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I purchased a 2010 Fusion Hybrid this weekend. It's my first hybrid and the during the dealership test drive it was so quiet that I couldn't figure out if it was even running.

It's enlightening the way driving techniques can have a direct impact on gas mileage. I'm the world's worst "idler" offender. After reading this forum for a while, I'm convinced to stop doing it. I used to drive in the passing lane all the time, but now find myself in the "slow lane" trying to get the mpg up. I can't wait to put some of the other tips to good use.

Welcome to CleanMPG!

Welcome to cleanMpg and there are plenty of benefits to find here Brian. Glad to have you as a member. We are looking forward to seeing your logs and improvement!

Hi Brian, welcome to CleanMPG. I got to drive a Fusion Hybrid 10 days ago and found it to be a very capable and fun car. Way to go with your purchase! It's great to see you've reformed your idling and driving habits as well :)

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Beating the EPA - The Why’s and How to Hypermile (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510)

Congratulations on your new FFH. I have not driven one yet, but everything I've heard about them so far, makes me want one!

Please be sure to keep us updated on what's happening with your new Ford,
because the more people read about it, the more people will go out and buy one!

It's day four driving the Fusion to work and I'm having so much fun. At this point the vehicle has less than 200 miles on it.

I drove to and from work on the interstate the first two days (16 miles each way). Being a brand new vehicle, the MPG averaged between 32 and 33 with the cruise set to 60 mph. It's my understanding that once the vehicle has a few thousand miles on it, the interstate MPG will likely improve a little.

The last two days I've avoided the interstate and took a "low speed" route that includes several stop lights and a maximum 45 mph speed limit. I've averaged 40 - 41 mpg taking the "low speed" route. I keep to the right lane and attempt to time the lights the best I can by coasting or speeding up to avoid getting "caught" and having to stop.

I live in Florida and unless it's raining you have to run the A/C this time of year, so I know that is affecting the MPG. Tonight it sprinkled on me so I was able to turn off the A/C and crack the windows. MPG improved substantially. According to the dashboard readout, the liftetime MPG is 35.8 MPG.

I've found that by using the "fake shift" talked about in the Escape Hybrid thread, I can improve the amount time the vehicle spends in hybrid mode.

I'll keep you updated.

sounds like you're coming along great Brian!

Keep sharing that info!

Now I need to figure out how to keep the battery charged better so I can spend a little more time in hybrid mode. I'm not sure how much charge it's supposed to get, but based on the EV gauge, I'm not keeping it 1/2 charged at this point.

If I get the speed up to 40 + then it obviously spends more time in EV mode. I guess I need to concentrate on getting it up to 40 + and then trying to maintain momentum in EV mode. That way momentum will help carry me over the rises and hills.

You'll want to get the charge level up higher than that -- at 1/2 the car will be trying harder to get the state of charge up and your fuel economy will be lower. Also, contrary to what might appear to be the case you want to stay out of electric propulsion as much as possible. Your mileage suffers if you use too much as you'll have to steal momentum in order to bring that SoC back up. Instead, concentrate on getting into glides with the engine off and then shift to N to avoid pulling current (since it is hard to achieve a zero usage with just your foot).

Keep working at it!

By the way, is there any chance you are near GaryG in Florida? If so, I highly recommend meeting up with him to get a clinic!

Hi Hybridfan! As others have mentioned, you picked a great auto. I drove one the same evening as Seftonm and was equally impressed. I am glad to see a Ford put forth an effort to build an efficient car. I heard some of the Fusion Hybrid people speak at Hybridfest, and their dedication and enthusiasm was truly felt.

I hope to get my new FFH in the next few weeks. Menards car give away this month is a New Ford Fusion Hybrid. I have scanned my card 3 times so far and I KNOW that I will win it.:Banane39: I keep telling my wife they are going to call and she just thinks I'm nuts!

I drove the same one, the same day as the Mikes, I liked it, Ford is holding up their promise to not just be good enough

It's day five with the Fusion.

According to the dashboard data, I drove 15.3 miles to work this morning without A/C and achieved 51 mpg. I'm definitely new to this, but there seems to be a bit of a sweet spot at just above 40 mph. It's much easier to keep the momentum up. The MPG improved because I was able to glide much longer and maintain consistentency for longer periods.

My 3.5 mile trip to a restaurant at lunch yielded just over 45 mpg with the A/C at full blast.

The lifetime mpg is up to 37.1 and the car has roughly 230 miles on it at this point. It rained again tonight so I was able to drive home without the A/C. I wouldn't have thought it made that big of a difference, but it obviously does.

You'll want to get the charge level up higher than that -- at 1/2 the car will be trying. By the way, is there any chance you are near GaryG in Florida? If so, I highly recommend meeting up with him to get a clinic!

I believe he's in Jupiter. I'm near Tampa. I've been reading his post about the FEH on the FEH topics. I've definitely got to try using "L" to get a better charge on the fuel cell. I noticed that tendancy yesterday when I did it by accident.

