arob Report post Posted August 14, 2013 Found this forum looking for info on the PCM update. Have found some very useful tips and will try to add some of my own observations to help lookie-loos and newbies. I have been in a FFH since January, am averaging about 42MPG with 99% Interstate driving (about 50% is at 75 MPH). I am a first time Hybrid driver, but have family with Prii (is that really the plural of Prius?) so I am not a stranger to the idea. I am not a tree-hugger, just a guy looking to save a couple Ben's a month on gas to help make the car payment. My initial observations on the Fusion are: 1. Technology - while above average, my belief is car manufacturers should stick to cars and let Apple and Google handle infotainment. Microsoft Sync (MFT) is just OK in my opinion, I have no doubt it is possible to do far better. 2. Comfort - Fusion is a very comfortable ride, but a less nimble on corners than Audi A6 (previous car). It is not a Cadillac, but it is not a Hyundai Accent either. 3. Driving a hybrid is a learned skill. One must seek a balance between obsessing over MPG and irritating other drivers. After living in the fast lane for years, I am learning to settle for the middle lanes and watching life pass by. Trading rage over slow vehicles (often Prius) and cell phone obsessed drivers in the fast lane for the humor of watching gas guzzling idiots is not such a bad tradeoff. I am learning to enjoy the idiocy of our nations highways in whole new ways. 6 acdii, corncobs, rjent and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeapa Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Welcome to the forum arob. It looks like you are doing well in your ffh. I am enjoying my commute so much more in the fusion. I used to drive a Prius and after a year or so I started driving it just like any other car mainly because it was boring to drive and uncomfortable!! I am enjoying a slower pace in the fusion and really liking the mileage I am getting. I am sure your experiences will be helpful. 3 hybridbear, arob and corncobs reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybridbear Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Welcome! I agree about the technology and MFT. This is why we stuck with the base radio system that doesn't have MFT. 1 arob reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djminfll Report post Posted August 15, 2013 Welcome arob, I agree with the points you make. My dad has a Prius and when we go somewhere, he usually says, "we'll take my car but you drive." I HATE driving that car, and it only gets about 1-2 mpg better (and sometimes I get better than him.)I have actually learned to enjoy life out of the fast lane, and love watching the gas hogs pumping $$$ of gas while I only pump 8-10 gallons every two weeks! 3 arob, acdii and corncobs reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
acdii Report post Posted August 16, 2013 I love watching the special kind of stupid racing to red lights, only to breeze by them when it turns green, then watch as they do it again. Seems funny how we wind up at the same place all the time, really saving time racing, eh? :) 5 jeff_h, Twinkle, arob and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsolan Report post Posted August 16, 2013 I love watching the special kind of stupid racing to red lights, only to breeze by them when it turns green, then watch as they do it again. Seems funny how we wind up at the same place all the time, really saving time racing, eh? :) I was stuck in a traffic jam as part of I78 was closed on monday. There was an Acura sitting behind me getting noticeably annoyed at the fact that I accelerated slowly (in EV) when the 2 car length gap opened. He eventually got annoyed enough and switched to the other lane, where he was hindered by civic doing the same thing. I mean really, you could see it was backed up for miles, I don't know where he thought he was going to go. 3 corncobs, acdii and dalesky reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalesky Report post Posted August 16, 2013 I was stuck in a traffic jam as part of I78 was closed on monday. There was an Acura sitting behind me getting noticeably annoyed at the fact that I accelerated slowly (in EV) when the 2 car length gap opened. He eventually got annoyed enough and switched to the other lane, where he was hindered by civic doing the same thing. I mean really, you could see it was backed up for miles, I don't know where he thought he was going to go.Those are the types of drivers that perhaps should put on some soothing music and relax...As soon as possible when I see a light approaching (a red one) I start coasting. If at a light I never creep, and always wait for the '2nd start' that occurs after the light changes. Creeping can also lead to rear end collisions, so there is another reason I don't move until the traffic is actually proceeding.Sounds kind of smug I know, but life is just more pleasant that way for me. I do the same with whatever car I drive, and in the Fusion get the added benefit of increased mileage.Welcome to the forum AROB I learned long ago to not push other people while in a car. It can lead to very dangerous situations, 3 acdii, arob and corncobs reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corncobs Report post Posted August 16, 2013 Those are the types of drivers that perhaps should put on some soothing music and relax...As soon as possible when I see a light approaching (a red one) I start coasting. If at a light I never creep, and always wait for the '2nd start' that occurs after the light changes. Creeping can also lead to rear end collisions, so there is another reason I don't move until the traffic is actually proceeding.Sounds kind of smug I know, but life is just more pleasant that way for me. I do the same with whatever car I drive, and in the Fusion get the added benefit of increased mileage.Welcome to the forum AROB I learned long ago to not push other people while in a car. It can lead to very dangerous situations, Ditto! The "1st start" is something I dislike very much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arob Report post Posted August 20, 2013 Those are the types of drivers that perhaps should put on some soothing music and relax...... Not so sure about that, I recall a Bloom County strip where Bill the Cat was subjected to 60 hours of headbanger rock, then easy listening. In the following frame is the after affect with a mellow Bill listening to headbanger, and a wigged out Bill listening to Barry Manilow. I am afraid soothing music might turn the maniacs into raving lunatics. I chalk it up to the natural order of things, the maniacs on the roads are the A Type personalities who want to control everything, and succeed only in making a fool of themselves like the majority of our politicians. Fortunately, there are only a handful of these. 2 dalesky and acdii reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twinkle Report post Posted August 24, 2013 Yes, I have become a Buddha like driver. I have had my 2013 FFH ti for just 1.5 months and my driving has changed. I have for the most part always accelerated slow and steady and braked slow and steady, but I had a really heavy foot. My old car is a 2000 Honda Accord EX V6 coupe. Damn fast car too. Love it. Now time to economize, save fuel and the planet. I like my Ford FFH and it is a little game to try and get good mileage for me now. I am enjoying it.I have read this article a couple times because it is so informative. I live in congested Orange County Ca and I sure wish I had some country roads so I could use the EV more. I have to use HWY to get to work. Speeds here are 70- 80 mph. I have noticed high mpg when there is traffic because then I am in EV mode 1 corncobs reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
