Hybrid question

[bcarpenter300]

I have had my XLT Hybrid for about 2 months now. This week for some reason, areas that are typically run in “electric” are not, and it’s digging into my fuel mileage. Is this normal? Still not running air or heat, but stretches of road that had previously been covered in electric are now being covered in the gas and at less than 20mpg. Am I looking at a problem or has this week been an anomaly? Or worse, was the previous time on electric an anomaly?

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[Montana]

Has it been colder where you are? 20MPG is still pretty low, but if the engine needs to keep kicking on to maintain a temperature threshold, you will notice a hit. How long/short are your trips and how often do you drive?

 

[CurtisB]

I agree with Montana. We need more about how you are driving and weather conditions. I will say that if this is your first Hybrid vehicle, try to rely on the mileage read out when you fill up, not the day to day readings your truck is displaying.

 

[bcarpenter300]

This particular drive is to work. This morning it was about 38 degrees. It is my first hybrid, what I have been focusing on it the “instantaneous mpg” reading as I have been trying to find the areas of my driving that are in electric. My overall mpg is around 45 since I’ve had it. Last week I was around 50, however since last week I’m down to 46. I know it’s a silly complaint, but my frustration kicks in when things aren’t consistent. This drive is about 7 miles in total.

 

[CurtisB]

In the realm of us prior hybrid drivers, we call it "Dashboard- itis". We see low numbers on the dash, we try to compensate. Best thing you can do is ignore the dashboard and just drive. Your computer is doing it's job of changing and adjusting to your driving habits. 38 degree weather will definitely effect mileage. When your weather is warmer and stays that way for a week or more, watch you mileage get better. Sometimes I drive to the market and back (lousy mpg). Sometimes I drive far (better mileage). What the computer is trying to do is to get you to the 40mpg overall average. It knows how much gas you have in your tank and is trying to optimize your mpg. Just keep driving. It will get better. And lastly, summer is when you will see ridiculously high mpg. I know. Drove a Prius for 7 years. Just keep driving bro, you are fine.

 

[bcarpenter300]

Thanks everyone. I’m coming into this from a Ram 1500 Hemi, so this fuel mileage is so very different from the 15 or so I got before, but it is so much less truck too. Just trying to maximize the change.

 

[Montana]

Thanks everyone. I’m coming into this from a Ram 1500 Hemi, so this fuel mileage is so very different from the 15 or so I got before, but it is so much less truck too. Just trying to maximize the change.

It's a learning experience for sure. Focus on the overall. Sounds like you are getting along quite well

Enjoy!

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Thanks everyone. I’m coming into this from a Ram 1500 Hemi, so this fuel mileage is so very different from the 15 or so I got before, but it is so much less truck too. Just trying to maximize the change.

Change the instrument cluster to show the EV Coach. It will show (in real time) ELECTRIC in blue, charging in GREEN and HYBRID in white.

Use Slippery mode for best MPG.

 

[Chicolini]

The great Jim Morrison once said:
Keep your eyes on the road
Your hand upon the wheel
Keep your eyes on the road
Your hand upon the wheel
Yeah, we're going to the Roadhouse
Gonna have a real-
Good time

If you follow his advice, this will all work out nicely.

 

[Mav_RICK]

I have had my XLT Hybrid for about 2 months now. This week for some reason, areas that are typically run in “electric” are not, and it’s digging into my fuel mileage. Is this normal? Still not running air or heat, but stretches of road that had previously been covered in electric are now being covered in the gas and at less than 20mpg. Am I looking at a problem or has this week been an anomaly? Or worse, was the previous time on electric an anomaly?

The EV coach aka brake coach is a good tool to use for real time. When I’m breaking I work to keep the bar out of the white all the way to the stop. It will help you to gauge whether you are breaking too late or too hard. If you keep out of the white when breaking you will get 100% energy returned each time.

When driving try to keep on the blue and green as much as possible but really if you are getting the milage you claim upon fill ups you are doing quite well. Ignore the real time mph.

 

[AF Blue]

My overall mpg is around 45 since I’ve had it. Last week I was around 50, however since last week I’m down to 46.

Best thing you can do is ignore the dashboard and just drive.

Good info given already.
I hit 600 miles on the first full fill-up - took it easy during break-in.
I have not done that again after a year and 15k miles.
If I drive all non-intersate: ~550-575 miles per tank.
If I drive a mix of interstate and non-interstate: ~450-550 miles per tank
If I drive all interstate: ~400-450 miles per tank (for me 75-80 on my 65-70mph locals)

I expect MPG hits:
- when driving at speeds over 65mph or >2000RPM 20% power
- during extreme weather where Heat/AC run more
- when not keeping up vehicle maintenance (Tire Pressure)
- when changing out OEM wheels/tires for aftermarkets that are heavier and/or add more rolling resistance

- when fuel blends go to winter
- when using non-top-tier gas vs. top-tier gas

 

[Timothyd]

I have had my XLT Hybrid for about 2 months now. This week for some reason, areas that are typically run in “electric” are not, and it’s digging into my fuel mileage. Is this normal? Still not running air or heat, but stretches of road that had previously been covered in electric are now being covered in the gas and at less than 20mpg. Am I looking at a problem or has this week been an anomaly? Or worse, was the previous time on electric an anomaly?

Give it some time till the weather warms up to see how it works then.

 

[StarNut]

I was experiencing something similar. My drive to work is the most variable MPG. It is a 66 mile drive with mostly freeway. My MPG has ranged from 34 to 38 so far (have had mine for 6 weeks). The temperature has definitely been the largest part of the difference, but I have also seen differences under similar temperatures. The most likely thing I can tell has to do with the starting state of the EV battery. What I noted is when I drove the truck last (2 days of just parked) and the EV battery was nearly drained when I parked it. With this it can take miles before I can get it into electric mode and over 20 miles before my MPG approaches 30 as the engine is always running charging the battery.

 

[Chilipepper]

I have had my XLT Hybrid for about 2 months now. This week for some reason, areas that are typically run in “electric” are not, and it’s digging into my fuel mileage. Is this normal? Still not running air or heat, but stretches of road that had previously been covered in electric are now being covered in the gas and at less than 20mpg. Am I looking at a problem or has this week been an anomaly? Or worse, was the previous time on electric an anomaly?

What I do to make sure that I’m on electric is set my cruise to one over the speed limit like 36 then click down one to 35 and electric will kick in. This way I know I in E mode.

 

[jmcarter]

Just like when I drove a Cummins powered truck or MH, shoot for the RPM closest to peak torque. You effectively do the same thing seeking the best speed which yields the highest MPG, it’s definitely not 75-80. Just like an EV, cold has a big impact as well. After having a hybrid for six months I’m befuddled by seeing Prius owners in years past going so fast on the interstate.

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