Hybrid braking tips to maximize MPG?

[MakinDoForNow]

I'll switch to Eco mode to brake when I'm coming up to a stop at high speeds and let the eco mode slow down the vehicle before applying brakes. If I'm going lower city speeds, I'll use the L button to slow down instead of braking.

Per manual the L button can be used at any speed. I will use mine sometimes to slow down from 70 to enter city speed reduction zone or to make a turn. (Don't have to mess with max regen without getting hydraulic assist if done manually). Depending on how you drive normal mode can get better mpg than eco or even slippery. Each one has its own best balance for conditions. I have an overall downhill 0.8 mile approach before I get home that at 35 after a 90° turn I drop into N then shortly before low water crossing dip at about 48-/50 drop into Drive, push L button till about 22 then accelerate to 35+/- without L button to coast to stop sign.

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[Benilla]

Per manual the L button can be used at any speed. I will use mine sometimes to slow down from 70 to enter city speed reduction zone or to make a turn. (Don't have to mess with max regen without getting hydraulic assist if done manually). Depending on how you drive normal mode can get better mpg than eco or even slippery. Each one has its own best balance for conditions. I have an overall downhill 0.8 mile approach before I get home that at 35 after a 90° turn I drop into N then shortly before low water crossing dip at about 48-/50 drop into Drive, push L button till about 22 then accelerate to 35+/- without L button to coast to stop sign.

I didn't like how hard it rev'd when I used the L button to come down from highway speeds so that's why I chose to do Eco

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I didn't like how hard it rev'd when I used the L button to come down from highway speeds so that's why I chose to do Eco

It can rev pretty much at max rpm at less than highway speeds when in Low. Computer controls max allowed rpm and does hydraulic assist. When HVB gets over 72% SOC it's ice braking/hydraulic anyway. Slippery mode also reduces regen capture from filling HVB even more than Eco.

 

[jcrdva]

New to hyrids here.

When you come to a stop and the green bar pops up, in order for it to register (I guess is how you would say it?), can you just proceed or do you have to keep your foot on the brake until the percentage shows?

I've done that a few times at a stop sign. I come to a complete stop and the slight delay from waiting for the percentage to show always gets me the "what are you waiting for" looks from the other drivers.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

New to hyrids here.

When you come to a stop and the green bar pops up, in order for it to register (I guess is how you would say it?), can you just proceed or do you have to keep your foot on the brake until the percentage shows?

I've done that a few times at a stop sign. I come to a complete stop and the slight delay from waiting for the percentage to show always gets me the "what are you waiting for" looks from the other drivers.

Most people don't feel the need for brake coach after a week or two.
I've not turned it on since 2022.

EV coach is most useful. It's a brake coach and acceleration coach all in one.

Make the switch in a couple weeks.
Problem solved.

 

[jcrdva]

Most people don't feel the need for brake coach after a week or two.
I've not turned it on since 2022.

EV coach is most useful. It's a brake coach and acceleration coach all in one.

Make the switch in a couple weeks.
Problem solved.

I guess I need to make the question a little more clear.

When I come to a stop and the green bar comes on, do I have to keep my foot on the brake pedal until the percentage comes on?

What happens if the green bar comes on and I take my foot off of the pedal before the percentage comes on? Did it still send the charge to the battery?

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I guess I need to make the question a little more clear.

When I come to a stop and the green bar comes on, do I have to keep my foot on the brake pedal until the percentage comes on?

What happens if the green bar comes on and I take my foot off of the pedal before the percentage comes on? Did it still send the charge to the battery?

It is sending charge to the battery any time you are coasting or touching the brake pedal as long as the battery isn't fully charged.

Could be half a second or 5 minutes of gentle downhill coasting.

 

[dochawk]

When you come to a stop and the green bar pops up, in order for it to register (I guess is how you would say it?), can you just proceed or do you have to keep your foot on the brake until the percentage shows?

It won't display a percentage unless you come to a complete stop. If you don't keep the pedal depressed, it won't ever get there, but will drop to about 2 mph--even accelerating up from 1 mph.

It is sending charge to the battery any time you are coasting or touching the brake pedal as long as the battery isn't fully charged.

So I thought, but yesterday I noticed that under very light brake I was still under electric!

 

[Ryom]

At very low speeds it will transition from regenerative braking and into physical braking, but there's very little energy in the system to gather at that point. The brake coach won't display until you're at a full stop.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

It won't display a percentage unless you come to a complete stop. If you don't keep the pedal depressed, it won't ever get there, but will drop to about 2 mph--even accelerating up from 1 mph.




So I thought, but yesterday I noticed that under very light brake I was still under electric!

If hvb has over 32% soc and you are in electric you should stay in electric as long as power gage is below 10% in 22-24's and below 13% (from what I've read) in 25's.

 

[KenE]

Exactly. I always find it interesting that folks hit warp 5 going to a red light, sliding in sideways like they are going to get a trophy for getting there first. .

I'm exactly like you guys, long before Mav Hybrid i drove moderately. Pretend there's an egg between your foot and accelerator pedal. Then try to DWB (Drive Without Brakes) as much as possible. I had a 2002 Ford Ranger 5-speed manual. Coasting to a stop in 5th gear you could force Fuel Cutoff Mode (FCO), which was very efficient.

 

[KenE]

It is fascinating the 2005 FWD Hybrid Escape and the 2024 FWD Hybrid Maverick are nearly the same vehicle.

Drivetrain wise. MPG wise.

2024 = slightly higher MPG
2024 = slightly more HP

Size, weight, performance gains, not remarkable in 20 years.

2022-2024's have more creature comforts and arguably better safety enhancements.

Worth mentioning there was available hybrid AWD in 2005.

I had a 2008 Escape Hybrid AWD for 9 years. Still had original Brakes & tires when I sold it in 2017 with 95k miles. That's where I learned hypermiling. My 2025 Lariet Hybrid is also amazing so far, just at 6k miles. I love the Lariet features, but will never need AWD now that we're retired and no winter weather. But, 2WD Lariet Hybrid wasn't available in 25MY.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I guess I need to make the question a little more clear.

When I come to a stop and the green bar comes on, do I have to keep my foot on the brake pedal until the percentage comes on?

What happens if the green bar comes on and I take my foot off of the pedal before the percentage comes on? Did it still send the charge to the battery?

You could put a diy electric spark display (on hood?) to show when you have excess Regen braking current that could not be put into the HVB!

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