre-update" this week (M-F) and then getting the update at the end of this week. Then re-run the same tests "post update" next week and see what my results are. Mainly my test are short distances (~20-25 miles) with different speeds while recording outside and inside temp and how many stops with average break score. These are mainly for my benefit as it is my commute to and from work that I'm testing but thought it might be helpful information to others on this site.

[Geremy13]

Turn it off auto and make sure you select an output location such as upper body. Then you can toggle the AC off. Watch the graph to confirm climate goes to 0 then AC is truly off. The fan shows up on the other bar not climate.

 

Well I am damn suprised!,,, and I want to thank you so much.

 

I first set My View so that I could see the climate usage... then messed with every setting I could try.... turn off AC ,,, turn off Auto (hard to get it to stick.)... turn off AC ... but adjust temp up/down always forced AC... hot or cold. BUT THEN... I read your post again.....

 

Simply selecting the 'output location' made your solution WORK!. Who would have thought?

 

AND.... after doing so, you can adjust your temp and it will automatically adjust the fan speed without cranking on the AC..... This could be huge for me to try and get up to 37MPG....

 

thank you.

[Geremy13]

 

There is another thread that addresses this issue:

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6628-ventilation-without-ac/

 

I found the best advise to be:

 

 

 

Thank you Charrua,,,,,, I have found your advice to hit MAX AC and then AC turns it ALL OFF...... so that I can use the vent's and fan speeds.

 

This is very simple and all I have to do is remember to do this on my small commutes and might get better MPG than I'm getting right now.

 

Most of all ,,,, I appreciate this forum and think that it is GREAT that all people are sharing information that we would not otherwise have.........

 

So,,,,,, now back to the original topic........ I look forward to getting my PCM update on the car in the next few weeks. In the meantime I will continue to read everyone's results...

[Riggo]

I had my update done yesterday. My trip to work this morning returned the same results as usual and that was with the a/c off (sometimes with the a/c on I get the same results). I did notice that I could go into EV at higher speeds and that the ICE didn't kick on as soon as it usually does when pulling out of my garage. I'll check back in a few days when I get a better feel if the update did much for me.

[jeff_h]

First commute day with update -- mornings were normally cruise set on 62 and resulted in 51-54 MPG most times... this morning set cruise at 67 and seemed to go into EV less (makes sense), result was 52.2. Afternoon is normally 50-55 (traffic is the big wildcard there), and today I was able to take the back-road for the last 10 miles which got that 64.9 a couple weeks ago... today traffic was good and cruise set on 65, result was 60.8. One other difference I noted today was that with the software update it seems like the car will stay in EV at slow speed with slightly more pressure on the gas than before, as there are places on my drive (going about 20-30 MPH) where I try to stay in EV and the ICE used to kick on, but in each place today it stayed in EV so I think that was tweaked just a bit.

 

So as I expected, on the higher speeds the MPG will be close but nice to go EV at the higher speed if desired.

[hermans]

I got the PCM update, thrust washers done today on the MKZh. They threw in an oil change and filter in for free. Was not expecting that. Late this afternoon I took it out on the freeway and took it up to 80 mph and it went into EV mode. Seems like the fix took. Much to my surprise they also washed the car and did the interior. They ordered the fuel module.

[corncobs]

It sure needs multiple good commutes but as far as I can tell Ford job well done!!!

 

I have definitely noticed that the car is much more willing to charge the HVB while accelerating regardless of SOC. I was able to accelerate above the second line and still charging which is really nice. Before the update it would use the EV to assist during accel draining the battery if you tried too hard.

 

Of course cruising down the highway @ 65MPH in all EV is pretty cool too good thing it doesn't try to "force" EV mode so the instant MPG remain @ 42 MPG with high SOC.

 

First commute home while also turning over at 10K returned a nice new high while being more aggressive on the accel.

 

 

I was happy before but if all this holds true for the weeks to come Ford might has a chance of turning the tide of bad press.

Edited August 7, 2013 by corncobs

[Sleddog]

Since the update I'm getting 50 to 55mpg. Ran the a/c on max until the car cooled off then ran it at 73 the way home. The outside air temp was 94 and the humidity was almost 90%. Got 50.4 on the 28 mile drive home. So my mileage has improved.

[SteveB_TX]

Since the update I'm getting 50 to 55mpg. Ran the a/c on max until the car cooled off then ran it at 73 the way home. The outside air temp was 94 and the humidity was almost 90%. Got 50.4 on the 28 mile drive home. So my mileage has improved.

