slampro Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) I have been trying to find all the information I can about this. Our car is to be built tomorrow. From what I have read for current owners, Ford will start sending out letters by the end of the month. You will need to go to dealer for it, and they say expect 1/2 day to do it. Edited July 17, 2013 by slampro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridbear Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 DFSO only happens when the speed is too fast for the ICE to turn off. On the C-Max and FFH this only happens when the car is going more than 62 MPH and the throttle is released. I've verified that this does happen through Engineering Test Mode and the Fuel Counts screen on there. On the older Ford hybrids with lower thresholds for requiring the ICE to stay on this came in to play more than it does now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homestead Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I think (OK, I hope) this higher EV threshold will allow more blending of EV motor power at highway speeds making it easier to achieve better hwy FE. I have a big highway trip scheduled for mid-August. If the update is available by then, I'll gladly be a Guinea pig. Oh great a volunteer , I'll be waiting for your evaluation. Its due in August so we won't have to wait long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slampro Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I Volunteer!! I am hoping it's built into mine, and I don't have to get an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I don't see the Energi mentioned. We want the upgrades that apply to us! We're people too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) I don't see the Energi mentioned. We want the upgrades that apply to us! We're people too!AE, out of curiosity,are u able to do some form of ICE High mpg? How does your eco cruise behave at 60 mph vs 70 mph in it's battery management? Since the Energis already have the 85mph and we're heading there. Edited July 17, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) AE, out of curiosity,are u able to do some form of ICE High mpg? How does your eco cruise behave at 60 mph vs 70 mph in it's battery management? Since the Energis already have the 85mph and we're heading there.I have been using the EV battery in town and when I approach the Interstate switch to EV later to preserve whatever is left of the EV battery for the end of the trip. While on the road in this mode and Eco, the car appears to perform like a normal Hybrid using the battery occasionally and showing a charge and discharge of the Hybrid battery. The one time when I forgot to go into EV Later after shutting off the car the EV battery was quickly drained, and it ran like a normal Hybrid, although I have not been real successful in achieving ICE High, perhaps because on the Interstate between Tucson and Arizona it's very tempting to move with the traffic which is doing 75. Edited July 17, 2013 by ArizonaEnergi Jus-A-CMax 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxnard Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Dealer did the Sync and battery TSB's today. He ordered the part for the headliner recall and he said he would see me next month with the "Big" update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnOhio Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Just thought of something. Is this the same software as the plug in Energy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhackwyatt Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 This thread must hold the record for 0 to 60 posts in the shortest time. (Also this is post 60.) Jus-A-CMax, oxnard and Adair 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhackwyatt Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Just thought of something. Is this the same software as the plug in Energy?I doubt the Energi has the A/C and other changes. If they did, why not just put them on the C-Max to begin w/? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) I'd like to volunteer to rewrite Ford's press release as follows: At Ford Motor Company we are always striving to improve our products. We are happy to announce the following changes to our Hybrid Vehicles: ...jmckinley, I couldn't agree more with your post above. For those that dissed CR for their December review with respect to the FE of the C-Max vs EPA rated, I believe thanks needs to be given to reviewers like CR as without such reviews, I really doubt whether Ford would have been as proactive in change (wamba2000 hit the nail on the head above). IMO, there is simply to much pro-Ford rhetoric with respect to the FE of the C-Max vs the EPA on this site and not enough criticism of Ford for it's promoting the EPA number when they obviously knew it is not a "real world" number (see Raj Nair's response to CR review in December). I also believe this update is testament to Ford "gaming" the software to achieve a high EPA number rather than optimizing the software for "real world" driving. Edited July 17, 2013 by Plus 3 Golfer Edsel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigalpha Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 perhaps because on the Interstate between Tucson and Arizona it's very tempting to move with the traffic which is doing 75.People drive so fast and crazy there, it's incredible there aren't more serious accidents. I'm hoping these changes help those of us who travel at higher speeds (I drive to Sierra Vista from Tucson every day). IMO, there is simply to much pro-Ford rhetoric with respect to the FE of the C-Max vs the EPA on this site and not enough criticism of Ford for it's promoting the EPA number when they obviously knew it is not a "real world" number (see Raj Nair's response to CR review in December). I also believe this update is testament to Ford "gaming" the software to achieve a high EPA number rather than optimizing the software for "real world" driving. I fully agree. Me and the wife were discussing this and decided that if Ford had went with more of a 'real world' number (~40ish) then there wouldn't be any backlash at all. If anything, it would be better publicity for drivers to say, "Damn, I'm getting 46mpg when it's only rated at 42mpg!