Terrible gas mileage!

[MaverickDragon]

Don't know if someone has mentioned, but a while ago I made the discovery that premium gas made ~10% better milage. Recently I learned that Union 76 premium was even better. Our 23 hybrid usually averages mid 40's. Occasionally higher around town. 70mph on interstate drops it to high 30's. Confession: I am a light foot.

I believe what you said, however, in this case, if you expect the mileage to improve, it likely will, regardless of the fuel difference.

This is due to a common human trait that occurs when people test anything.
It's called observer bias.
It's not that you intentionally are trying to make the fuel factor improvement happen, but subconsciously, you may change your driving behavior enough to make it appear that way.

That's part of the reason for so called blind tests, where the tester, in this case , wouldn't know whether or not regular or premium were used during the vehicle test.

Premium fuel with a higher octane rating will make a difference in an engine like the 2.0 Eco, but the Atkinson powered Hybrid does not need the extra octane rating, and that provides no benefit to the hybrid. Higher octane is really only needed to prevent detonation due to premature firing.

There may be benefits from the premium additive packages, typically additives that act as cleaners to fuel system components, but that process is unlikely to make a difference on the first tank.

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[Donaldw]

I believe what you said, however, in this case, if you expect the mileage to improve, it likely will, regardless of the fuel difference.

This is due to a common human trait that occurs when people test anything.
It's called observer bias.
It's not that you intentionally are trying to make the fuel factor improvement happen, but subconsciously, you may change your driving behavior enough to make it appear that way.

That's part of the reason for so called blind tests, where the tester, in this case , wouldn't know whether or not regular or premium were used during the vehicle test.

Premium fuel with a higher octane rating will make a difference in an engine like the 2.0 Eco, but the Atkinson powered Hybrid does not need the extra octane rating, and that provides no benefit to the hybrid. Higher octane is really only needed to prevent detonation due to premature firing.

There may be benefits from the premium additive packages, typically additives that act as cleaners to fuel system components, but that process is unlikely to make a difference on the first tank.

It was not observer bias. For a long time I used regular (the medium grade). Then we needed gas while my wife was at Costco, so we bought gas there. They don't have the medium grade, only the low grade and premium. So I wasn't buying premium for a mileage test or improvement. But I always check the milage I'm getting on a tank and trips. I noticed, with honest surprise that the milage went up on the premium gas. About 10%. Then another time I needed gas and the closest station was union 76. So I bought their premium. Not as an experiment, it was what was available where I was. And checking the milage it added another 2-3 mpg.

 

[Edge Haley]

I believe what you said, however, in this case, if you expect the mileage to improve, it likely will, regardless of the fuel difference.

This is due to a common human trait that occurs when people test anything.
It's called observer bias.
It's not that you intentionally are trying to make the fuel factor improvement happen, but subconsciously, you may change your driving behavior enough to make it appear that way.

That's part of the reason for so called blind tests, where the tester, in this case , wouldn't know whether or not regular or premium were used during the vehicle test.

For 2 yrs I've waited til gas is down to 50-60 miles until empty. Go to Costco and add 2 gallons of higher octane then fill up with their 87 octane...Always get 2 to 3 mpg more by adding the higher octane, but engine runs much better, noticeably better acceleration with the slight extra octane...last yrs average is always between 41-44.

Also recently switched from OEM tires to Michelin Defenders and lost a 1.3 mpg with change of tread pattern.

 

[Darryl]

If I do 50/50 mixed driving I get pretty much what Ford claims. I actually get BETTER than Ford claims in city driving when I'm doing a lot of driving at 45 or less. When driving at 75-80 my mpg is closer to 30. I did notice a substantial hit to mpg when we had several cold days.

 

[JohnCondren1933]

Modern Engines, gearboxes, transmissions, absolutely 100% DO have a break-in period, per "Motor Oil Geek" backed up by 00s of 000s of oil change samples, a properly maintained modern vehicle will have 90% of (piston-ring break in) metal wear during the 1st 10,000 miles.

Modern PCU & ECU controllers have made it extremely difficult for a bad driver to damage a new engine from hard throttle use, but engines & gearboxes such as PTUs absolutely 100% have a break-in period where the gear-tooth, & especially piston-ring, metal contact surfaces wear in the contact surfaces,
the ways the PCU prevents a new engine being damaged during break-in is
1) running a richer fuel-air mix which results in cooler combustion particularly with port-injectors,
2) for dual port & head direct injection motors, injecting a larger ratio of fuel through the port injectors for a longer operating interval to cool the incoming air for longer.
3) limiting throttle response when the engine is not at optimal operating temperature.

