After the PCM software update/recalibration - observations by Hybridbear

[arob]

Had mine done over the weekend. Trip in today was about normal, I generally vary between 50- 62MPG coming downhill to work (about 2500 foot drop in elevation), I got 55. I did notice very different behavior with much more EV mode, but then it would kick in to ICE to recharge when SOC fell below half. Usually see 36-42 on the uphill return trip.

 

Clearly, the changes will require some adjustments on my driving habits as I learn the nuances of the new algorithms.

[PASSINOS]

The new PCM is great. I can now use EV at HWY speeds. My MPG has gone from 41-43 not to 46+

10% improvment!!

[hybridbear]

@ HB I'm not quite sure where you wanna see more city improvement? You are already beating EPA by ~15 MPG consistently.

I didn't really expect to see any improvement since we're already doing so well in the summer. I hope there will be improvement in the winter, but since we were still learning the car last winter you can't really compare...

 

My comment from the start was that I didn't want to see anything get worse. From my perspective the update made things worse by getting rid of the changing color of the coolant temp symbol. Since that got worse and I have not seen any benefits I am disappointed in the update. We do great in the city, our last fill up was over 50 MPG in spite of a week of my wife driving and getting 39 MPG only over 200 miles and 100 miles of 65 MPH freeway driving...the tank average was at 58 MPG before those two trips.

[MaineFusion]

Lately, I've been pretty reliably getting right around 53mpg +/- on my commute to and from work. Before the PCM update the best I could reliably get was 50-51mpg.

[Fusion8145]

I just got a 2013 Fusion Hybrid yesterday. Is there a way to tell if I have the update? Sorry if this has been answered.

[MaineFusion]

I just got a 2013 Fusion Hybrid yesterday. Is there a way to tell if I have the update? Sorry if this has been answered.

 

See if you can get it to go into EV mode at or above 65mph. If you can, you have the patch.

[GrayStrider]

Second tank post-update, and not much better than last time. Went from 34.0 mpg to 35.9 mpg, but our 61 tank average is 37.43 mpg (all calculated). Car still says lifetime mpg is 38.2. Traffic has been tough after heading back to work in early August, with a mile or so section at 25 - 35 mph or lower, which would continue to depress our mpg a bit. It's also been a bit warmer than July was for us.

Edited August 28, 2013 by GrayStrider

[dalesky]

I just got a 2013 Fusion Hybrid yesterday. Is there a way to tell if I have the update? Sorry if this has been answered.

Welcome to the forum! I know this has been answered but wanted to encourage you to look around for all the excellent information that is available here. The search function works well, and you will find a wealth of help.

[hybridbear]

I just got a 2013 Fusion Hybrid yesterday. Is there a way to tell if I have the update? Sorry if this has been answered.

Welcome and congrats on your purchase!

 

Also check out this thread if you haven't read it already: http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/6816-read-this-first-useful-information-for-all-new-forum-users/

It has a lot of good information and links for just starting out on the Forum to find answers to some of the most asked questions

[EddieWinslow]

Just picked up my new 2013 FFH yesterday as well.

been reading in this form for over a week now, and its what drove me to purchase this over other fuel saving cars. So far been very happy with it.

Now to get some plastic dip to darken up those wheels.

Edited August 29, 2013 by EddieWinslow

[Sleddog]

With just 1700 miles on the car and with the update done a few weeks ago, I have noticed my mileage is getting better. The yesterday's mileage going into work 58.1, coming home 54.2 with the a/c running. Today, 57.7 going to work, and 54.5 coming home a/c on. The trip is 28 miles one way with speeds limits as low as 35 and as high as 60.

[acdii]

Oh if only I didnt have so many hills to climb every day. Unless I move, I will never get the impressive numbers some of you get, but still doing pretty danged good considering! When I do get to drive where I am not going up and down hills, and stay around 45 MPH, I see mid 50's too. That is just too cool for a car this big.

[majorleeslow]

I just got mine done. here are my observations-

 

- Car f feels a bit more torquey from a stop.

- the r engine keeps kicking in a lot more in the city.

- ev mode is a bit more reluctant. I believe it's because the electric motor is behaving more as a torque assist mode now than before.

- my mpg has dropped in city by few and gained in hwy by few its too early to tell exactly by how much.

 

this means I'll have to re learn how to drive this car efficiently.

 

without much know how on how the various motors and charge levels behave it's going to be a daunting task to crack how this baby works.

any inside information welcome.

[Eddie Sessum]

I just got mine done. here are my observations-

 

- Car f feels a bit more torquey from a stop.

- the r engine keeps kicking in a lot more in the city.

- ev mode is a bit more reluctant. I believe it's because the electric motor is behaving more as a torque assist mode now than before.

- my mpg has dropped in city by few and gained in hwy by few its too early to tell exactly by how much.

 

this means I'll have to re learn how to drive this car efficiently.

 

without much know how on how the various motors and charge levels behave it's going to be a daunting task to crack how this baby works.

any inside information welcome.

 

You will notice within about a week things will get better. It restarts a learning process and will get alot better city.