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnrobitaille Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I don't see the Energi mentioned. We want the upgrades that apply to us! We're people too! The C-Max Energi already can do 85 MPH in EV, the update is to give the C-Max Hybrids the same capability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 The C-Max Energi already can do 85 MPH in EV, the update is to give the C-Max Hybrids the same capability.And more, but what about the other four items listed? They will benefit us and it's doubtful we have them yet. Me and we want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Something I think I saw from other posts here: in the Hybrid, when you drive over 62mph, the engine keeps spinning. You can't run EV mode since the battery isn't set up for that amount of power output, but even on a downhill your ICE keeps spinning. Is that right? Because in my Energi I see a pure EV mode, without the ICE spinning, at speeds up to 80-something. I suspect that's one of the software changes they are making for the Hybrid, allowing the ICE to cut off entirely at high speed, just like it does at lower speeds, as long as you don't put too much demand on the batteries. They aren't changing the max output of your electric motor or battery pack in terms of power, but they will allow it to be used at higher speeds. But most of the other software changes seem like they would apply to the Energi, like better management of the grill slats, and climate control changes. I do hope we get those changes, even if the first one isn't applicable for us. Edited July 18, 2013 by MikeB SnitGTS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) Something I think I saw from other posts here: in the Hybrid, when you drive over 62mph, the engine keeps spinning. You can't run EV mode since the battery isn't set up for that amount of power output, but even on a downhill your ICE keeps spinning. Is that right? Because in my Energi I see a pure EV mode, without the ICE spinning, at speeds up to 80-something. I suspect that's one of the software changes they are making for the Hybrid, allowing the ICE to cut off entirely at high speed, just like it does at lower speeds, as long as you don't put too much demand on the batteries. They aren't changing the max output of your electric motor or battery pack in terms of power, but they will allow it to be used at higher speeds. But most of the other software changes seem like they would apply to the Energi, like better management of the grill slats, and climate control changes. I do hope we get those changes, even if the first one isn't applicable for us.Correct, the hybrid ICE will not shutdown at speeds above 62 mph normally. I have observed the ICE shutdown above 62 mph if conditions such as drafting behind a semi are present. What the article failed to mention is how much of a gain we can expect from the upgrade? At a minimum we should see increases at least equal to those aftermarket grills added to some C-Max's. Edited July 18, 2013 by darrelld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdefny Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Even 1-2 MPG would be appreciated, but I doubt it would be more than that. They did their homework and already coaxed so much from this car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 What are the negatives of each of these upgrades? What do we lose, to gain this additional mpg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnMarty Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 What are the negatives of each of these upgrades? What do we lose, to gain this additional mpg?good question, Ford... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtorres Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 In the case of the A/C compressor just not having it turn on every time you hit "Auto" would help. I've noticed it can be 60F outside, I hit "Auto" with a set temp of 72F and the A/C will also turn on. I've gotten used pressing the "Auto" button, then immediately checking the outside temp and if it's lower then the set temp reaching down to shut off the A/C. Hopefully one of the changes will be for the system to check the outside temp and if it's lower then the set temp then it will not automatically turn on the A/C when you hit the "Auto" button. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 What are the negatives of each of these upgrades? What do we lose, to gain this additional mpg?I had some concerns with one aspect, see the 1st page, seem like the only one here but the other update detail seem fine to me. Matt my fellow hypermiler is of the impression we will get about 2 MPG difference but I am not so sure. The CMax right now is very strong on the surface street but the achilles heel is the freeway but we have a great workaround and seems like these changes include removing the work around or so it seemed. I think ths is a whole package upgrade as well...all or nothing, so removing the 62mph upgrade is not an option, I feel. We shall see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 The C-Max Energi already can do 85 MPH in EV, the update is to give the C-Max Hybrids the same capability.I am totally stoked about this update, I need all the help I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salsaguy Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 i would agree with scuba here. I am willing to bet that the capability has always been there; it's just been a matter of testing to make sure that the changes wouldn't fry the batteries, or some equivalent. Probably, they concluded longer range testing, and they can now unleash the full capability of the batteries without damage. Some of the other enhancements are also the result of testing over longer terms, like warm up, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salsaguy Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 how many times do we have to repeat this. FORD does not create the test methods, its the EPA!!!all car mfgs must use the same tests on their cars in order to obtain the MPG numbers. I fully agree. Me and the wife were discussing this and decided that if Ford had went with more of a 'real world' number (~40ish) then there wouldn't be any backlash at all. If anything, it would be better publicity for drivers to say, "Damn, I'm getting 46mpg when it's only rated at 42mpg!" wab, SnitGTS and obob 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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