Anyone drive their hybrid in low?

[sprcoop]

brake pads are much cheaper than a clutch. just sayin'

I can't argue with that point and have thought about that before. 200K and no sign of clutch issues. I guess my shifting/clutch technique must be OK. Here's hoping she holds up until the Mav arrives (set for production 7/31).

I'm more worried about the weak A/C and Tucson summer. Gettin' dicey.

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[MakinDoForNow]

could you explain? Especially the "low fuel switched on and off" . what is low fuel?

Oops, sorry... When Hybrid is in Low in any drive mode and when ICE comes on and engine braking occurs the ice will most likely be kept spinning more so by just injecting fuel into it as needed particularly if HVB is warming past a certain temp.

 

[GPSMan]

Engine revving while coasting downhill is not using fuel.

It's compressing a charge of air without fuel to generate resistance to help slow the vehicle.

 

[DanielABuckley]

but why? It sure seems to use regen braking more, more than in ECO mode even. Kind of reminds me of a Tesla in one foot driving mode.
I'm seriously wondering if it actually helps MPG.

I always thought low gear on an automatic transmission was for driving when it’s slippery like on snow and ice, especially when taking off

 

[GPSMan]

The Hybrid does not have an automatic transmission, but the EcoBoost does.

Low in an EcoBoost does exactly what you think it does: locks in a low gear so there is no "hunting" on hills and raises RPM in any case.

In the hybrid, it is a simulation only.
It produces more regenerative strength when slowing, coasting, or braking, if the battery has room for charge.

After or beyond this, it evokes "engine braking" sooner. But note, engine braking will occur in drive as well if you ride the brake pedal too long.

 

[Silver23]

I can't argue with that point and have thought about that before. 200K and no sign of clutch issues. I guess my shifting/clutch technique must be OK. Here's hoping she holds up until the Mav arrives (set for production 7/31).

I'm more worried about the weak A/C and Tucson summer. Gettin' dicey.

weak AC? oh no.... It gets over a hundred here too.

 

[Darnon]

I always thought low gear on an automatic transmission was for driving when it’s slippery like on snow and ice, especially when taking off

On Fords usually starting out in '2' is better. The higher gear ratio means less torque to cause the tires to break traction and start spinning. Although some other brands always start out in lowest gear and selecting a numbered gear just limits upshifting past that point.

 

[DanielABuckley]

On Fords usually starting out in '2' is better. The higher gear ratio means less torque to cause the tires to break traction and start spinning. Although some other brands always start out in lowest gear and selecting a numbered gear just limits upshifting past that point.

Thanx for the info. I am 65 and this will be the first automatic transmission that I have owned - was bound to have some misconceptions

 

[son of a ..sven]

brake pads are much cheaper than a clutch. just sayin'

yeah, my dad, way back when, raced dirt track with his modified A Ford...It made sense and still does.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Probably would kill your fuel economy which is the point of a hybrid.

Nope, unless the HV battery is already charged to 100%.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Crazy thing is it increases mpgs. More regen?

Yes.
It does not work like L in an ICE with a conventional automatic.

 

[TRUCKHEF]

Ok, so sounds like "comfort" is your goal not highest MPG possible then.

Stopping gently, moving the green needle the least in amplitude will net highest MPG which is why I prefer slippery mode. Coasting is key. L mode is opposite of coasting.

Bruh, we have 55mph speed zones with red lights every couple hundred of feet, I’m not trying to workout my ankles here, slippery mode amplitude coast? What?

 

[Silver23]

Bruh, we have 55mph speed zones with red lights every couple hundred of feet, I’m not trying to workout my ankles here, slippery mode amplitude coast? What?

true, it's very hard to coast around town here too.....

 

[SuperA]

The Hybrid does not have an automatic transmission, but the EcoBoost does.

Low in an EcoBoost does exactly what you think it does: locks in a low gear so there is no "hunting" on hills and raises RPM in any case.

In the hybrid, it is a simulation only.
It produces more regenerative strength when slowing, coasting, or braking, if the battery has room for charge.

After or beyond this, it evokes "engine braking" sooner. But note, engine braking will occur in drive as well if you ride the brake pedal too long.

Yup. it is similar to 4Lo.

I will only use L when on an extremely steep road or in slippery conditions like a snow packed mountain pass where you are trying not to use the brakes for fear of losing traction.

You could also use this mode for very steep, loose surfaces while ascending.
.
Daily driving is not what this feature is designed for.

Recently went from Florida to Pikes Peak in Colorado. My hybrid Mav groaned while going uphill during the 5-10 mph switchbacks and in regular mode I could smell the clutches 'warming'. I switched to trailer mode and all was fine.

But on the way down, used the Low option too. About 1/3 coming down is a mandatory brake check. Even with all that my brakes were 290 degrees. The park ranger said if they were 300 or more, they'd ask you pull off and let them cool.

 

[GPSMan]

Recently went from Florida to Pikes Peak in Colorado. My hybrid Mav groaned while going uphill during the 5-10 mph switchbacks and in regular mode I could smell the clutches 'warming'. I switched to trailer mode and all was fine.

But on the way down, used the Low option too. About 1/3 coming down is a mandatory brake check. Even with all that my brakes were 290 degrees. The park ranger said if they were 300 or more, they'd ask you pull off and let them cool.

Pikes Peak (been there, done that) is absolute worst case scenario.

Steep - Sustained for miles - with very low speeds.

Coming downhill your battery was full in less than 1 mile so zero regen braking was available.

Coming downhill at 10 mph or less you have basically zero wind resistance.

Coming downhill at 10 mph or less you have close to zero engine brake because RPM's were also on the lower side

You have friction pads and not much else to help slow you down.

Which is why the brake check station is there.

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