Hybrid / CVT Break-In?

[AceGoliath]

Any insight on a break-in period and what it entails for a Hybrid/CVT combo?

Anything specific to a Hybrid? Battery exercising, care, and optimal performance?
(I understand it as this whole hybrid process is pretty much automatic in the background all on it's own with no driver input.)

Anything specific to a CVT? Does it "learn" my driving habit?

Never had either one of my own yet.

Thanks

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[Art_Vandelay]

There is nothing special you need to do. Everything is controlled by computers. eCVT does not learn.

 

[fbov]

This Escape is my second hybrid, and we inherited the first, so this is the first driven from new. I took delivery in January, so any mechanical break-in was swamped by warming of the weather. It's true you don't notice the hybrid work, without looking at the gauges. But there is one thing that's very different.

I grew up driving stick, so my ear is attuned to engine speed. When clutches largely disappeared I still listened to the transmission run through the gears. You can't do that in this car. Engine speed is constant, dependent only on your right foot, and independent of road speed. It NEVER shifts as you speed up. The only change in sound occurs when your foot moves. Very different from geared drivetrains.

And while the transmission may not "learn," the engine does. Mileage is noticeably better with both high-octane and ethanol-free fuel, but only for cars in the upper 50-percentile for mileage. If your mileage is in the 30's, you might as well use cheap gas. (And there's no money to be saved, added fuel cost swamps any reduction in fuel used.)

 

[clavicus]

Is this the eCVT right there? Someone on the forum linked a very interesting video of a professor showing some generations of the eCVT, up to 3rd generation that Ford started building in-house. I believe the Maverick is a newer 4th generation.

To be clear I don't know jack diddly about cars but I'm curious how this whole thing works.



Over here?

I looked at some videos and I guess it's on the driver side like in this plug in hybrid example?

 

[PapaNer]

This Escape is my second hybrid, and we inherited the first, so this is the first driven from new. I took delivery in January, so any mechanical break-in was swamped by warming of the weather. It's true you don't notice the hybrid work, without looking at the gauges. But there is one thing that's very different.

I grew up driving stick, so my ear is attuned to engine speed. When clutches largely disappeared I still listened to the transmission run through the gears. You can't do that in this car. Engine speed is constant, dependent only on your right foot, and independent of road speed. It NEVER shifts as you speed up. The only change in sound occurs when your foot moves. Very different from geared drivetrains.

And while the transmission may not "learn," the engine does. Mileage is noticeably better with both high-octane and ethanol-free fuel, but only for cars in the upper 50-percentile for mileage. If your mileage is in the 30's, you might as well use cheap gas. (And there's no money to be saved, added fuel cost swamps any reduction in fuel used.)

Just wanted to say your explanation was super informative and I appreciate you taking the time to post it. I've never driven a hybrid so I wasn't even thinking about not hearing the transmission, haha.

 

[Maverick-xv]

I just test drove Ford Escape Hybrid 2021. It has the same powertrain as Maverick Hybrid, so it is s good proxy to test. The powertrain is polished, everything smooth and quiet. Even all nannies are working smooth like line keep assist and smart cruise. I think I will like my Maverick Hybrid as it is also incredible value - the base price of Escape Hybrid is over $30K. I am getting fully loaded Maverick Lariat Hybrid for less. I also checked efficiency and it registered 33MPG on the highway and it started to climb rapidly in local traffic and when I ended the test drive it was at 40MPG.

 

[notfast]

Is that the 12v battery in front of the muffler? If it is, I wonder how hard it's going to be to get to. Hopefully not like the Chrysler Sebring where you have to take the PSF wheel off and peel back the fender liner.

 

[BeardedK]

Is that the 12v battery in front of the muffler? If it is, I wonder how hard it's going to be to get to. Hopefully not like the Chrysler Sebring where you have to take the PSF wheel off and peel back the fender liner.

I believe it’s accessed under the rear seat.

 

[fbov]

Is this the eCVT right there? ... I believe the Maverick is a newer 4th generation.

John Kelly's Weber State videos are an excellent introduction at the component level. The last unit shown in that video, the 3rd gen HF35, was mated to a 2.0L in my C-Max. It was the first made my Ford. Fourth gen HF45 is mated to a 2.5L in my Escape. (The Maverick will have an upgraded version of 4th gen, with stator/rotor upgrades). For me, John's videos were invaluable when I was comparing hybrid systems, to see if any had advantages over the Escape. I await his dissection of the HF-45, maybe from a Maverick?

My 12v battery is under the spare tire. The big flat thing in front of the 12v is the HVB, and product literature say the HVB is under the rear seats, so the 12v is farther back.

What is it you think you're highlighting in the photos?

 

[motoretro]

I just test drove Ford Escape Hybrid 2021. It has the same powertrain as Maverick Hybrid, so it is s good proxy to test. The powertrain is polished, everything smooth and quiet. Even all nannies are working smooth like line keep assist and smart cruise. I think I will like my Maverick Hybrid as it is also incredible value - the base price of Escape Hybrid is over $30K. I am getting fully loaded Maverick Lariat Hybrid for less. I also checked efficiency and it registered 33MPG on the highway and it started to climb rapidly in local traffic and when I ended the test drive it was at 40MPG.

I've driven two Toyota Hybrids and to tell the truth, I wasn't very impressed. I always could feel and hear the transition from electric to gas. Is the Escape Hybrid transition apparent also? I'm hung up between the Premium fuel required on the 2.0 and the complexity of the Hybrid. I don't drive as much as I use to, perhaps the fuel penalty would be worth it.

 

[fbov]

... Is the Escape Hybrid transition apparent also? I'm hung up between the Premium fuel required on the 2.0 and the complexity of the Hybrid...

I don't notice the EV/ICE or ICE/EV transitions very often unless I'm causing them (I actively choose between ICE-only, hybrid (ICE+EV) and EV modes.) I've no experience driving Toyota hybrids, so I can't compare.

As to complexity... John Kelly at Weber State also has a video on a DCT, a "dual clutch transmission,." like you get with an EcoBoost engine. You should watch that video before making any judgement as to complexity relative to the hybrid drivetrain, which has no synchro's or clutches. One is a marvel of complexity, the other, a marvel of simplicity that's just turned 50 years old!

 

[Maverick-xv]

"complexity of the Hybrid" is wrong term to use, the correct one would be "stupidly simple Hybrid".

 

[motoretro]

I'm referring to the whole Hybrid system of IC engine, E-motor, battery, cooling system, and electronics to manage everything, not just the transmission. I've watched the video on the transmission and agree, it's a neat, clean unit.

 

[Maverick-xv]

I'm referring to the whole Hybrid system of IC engine, E-motor, battery, cooling system, and electronics to manage everything, not just the transmission. I've watched the video on the transmission and agree, it's a neat, clean unit.

Those questions would be very logical about 20 years ago, when Toyota made first Hybrid of this design. At this point, it is polished, fully mature and proved with billions of miles driven by Hybrids. Absolutely nothing to worry about in modern Hybrid at this point. The only question remains: Why it took so long to offer an affordable and practical Hybrid? Surprisingly, it did not come from Toyota or anyone else, but Ford!

 

[Wrench77]

"complexity of the Hybrid" is wrong term to use, the correct one would be "stupidly simple Hybrid".

I agree seeing how this transmission, ICE engine, and electric motor all work with each other thru one planetary gear set in genius. As a heavy equipment mechanic for 25+ years and having torn down all types of transmissions, final drives, gear boxes etc this is so simple it’s stupid.

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