Higher toleranced machining of engine components means LESS metal wear particles in the oil during break-in period but there absolutely is still a break in period and definitely still a significantly larger % of metal particles in the oil during the 1st 10,000 miles that the entire rest of a properly maintained engines life.

yeah, the whole "breaking in" thang was way back before CAD/CAM was used to make vehicles. The tolerances in drivetrain components are so tight right from the factory floor that there is very little "breaking in" of smoothing away high spots and filling in low spots. Since 90% of Maverick owners are senior citizens (like me) according to someone's poll on this forum, it's a hard concept to break and get with the times. Like people still wanting to change their oil (for the same old low tolerance pre-CAD/CAM reasons) every 1500-3000 miles when 10,000 mile oil shows little breakdown from new under normal driving conditions.

The main contributors to MPG gain or loss among identical vehicles are driving style, and total vehicle weight. If you've got a couple hundred pounds of tools and gear in there, your MPG will be lower.

skippable anecdotes: I notice about a 3-5 MPG drop on longer highway drives when I have a second person riding with me; and their stuff. That would probably total 150-175lbs that I don't usually have in there, her and her voluminous packing of every conceivable outfit and products. I barely have room to throw in my own dufflebag. Oh wait, I also have the 12vdc fridge/cooler on those trips, so maybe it's 250 total extra pounds above just me tooling around by myself. My 70mph+ average drive for 500 miles from CA to OR is usually about 42-3mpg, but drops to 38 with passenger+stuff. I just did this drive with a couple hundred pounds of tools and it was 38. But, I also have FWD, not the AWD of the author of this thread.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Modern Engines, gearboxes, transmissions, absolutely 100% DO have a break-in period, per "Motor Oil Geek" backed up by 00s of 000s of oil change samples, a properly maintained modern vehicle will have 90% of (piston-ring break in) metal wear during the 1st 10,000 miles.

Modern PCU & ECU controllers have made it extremely difficult for a bad driver to damage a new engine from hard throttle use, but engines & gearboxes such as PTUs absolutely 100% have a break-in period where the gear-tooth, & especially piston-ring, metal contact surfaces wear in the contact surfaces,
the ways the PCU prevents a new engine being damaged during break-in is
1) running a richer fuel-air mix which results in cooler combustion particularly with port-injectors,
2) for dual port & head direct injection motors, injecting a larger ratio of fuel through the port injectors for a longer operating interval to cool the incoming air for longer.
3) limiting throttle response when the engine is not at optimal operating temperature.

Higher toleranced machining of engine components means LESS metal wear particles in the oil during break-in period but there absolutely is still a break in period and definitely still a significantly larger % of metal particles in the oil during the 1st 10,000 miles that the entire rest of a properly maintained engines life.

What I was getting at is that it is not as crucial or apparent as the old cars of yore. YES, you want to do an early oil change at 500-1000 miles to clear out the assembly gunk in the oil and filter, but also that the high tolerances do not create as much gunk, nor require very much use to "break in". On modern vehicles, the "break-in" is up to 1000 miles, not 10,000. No harm in treating it like it needs 10,000, or 25,000, but that's not what the data says. And as you mention, on-board diagnostics won't let you do anything too crazy anyway. It's kind of hard for people to ruin the lifespan of their new vehicle in the first 10k miles now. Unless they slap in a KN air filter to let all the dust and grit in, and use some crazy high viscosity "enthusiast" oil like Royal Purple 20-40, because they think they have a racecar. I suspect those are the same people that are mad that the tires only last 10k, too.

 

[rtphokie]

There are three possible explanations for your less than expected MPG

1. there's something wrong with your vehicle
2. mileage will improve as your break the engine in
3. mileage will improve as your break-in your driving patterns

#1 is HIGHLY unlikely
#2 is a factor, but not a huge one
#3 is more of a factor than you may realize.

Put it in eco mode, turn on the brake coach, and take it easy on body pedals. You'll add a few MPG each week just by retraining yourself to drive more gently.

Not only will you save on fuel, it makes your more aware, safer driver.

 

[Kenv24]

There are three possible explanations for your less than expected MPG

1. there's something wrong with your vehicle
2. mileage will improve as your break the engine in
3. mileage will improve as your break-in your driving patterns

#1 is HIGHLY unlikely
#2 is a factor, but not a huge one
#3 is more of a factor than you may realize.

Put it in eco mode, turn on the brake coach, and take it easy on body pedals. You'll add a few MPG each week just by retraining yourself to drive more gently.

Not only will you save on fuel, it makes your more aware, safer driver.

Oh, come on. my Maverick was my first hybrid. I’d never driven a hybrid. Didn’t know how to “drive” a hybrid like everyone is telling him. I was getting 45 miles to the gallon the first week and I still do. It’s not hard to “drive” this truck and NOT get 42-45 MPG.

 

[25XLT]

There are three possible explanations for your less than expected MPG

1. there's something wrong with your vehicle
2. mileage will improve as your break the engine in
3. mileage will improve as your break-in your driving patterns

#1 is HIGHLY unlikely
#2 is a factor, but not a huge one
#3 is more of a factor than you may realize.

