New 2014. Is there a break-in period?

[JoeD]

I have a new 2014 Fusion Hybrid SE. 1500 miles, mostly interstate at 65 to 70 mph. Averaging about 35 mpg. Can I hope for better? Is there a break-in period in your experience?

[Easy Rider]

Yes some......maybe.

 

70 MPH is not in the "sweet spot" for good mileage.

 

If that 35 is calculated (versus displayed) then it might not get much better on the highway.

 

I think I've been able to eek out 37 and in city/suburban driving sometimes 42.

[lolder]

I don't think there's any significant break-in except for the driver. Warmer weather will bring improvement. Cold high speed driving produces numbers considerably below advertised. Mileage improves 2 mpg per 10ºF. temperature increase. It decreases 6 mpg for 10 mph speed increase. 30ºF. warmer will improve mileage 6 mpg.

Edited March 22, 2015 by lolder

[acdii]

Yep, break-in period is the nut behind the wheel. :) Over time your knowledge of how the car works will increase and you will be able to tweak how you drive to get the better economy out of the car. Once the temps are in the 60's and above, your MPG will go up, as well as when summer blend hits the pumps. The fuel in it now is still winter blend and has been known to drop MPG by a few just by itself. Keep it around 65 and you should start seeing about 42 MPG on the interstate.

[hybridbear]

I have a new 2014 Fusion Hybrid SE. 1500 miles, mostly interstate at 65 to 70 mph. Averaging about 35 mpg. Can I hope for better? Is there a break-in period in your experience?

Which wheels & tires do you have?

[Easy Rider]

Mileage improves 2 mpg per 10ºF. temperature increase.

Where exactly did you get that ?

 

So if the temp. rises from 0F to 90 F, my gas mileage will increase by 18 MPG ?

I don't think so.

 

And I think your stated penalty for speed is overstated too.......or at least needs some qualification.

There certainly is a fairly wide speed range where the decrease won't be nearly that much.

Edited March 22, 2015 by Easy Rider

[lolder]

It's probably good for 30-90ºF. and 30-80 mph. I've measured it for almost 6 years in a 2010 that was put in service 7/09. The 2013+ get about 4 mpg better but the numbers would be pretty close for them also. I can look at the temp, look at the speed and calculate what the instantaneous mpg should be. It's usually within 1-2 mpg unless there are other factors like heavier AC, headwinds, tailwinds, noisy roads or moderate rain or a heavy load. The road has to be level and HVB SOC nominal. The 2010-12s get 46 mpg at 50 mph at 60ºF and i start from there. Ford has made similar statements when they were scrambling to explain why the 2013+ weren't getting the advertised mpg. They eventually lowered the EPA number 4 mpg which is now 4 higher than the 2010-12s. That 4 mpg improvement is consistent with the lower weight, lower HP and lower drag Cd of the 2013+. The original claim of 8 mpg ( 47 vs. 39 ) was not.

Apparently there is more charging and discharging of the HVB in the 2013+ at highway speeds particularly after the max EV speed was raised from 62 to 86 so it's harder to observe on shorter trips. The HVB in the 2010-12 is quickly managed to an apparent 50% charge level and is pretty rock solid in steady state driving. Involving the EV system and charging and discharging the HVB at highway speeds is not your friend in the quest for lower mileage.

I actually calculated 1.7 mpg per 10ºF. but who's obsessive/compulsive about it. Certainly not any of us here.

Edited March 23, 2015 by lolder

[mwr]

I can see (and have experienced) lower mpg with lower temps on shorter trips (ICE needs to be kept up to temp), but why would outside temp matter on extended highway traveling?

[lolder]

The air is denser and creates more drag, lubricants are more viscous, etc. Just like people, cars need more energy to move in colder weather. Energy intake requirements of humans increases dramatically in colder weather. All cars experience this effect but because of the very low fuel flows when you're getting 40-50 mpg, any extra additional such as keeping the ICE and cabin warm in cold weather has a big percentage effect.

Edited March 23, 2015 by lolder

[Waldo]

Where exactly did you get that ?

 

So if the temp. rises from 0F to 90 F, my gas mileage will increase by 18 MPG ?

I don't think so.

 

 

Seems reasonable to me. I was consistently over 50mpg on my commute last summer and was just barely breaking 30 on the coldest days this winter.

Edited March 23, 2015 by Waldo