I'm not sold on the shift to neutral yet. I'll have to get more comfortable with that to make it work.

I believe he's in Jupiter. I'm near Tampa. I've been reading his post about the FEH on the FEH topics. I've definitely got to try using "L" to get a better charge on the fuel cell. I noticed that tendancy yesterday when I did it by accident.

I'm not sold on the shift to neutral yet. I'll have to get more comfortable with that to make it work.

Don't waste your time using "L" in the '09 FEH or '10 FFH, that is only good for the '05 - '08 FEH. In the '09 FEH and '10 FFH neutral is a winner for coasting in EV but you need to be in "D" to get fuel-cut and regen when the engine is running. Always shift back from neutral to "D" while using the brakes because you won't get any regen in neutral. Let me know if you want a free clinic from me.

GaryG

Hi Brian:

___As fast as you are moving up, a clinic from Gary could prove to be quite fruitful!

___Good Luck and I am envious of your ride :)

___Wayne

Gary,

Thanks for the tips and clarification regarding the '05 - '08 versus the '09 - '10 models. I was experimenting with neutral and "L" and couldn't really tell which was providing the benefit. Now I know. I also appreciate the offer for a clinic. I haven't been to Jupiter in a while. It might be a nice road trip. I'd like to make it to a Cardinals spring training game next spring.

Wayne,

Thanks for hosting such a welcoming and informative web site. Reading the tips on this site and a few of the articles has increased my awareness while driving (and I was already quite aware to start with).

I have so much to learn. This morning I was consistently getting 45-50 mph readings at 50 mph. My wife was riding with me and was thrilled. She's now a big fan also.

Brian,

Congrats on the FFH! I looked at one a couple of weeks ago while getting an oil change on our 2009 FEHL and was really impressed. I didn't get to drive it, but I really liked the room on the inside and the dash options for monitoring fuel economy (it has a demo mode). This may be our next Hybrid purchase, but that won't happen until next year.

My wife has been on board with fuel economy since the 2007 FEH we used to have, and has as many or more +40mpg trips than I do!

-- Rick

Congrats - I just drove one last night and got 55 MPG on the track!!!

Color me a bit jealous, because I know that the same driving pattern would have yielded a LOT less on my SVT. It is amazing how much easier it is to get great FE in that car (compared to my SVT).

If I were you, I'd take GaryG up on his offer soon. You will be amazed at how helpful a clinic is (check my logs if you would like an idea of the improvements that are available)!!

Gary,

I tried out your tips today re: coasting in EV mode using neutral and coasting in "D" in using ICE. It works. It significantly improved the charge and kept it there consistently. It also increased mpg.

Here is some evidence from a trip we took this a.m.:

Trip #1 -- 37.3 miles, 43.7 mpg, .9 gal used, with A/C full blast
Trip #2 -- 32.3 miles, 44.9 mpg, .7 gal used, with A/C full blast

I also was able to keep it out of EV mode today more consistently and get mpg ranging from 50 - 55 mpg for large stretches (on flat roads) driving only 5 mph under the speed limit. I'm still under 400 miles since I purchased the vehicle. With more experience, I'm sure the Fusion is capable of consistent 60 mpg plus.

Gary,

I tried out your tips today re: coasting in EV mode using neutral and coasting in "D" in using ICE. It works. It significantly improved the charge and kept it there consistently. It also increased mpg.

Here is some evidence from a trip we took this a.m.:

Trip #1 -- 37.3 miles, 43.7 mpg, .9 gal used, with A/C full blast
Trip #2 -- 32.3 miles, 44.9 mpg, .7 gal used, with A/C full blast

I also was able to keep it out of EV mode today more consistently and get mpg ranging from 50 - 55 mpg for large stretches (on flat roads) driving only 5 mph under the speed limit. I'm still under 400 miles since I purchased the vehicle. With more experience, I'm sure the Fusion is capable of consistent 60 mpg plus.

Hi Brian

Keep up the good work! Before long you'll be putting these techniques all together for a killer Pulse and Glide (P&G). Accelerate (pulse) with the engine and charge the battery, hold your speed with cruise control (on flat roads) in EV, and glide in EV in neutral as long as possible (25mph for me). Then kick the engine on with the accelerator blip and pulse back to speed and repeat. You'll find the best speed combinations for your driving conditions after practicing and changing your driving habits. You need to get a SGII if you want to get serious MPG and learn how to monitor what works and what doesn’t.

Gas went to $4 a gallon after I bought my ‘05 FWD FEH, and I sure saved a lot of money. Also, when we get those hurricanes I can go a long time before getting in those long lines waiting for gas. The only problem is when I pull up to a stoplight or see someone in a parking lot and have them ask, what kind of mileage do you get? I’m getting to the point I need to lie to prevent those strange looks as if I was lying. Strange, but this happen this past Friday again.

GaryG