Put it in eco mode, turn on the brake coach, and take it easy on body pedals. You'll add a few MPG each week just by retraining yourself to drive more gently.

Not only will you save on fuel, it makes your more aware, safer driver.

All excellent points!

Your points remind me of an episode of Top Gear some years ago. In that episode, they drove a BMW 7 Series V8 around a track, and had a new Prius follow it around and then see how their fuel consumption rates compared in the end.
Of course, everyone thought the BMW V8 would consume more, but actually it was the Prius that consumed more as it took a whole lot more effort on the part of the Prius to keep pace with the V8. So, the moral of the story is that it matters a lot how one drives when it comes to good fuel economy.

 

[MavMeister25]

I don’t claim to be an expert, but in my experience these are the factors which affect mpg (in order from most significant to least significant):

1) city versus highway time — the people you see getting ridiculous mpg like 50+ are all driving mostly city, whereas the people getting lower 30s are mostly highway.

2) outside temperature — the winter absolutely tanks your mpg, with 8 or 9 mpg LESS in the coldest part of winter compared to a nice 70 degree day.

3) AC and heater — heater is even worse than the AC in terms of lowering mpg, and its combined with the fact that cold weather ALSO kills mpg. A double whammy.

4) tire pressure — I experienced a 3 to 4 mpg boost in mpg when I raised my tire pressure from the recommend 35 psi up to just shy of 40.

5) driving style — being heavy on the gas pedal, accelerating fast, and not coasting will all lower your mpg.

6) wind — this often gets overlooked, but if you’re driving on highway against strong wind, especially at speeds above 70 mph, your mpg can drop 5-10 mpg! I’m not exaggerating! I have seen this many times. It’s repeatable.

7) payload weight — when the manufacturer does their market mpg estimates, it’s always with ZERO added weight. It doesn’t include multiple passengers or heavy objects in the bed.

 

[LSchicago]

You won’t get real world 37mpg combined.

After almost 1 year and 11k miles I’m getting 34mpg.

I’ve never heard someone call 32mpg terrible. I wouldn’t hook my relativity to the EPA number but rather reality and the fact you have an AWD 4k truck with 1400lb payload that is getting 32 mpg.

Pretty freakin great.

I am above 37mpg average on my 25 AWD Hybrid, but I expect that to drop a bit now with winter. My downfall is short commutes. Under 5 miles. MPG is much better if your city drives are over 5 miles. 3-4 miles and it's still warming up when you park.

 

[710-oil-614]

I am above 37mpg average on my 25 AWD Hybrid, but I expect that to drop a bit now with winter. My downfall is short commutes. Under 5 miles. MPG is much better if your city drives are over 5 miles. 3-4 miles and it's still warming up when you park.

Do you track with Fuelly or a spreadsheet?

 

[SP1966]

It can be, but not always depending on the mindset, but it is always rewarding as you lose less cash at the gas station...

Prior to my maverick I was always in the left lane, now I relax in the right lane! My obsession with maximizing MPG isn't financial, its become an OCD driven reason to live! LOL

 

[mrjspence]

So many variables to MPG obviously, but your short trips might be just short enough, and just the right geographies, speeds, to never have the chance to AVERAGE out. And on the highway, it seems like you’re getting what you should during the winter, again- depending on so many variables. Also I’m thinking most of the country has switched to winter gasoline and it will absolutely knock off a few MPGs in these.

 

[kenswebdesign]

I am two months into owning and daily driving a 2025 Hybrid AWD. All of the reviews, window sticker, and published data indicated that I would be getting 37 mpg combined city/highway. Well, that is my daily routine - about 50% city and 50%highway based on total miles driven. The city may not be bumper to bumper like New York traffic, but there are plenty of stop signs and lights with average speeds around 35 mph.

I am only seeing 32 mpg on my short and long term trip computers readings.

I do not use the Economy mode because the vehicle is pretty slow already. And I am not pounding the pedal constantly to race it around. Pretty normal stuff and not loading the bed or towing (yet).

I have about 1,200 miles on it so far. Thought it might get better over time, but has not. Also, I notice that the 2.5 liter gas engine is on far more than I would have expected. Stays off on very slow starts up to about 10 mph, then the ICE kicks in.

What is going on here? Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions? Can Ford make any changes to improves this?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Neil

Definitely use ECO mode... the only thing is does is increase the engine braking when you let off the gas. I get 46mpg driving around in FL (level roads, never cold, mostly 45mph speed limits). The mileage will DEFINITELY improve as you break it in more....sure did on mine. And when I am at a light, I jump out ahead of the traffic, get up over the speed limit a touch and then let off the throttle. That gets it into battery mode, and if you keep a light foot it will stay that way until you hit a hill or have to accelerate. Sometimes I can be averaging 50 mpg. the little short trips like 1.8 mi. to my guy knock the average down since the engine will run more to warm up when first start a trip. I drove from FL to PA and averaged 38 going 75 to 80 as often as possible.

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