 

Have you noticed any degradation of the A/C cooling efficiency since the update? I do not want to loose the frigid air I now get when it is 107 degrees here in Texas!

[Nmadole]

I think I have the honor of having the worst fuel economy of any 2013 FFH owner... Just got the update today... Hope this helps my car

 

Might not matter tho... I started the lemon law procedure earlier this week for a headliner issue

Edited August 7, 2013 by Nmadole

[corncobs]

I think I have the honor of having the worst fuel economy of any 2013 FFH owner... Just got the update today... Hope this helps my car

I hope your lemon law process goes thru without a hitch and you get a car you paid for in the first place.

[keybman]

After 1 week of driving, post-PCM update, here are a few of my observations…

 

I have not yet noticed a marked difference in summertime A/C efficiency. (maybe it’s just too darn hot still)

 

For city driving (my typical commute), there is little noticeable difference, if you are driving 62 MPH or less. The biggest change seems to be the ability to go faster (above 62 MPH) without necessarily sacrificing MPG. In the morning, I typically saw 53-56 MPG (with no A/C). The last 2 mornings, I have logged 59 MPG for the same trip. And my EV miles to ICE miles ratio has NOT changed. The one noticeable driving habit that HAS changed is that due to the occasional faster speed, I am able to coast longer stretches than previously, which likely accounts for some of the increased efficiency.

 

I would agree with LEM that the Range for EV (the blue area) appears a bit taller in EV mode than it did before the update.

 

While highway driving has not been as prominent in my typical day, I have been finding opportunities to drive in the 70-75 MPH range, so that I can get a good feel for an upcoming road trip (Houston-Orlando). I expect that the PCM update should greatly reduce any MPG degradation for such a trip. My previous expectations for a 2000+ mile trip, would be that my overall Lifetime MPG would end up, by the time I return, reduced to the 43-45 MPG range. Now, I am expecting my 48.5 to be reduced to no less than 46 MPG. That is definitely good news.

 

As a result of my higher speed experimenting, my lifetime MPG is currently down a tenth or two. Because, after all, Speed and Acceleration still stifles MPG. I would highly recommend the following post by hybridbear. It was a good reminder for me to bring me back to sound FFH driving habits, after all the PCM update testing.

 

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6994-fuel-economy-tip-list/?do=findComment&comment=62132

[Riggo]

I got 63.1 mpg on a 9.1 mile trip with the new update. Not too bad. It does seem the battery charges up faster while driving than it used to. I also notice when I start out in the morning it no longer says the ICE is running beacuse "Engine Cold" but now says beacuse of "Normal Operation." I guess they got rid of the "Engine Cold" label because it looks bad?

[hybridbear]

I would highly recommend the following post by hybridbear. It was a good reminder for me to bring me back to sound FFH driving habits, after all the PCM update testing.

 

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6994-fuel-economy-tip-list/?do=findComment&comment=62132

Thanks keybman!! I'm glad the tips are helpful!

[Sleddog]

 

Have you noticed any degradation of the A/C cooling efficiency since the update? I do not want to loose the frigid air I now get when it is 107 degrees here in Texas!

 

Nope. It's just as cold as ever.

[MaineFusion]

Accidentally posted to wrong thread.

Edited August 8, 2013 by MaineFusion

[Nmadole]

still getting 31-35 MPG .... so frustrated ... 11,000 miles on the car and never had a tank anywhere near 40MPG ...

[corncobs]

still getting 31-35 MPG .... so frustrated ... 11,000 miles on the car and never had a tank anywhere near 40MPG ...

Your car is as broken as mxgolf's FFH he is in the same boat not sure what else I can say.

 

It really sucks that Ford doesn't show any interest trying to figure out the problems with these extremely underachieving cars.

[MaineFusion]

Is the

 

still getting 31-35 MPG .... so frustrated ... 11,000 miles on the car and never had a tank anywhere near 40MPG ...

What needs to be done is some driver and car testing. You need to drive a FFH known to get good gas mileage to see what you get. Then someone who tends to get really good gas mileage needs to drive your FFH to see what they get driving it. This would help isolate how much of the issue is car related and how much is driver related.

Edited August 8, 2013 by MaineFusion

[Randyb]

I had TSB 13B07 applied today and the first update also failed. The second update did work when it was installed personally by the shop foreman of the dealer. He mentioned that they were using version 86.0 of the installation software, so evidently anything greater than 85.05 will work. The service manager of this large dealer was kind of clueless about what the update provides, but the shop foreman knew how to fix the failed update. Evidently Ford's update software has some issues according to the foreman.