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

[GPSMan]

I 100% agree that shifting to N could be a problem for you.

Just saying doing it while in motion will not harm the truck. Unless of course you crash it. Enjoy!

Sponsored

 

[MakinDoForNow]

are you saying when you "shift" into neutral that nothing mechanically disengages? I get that the control isn't directly connected but if you put it into neutral and step on the gas I assume the engine would rev but you wouldn't accelerate. I think that would be the real risk here.

I agree that otherwise the computer will probably stop you from actually doing something imminently dangerous like shifting into reverse when you are traveling down the highway.

He is saying that when you "shift" into N (or for that matter any "gear" or when you step on the "gas") you are only ASKING THE COMPUTER to do what you want and if conditions permit, it will do it! If it's in Neutral and the ice is running no power will go to the wheels and the computer will run the ice at whatever rpm it wants to generate electricity. You have no direct control on engine speed. If the computer detects the engine is too hot it can and will run the ice on two cylinders to help reduce engine temperature.

 

[GPSMan]

Actually one caveat: in N the car will not charge. At all.

If you put it in N the car will not start either. It's almost like pulling a fuse. But virtually, not mechanically.

 

[sprubs]

He is saying that when you "shift" into N (or for that matter any "gear" or when you step on the "gas") you are only ASKING THE COMPUTER to do what you want and if conditions permit, it will do it! If it's in Neutral and the ice is running no power will go to the wheels and the computer will run the ice at whatever rpm it wants to generate electricity. You have no direct control on engine speed. If the computer detects the engine is too hot it can and will run the ice on two cylinders to help reduce engine temperature.

I'm nearly 100% sure my subaru shifter is like this since it takes what feels like way too long to go from reverse to drive. I've never tried to go into N while driving. Given how nothing is physically connected anymore it seems like maybe it's time to rethink the user interface on this. I can't say I like the idea of "tricking" the user into thinking they have somewhat direct control when they don't and not letting the user know what state the system is really in. This isn't a dig at the mav or anything as I'm guessing nearly all vehicles are like this now.

 

[GPSMan]

"Fly by wire" trickled down to "drive by wire".

 

[sprubs]

"Fly by wire" trickled down to "drive by wire".

I can live with drive by wire when there isn't too much processing in the middle or at least feedback that what you tried to do isn't actually happening.

 

[Buyerfind]

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

Super information!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[GPSMan]

I can live with drive by wire when there isn't too much processing in the middle or at least feedback that what you tried to do isn't actually happening.

Every day I stop on a freeway off ramp that is upslope. Not terribly steep. Maybe 4%??? The hybrid Mav automatically goes to "hill hold mode". That is, it applies the brakes automatically. There is no visual indication that this happened.

Not only does it not roll back (ok, that's good) but there is a bit of a jolt when you try to go forward because the brake is applied when you push the gas pedal, and there is a moment before the brake suddenly releases. Not a deal breaker. I can live with it. Just a Maverick "thing". I'd like it better tho if a lamp came on to tell you it is in hill hold mode.

 

[jsus]

Every day I stop on a freeway off ramp that is upslope. Not terribly steep. Maybe 4%??? The hybrid Mav automatically goes to "hill hold mode". That is, it applies the brakes automatically. There is no visual indication that this happened.

Not only does it not roll back (ok, that's good) but there is a bit of a jolt when you try to go forward because the brake is applied when you push the gas pedal, and there is a moment before the brake suddenly releases. Not a deal breaker. I can live with it. Just a Maverick "thing". I'd like it better tho if a lamp came on to tell you it is in hill hold mode.

Per your manual...

HOW DOES HILL START ASSIST WORK

When the system activates, your vehicle remains stationary for a few seconds after you release the brake pedal. This gives you time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. The brakes release when you apply the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to move forward, or the vehicle is stationary beyond hill start assist hold time.
The system activates when your vehicle is in any forward gear and facing uphill, or when your vehicle is in reverse (R) and facing downhill.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...d=8431&vFilteringEnabled=False&userMarket=usa

 

[GPSMan]

Just seems there is a "lamp" or icon for everything except this.

 

[jsus]

Just seems there is a "lamp" or icon for everything except this.

I don't disagree, just providing more detail on the Hill Start Assist feature. Ford has had it for over a decade, even on Focus. It really does come in handy. Imagine being on an icy, snow-covered incline, stopped at a red light, as an extreme example.

There's an indicator in the instrument cluster for Auto Hold, but not for Hill Start Assist. Odd.

 

[Maverick2112]

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

I read the thread buy may have missed it. If you could, can you write a few words describing your driving habits in slippery mode to get the high MPG ? I'm new to hybrids, but I have been experimenting and trying to learn the best stategies for best mpg.

 

[GPSMan]

Sure.
Use EV as much as possible.
This is really most useful under 50 mph.

Use EV coach to STAY in EV mode. It will show how much pedal you can use.

Acceleration is slow in EV, too slow for most conditions. Hence, use gas to get up to the city speed limit. Use EV to maintain speed.

Lift your foot totally off the gas to get the engine to shut off. Then gently apply go pedal to maintain speed. This is why I like slippery mode. Lowest regen of any mode so when you lift your foot to shut off the engine, you'll lose the least amount of speed. 2-3 mph in most cases.

Enjoy! I'd love to hear your feedback.

 

[MaverickShark]

Back with some numbers.

The first five tanks were with using "Eco Mode' and got an average of 53.32 mpg.

For The last 3 tanks, I only used 'Slippery Mode" and averaged 53.39 mpg.

Take the data with a grain of salt because the first and second "Slippery" tanks did have about a 100-120 mile highway trip. Also, on the last part of the second tank, and all of the third tank, the season changed and it got colder out. I also can't give exact estimates of what percent of each tank was City/Highway. I did try to keep HVAC out of it and only used it sparingly to defrost the windshield.

I am using Eco on this tank to see how it will do in the cold.

I will say that it is hard to get a true MPT/MPG because you would need to drive it to E to get consistent data, and the computer always favors your driving style for the last 25-50 miles when estimating the remaining range. I recall filling up once and it estimated ~715 miles after filling up, and on this last tank, I took the freeway more the last ~30 miles, and after filling up it estimated ~660 miles.

 

[GPSMan]

A) it's colder and wetter here now. Much colder and much wetter.

B) I've done more highway driving, 65, 70 mph.

C) I've started to tire of "hypermiling", more and more I just get in and drive.

All combined I'm now getting 600 mile tanks and not 700 (or 790!) mile tanks.

After six months I'm still convinced Slippery Mode is the best for easier gains in MPG. I'm using slippery most of the time. I really feel and see a difference when I'm not.

Also tow/haul will drive in EV in reverse. I guess because, ya know, your gas engine can't spin backwards so it can't physically add torque to the wheels in reverse. If the battery is low in reverse the gas engine will come on to create electrical charge in reverse.

Sponsored