Hybrid braking tips to maximize MPG?

[Daveinva]

Why do you folks using the EV coach not just use the dial on the left? It seems like it's easier to read it quickly or maybe without looking at all.

I do keep the EV coach up but I'm mostly using it to determine how much headroom I have before the ICE kicks on.


Also, what is that dial called? it's not a tachometer but it's sort of covering part of that job in an indirect way.

Because there is no dial on the left on the MY2025 Mavericks-- the dash changed entirely. EV Coach is now on the right, and it's a weird "keep inside the closing bars" widget.

Answers are already here in the thread: light foot braking, leverage regen as much as possible, slow acceleration to stay in Electric mode as much as possible.

Some other helpful hints:
-- When you have to accelerate in Hybrid mode, just go ahead and accelerate-- once you trip from Electric mode into Hybrid mode, you won't be able to go back until you recharge, so you might as well step on the gas and build up your speed again. I've seen other owners here refer to this as "pulsing"-- you want to get your acceleration out of the way as quickly as possible in one burst, then settle into Electric as soon as you can. Of course, mind the traffic around you / behind you when you do this!
-- Going uphill almost always triggers Hybrid mode, so unless you have no one behind you, just embrace the acceleration. That said, before I get the the top of the hill, I usually let off the gas and quickly enter Electric once I'm over the crest, particularly if it's going downhill.
-- The new software update appears to make it much easier to get into and stay in Electric mode. Not a scientific evaluation, but it seems that way. That said, there's no free lunch, as I find the truck will stay in Hybrid mode longer to build up the charge, even along flat stretches of road where I used to encounter Electric mode.

Anyway, still getting used to it... which is half the fun! I've always been a bit of a leadfoot driver, but the EV Coach is a fun little game that's turning me into a speed limit hypermiler (I have a 4.2 mile commute, a mix of flat and hills, and I'm still seeking to break 3 miles electric-- I've gotten to 2.9 miles before, sooo close!)

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[RebellaE]

From using the EV coach, my Maverick hybrid prefers I brake lightly at first, and apply the brake more as I come to a full stop. I can usually get at/near 100% on flat or uphill roads, but almost never on a downhill because I have to apply more braking.

 

[Fastjeff]

Running in "ECON" mode produced the most foot-off-brake regenerative braking effect. Helps a bit on the mpg. Jeff

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

EV coach and Brake Coach are two separate features. Not the same.

Some were using the terms synonymously.

Also on the left in 2022 to 2024 you can find a power meter dial. Just what you think it is. How much power is being put out. It can be calibrated as kW or horsepower. So at 10% you are making about 19 horsepower.

At 50% = 95 Horsepower or 70 kW

 

[MotoWojo]

I had a 2016 Ford C-Max before my Maverick Hybrid and absolutely loved that car. One thing I ran into, though, was that because it relied so much on regen, the rear calipers and rotors didn’t get used a lot. Over time they’d start to rust up and get a little sticky.

Just something to keep in mind with the Maverick too — chasing a perfect brake score is great for MPG, but it’s worth mixing in an occasional harder stop so the friction brakes really bite and clean off the rotors. I usually do this on an empty stretch of road or a highway off-ramp where it’s safe. It helps keep everything working smoothly in the long run.

 

[HeyBales]

Why do you folks using the EV coach not just use the dial on the left? It seems like it's easier to read it quickly or maybe without looking at all.

I do keep the EV coach up but I'm mostly using it to determine how much headroom I have before the ICE kicks on.


Also, what is that dial called? it's not a tachometer but it's sort of covering part of that job in an indirect way.

Power Gauge.
Which now you know the 25MY doesn't have in the same place - below shows you.

As you read posts with info, wondering if it applies - you now need to either look at tag line to see if they give year and model/trim, or hold phone in landscape mode to see extra account info you can see on computer browser.

pre-2025MY - POWER GAUGE - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)

The power gauge displays power to the wheels when accelerating or maintaining speed. When slowing down by lifting your foot off the accelerator pedal or pressing the brake, the gauge displays the power captured by the regenerative braking system and returned to the high voltage battery.

2025 MY - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OVERVIEW - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)

Note: Depending on the setting you select, your cluster could look different than what you see here.

A Engine coolant temperature gauge. B Power gauge. C Compass or Navigation. D Speedometer. E Information on demand area. F Fuel gauge. G Distance to empty. H Transmission position indicator. I Outside air temperature. J Odometer.

 

[HeyBales]

I had a 2016 Ford C-Max before my Maverick Hybrid and absolutely loved that car. One thing I ran into, though, was that because it relied so much on regen, the rear calipers and rotors didn’t get used a lot. Over time they’d start to rust up and get a little sticky.

Just something to keep in mind with the Maverick too — chasing a perfect brake score is great for MPG, but it’s worth mixing in an occasional harder stop so the friction brakes really bite and clean off the rotors. I usually do this on an empty stretch of road or a highway off-ramp where it’s safe. It helps keep everything working smoothly in the long run.

