NW_Biker

Freeway driving and high ICE is very easy to achieve. This is the best way to maximize freeway speeds mpg: #1) Goal: keep battery charged as high as possible. The c-max will do this automatically when ever it gets run down low enough charging takes precedent. #2) Use cruise control. When driving, as the freeway rises and tops over a hill the EV mode kicks in. As long as, it is below one bar its not using much of the battery so this mode is fine. #3) rounding into a flat section from a downhill EV mode continues and it will rise about 1 bar. At this moment, give a quick engine rev on the gas peddle. the ICE kicks on...and stays on. Generating that high ICE mpg we all like.

We did a nice long trip down I-5 from Seattle to So Cal, about 1125 miles in total one way. Average 43 mpg for the whole trip more or less. I really am pleased how it performed thru the mountains and has great acceleration to get up the hills and around the big rigs. I figured out a way to keep it high ICE most of the way using eco cruise. Overall, I really feel like I have figured out how this car operates and functions, particularly when it comes to HWY driving vs city driving.

Hey thanks for your 2 cents. You have been huge help here with all of your posts. This one just helps me really in the short term. Would love to hear how the trip to Mammoth goes. Are you going to be doing that here in real soon(sept - Nov)? I am road tripping to So-Cal in December that is 1200 miles of highway joy ( round trip 2400 miles ). I will also miss high ICE if i opt to get the update but when cruising between stockton and the grapevine i am guessing speeds are pretty much 70-75+ so high ICE is pretty much gone at those speeds anyways. As for the hill, its a 6% grade two bars is brutally slow but doable if no one is behind me. I would rather have performance just for this topical feature of my neighborhood but since you have said there isnt a significant drop in performance, my fears are calmed.

Jus, Have you noticed a significant drop in performance since getting the update?...should I get the update?...I don't want to lose any power(I live on a big hill). I am not a hypermiler...and I know I can get the high ICE. Should I give that up in your humble opinion? Just looking for your two cents.... Thanks

Jus-a-CMax Do you feel like your engine is not as sporty and has been robbed of some acceleration performance due to the update? Not a hypermiler(my wife drives the car more than i do): Would you recommend the update in this circumstance?