Tested: Slippery Mode is best for highest MPG (in Hybrid Maverick)

[clavicus]

Except sport mode. It should be banned in all states. It just wastes fuel.

But… funsies…

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[Onceforall]

thanks for posting this.

I had no idea that engine braking would be employed when battery capacity was over 70%. So it makes sense that slippery mode would be better above 70%, and probably no difference between slippery and eco below 70%.

I have never seen my CMAX ENERGI do engine braking. I suspect it would simply coast when the battery is too full for regen, like my Nissan Leaf does above 90% charge.

I'm still in Maverick limbo land. So nothing to test.

 

[GPSMan]

Slippery mode is best ANY time you want minimum regeneration. I use it all the time even when battery is as low as 30% charged. It is for coasting, gliding, drifting, sailing, whatever you want to call it. Next best thing to Neutral which is zero regen.

 

[GPSMan]

I didn't observe that engine braking immediately kicks in at 70%. I observed regen go down by a lot at 70%.

 

[Mav2]

Hello folks-

I did a few well controlled tests on my 2022 Hybrid Maverick to explore the features of the different modes. I now drive in slippery mode ALL THE TIME. If top MPG matters to you; maybe you will too.

I have a ScanGauge III attached to the OBDII port and see data in real time from the Maverick's sensors.

On the same road traveling the same direction for all tests with the HV battery between 41.5 and 42.0% for all tests, I got up to 28 MPH, put it in Neutral, coasted to 25 MPH then without touching either pedal, put in back in drive. This was to measure the amount of regenerative charging. I coasted from 25 mph to 15 mph and recorded the results.

Eco Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Eco Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Tow Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Tow Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Sport Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Sport Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Normal Mode: 22A (4.8kW) at 25 MPH
Normal Mode: 10A (2.2kW) at 15 MPH

Slippery Mode: 12A (2.6kW) at 25 MPH
Slippery Mode: 3A (0.66kW) at 15 MPH

Slippery is best if you want to coast the longest distance without using fuel.
Slippery has given me +10 MPG over Eco in slow rolling conditions such as California freeways at rush hour.

Other observations:
Normal, Eco, Slippery allow EV driving.

Tow/Haul and Sport DO NOT allow EV driving, but will "idle stop" while you are not moving.

Normal, Eco, Slippery modes force the gas engine on when the battery drops below 30% state of charge.

Tow and Sport modes I could not get the battery to 30% because the engine was always running!

There is hysteresis in charging. Sometimes.

In Normal, Eco, Slippery it can start and stop the engine at any battery percent down to 30.01%. Once you hit 30% and below (can briefly hit 29% for example) then the engine must run until the battery exceeds 40%.

In Normal, Eco, and Slippery the HV battery likes to stay in the 30's and 40's for percents. Rarely over 50% SOC. Almost never over 55%.

In Tow/Haul and Sport modes the battery quickly charges to 70%! Presumably so you have more juice at the ready for hill climbing, and presumably, drag racing.

Beware- from 30% to 70% you have full regen braking from the brake pedal, which is 145 Amps (32 kW). At 70.2% my regen brake limit went from 32 kW to 7 kW in one step. Surprised me it wasn't a taper, but this was day one of data collecting.

-John

Thanks for sharing

 

[Allen King Jr]

I have never seen my CMAX ENERGI do engine braking.

If you down a long enough hill with a charged battery, the engine will start spinning without turning on the fuel system for engine braking, and it will do this a long time if in "L" and going down the mountain at the south rim of the grand canyon.

 

[22XLThybrid]

Hello folks-

I did a few well controlled tests on my 2022 Hybrid Maverick to explore the features of the different modes. I now drive in slippery mode ALL THE TIME. If top MPG matters to you; maybe you will too.

I have a ScanGauge III attached to the OBDII port and see data in real time from the Maverick's sensors.

On the same road traveling the same direction for all tests with the HV battery between 41.5 and 42.0% for all tests, I got up to 28 MPH, put it in Neutral, coasted to 25 MPH then without touching either pedal, put in back in drive. This was to measure the amount of regenerative charging. I coasted from 25 mph to 15 mph and recorded the results.

Eco Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Eco Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Tow Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Tow Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Sport Mode: 34A (7.5kW) at 25 MPH
Sport Mode: 15A (3.3kW) at 15 MPH

Normal Mode: 22A (4.8kW) at 25 MPH
Normal Mode: 10A (2.2kW) at 15 MPH

Slippery Mode: 12A (2.6kW) at 25 MPH
Slippery Mode: 3A (0.66kW) at 15 MPH

Slippery is best if you want to coast the longest distance without using fuel.
Slippery has given me +10 MPG over Eco in slow rolling conditions such as California freeways at rush hour.

Other observations:
Normal, Eco, Slippery allow EV driving.

Tow/Haul and Sport DO NOT allow EV driving, but will "idle stop" while you are not moving.

