fuel mileage seems low...

[The Real Maverick]

What section/page? I looked at the section about jumping and there's a separate section for the Hybrid.

No separate section for hybrids in the manual exists when it comes to octane that I have seen.

And there lies the problem.

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[oysterville]

And there lies the problem.

If there's separate sections for when things are different between hybrid and Ecoboost, that would lead me to believe that if there's no separate section for that subject that it's the same for both drive trains.

Wouldn't that make sense?

 

[The Real Maverick]

If there's separate sections for when things are different between hybrid and Ecoboost, that would lead me to believe that if there's no separate section for that subject that it's the same for both drive trains.

Wouldn't that make sense?

Or it was oversight that is not safety related and does no harm.

Over the years and in several vehicles I have found many cases of "cut & paste" errors.

They don't sit someone down and pay that person a year of wages to scratch write a manual year after year for every new vehicle. And usually the new, least experienced person puts the book together. Top engineers don't write the user manuals. If we're lucky, maybe one will proof-read before press time.

 

[oysterville]

Or it was oversight that is not safety related and does no harm.

Over the years and in several vehicles I have found many cases of "cut & paste" errors.

They don't sit someone down and pay that person a year of wages to scratch write a manual year after year for every new vehicle. And usually the new, least experienced person puts the book together. Top engineers don't write the user manuals. If we're lucky, maybe one will proof-read before press time.

Interesting theory, thank you for sharing.

Do you have any technical sources for your assertions on octane not mattering above 87 with Atkinson motors?

 

[The Real Maverick]

It's surprisingly difficult to find manufacturer data on this subject. It's almost like they don't want to talk about it. Or there is some pressure from "above" (oil companies maybe?). I dunno.

But there's tons of car "blogs" on the subject. Overwhelming majority say, hybrids don't benefit from higher octane. Tons of user reports.

One example:

""A by-product of this is that Atkinson cycle engines actually run best on lower-octane fuels. The slower flame propegation of high-octane fuel is detrimental to such an engine, and Prius owners who have made the mistake of running premium fuel in their cars have been rewarded with misfires, check engine and hybrid system warning indicators"

 

[Rlb080]

FYI, I saw a significant change in my 2023 Lariat Hybrid's fuel mileage at the 4K mileage mark.

Fast Lane Truck YouTube channel also saw the same change. They ran a mileage test with their 2025 AWD 4K towing package Maverick and got some disappointing results.

Ford contacted them after reviewing their test and said they didn't have enough miles on their new truck to get an accurate mileage test. So FLT ran the test again. There are some difference in the test, 1 passenger vs 2, colder temps in the first test. But they got significantly better mileage in the second test. Second test yielded over 40mpg on their 100 miles test loop which has freeway and some city driving.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Second trip pretty sure had two people. One just was off camera. But it was warmer. Ya.

 

[The Real Maverick]

The compression ratio listed for the Maverick Hybrid in the spec sheets is WRONG. They list the physical dimensions but neglect to explain the Atkinson engine means unequal compression and expansion strokes.
The enhanced fuel economy comes from a 13:1 expansion stroke coupled with a traditional 9:1 (approx. trade secret and not published) compression stroke.

 

[dochawk]

No they don't. The only fuel suggested for the hybrid is 87 octane with TopTier additives.

They never say 91 will boost MPG.

It looks like not merely "typo", but rather "really, really bad editing" in the 2025 manual.

It seems that the ecoboost and towing into got put in the general section.

Octane is a rating fo resisting premature combustion as the fuel/air mix is compressed. That's "all", but it's a pretty big "all". It lets you run more aggressive spark timing, higher compression, and more turbo boost.

Some engines adjust one (Northstar, timing) or more (ecoboost, timing and boost) of these, and back off at the edge of knocking (colloquially "pre-knock"). Northstar says to use premium, but is happy with 87 (but with reduced HP). Ecoboost says "87 or more", and (from what we think we know) gets more aggressive up to 97.

But from everything we know (or at least what I've seen), the hybrid maverick doesn't do any of those; that's just not how it's optimized.

Octane is really a binary "enough or not" situation; more than enough doesn't get you anywhere.

So going beyond 87 presumably doesn't do anything for the hybrid. (I think earlier manuals were better about this, weren't they?).

Toptier fuel, however, *does*, as it has better cleaners, and is recommended.

 

[The Real Maverick]

It looks like not merely "typo", but rather "really, really bad editing" in the 2025 manual.

It seems that the ecoboost and towing into got put in the general section.

