Highway drive test - averaged 43mpg at 70-75mph

[Redman0673]

We took my maverick for a highway drive today just to check out the fuel economy, set cruise at 72mph on one leg, 65 miles and averaged 36mpg.
Used pedal only on way back, again 65 miles and averaged 43mpg at 70-75mph.

I'm very impressed so far

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[dadd75]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

 

[Darnon]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

Sometimes cruise control can hold the throttle too steady whereas an actual driver might change input a bit which gives opportunity to switch to EV mode or hold it for longer.

Of course engine temp, HV batt SoC, elevation, and wind also play a factor in why one direction gets a different result than the return.

 

[RonFLA]

Is this an EB or Hybrid, we are talking about? Those are some very impressive numbers.

Did you pull those MPG figures from the vehicle’s built-in confuser or hand calculated at the pump?

 

[Redman0673]

Is this an EB or Hybrid, we are talking about? Those are some very impressive numbers.

Did you pull those MPG figures from the vehicle’s built-in confuser or hand calculated at the pump?

It is the hybrid model and those are the dash numbers as I have only put approximately 300 miles on it and still have 1/2 a tank after owning for 4 days so I haven't added fuel yet, I have seen 55mpg on short 30 mile trips

 

[Redman0673]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

Sometimes yes

 

[Redman0673]

Sometimes cruise control can hold the throttle too steady whereas an actual driver might change input a bit which gives opportunity to switch to EV mode or hold it for longer.

Of course engine temp, HV batt SoC, elevation, and wind also play a factor in why one direction gets a different result than the return.

Exactly and also I am very fuel milg conscious as I drive a semi for myself and try to save money on fuel always

 

[Sykotyk]

The difference between cruise and using your foot is that you anticipate the upcoming road where cruise can't or won't. You also can variable your speed more than cruise. You might coast up the rest of the hill at 67 instead of 70 while cruise will floor it anyways for the few seconds. Only on entirely flat traffic free ground can cruise win.

Cruise is a decision more on comfort than efficiency

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

Depends some on hills but generally the % power used will stay over 20% higher and more often and without cruise I can keep power usage below 20%. Cruise accelerates faster to get back to set speed. I generally get 4-6 mpg less with cruise.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

Cruise control is pretty good mpg at 65-66 mph. Seems to be able to get 5 mpg better than 70-72.

 

[GreenLady]

Is it safe to say not using cruise control increases your mpg's? And if so, any thoughts why?

I would agree that Cruise control can lower the average mpg. I have 9300+ miles and have made 900 RT mile trips (7 hrs with dog stops) from FL to SC every month since getting the truck on 2/2/22. It’s pretty flat terrain until I get close to Columbia then it’s all rolling hills with a lot of traffic. I set adaptive cruise control at on 75 just about at the beginning of the trip and it’s on until almost the end.

in February and March, when I ran heat, I averaged 42.3 mpg. April, May and early June was fresh air only and my average was 43.5. The rest of June and July was hot and ran AC the whole way. Traffic was also heavier with more drivers pulling in front of me that caused the car length feature to kick in quite a bit. Last 4 OW trips I averaged 38.5 mpg. BTW, I have been in eco mode. I may try regular mode for my next trip and see what that does to mpg.

The trade off for me is: an easy, no stress drive with lower mpg and Acruise or no Acruise and more stress with lower mpg. So far I‘ve chosen the easy, no stress way so the trip seems shorter

 

[dadd75]

Thanks! Very interesting and I am excited to get my Lariat Hybrid by Oct.? Build date is supposed to be 8/22, so? I live near Greenville, SC, new to the state. From Michigan. Looking forward to driving to the coast and see what kind of mpg's I get once my truck arrives.

 

[stoptothink]

Cruise is a decision more on comfort than efficiency

This. If you have a steady foot and anticipate changes in elevation, you can get way better mileage without cruise control. We only use it on long trips through primarily flat areas. We're at close to 3k miles on our Maverick and don't think we've used cruise control once.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I would agree that Cruise control can lower the average mpg. I have 9300+ miles and have made 900 RT mile trips (7 hrs with dog stops) from FL to SC every month since getting the truck on 2/2/22. It’s pretty flat terrain until I get close to Columbia then it’s all rolling hills with a lot of traffic. I set adaptive cruise control at on 75 just about at the beginning of the trip and it’s on until almost the end.

in February and March, when I ran heat, I averaged 42.3 mpg. April, May and early June was fresh air only and my average was 43.5. The rest of June and July was hot and ran AC the whole way. Traffic was also heavier with more drivers pulling in front of me that caused the car length feature to kick in quite a bit. Last 4 OW trips I averaged 38.5 mpg. BTW, I have been in eco mode. I may try regular mode for my next trip and see what that does to mpg.

The trade off for me is: an easy, no stress drive with lower mpg and Acruise or no Acruise and more stress with lower mpg. So far I‘ve chosen the easy, no stress way so the trip seems shorter

Thinking about it and have not paid close attention yet but check when in eco cruise at say 72 and then regular mode at 72. I am thinking that when cruise cuts mph back to maintain set speed it drops faster in eco mode than in standard mode therefore cruise has to recover more so runs stronger or longer. Also it is best to change into passing lane before adaptive cuts speed back as if cruise has to gain say 12 mph it will jump to around 40% power usage to gain 72 back.

 

[Sykotyk]

This. If you have a steady foot and anticipate changes in elevation, you can get way better mileage without cruise control. We only use it on long trips through primarily flat areas. We're at close to 3k miles on our Maverick and don't think we've used cruise control once.

I've used it a bit on the Ohio turnpike and some in Michigan. But mostly I have a very steady foot and keep speed easily. So I just go with that

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