Low MPG displayed on short trips in Hybrid

[Qanzilla]

Edit* I realize that turning off trailer sway assist did not change my mpg and it was a coincidence that I noticed better mileage. The issue was that I am getting very low MPG on very short trips, when the trips are longer, like closer to a mile or more, the mpgs go up a bit. It is likely because the computer can't get an accurate average MPG on such short trips, or that it takes longer to warm up the engine. Thank you guys again for your input.

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[TomD]

As I was writing this, I took a break to look through my menu options in the truck. Turns out I had 'trailer sway assist' turned on- which I must have somehow done by accident. Turning it off returned my truck to 50mpg around town. I'm so relieved and a little embarrassed, but figured I should post this anyways in case anyone else is having the same issue!
Original post below:

When I drove the Maverick home from the dealership I was getting almost 50 mpg. Now, 1,100 miles on the odometer and I'm getting 13-19 mpg around town. I am not a lead foot and I don't speed. I keep it in eco mode most of the time unless I forget. I drove mostly on the highway and I'm averaging 32mpg there. My overall mpg is 30mpg now and I'm thinking there's a problem with my truck.

Last picture is my new mpg with the setting turned off. Incredible how much of a difference it makes! Can't wait to see what I get on the highway now.

Which button is the trailer sway assist? My mileage has dropped off. Mine dropped off during the summer and hasn’t come back.

 

[son of a ..sven]

Qanzilla...did you hear about the airline pilot who pushed the wrong button that caused a mid air?

 

[Mav_RICK]

I’m thinking that is a default setting. I just left that checked from the first time I looked at the menus. My mpg is averaging 43 over the first 2500 miles.

 

[Connect]

As I was writing this, I took a break to look through my menu options in the truck. Turns out I had 'trailer sway assist' turned on- which I must have somehow done by accident. Turning it off returned my truck to 50mpg around town. I'm so relieved and a little embarrassed, but figured I should post this anyways in case anyone else is having the same issue!
Original post below:

When I drove the Maverick home from the dealership I was getting almost 50 mpg. Now, 1,100 miles on the odometer and I'm getting 13-19 mpg around town. I am not a lead foot and I don't speed. I keep it in eco mode most of the time unless I forget. I drove mostly on the highway and I'm averaging 32mpg there. My overall mpg is 30mpg now and I'm thinking there's a problem with my truck.

Last picture is my new mpg with the setting turned off. Incredible how much of a difference it makes! Can't wait to see what I get on the highway now.

what menu is this setting under?

 

[DannyUncanny]

I’ve gone through all the menus and don’t recall seeing that option anywhere. Is it a trim specific option?

 

[Qanzilla]

Interesting. I realized that this setting turns itself back on automatically. However, even with it on, my mpgs have stayed high since I first posted this thread. Not sure what to make of this. The setting is on the steering wheel menu, scroll down until you get to the picture of the truck, then look in the options there.

 

[TheSEARCH]

To OP I see the pictures you showed. They are mostly .9 Mostly well under even ONE mile. I can do this do in the cold. Its normal.DRIVE MORE than 1 mile before you post your mpg. I can do real short trip and get as low as 22 mpg but drive longer and back up to at least 32 mpg. Mainly when under 32F and short drive maybe a one or two miles. My lifetime average is 39.4 BUT I have a roof rack on since August when I got truck with 16 foot kayak on roof mostly. If I didn't have roof rack/kayak I bet I would be up a few more into the 43 range lifetime. Now I have snow tires which drop it again about 2 mpg.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...Is it a trim specific option?

It's in my XL Hybrid's Menu.

 

[Mavman321]

Interesting. I realized that this setting turns itself back on automatically. However, even with it on, my mpgs have stayed high since I first posted this thread. Not sure what to make of this. The setting is on the steering wheel menu, scroll down until you get to the picture of the truck, then look in the options there.

You were driving less than 1 mile and taking those results as your mpg.
If you get in the truck and the hybrid battery happens to be low it may take a mile or 2 for the battery to charge to even be able to go into EV mode

 

[Bill K]

I assume you live in a colder winter climate. If so your mileage will drop off precipitously because of using the heater, which requires the ICE to come on. I’m experiencing the same. Wait for spring and it will bounce back!

 

[RedRider]

The feds state that it takes roughly 1/2gal of fuel to warm up an engine to the point where the cat converter is operating properly, so if you're going to get horrible mileage on really short trips in any gas-operated vehicle from any manufacturer. If your trips are that short, walk.

 

[colinl]

Interesting. I realized that this setting turns itself back on automatically. However, even with it on, my mpgs have stayed high since I first posted this thread. Not sure what to make of this. The setting is on the steering wheel menu, scroll down until you get to the picture of the truck, then look in the options there.

trailer sway assist did not affect your issue and it is a default. the second thing you should know is that short distances are a very poor judge of actual mpg. I see 4 screenshots all under 2 miles and whether it's very high mpg because you rolled downhill for 2 miles, or it's very low because you idled for 5 minutes before you started actually driving, it's irrelevant.

 

[Darnon]

I assume you live in a colder winter climate. If so your mileage will drop off precipitously because of using the heater, which requires the ICE to come on. I’m experiencing the same. Wait for spring and it will bounce back!

If it's a short trip like only 2 miles going to the store I'll just leave the heater off then it will switch to EV mode in about a mile or less. Otherwise it'll run the engine the entire time due to the climate control demand.

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