Hybrid Maverick: Speed vs Fuel Economy -- My Recorded Data & Chart

[AutobahnSHO]

87 to 89 octan gained me 2.1 mpg. My best mpg was in Wyoming and Montana...assume it was the gasoline, additives, less ethanol, etc.

Gas is usually the same- were you headed east?

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[Edge Haley]

Gas is usually the same- were you headed east?

Checked in to this - Gasoline is pretty much the same everywhere, the differences are the additives. Mid-Western states are allowed to add more than 10% ethanol..(it's where corn is grown). Past Mid-West, states tends to be less ethanol. Several states, especially, California have been allowed to add more additives to help with pollution. Two weeks in Montana and Wyoming had a noticeable MPG advantage...but could be because of pretty flat territory.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Two weeks in Montana and Wyoming had a noticeable MPG advantage...but could be because of pretty flat territory.

Wind may have helped too. Gets pretty brutal at times!

 

[Don806]

In my case, running the heater and/or driving over 70 mph seem to reduce MPGs more than anything. But if running the AC, the mileage drop, if any, is negligible.
I get better MPG using cruise+eco mode, than not using cruise. If not using cruise, Slippery mode gives me the best MPG in my Hybrid.

My calculated mileage at fill-up nearly always comes out to around .95 x the vehicle's estimate.

As they say, YMMV.

I have also noticed my hybrid doesn't like 70mph AT ALL...........68-69mph is ok, but 70+ the mpg drops like a stone. I seem to get better mpg using slippery mode, but haven't tried different mode with the cruise control........have to give that a shot.........THANKS

 

[Andy2024]

I've got another car that has recommended air pressure at 32/35 (front/rear). Also an "optional" setting for 36/40 for "efficiency".

I run the Maverick at 39 psi all four corners vs the "recommended" 35. In my eye the recommended is for optimal ride and braking capability as well as a blend of efficiency. Bumping up to 39 psi should not affect the tire wear pattern appreciably, if anything it should make it better.

We also have a Prius, and in that world the "recommended" (from factory) is 35/33 psi. Most run 42/40.

 

[Andy2024]

Good spreadsheet - mine is almost identical. Did one 21 day 7,000 mile trip and stayed at 80 mph for most of the days and MPG dropped to about 35-36.5 mpg. Live in a rolling hills area and have averaged a real 38-41 mpg driving normally....but if I coast down hills that significantly gets me closer to 42-44 mpg.. The two things with the most effect on my mpg are 89 octane fuel and use of cruise control.

87 to 89 octane gained me 2.1 mpg. My best mpg was in Wyoming and Montana...assume it was the gasoline, additives, less ethanol, etc.

I've read that inflation with nitrogen reduces rolling resistance. Costco does nitro fills, but I have no comparison data. Less moisture absorption is a plus too.

 

[IHateSpeedbumps]

I am not sure how others (who are averaging less than 40mpg) are driving their Mavs, but I'll guess they accelerating harder and ignoring the little tricks to maximize mpg.

Hills.

 

[Edge Haley]

I've read that inflation with nitrogen reduces rolling resistance. Costco does nitro fills, but I have no comparison data. Less moisture absorption is a plus too.

Try to buy tires from Costco due to air pressure in tires they use nitro....reason is the consistent tire pressure with temperature change. As a pilot you see most aircraft use nitro in tires due to radical change in temperatures.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I've read that inflation with nitrogen reduces rolling resistance. Costco does nitro fills, but I have no comparison data. Less moisture absorption is a plus too.

The pressure makes a difference, what is providing the pressure does not. Nitro has less moisture and less variance with temperature shifts. But Nitro will not make any "rolling resistance change".

 

[GeoJoe]

Only had my hybrid since 11/29. I'm getting about 32mpg when I do the calculations at the pump. On the other hand, the dash is saying I'm getting over 40mpg.

So my thinking is the dash calculator only counts from the time you hit the start button till you hit the stop button. And the remote start for 15 minutes to defrost the windows/ warm the truck is sucking the gas.

 

[Fancy Farm]

I am fixing to take a trip in mine and looking at your chart it is exactly what I am expecting. all the other numbers pretty much mirror what I see. I have had mine 6 months but just drove locally and I live in a rural area and dash shows 44 and fuelly app shows the same corrections you state.

 

[BLDDONR]

I've read that inflation with nitrogen reduces rolling resistance. Costco does nitro fills, but I have no comparison data. Less moisture absorption is a plus too.

Definitely not worth spending any extra money for. Rolling resistance comes from the tire design and inflation pressure. Fill it with helium or nitrogen or oxygen or hydrogen to the same pressure and the car won’t know the difference between that and good old “air.”

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