Normal, Eco, Slippery modes force the gas engine on when the battery drops below 30% state of charge.

Tow and Sport modes I could not get the battery to 30% because the engine was always running!

There is hysteresis in charging. Sometimes.

In Normal, Eco, Slippery it can start and stop the engine at any battery percent down to 30.01%. Once you hit 30% and below (can briefly hit 29% for example) then the engine must run until the battery exceeds 40%.

In Normal, Eco, and Slippery the HV battery likes to stay in the 30's and 40's for percents. Rarely over 50% SOC. Almost never over 55%.

In Tow/Haul and Sport modes the battery quickly charges to 70%! Presumably so you have more juice at the ready for hill climbing, and presumably, drag racing.

Beware- from 30% to 70% you have full regen braking from the brake pedal, which is 145 Amps (32 kW). At 70.2% my regen brake limit went from 32 kW to 7 kW in one step. Surprised me it wasn't a taper, but this was day one of data collecting.

-John

Love this detailed information. I've noticed that as the HV fills up from regen it will tip into engine braking. At least that's what seems like is going on.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I didn't observe that engine braking immediately kicks in at 70%. I observed regen go down by a lot at 70%.

I have noticed that engine braking sound does vary in intensity and through the planetary gear could be easily done, I think. Perhaps the large drop at 70% is to make programming easier for aging reduction of HVB capacity?? I will also assume computers will adequately control max ice rpm. Thanks again.

 

[FabMav]

With all electric cars like the BMW i3, they offer “one pedal driving”. Essentially when you lift your foot off the gas regen begins and slows the car down. I’ve owned a Honda Insight and Civic hybrids and there was a simple hack to turn on regen without adding mechanical braking friction to slow the car down. It involved adding a switch that shorted the brake switch. This alerted the driver behind by turning on the brake light and slowed the car down by regen without touching the brake and adding friction. It was very useful in hypermiling. My cars had manual shift CVT’s so it was convenient to place the switch by the stick shift lever. I wonder if this hack would be useful on the Maverick, if mine that was built weeks ago will ever leave Mexico!

 

[NJ Pinelands]

Crazy question, does leaving it in any mode other than normal for long periods lead to quicker wear on tires, brakes, any other parts?

 

[GPSMan]

Crazy question, does leaving it in any mode other than normal for long periods lead to quicker wear on tires, brakes, any other parts?

I would say no.
Regen in any mode is very gentle compared to slamming on the brake pads.

Regen, if you use it primarily, will REDUCE wear and tear on brake pads. Pads lasted 15 years and 235,000 miles on my Ford Escape Hybrid. And the Mav is better than that. The brakes will probably last the lifetime of the Mav in my case.

 

[GPSMan]

With all electric cars like the BMW i3, they offer “one pedal driving”. Essentially when you lift your foot off the gas regen begins and slows the car down. I’ve owned a Honda Insight and Civic hybrids and there was a simple hack to turn on regen without adding mechanical braking friction to slow the car down. It involved adding a switch that shorted the brake switch. This alerted the driver behind by turning on the brake light and slowed the car down by regen without touching the brake and adding friction. It was very useful in hypermiling. My cars had manual shift CVT’s so it was convenient to place the switch by the stick shift lever. I wonder if this hack would be useful on the Maverick, if mine that was built weeks ago will ever leave Mexico!

IT ALREADY HAS THIS BUTTON.

It's labeled "L" and is in the middle of your gear select knob.

Enjoy!

 

[Onceforall]

I didn't observe that engine braking immediately kicks in at 70%. I observed regen go down by a lot at 70%.

so are you saying that when the brake is applied, friction braking rather than regen braking takes over above 70%? That's how my Nissan Leaf EV works above 90%. When I stop accelerating, it simply coasts rather than regen slowing.

I thought I read above from a different poster that engine braking takes over...that's new to me.

 

[Onceforall]

If you down a long enough hill with a charged battery, the engine will start spinning without turning on the fuel system for engine braking, and it will do this a long time if in "L" and going down the mountain at the south rim of the grand canyon.

well yeah...but that's an archaic operation that big rigs etc did to maintain control down a grade, as old drum brakes could overheat and experience serious fade. In modern cars I've never bothered, and especially with EV's and PHEV's it becomes time to rack up the battery miles through regen. The CMAX in particular would start slowing down on steep grades enough so that I'd have big rigs riding my tail.

 

[Allen King Jr]

well yeah...but that's an archaic operation that big rigs etc did to maintain control down a grade, as old drum brakes could overheat and experience serious fade. In modern cars I've never bothered, and especially with EV's and PHEV's it becomes time to rack up the battery miles through regen. The CMAX in particular would start slowing down on steep grades enough so that I'd have big rigs riding my tail.

This is true, unless I am going down a big hill, I control the accel and decel with my right foot using low, then if needed, I apply slight pressure to the brake pedal with my left foot to engage the brake lights, my methods aren't for everyone, but they work for me.

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