I HAVE FOUND THE ILLUSIVE MPG SWEET SPOT!

[Generalbeluga]

It's just plain ignorant to say "Ford was stretching the truth". The only fuel economy they are allowed to advertise is the milage they get when following a very precisely defined pattern of speed/acceleration defined by the EPA. They can only report exactly what they get on that test. There is no other option. They have no choice. There is nothing to stretch. They have no stretch room. None, zip, zilch, zero. 

 

What I say is, the differences between the EPA driving tests and real-world driving give the most benefit to hybrids, and the C-Max in particular does especially well on that test (most likely because of the 62MPH EV-only capability).

 

I hear you Noah, but I did say "unless you are lucky enough to drive in ideal traffic, terrain and weather conditions.  Unfortunately, most of us do not."  It is possible to achieve the stated EPA 47 MPG rating but, not for most of us driving in "real world" conditions.  Members of this forum are learning that the EPA test results have a serious "creditability gap" when reporting hybrid MPG vs ICE MPG.  Since there is no incentive for Ford or the dealership to bring up this unflattering discrepancy, the buyer is left feeling deceived, whether intentional or not!  Let's face it, most sales are made or lost on owner word of mouth and product reputation.  If I were Ford, I would be very concerned about both even though it is a great car in every other respect.  Ford got a lot of positive press from their recent product line redesign and when they didn't take the bail out.  I would just hate to see this avoidable fly in their ointment undo their hard work.     

[Noah Harbinger]

I'll definitely sign on to most of that. The EPA test is definitely out of whack with how normal drivers drive and although the 2008 update was a huge step in that direction, and real-world fuel economy on non-hybrids is a lot closer to the EPA rating than it was before, but there's still a long way to go. 

[Testdriver]

A lot of people will point to fuelly and say that most Prius drivers are getting around the EPA MPG. The big difference with the Prius, I think, is that it's hard not to drive a Prius gently. You practically have to floor it to get it to really move, and you have to withstand excessive engine noise if you want to drive above highway speed limits.

 

The C-Max gives you the option to either drive it gently and get near the EPA estimate or don't and get much below the EPA estimate. Frankly, having that option is the biggest reason I am not a Prius owner right now. I usually drive it gently, but it's nice to know that if I'm in a hurry, I don't need to floor it or put up with excessive engine noise to get it to move nimbly. 

[SnowStorm]

What bugs me about this EPA thing is that "everyone" keeps fussing at Ford for building a car with an EPA rating greater than certain "real world" scenarios when, in reality, we should be bashing all the other makers for building hybrids that do match!  Point being, the reason other hybrids act like "ordinary cars" with this whole rating thing is because they are not as good a hybrid design as the Ford 47s!  I call the C-Max (and siblings) "strong" hybrids as opposed to the "weak" ones.  Hybrids that can go faster and farther on battery power is what you want!  And when that design gives you a higher EPA rating - that is awesome!  There is a lot of real world driving that is close to the EPA cycle (and of course a lot that isn't).  Ford designed it right and got a higher rating as a result.  My car's lifetime average is now at 46.0 with mostly "highway "driving at 55 to 70 mph.

 

I'll say it again - hybrids whose EPA ratings (under the present system) match their 70 mph "real world" cruising mileage are the ones to criticize.

[hybridbear]

What bugs me about this EPA thing is that "everyone" keeps fussing at Ford for building a car with an EPA rating greater than certain "real world" scenarios when, in reality, we should be bashing all the other makers for building hybrids that do match! Point being, the reason other hybrids act like "ordinary cars" with this whole rating thing is because they are not as good a hybrid design as the Ford 47s! I call the C-Max (and siblings) "strong" hybrids as opposed to the "weak" ones. Hybrids that can go faster and farther on battery power is what you want! And when that design gives you a higher EPA rating - that is awesome! There is a lot of real world driving that is close to the EPA cycle (and of course a lot that isn't). Ford designed it right and got a higher rating as a result. My car's lifetime average is now at 46.0 with mostly "highway "driving at 55 to 70 mph.

 

I'll say it again - hybrids whose EPA ratings (under the present system) match their 70 mph "real world" cruising mileage are the ones to criticize.

Exactly!! Great comment!