 

Once its used to the way you drive you will fine with a full battery it was try to keep the ICE off and you have to give it a little more to get it to kick on,

[corncobs]

Eddie is right I have noticed this as well the car will adjust based on driving habits.

I believe after our road trip my FFH is still in highway mode since I'm about 2-3 MPG lower during my commute (more city) where I got 55 consistently after the update and before the road trip.

[GrySql]

That would be nice if things improved with driven miles but I'm a little dubious.

Since the PCM update I've driven about 500 miles and am averaging 30mpg.

 

I had a long phone conversation with my Dealer's Service Dept today (and backed it up with a comprehensive email so they could remember what I said on the phone).

My Service Advisor noticed the serious tone of the conversation and supposedly is looking for an answer for me, going to have the software Tech call Ford Engineering too.

Was also told that there are constant revisions to the PCM recalibration software and mine may not be the very, very, very latest.

I wonder if I could have it just put back to the way I received it last December, I was doing much better before any TSB updates.

 

I also asked them to run the HVB diagnostic software on my Li-on pack, they admitted to having that capability.

On my last visit I noticed they were replacing a Lincoln Hybrid's Li-on HVB pack, the car had been there a month before they got to that point in the repair.

Next week sometime I'll let them try to troubleshoot this problem. (Still waiting for the Fuel Module part for the Recall)

[Eddie Sessum]

That would be nice if things improved with driven miles but I'm a little dubious.

Since the PCM update I've driven about 500 miles and am averaging 30mpg.

 

I had a long phone conversation with my Dealer's Service Dept today (and backed it up with a comprehensive email so they could remember what I said on the phone).

My Service Advisor noticed the serious tone of the conversation and supposedly is looking for an answer for me, going to have the software Tech call Ford Engineering too.

Was also told that there are constant revisions to the PCM recalibration software and mine may not be the very, very, very latest.

I wonder if I could have it just put back to the way I received it last December, I was doing much better before any TSB updates.

 

I also asked them to run the HVB diagnostic software on my Li-on pack, they admitted to having that capability.

On my last visit I noticed they were replacing a Lincoln Hybrid's Li-on HVB pack, the car had been there a month before they got to that point in the repair.

Next week sometime I'll let them try to troubleshoot this problem. (Still waiting for the Fuel Module part for the Recall)

 

 

Im guessing your battery life sucked and it barely lasted when it was showing a full charge?

 

 

Also did they get the redesigned fuel module part yet? I thought they were still just putting the defective ones and didnt have a redesign yet.

[GrySql]

ICE is constantly charging the HVB, I can hear it growling all the time as though it's a hard charge.

My HVB has never lasted very long since new, I got used to it.

Now it's different.

 

Yes, the new FM is available, mine was ordered 9 days ago.

I was told it only took a couple days to get, hasn't worked out that way.

Edited August 30, 2013 by GrySql

[majorleeslow]

GrySql, my numbers are usually just above 50's try to use max 2kw while accelerating. And my favorite screen is empower. Gives you an idea about battery threshold with the blue boundary.

Avoid braking and if you do, regen the best you can. Keep an eye for hills and dips to use them to your advantage.

[majorleeslow]

My ev ratio to the distance travelled is about 60% which is important since the gas engine during the charging only gives just above 20 mpg.

[GrySql]

GrySql, my numbers are usually just above 50's try to use max 2kw while accelerating. And my favorite screen is empower. Gives you an idea about battery threshold with the blue boundary.

Avoid braking and if you do, regen the best you can. Keep an eye for hills and dips to use them to your advantage.

Thanks for the input...

[Lee Ann Collum]

No change for me. still 32 mpgs. not happy.

Same here.....Re-calibrated on Aug 12th and my MPG got worse!!! 32mpg...WTH?!?!?!

[dalesky]

I am definitely seeing some differences, mainly that it goes into EV mode more easily, and stays there. I am also getting better city mileage, with over 50 being easier to get for trips of 10 or more miles.

I almost always auto start the car as I am walking up to it, with groceries or other shopping items, and that doesn't seem to be noticeable to the MPG.

 

I did get a letter from Ford stating there was another enhancement, now to the SYNC system. It is for software version 3.6, which I may have already. Have to check. I would rather not bring it in again to the dealer. The letter said future updates will also be available via download by using a USB drive.

Not sure if I want it, and my phones work great already. In fact, we were on a call when we got into the car, and the car just picked up the call and put it thru SYNC automatically! Pretty impressive.

[MaineFusion]

I did get a letter from Ford stating there was another enhancement, now to the SYNC system. It is for software version 3.6, which I may have already. Have to check. I would rather not bring it in again to the dealer. The letter said future updates will also be available via download by using a USB drive.

Not sure if I want it, and my phones work great already. In fact, we were on a call when we got into the car, and the car just picked up the call and put it thru SYNC automatically! Pretty impressive.

 

I got the same letter, but I think I did the update myself a couple of weeks ago, but I can't be sure, because Ford's Sync My Ride website was down for maintenance the other day when I tried it.

[corncobs]

This was discussed in the audio section and it was confirmed by Ford on Twitter that there is only one update and that 3.6.2 is the latest.

Edited September 1, 2013 by corncobs