Lifetime MPG no longer computed

[fusionTX]

It appears that Ford has removed the computation of Lifetime MPG from 2014 Fusion Hybrids and some late model 2013 C-Maxs.

 

I can't help but think this was a deliberate move on Ford's part after all the EPA issues they have encountered.

 

We can all get the occasional high 40s or 50s MPG trips, but let's face it, the lifetime average brings you back to reality. I imagine for most drivers, with a few exceptions, the lifetime average is a constant reminder that they are well below EPA estimates.

 

This is probably a good move for the company, even if we don't like it. Come to think of it, I never had a lifetime average on my Camry Hybrid. And I have reset my Fusion's a few times. The last time being after the PCM update. I am currently sitting at 39.5 and climbing.

[murphy]

The problem with a lifetime average is that the longer it runs the less accurate it becomes. As you learn how to drive the car your instantaneous mileage improves but it has little effect on the average which is biased by the poor initial values.

[corncobs]

The problem with a lifetime average is that the longer it runs the less accurate it becomes. As you learn how to drive the car your instantaneous mileage improves but it has little effect on the average which is biased by the poor initial values.

Isn't that the idea of "lifetime" I actually never reset mine and even if it does climb very slow its going up and that makes me happy every time it ticks up another tenth. Currently I'm waiting for the 41 MPG tick up at 13300 miles :-))

[hybridbear]

To me what's most disappointing is losing Lifetime EV Miles, Regen Miles and Brake Score. I agree about the fact that over a long period of time the Lifetime will not move very quickly. To me, the biggest issue of all is that they took away MPGe from the Energi vehicles which makes their dash readouts basically worthless if you're driving any part of your trip on electricity from the wall. I posted on Ford Social asking them to bring these features back. I hope others will do the same if they also would miss this if their car all of a sudden didn't have it.

[corncobs]

Just as predicted my lifetime ticked up to 41 MPG

 

[dkegel]

The problem with a lifetime average is that the longer it runs the less accurate it becomes. As you learn how to drive the car your instantaneous mileage improves but it has little effect on the average which is biased by the poor initial values.

This makes no sense, unless I don't understand the definition of the word "average".

 

Dave

[murphy]

This makes no sense, unless I don't understand the definition of the word "average".

 

Dave

Let's take an extreme case. After 5 years you are still averaging in what the car was doing 5 years ago. 5 year old data is meaningless to the current operation of the car. Many parameters have changed during the 5 years but the average is being corrupted by old data that has no bearing on current operation. A moving average that only includes the last 6 months of data would make a lot more sense.

[dkegel]

Let's take an extreme case. After 5 years you are still averaging in what the car was doing 5 years ago. 5 year old data is meaningless to the current operation of the car. Many parameters have changed during the 5 years but the average is being corrupted by old data that has no bearing on current operation. A moving average that only includes the last 6 months of data would make a lot more sense.

 

But that's a different average (six months vs lifetime). Just because you don't feel a Lifetime average is relevant doesn't make it inaccurate.

 

Dave

[acdii]

Let's take an extreme case. After 5 years you are still averaging in what the car was doing 5 years ago. 5 year old data is meaningless to the current operation of the car. Many parameters have changed during the 5 years but the average is being corrupted by old data that has no bearing on current operation. A moving average that only includes the last 6 months of data would make a lot more sense.

In that case, Fuelly will become irrelevant too.

[aaronj1159]

My lifetime has been reset once (PCM update, at 10k miles) and is currently sitting at 48.1 MPG. I'm glad I have it on the dash cause that makes me pretty happy. Before the reset it was around 44 MPG, some of that is due to colder weather/learning how to drive the car/supposed break-in period. I still liked seeing it though because I didn't expect to break 42 MPG when I bought the car with my highway commute.

[Skydogz]

All this emphasis on the PAST, All I care about is what mileage I get TODAY, LOL

[Charrua]

In that case, Fuelly will become irrelevant too.

 

One of the nice things about Fuelly is that the dashboard shows the "Running" average (last 10 fuel-ups). My running average is 6 MPG better than my lifetime average according to Fuelly.

[hybridbear]

But that's a different average (six months vs lifetime). Just because you don't feel a Lifetime average is relevant doesn't make it inaccurate.

