Jump to content

Highway Driving


alke
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone!

 

Thinking about bying a C-Max Hybrid SEL.

 

Has anyone collected some experience about driving longer distances on the highway? Anything to consider? Other experiences/recommendations? I'm not driving extensively highways, but it happens. If you're driving 2 hours towards New York, can you then assume your battery is full when you arrive in the city? Or doesn't that matter at all?

 

Thanks for your help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello everyone!

 

Thinking about bying a C-Max Hybrid SEL.

 

Has anyone collected some experience about driving longer distances on the highway? Anything to consider? Other experiences/recommendations? I'm not driving extensively highways, but it happens. If you're driving 2 hours towards New York, can you then assume your battery is full when you arrive in the city? Or doesn't that matter at all?

 

Thanks for your help!

I typically do a 5 hr run each way between Los Angeles and Mammoth Mountain when my wife and I go skiing/riding with the car fully loaded. There is nothing special anyone needs to do, at least not for me and even at loads, the car continue to have plenty of power but -get this- continue to give plenty of MPG. I've had 4 trips, typically 580 miles return over different freeways/highways, upgrade/downgrade, severe grades (Sherwin Grade) and my MPG numbers have improved each and every time. Take a look in the White Platinum section for my Mammoth thread writeups.

 

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/forum/51-white-platinum/

 

In regards to the battery, don't worry about it. Typically the battery level will always regen-discharge numerous cycles (not all the way down since the software prevents this) so no need to worry about it at all. Given your SEL is new, just throw it into eco-cruise just a tad above the 65 mph and let it do its job. Temperature and level road permitting, the instant MPG may dance around 40 MPG. Alternatively, set it 63MPH and the eco-cruise will run between the EV and ICE mode and utilize either engine and this is where the battery levels will regen and discharge in many cycles as the software uses either or both engines to improve your MPG.

 

With hybrids, always keep in mind, you trade mileage for time...but Ford was brilliant to give us such a car to choose great mileage, or if you want to get there faster...you can but trading off a little in the MPG for speed. This car has no problem climing severe grades but trade gas for that performance but it has a 13.5 gallon tank.

 

Hope this helps, its really a fun and easy car to drive and you can carry a ton of stuff including that kitchen sink my wife like to take...j/k...I am so dead if she ever reads my posts, lol.

 

Feel free to PM me if u have any additional questions. Good luck with your decision.

 

:) 

 

PS if you want a full battery, there are simple driving techniques that you can do to charge the battery even at highway speed such as Pulse&Glide or sticking the eco-cruise above 65mph (say 68mph) will always force the ICE on full time and will charge the batts to about 90% capacity in no time, guaranteed. The software will not allow anymore than 90% charge but there is nothing that says you can't do this manually thru P&G and with a little help from the road down slopeage.

Edited by Jus-A-CMax
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have spent full weekends in the car. My only complaints:

 

No good place to put my phone.

 

MyFordTouch sucks.

 

The second complaint should be improved by the new version of MFT now shipping on cars from the factory.

 

It's comfortable and roomy. I have even spent a whole day riding in the back seat. They are really comfy.

 

My Energi is rated at 43mpg combined when in non-electric mode and I regularly exceed that.

 

The best part about my Energi is most every day I never burn gasoline. Only really road trips!

 

:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have spent full weekends in the car. My only complaints:

 

No good place to put my phone.

 

MyFordTouch sucks.

 

The second complaint should be improved by the new version of MFT now shipping on cars from the factory.

 

It's comfortable and roomy. I have even spent a whole day riding in the back seat. They are really comfy.

 

My Energi is rated at 43mpg combined when in non-electric mode and I regularly exceed that.

 

The best part about my Energi is most every day I never burn gasoline. Only really road trips!

 

:)

Have you looked at the proclip mounts?

IMG 0796

IMG 0794

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...