AWD vs FWD Mpg

[Pete Sheppard]

I just had a surprising tire spin in my FWD: From a standing start on a gentle, wet slope (a light change at an intersection), my tires were slipping as I applied normal gas. A bit startling, to say the least.

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[Phimosis]

Just got back from my 2nd trip to the smoky mountains the last month.

1st trip was to Gatlinburg 24 Maverick hybrid Fwd approximately 1500 miles averaged 44.3 mpg average temp 75degrees

2nd trip was to Townsend Tn 25 Maverick hybrid AWD 4k tow approximately 1150 miles averaged 40.4 mpg average temp 65.

drove very nearly same route as Gatlinburg and Townsend are only about 20 miles apart. Drove about same manner. 25-45 on back mountainous roads, I-40 60-70mph as it was rainy and foggy on way home 2nd trip.

24 fwd is rated at 42/33 mpg. The 25 awd is rated at 40/31, so a 2 mpg drop is expected. Based on your description, my best guess is that the additional 2 mpg loss is because of rain and differences in wind speed and wind direction.

In my Tesla, I typically get 320 watt hours per mile in flat 75 mph freeway driving in super calm conditions. Then it is like 340-350 Wh/mi in moderate wind and up to 370 Wh/mi in extremely windy conditions. And if it’s storming, meaning extremely windy + heavy rain, it goes up to 420 Wh/mi.

To convert back to gasoline terms, that would be like 31.2 mpg @75 mph, clear conditions, 29.4 mph in moderate wind, 27.0 mpg in heavy wind and 23.8 mpg in heavy wind and rain.

So the wind speed and increased rolling resistance make a substantial difference, up to 30% increased drag.

 

[Phimosis]

Part of the mpg difference between the two trips is due to the axle ratios, not just FWD vs AWD. The 24 FWD had a 3.61 ratio, the 4K got a 3.81.

We’re talking about hybrids here, not ecoboosts. The hybrid has a 3.37 final drive ratio.

 

[Phimosis]

4K Tow on the AWD.
Sounds like the AWD is very efficient.
Not an accurate comparison OP.
Would have to be an AWD without 4K Tow to show ya anything.
4K tow has a lower final drive ratio.
Invalid comparison, especially on a trip like that.

Hybrid has the same final drive ratio, regardless of 2k or 4k tow package.

 

[Howard]

We’re talking about hybrids here, not ecoboosts. The hybrid has a 3.37 final drive ratio.

Oops, missed that.

 

[Cherokee]

Hybrid has the same final drive ratio, regardless of 2k or 4k tow package.

2.5L Axle Ratio 3.37
2.0L Axle Ratio 3.81

Right, yeah your dead on the money, What I saw a half year ago was the different axle based on the engine.

 

[imboden013]

I just had a surprising tire spin in my FWD: From a standing start on a gentle, wet slope (a light change at an intersection), my tires were slipping as I applied normal gas. A bit startling, to say the least.

Don’t know why my FWD hybrid had so much wheel spin, I had less trouble going up this hill.

 

[Escapologist]

Don’t know why my FWD hybrid had so much wheel spin, I had less trouble going up this hill.

Sometimes if you just tap the gas a bit hard setting off, or aren't expecting the surface to be slick at all, you just fill up the tires with crap and then they don't grip for shit. Wet leaves are a bitch too,, you can get a kind of slimy varnish off them that can be hard to get rid of.

 

[Darryl]

On my 24 sync3 I just push button on steering wheel and tell my phone what I want. On 25 sync4 I have to actually hold the button down and then tell my phone what I want, if I don’t hold button down the sync 4 features try to take over. Sometimes it would take 3-4 tries to make a phone call or set a destination. I’m so use to just tapping the steering wheel button on my 22,23,and 24 mavericks

I initially thought something was wrong with my Android Auto because the Sync would take over every time. So I held the button down in frustration and discovered that’s what I should have been doing all along. Now it’s second nature. I think it will become an automatic reflex within a short time. It’s not even an inconvenience for me to press a button an extra 2 seconds at this point. Sync 4 and the larger screen and faster response time is a much more pleasant experience in my opinion. The touchscreen climate controls are just a bit less convenient . But not by much since they are always visible. But a knob for temperature control would be a bit more convenient. Other than that one quibble, I like the sync 4 a lot better than sync 3. Hopefully in time you will too. But everyone is different.

 

[Darryl]

I didn’t initially seek 4 k towing or even AWD. But that’s the only hybrid my dealer had on the lot. And it was still in my budget (barely ) . And I needed something immediately. Now that I have it, I’m glad. I’ve already driven with confidence through an area that caused me a bit of stress in my Focus. The extra traction was welcome.

 

[Darryl]

lol.... it was an anecdotal story, not a scientific one......

Although anecdotal, it was still useful information. it still demonstrates that even with AWD the Maverick hybrid is a very efficient truck . I have noticed a 2 mpg variation in all my vehicles when driven the same route under the same conditions (work and back) . Ive noticed that some brands of gas seem to consistently give me slightly less mpg than others. It’s even more true with the Maverick. I always use 87 octane. But I use different brands sometimes.

 

[dalola]

Although anecdotal, it was still useful information. it still demonstrates that even with AWD the Maverick hybrid is a very efficient truck . I have noticed a 2 mpg variation in all my vehicles when driven the same route under the same conditions (work and back) . Ive noticed that some brands of gas seem to consistently give me slightly less mpg than others. It’s even more true with the Maverick. I always use 87 octane. But I use different brands sometimes.

ALL Mavericks are very efficient, it's a big reason why they kill it on the value card. This is my Lariat Lux FX4 4K....

 

[Phimosis]

ALL Mavericks are very efficient, it's a big reason why they kill it on the value card. This is my Lariat Lux FX4 4K....

My Lariat FX4 4K. No optional lux package…

 

[dalola]

My Lariat FX4 4K. No optional lux package…

Lux = FE

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