That is a good plan if you don't have it happen naturally.
At least almost every other day I'll have someone exit highway in front that is feeling the need to brake much faster than needed, and I'm beyond regen. Then we all crawl to the stop light at top of hill. arg.

FYI on the gentle stops capturing all the regen you can.

The rear brakes are given more pressure first if you are using Slippery Mode.
Just mentioning because some like to use that all the time, or on the highway and may be coming off in that mode.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/premature-rear-brake-rotor-wear.45925/post-1115036

 

[ClemsonU88]

-- The new software update appears to make it much easier to get into and stay in Electric mode. Not a scientific evaluation, but it seems that way. That said, there's no free lunch, as I find the truck will stay in Hybrid mode longer to build up the charge, even along flat stretches of road where I used to encounter Electric mode.

Anyway, still getting used to it... which is half the fun! I've always been a bit of a leadfoot driver, but the EV Coach is a fun little game that's turning me into a speed limit hypermiler (I have a 4.2 mile commute, a mix of flat and hills, and I'm still seeking to break 3 miles electric-- I've gotten to 2.9 miles before, sooo close!)

I agree with you that getting into Electric mode is easier since the update.

You'll get to 3.0 miles...and then want to get to 3.1.

 

[sprubs]

Power Gauge.
Which now you know the 25MY doesn't have in the same place - below shows you.

As you read posts with info, wondering if it applies - you now need to either look at tag line to see if they give year and model/trim, or hold phone in landscape mode to see extra account info you can see on computer browser.

pre-2025MY - POWER GAUGE - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)

The power gauge displays power to the wheels when accelerating or maintaining speed. When slowing down by lifting your foot off the accelerator pedal or pressing the brake, the gauge displays the power captured by the regenerative braking system and returned to the high voltage battery.

2025 MY - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OVERVIEW - HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)

Note: Depending on the setting you select, your cluster could look different than what you see here.

A Engine coolant temperature gauge. B Power gauge. C Compass or Navigation. D Speedometer. E Information on demand area. F Fuel gauge. G Distance to empty. H Transmission position indicator. I Outside air temperature. J Odometer.

oh dang, entirely different. I wasn't aware it had drastically changed. mine isn't even all a display. it's a physical dial.

 

[CD_SM]

Where I live, no such thing as a distant red light and there is always someone behind you.
I'm happy when EV Coach gives me 85%

Maybe drive slower? That helps on both sides: less power used on startup, and a higher proportion of that power recovered. I am in suburban hell with tons of lights too, and I very rarely get less than 85%, and usually over 90%. You don't have to completely be the proverbial little old lady hunched over driving 15 in a 55, but being no faster than the middle of the pack will help. In fact, if you are actually stopped at any traffic light for more than ~15 seconds, you almost certainly could have gone slower, and braked sooner, after the previous light ... and still arrived at your destination at *exactly* the same time. The light is the bottleneck, not your speed. IOW, use those 15 seconds for going slower and braking easier (regen!), not for sitting impatiently at the light.
/Rant
Also, no sport mode or tow mode; plus IME temperatures around 70° increase mileage quite a bit.

 

[Alienenforcer]

Have had the 2025 Lariat Hybrid for a week. Can anyone recommend how I should be braking to ensure maximum MPG? Sometimes the braking coach says 100% returned other times as low at 64%. Not sure what I should be doing

In my opinion, if you are driving a hybrid correctly, you shouldn’t have to use your brakes much. Also keeping in mind traffic courtesy. I have a Prius. First brake change at 110k. I have a Hybrid Highlander 85k. Have done brakes yet.

 

[Fastjeff]

If you use "ECON" mode all the time, it has max, foot-off-brake regenerative effect. It gets a tad better mpg than "NORMAL" mode. I'm getting 45 mpg in both (after 3/4 tank of gas). Jeff

 

[Timothyd]

Have had the 2025 Lariat Hybrid for a week. Can anyone recommend how I should be braking to ensure maximum MPG? Sometimes the braking coach says 100% returned other times as low at 64%. Not sure what I should be doing

Use that power/breaking meter. Use the brake gently so you don't go over max. When you go over max (past the grean area) you're wasting the regenerative effect. If you put in economy mode you'll notice it slowing down when you take your foot off the gas, this is good as your forward motion goes into charging the HV battery making you more efficient. The bad part is you have to put it into economy mode every time you start the truck. You'll get used to it. Since it's cooled down and I don't use the AC I've been getting over 48mpg.

 

[Timothyd]

In my opinion, if you are driving a hybrid correctly, you shouldn’t have to use your brakes much. Also keeping in mind traffic courtesy. I have a Prius. First brake change at 110k. I have a Hybrid Highlander 85k. Have done brakes yet.

I was (pre hybrid) in the practice of coasting up to the red light anyhow. Why race up to it? Now I do it more so. I do it on my bike so I don't have to put my feet down and shift more.

 

[TedTX]

Got an 80 today almost 4 years of driving I blame the car I let in to the lane on in front of me. So, never do that again!!! 100s are like me in college. Want that 5.0 GPA.

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