ptjones

I guess you missed my post about getting even wear at 50psi, 64Kmi. on first set and 42Kmi. so far on second set, think I will make 70K mi. :) I haven't had a braking issue in 106Kmi. I think all around performance is fine. IMO :) Paul

Well I did it, filled up at BJ's Saturday, going from Premium(93octane) to Regular(87octane) to see if I could see a difference in Ignition Timing . This could explain an improvement in FE to about 2mpg between Regular and Premium. This is what I found so far, with Premium my advance was running between 29-33 degrees and with Regular 27-31 degrees Saturday afternoon with temps in the 80's. Sunday morning I found out that ECM advances more when ICE is cold and the outside temp is colder. Now after 4 days of driving my MPG has gone from 56.4 to 53.9 on new tank. Another interesting thing to watch is that the ECM periodically tests the octane level by advancing the timing. One example is going uphill with about 2BAR throttle pressure I saw the timing go from 26* to 35* and back to 27* in a couple of seconds. Also when you let off the accelerator to go into EV the ECM advances timing to 40* Premium and 38* Regular. I'm going to try a Real Good Octane Booster if I can find one to see if it makes a difference. Reviews haven't been very good. Don't you love it with the advertising on STP Gas Booster, it has Jet Fuel in it. I guess that is supposed to be a good thing. LOL Jet Fuel is basically Kerosene/Diesel which needs high compression and heat to burn, it might burn slower though. During WWII they had 104/150 Grade fuel, but was eliminated after the war. Link: http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/150grade/150-grade-fuel.html. :shift: :) Paul

I agree with Frank, Please supply some facts to backup your claims or Delete your Post. There is too much misinformation out there and we don't want to get Members confused. ;) Paul

If you are using ReGen braking you don't need to stop fast, it is a waist of energy(MPG's). If you aren't getting 100% Brake Score every time, you need to change your driving style. LOL :lol2: I don't need no stinking brakes. :lol: MPG's are KING :yahoo: :shift: Don't waist Money on Gas. :) Paul Paul

Most of my EVing is done with a SOC of 38% to 47%, quite often less. :) Paul

That is true, I have mine extended to 132K, but replacing a Trans is over $6K. I have 106.5K now. ;) Paul

Transmission problems didn't hurt my MPG's and new Trans didn't help. ;) Paul

I will need to check into oil analyses. :) Paul

Great Story! Glad no one was hurt. :) Paul

That's weird, you didn't have a extended warranty? :) Paul

Just to be clear FORD's placard says 38psi front and back, Michelin says 51psi MAX cold. I have been running 50psi for 80k mi. , first set lasted 64K and I'm getting great gas mileage. I don't see a down side to this. :) Paul

Your Dealer is wrong, I had 98K mi. when my Trans went bad and FORD paid for everything. I have mentioned many times to make sure your car is always covered under warranty. :) Paul

Users of ScanGaugeII/ Torque can monitor Ignition Timing (IGN)to see if there is a difference with Octane. Could also put in Octane Booster to see if there is a change. :) Paul

I'm amazed that you could wear your tires out so fast. I guess you are OK if you don't run into any water, you would hydroplane pretty easily. I like to corner kind of fast trying not to lose to much energy, my wife hangs on to the door handle. LOL When you get your tires replaced make sure to have your alignment done. :) Paul

I think your only recourse is to take it back to the FORD Dealer. I don't think it is anything you can fix. You should be under warranty. Good Luck. :) Paul

"Post 76" I have been monitoring my Trans Fluid temp since 90Kmi and it has been above 150*F on the FWY. Most members seam to be 150*F or below. I complained to my Dealer, but he said he couldn't do anything until it put out a code or made noise. 7kmi later it started to make a noise and 400mi after that I stopped at Rich FORD in Albuquerque, NM and they verified it was the Trans going bad. I was on my way to AZ and decided to continue on another 350mi to Williams,AZ. Five days later I started to go back home to GA, but decided to stop at Rich FORD again, because the noise had gotten much louder and I was afraid I couldn't make it home. I had 1100mi on the Trans since it started to make noise and I didn't want to get stranded out in the middle of no-ware. Another benefit was Rich FORD had recently replaced a Trans in FFH so they had some experience which is very good. FORD is paying for an Explorer Rental until the car is fixed. I will have to drive back to Rich FORD to get it. What I have learned from this is: 1. Make sure you don't let your car get out of Warranty. 2. If you do mostly City driving you may never have this problem, Trans gets warmer after extended high speed driving. I have 82% HWY driving. 3. The only thing that makes scents to me is that the trans pump impeller fails so Trans Fluid doesn't circulate thru cooler causing TFT to go up. I believe eventually debris ware teeth and bearings. 4. You can test your Trans cooler lines to see if you might have a problem by reaching down from the top of ICE compartment in front of Trans to the two cooling lines coming out of Trans. If one line is noticeably warmer than the other you are probably OK. If they are the same temp you probably have a problem. You also can use Digital IR Thermometer to do the same thing. 5. It may take upto 20Kmi to start to manifest symptoms for this problem It is covered by 8yr/100Kmi Hybrid parts Warranty . ;) Paul

I just checked and it is transferable at no cost. YA! :yahoo: Paul

I have a K&N air filter which I tested, It does have less back pressure and filters just as good, because it has more surface area than the FORD one. The more surface area, less pressure drop. :) Paul Here is a pic of old and new FORD air filter on testing box. New filter was better than old and K&N was better than new FORD air filter. Unfortunately I could find pic of K&N air filter. Their is one on K&N site.

You do need to pay a transfer fee, I don't remember how much, $100?. ;) Paul

I don't think it effects my MPG's because I'm usually going between 38-45% SOC and rarely above 60%. One time I have seen 80% after coming back from trip at night with 69% approx. SOC and in the morning reading 80%. ScanGaugeII starts by showing value last turned off and then new value when turned on. The reason I can tell the capacity is smaller is that the HVB fill ups easier now on I-17 going down to Camp Verde. :) Paul

I don't know where you got your info, but ECM advances the timing until it detects knocking and then retards it until it stops. The more advanced your timing is the better your Fuel Economy is. :) I pretty much only use Premium(106Kmi) because of the improvement in FE compared with Regular, I didn't say it is totally cost efficient, but close enough for me(47.6mpg LifeTime). :shift: Paul

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a non big ticket item on cars these days. :drop: Just saying. Paul

Here is what I know, I have 106K on the car with 55K on ICE and 13k on oil change, I have no noticeable loss of oil level. I had Trans replaced at 98K covered under warrranty. HVB seems to be working fine with maybe slight loss in capacity. Currently averaging 55-57mpg so long term is looking good to me. IMO :) Paul

I had a 2003 VW Jetta Wagon TDI, I liked the car(47mpg), but hated taking it to the Dealer, felt like I was getting ripped off every time. I finally couldn't take it anymore and sold it for good money and bought a New 2007 FORD Focus 5sp. 4DR Hatchback (42mpg w/mods) and only $30 for an oil change, what a big difference! :yahoo: Paul

No, I think you have to average them together. LOL :lol2: Paul