Octane is a rating fo resisting premature combustion as the fuel/air mix is compressed. That's "all", but it's a pretty big "all". It lets you run more aggressive spark timing, higher compression, and more turbo boost.

Some engines adjust one (Northstar, timing) or more (ecoboost, timing and boost) of these, and back off at the edge of knocking (colloquially "pre-knock"). Northstar says to use premium, but is happy with 87 (but with reduced HP). Ecoboost says "87 or more", and (from what we think we know) gets more aggressive up to 97.

But from everything we know (or at least what I've seen), the hybrid maverick doesn't do any of those; that's just not how it's optimized.

Octane is really a binary "enough or not" situation; more than enough doesn't get you anywhere.

So going beyond 87 presumably doesn't do anything for the hybrid. (I think earlier manuals were better about this, weren't they?).

Toptier fuel, however, *does*, as it has better cleaners, and is recommended.

Thank you for contributing to the collective knowledge base. It's hard for one person to fully explain something. Something like "premium" nomenclature is (artificially) bestowed on one fuel vs. another for marketing purposes.

I particularly liked your comment about it being "binary". I agree. Either 87 is good enough or it isn't. And 89 is not a little better, and 93 isn't a lot better.

 

[Scupking]

Usually buy Costco gas but in my area its either 87 regular oct or 89 higher oct. On only 87 oct my mpg is horrible at 34-38 if I use 89 oct I normally am always at 44mpg. I don't skimp on A/C but do make a concerted effort to use the dash vents. The vents on the Maverick are the most effective I have ever seen for cooling down the cabin. Use of the Cruise Control greatly helps MPG.

Same my 22 didn’t like 87. I switched to 89 and it was much better. I never even tried 87 on my 25 and never will.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

So here is my local Costco gas pricing, not sure I'd see a 31%+ increase in MPG to warrant paying the extra dollar,,,,

HRG

 

[pigsareus]

i know this has probably been asked/said ad nauseam, however, i cant find anything on it. im currently sitting at 2720 miles on my 2025 maverick xlt hybrid fwd, the mileage im getting seems allot lower than most, back and forth to work(96 miles round trip) im averaging about 31.8 mpg, and that from fuelio.. doing about 55-65 mph. the split is about 75% highway and 25% city. how are people getting upwards of 38 on the interstate???? im usually sitting at about 27 mpg on the highways etc, city is where its bumping the average up.. is my truck still to new?

ignore 'anecdotal' evidence - the EPA ratings are 35 mpg for highway and that is probably derived from driving on flat surfaces - trying to eek out another 3 mpg on the xway would only net you under $80 for an entire year considering 10K miles per year. People post all kinds of numbers, who knows how accurate or consistent they really are and under what conditions. Only thing for you to do is check your tire pressure and make sure it is not on the low side. Also some tires can reduce your MPG if they're wider or larger than the stock ones. Ignore using 91 octane - the cost difference negates any minor mpg increase. I've had mine since '22 - I never put it in eco mode and just drive the darn thing as I like, if I get a couple less mpg than someone else that's fine I'm still getting great mileage and enjoying the ride.

 

[Cherokee]

I get 26-28 in my Appalachian Mountains and 30 on the Interstate with my Ecoboost.
I’m happy with that, and very happy with the 250 horse power and 277 ft lbs of torque out of my 4 banger. The Turbo is sweet.
If I lived in a big city metro the Mavbrid would have been my choice but out here with my foot my hybrid mpg’s would suck.
Because I like to go fast, and keep up with everyone else including the police.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

It's surprisingly difficult to find manufacturer data on this subject. It's almost like they don't want to talk about it. Or there is some pressure from "above" (oil companies maybe?). I dunno.

But there's tons of car "blogs" on the subject. Overwhelming majority say, hybrids don't benefit from higher octane. Tons of user reports.

One example:

""A by-product of this is that Atkinson cycle engines actually run best on lower-octane fuels. The slower flame propegation of high-octane fuel is detrimental to such an engine, and Prius owners who have made the mistake of running premium fuel in their cars have been rewarded with misfires, check engine and hybrid system warning indicators"

I find that kind of different. I owned a first and second generation Chevy Volt. The first generation Atkinson cycle required premium. My second generation with a different engine did not.

The first-generation Chevrolet Volt utilized an Atkinson cycle engine as part of its extended-range electric powertrain. This engine, which is a smaller internal combustion engine, runs in the Atkinson cycle for improved fuel efficiency when operating as a range extender.
The first-generation Chevrolet Volt, specifically models from 2011 to 2015, requires premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher. While regular unleaded fuel can be used in an emergency, using it will compromise fuel economy and may make the engine noisier.

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