[BIG ROCCO]

The wife and I took a 20 mile each way trip to Costco on Friday. Drove around 67 MPH there - 105 degrees out, so of course, the AC was on. I don't remember the trip mileage on the way there - it was nothing special - maybe around 42 MPG. While she was inside for here eye exam, I took off to Home Depot to pick up some landscape irrigation drip emitters. On the way there and back, it was city streets, maybe around 3 miles each way. I was in EV mode most of the time, and didn't bother with AC for such a short trip, so I think the trip mileage was something like 88 MPG. On the way home, I tried this ICE High thing - 67 MPH Eco Cruise, high-ish battery, AC on - the MPG meter showed low 40s, which is normal...but then all of a sudden, I notice the MPG meter was pinned - that's right, all the way to the max. The battery level was 1 notch from full, and the up/down battery arrows kept flip flopping, sometimes showing charging/increase and sometimes discharge, as we travelled up and down gentle grades, but the MPG meter never changed - it was full white for probably 3-4 miles. I really thought maybe the display was broken or "stuck", but it returned to normal when I took our exit. Was I seeing things?

[SnowStorm]

Now that you describe it, I think I have seen something similar - very high indicated mpg while not in EV.  The car does use the battery (charge and discharge) while running the ICE.  Also, it doesn't take much of a downhill grade (almost imperceptible in fact) to send your mileage very high.  Maybe you were on such grade.  The car will also go faster than 63 mph in EV mode if it started EV below that speed and sped up due to going down hill (if I recall correctly).

[BIG ROCCO]

Yeah - I will have to try to duplicate the conditions (and MPG) sometime

[Noah Harbinger]

I've had this myself but it's very hard to trigger in the rolling terrain I have no choice but to traverse daily. 

[Jus-A-CMax]

It can handle some upslope but not much - depends on how far the upslope goes and degree of inclination as if the CMax needs more power, it will suck from the battery first until the SOC drops below "optimum" at which point it then switches to full-on ICE power to climb. Rolling hills can be tricky but what I do is just "leave it" the eco-cruise on. It will always recharge when speeds > 65mph so you'll be back to the ICE High MPG ready state when the SOC is above 75% and double click - wallah.

[salsaguy]

Jus, do you prefer the Engage or Empower screen to help you MAX your mpgs/range in your CMax? and why?

[Edsel]

It can handle some upslope but not much - depends on how far the upslope goes and degree of inclination as if the CMax needs more power, it will suck from the battery first until the SOC drops below "optimum" at which point it then switches to full-on ICE power to climb. Rolling hills can be tricky but what I do is just "leave it" the eco-cruise on. It will always recharge when speeds > 65mph so you'll be back to the ICE High MPG ready state when the SOC is above 75% and double click - wallah.

 

So you have to double click the resume/cancel paddle while in eco cruise and going above 62 to get into this mode?  Maybe that’s my problem.

[C-Maxgo]

Hey Jus you need to write a book on how to get the maximum mpg while driving a C-Max.   :worship: I would buy it!   :shoppingcart_:

[Jus-A-CMax]

So you have to double click the resume/cancel paddle while in eco cruise and going above 62 to get into this mode?  Maybe that’s my problem.

Edsel...no, quick double tap the "-" button but this is only after letting the engine run pure ICE for a few miles (ideal is to allow the SOC to be built up). When you double tap the "-" you see a slight decrease in the speed while at the same time, the instant MPG would peak and -hopefully- it wil start dancing high. Just et it be. Suggest reading the Gen's Post #1 to understand it. You need to play with it to find the sweet spot and its terrain/slope sensitive so don't try this on a huge uphill.

 

 

Hey Jus you need to write a book on how to get the maximum mpg while driving a C-Max.   :worship: I would buy it!   :shoppingcart_:

 

No need for a book, just PM me for any questions etc. Be glad to help, thats what this forum is all about. Mind you, I still get low ones, hit a 40.5MPG today for a 4.4 mile trek. Uphill, can't fight physics.

[salsaguy]

Jus you didn't answer my question a few posts back

[salsaguy]

even though this is based on the Energi, there are a lot of interesting points here to help get better mpg in your Cmax. he talks about how it's all about UN learning bad driving habits. what do you think?:

http://carfanaticsblog.com/reviews/2013/01/2013-ford-c-max-energi/

[ScubaDadMiami]

I tried ICE High today.  I got up to about 70 mph, charged the battery, and went into Eco Cruise.  I tapped down to about 67 mph.

 

When I went to Engage, I could see a little EV going off and on while ICE remained on the entire time.  The SOC would mostly show up arrow, though it would switch back to no arrow or down arrow.  Would this be it?

