Hybrid braking tips to maximize MPG?

[rtphokie]

Sounds like some here are driving their hybrid like they're playing a video game, trying come up with the highest score.

Yeah, but instead of worthless video game points we get to visit the gas pump less often

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[h1k3rb]

Yes we do, even my wife is into it.

2025 Lariat Maverick AWD
●Econ mode must be set each time as normal mode is default. No way to default it that I know of.
●L selector if in town adds to regeneration.
●Turn off the AC or heat and use fresh air only if possible.
●Anticipate and use regenerative braking
●Did a Sunday to Tahoe yesterday, 29 mpg up the mountains all Hybrid.
Kirkwood to Sutter Creek 99.9MPG 50 mins 38 miles with 29.8 on electric... downhill lol.
Sutter Creek to home 46.8mpg over 47 miles of country roads and suburban city streets.

Do I win the game?

Yeah, but instead of worthless video game points we get to visit the gas pump less often

My comment wasn't meant as a criticism at all, just an observation. As has been pointed out, it's not that hard to get higher than normal MPG. Whether I drive mine that way most of the time or not is irrelevant, if you find it worthwhile and enjoy it then why not...

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Yes we do, even my wife is into it.

2025 Lariat Maverick AWD
●Econ mode must be set each time as normal mode is default. No way to default it that I know of.
●L selector if in town adds to regeneration.
●Turn off the AC or heat and use fresh air only if possible.
●Anticipate and use regenerative braking
●Did a Sunday to Tahoe yesterday, 29 mpg up the mountains all Hybrid.
Kirkwood to Sutter Creek 99.9MPG 50 mins 38 miles with 29.8 on electric... downhill lol.
Sutter Creek to home 46.8mpg over 47 miles of country roads and suburban city streets.

Do I win the game?

Where is your 4th digit?

 

[JTMO]

Not on my 2025 apparently lol. I would be curious what it was over that 50 minute ride. Guess I need a good OBD2 plug and car scanner app to find out?

 

[rivermaverick]

Hitting the brakes in a hybrid is like downshifting with smoother control, until that last few mph before a full stop anyway. L is more aggressive but I don't find it useful for the way I drive. My first four vehicles (2 VW beetles, VW bus and a '64 Chevy II) had manual transmissions and I don't miss down (or up) shifting at all.

I used to have a 6-speed manual Mazda in the US and a 5-speed Ford in the UK (audible warning if I tried to shift the Ford into 6th). I now have an auto Mazda here but still enjoy driving my manual Ford in the UK (most cars in the UK are manuals although automatics are catching up). I use 'Sport Shift' to down shift on the Mazda.

 

[h1k3rb]

Was out and about between several small towns and (although not for the first time) decided to take it easy for a change. This was in upstate SC and just across the state line into NC. Terrain was mostly gently rolling hills with a few steeper ones, speed limits 20-35mph in towns, and 45-55mph between them. Left it in Normal mode, didn't watch any displays, and didn't do anything special other than take it a little easier than I normally do.

For reference the mpg bias was set to 960 (from 1000 default) and pretty accurate. I usually get from 38-45mpg with this type of driving so 50mpg was a bit of a surprise. Quite a bit of my normal driving is short trips of 1-3 miles so part of the increase was also due to driving longer distances between stops, plus outside temps ranged from the mid 50s to around 80 so there was no heat on and only brief periods of AC usage in the mid-late afternoon.

It showed me how well these hybrid systems are designed - you have really good performance when you want/need it and with minimal effort can get stellar mpg.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Sounds like some here are driving their hybrid like they're playing a video game, trying come up with the highest score.

It's called "hypermiling" and yes, it is sort of a game. One that results is saving a few $. And provides bragging points.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I have a roughly 40 mile drive that takes roughly 1 hour.

Google will compute the trip time at the start of the Journey based on current conditions.

You can say I "hypermile".
I get 60 MPG instead of 45 MPG.

I get there in 1:03 to 1:05 instead of 1 hour.

I am never more than 5 minutes slower than Google ETA.

It is fun going 800 miles between visits to a gas station. And honestly, going to get gas 25% fewer times per year, I'm getting my minutes back.

Win - Win

 

[KenE]

If you get 96% then 4% was not captured and was hydraulic!

Pretty much my interpretation, 100% means you've captured All the Regen possible. But a miniscule hydraulic brake probably used last few feet of stopping, barely enough to scrape the rust from the pads. My previous 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid had 95k when I sold, original brake pads & all tires still like new. All four brake pads barely worn.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

My last Ford Hybrid went 210,000 miles on original brake pads.

 

[Timothyd]

Have had the 2025 Lariat Hybrid for a week. Can anyone recommend how I should be braking to ensure maximum MPG? Sometimes the braking coach says 100% returned other times as low at 64%. Not sure what I should be doing

I heard from someone here; drive like you have a bowl full of liquid on the dash. Think gentle on the brakes and gentle on the throttle. Think ahead.

 

[Benilla]

I'll switch to Eco mode to brake when I'm coming up to a stop at high speeds and let the eco mode slow down the vehicle before applying brakes. If I'm going lower city speeds, I'll use the L button to slow down instead of braking.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

2022 here:

L button spins up my engine (without gas but it is still spinning for "engine brake") almost every time.

I don't want that extra wear & tear.
Eco Mode is "almost" the same regen, without the engine spinning up.

 

[GQSTRDR]

Drive it like you own it not like you stole it. Don’t get caught up in the trips but in the miles per tank! I drive normally and get a constant 500 + / 600 miles per tank

 

[dochawk]

In slippery mode, L seems to simply apply maximum regenerative braking (until some low speed, at which point it's oddly less than that, and I apply more, staying within the brackets of the braking coach. the engine does not sound like it's being spun up.

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