 

Dave

You're exactly right. The Lifetime Average isn't inaccurate, it just can become irrelevant after awhile. Our Lifetime Average from the day the car was born until the PCM update was about 43.9-44.0, I don't remember exactly which. That included our two road trips and a terribly cold winter. Since the PCM update on 8/8/13 we are averaging 51.5 MPG. These past 4.5 weeks have been the hottest of the summer and have included the most air conditioning use of the summer. It's been a little over 1000 miles since the update and we've been doing quite well. I'm curious to see what happens to this new "Lifetime Average" during this coming winter.

[s-one]

Aw mine doesn't show that. Only shows Trip Summary.

[Sleddog]

My lifetime is 48.3. I have only 2000 miles on the car, but to does go up daily about a tenth. I'm still over 50 MPG on my daily trip to work and home. I've had some as low as 48 and some as high as 58.

[djminfll]

The Lifetime average is useful to me, because it does show improvement (if that applies). Regardless of how badly we may have done at the start, as we improve, the numbers do go up all the time. My mileage has improved, especially since the software update, and my lifetime average has slowly improved as well. Of course I'd like to see a higher lifetime number, but in all honesty, based on early fillups and an occasional bad one, I haven't EARNED that higher number.

[gemdc]

I suppose we can give up Trip 2 and use it as the Lifetime counters. Would have been nice if they had added a Trip 3 to replace what they took away. BTW, I traded my 2013 FFH for a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid on 21 Oct 13. Nice car. Will update my Fuelly signature after a few tanks of gas.

[acdii]

I suppose we can give up Trip 2 and use it as the Lifetime counters. Would have been nice if they had added a Trip 3 to replace what they took away. BTW, I traded my 2013 FFH for a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid on 21 Oct 13. Nice car. Will update my Fuelly signature after a few tanks of gas.

Is the Z doing better?

[hybridbear]

I suppose we can give up Trip 2 and use it as the Lifetime counters. Would have been nice if they had added a Trip 3 to replace what they took away. BTW, I traded my 2013 FFH for a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid on 21 Oct 13. Nice car. Will update my Fuelly signature after a few tanks of gas.

Congrats on the new car! :play:

What prompted the change?

[SteveB_TX]

I suppose we can give up Trip 2 and use it as the Lifetime counters. Would have been nice if they had added a Trip 3 to replace what they took away. BTW, I traded my 2013 FFH for a 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid on 21 Oct 13. Nice car. Will update my Fuelly signature after a few tanks of gas.

 

Congratulations on the upgrade! If more of the members upgrade, we can take over and change the name of the forum !! :idea:

 

 

Congrats on the new car! :play:

What prompted the change?

 

If you have to ask... ;)

[gemdc]

My 2013 FFH had a rattle that bugged me a lot. I convinced myself that it was in the HF35 "transmission" area by jacking up both front wheels and listening with a long screwdriver with the ICE idling in low range.. Sounded like slack in the gears which only sounded off when the ICE was running and power was applied or released. Maybe a 2 or 3 second rattle. Two service managers said that it was not loud enough to be "outside normal limits" and I kind of agreed that it wasn't a big problem but my ears always heard it. Plus my FFH was built on 10-31-12 and never got the really good mpg some of you guys get. Even when driven within all the rules. Hoping the MKZ does better but with only 750 miles I can't really say. Got 42.8 on the dash yesterday on a 40 mile test out and back where my FFH got 40.7. My wife likes the passenger seat. I removed the 2" pipe union spacers I had put under the passenger seat rails on the FFH when I traded it in. I think I have counted 22 small additions that my FFH did not have even though I thought it was loaded. Still can't justify the price of course.

[MaineFusion]

Isn't that the idea of "lifetime" I actually never reset mine and even if it does climb very slow its going up and that makes me happy every time it ticks up another tenth. Currently I'm waiting for the 41 MPG tick up at 13300 miles :-))

 

I never reset my "lifetime" MPG stats, so it is a true lifetime reading. It is nice to know how much total fuel I've used and what my lifetime average is. I was seeing a steady uptick in MPG all summer, but now that fall is in full swing and with it dropping temps, I think my lifetime has peaked. It is currently 46.7mpg, but was flirting with a drop to 46.6 this past week until I slowed my top commute speed down from 64mph to 63mph which helped improve my average commute MPG by two MPG and brought my averages back above 47.

 

I think dropping temps will soon begin to drag down my lifetime score.

 

 

 

But that's a different average (six months vs lifetime). Just because you don't feel a Lifetime average is relevant doesn't make it inaccurate.

 

Dave

 

EXACTLY!

 

A lifetime average gives a totally different picture from a moving average. Both have their purpose.