 

I wasn't thrilled with the FE I was getting under these conditions.  I was watching my Average slowly ticking down over the course of my trip, though it was taking place slowly.

 

To top the day off, I went for my liftgate update, today.  When they returned the C-MAX, the air conditioning was set to max, and I had lost about 2 mpg from the tank.  To make matters worse, I then sat in the parking lot with my Synch Specialist, running ICE in this 90+F heat, while we had our appointment. 

 

I left the house with 50.3 Average, and I returned home with 46.5, and I am now down to the last quarter of the tank.  No 700+ Mile Club for You!  :nonono:

[Jus-A-CMax]

I tried ICE High today.  I got up to about 70 mph, charged the battery, and went into Eco Cruise.  I tapped down to about 67 mph.

 

When I went to Engage, I could see a little EV going off and on while ICE remained on the entire time.  The SOC would mostly show up arrow, though it would switch back to no arrow or down arrow.  Would this be it?

 

I wasn't thrilled with the FE I was getting under these conditions.  I was watching my Average slowly ticking down over the course of my trip, though it was taking place slowly.

 

To top the day off, I went for my liftgate update, today.  When they returned the C-MAX, the air conditioning was set to max, and I had lost about 2 mpg from the tank.  To make matters worse, I then sat in the parking lot with my Synch Specialist, running ICE in this 90+F heat, while we had our appointment. 

 

I left the house with 50.3 Average, and I returned home with 46.5, and I am now down to the last quarter of the tank.  No 700+ Mile Club for You!  :nonono:

 

Go for the High MPG Club instead.... :flyaway: 

[stratosurfer]

How's everyone doing w/MPG's with the high heat. Since I just got my C-Max SEL a week ago it has been 100+ here in central Texas. I just got tinted today, but I know the A/C unit has to significantly eat into my MPG's, I'm averaging only 32.5 MPG's with very careful driving. I do live in the Texas Hill country, and these constant hills have to as well hurt my ability to join you guys in the 40+ club. Maybe winter...

 

Mark

[ScubaDadMiami]

It is mostly flat, and not as hot as where you are (90+F), but I am averaging just under 50 mpg in mostly city driving.

[asb]

Freakin' hot here in central Florida.  Park under a tree, if you can.  I don't turn my air down any cooler than 73.  You can increase the fan speed without it eating too much of your mpgs.  But try to go below 73 degrees, and you're doomed.  :)  I suspect the hills are doing more damage to your mpgs than the heat.  It's flat here, and I get anywhere from 38 to 51 on individual trips based on temperature of the outside air and hills.  I now avoid one of the toll roads because it eats my mpgs.  

 

Also, your mileage will increase the more miles you put on the car.  I just hit 10,000 and it made a big difference.  

[salsaguy]

what are you setting your ac set point to?

anything less than 100 will be cooler than outside. seriously if you try 74-76 instead of 72-73 it is still very cold. try to turn down the fan speed to 1-2 instead of full blast and use recirculate mode to use the compressor and engine less to help get better mpg on hot days.

 

 

How's everyone doing w/MPG's with the high heat. Since I just got my C-Max SEL a week ago it has been 100+ here in central Texas. I just got tinted today, but I know the A/C unit has to significantly eat into my MPG's, I'm averaging only 32.5 MPG's with very careful driving. I do live in the Texas Hill country, and these constant hills have to as well hurt my ability to join you guys in the 40+ club. Maybe winter...

 

Mark

 

How's everyone doing w/MPG's with the high heat. Since I just got my C-Max SEL a week ago it has been 100+ here in central Texas. I just got tinted today, but I know the A/C unit has to significantly eat into my MPG's, I'm averaging only 32.5 MPG's with very careful driving. I do live in the Texas Hill country, and these constant hills have to as well hurt my ability to join you guys in the 40+ club. Maybe winter...

 

Mark

[Noah Harbinger]

I'm surprised that in almost 5 months nobody pointed out that JusGeneralbeluga probably meant "elusive" (hard to find) rather than "illusive" (deceptive or fake).

 

Edit: Huh, why did I think the thread was started by Jus?  :finger:

Edited September 4, 2013 by Noah Harbinger

[JAZ]

Nah, we're jus too polite to have pointed it out...

[DaveofDurham]

I'm surprised that in almost 5 months nobody pointed out that Jus probably meant "elusive" (hard to find) rather than "illusive" (deceptive or fake).

 

The sweet spot was believed to be illusive until it was discovered by Generalbeluga.