Hybrid Power Meter and Brake Coach Usage (Video)

[montyql]

I've read some posts about Hybrids not getting expected fuel economy. While cold weather and winter fuel blends negatively affect MPG, it seems learning how to effectively use the Hybrid system and regenerative braking are key in improving overall efficiency.

This detailed video explains how to use the Power Meter (replaces tachometer) and Brake Coach to improve driving techniques while not pissing off fellow drivers. When I get my Hybrid, I'll just have to remember I still have to look at the road/traffic and not become fixated on these two features.

To anyone whose gotten their Hybrid, do you find these two driver aids useful? I'm thinking initially they would be helpful, but overtime you won't need as much "coaching".

I have found the EV couch quite helpful. I turned off break coach because it seems redundant. Honestly the power gauge feels redundant too in comparison to the EV coach. I only wish you put other things on the smaller XL/XLT screen at the same time besides EV coach, like a digital speedometer. The screen is small, but it feels like they waste a lot of space on it when in coach mode.

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[MidwestMaverick]

I've read some posts about Hybrids not getting expected fuel economy. While cold weather and winter fuel blends negatively affect MPG, it seems learning how to effectively use the Hybrid system and regenerative braking are key in improving overall efficiency.

This detailed video explains how to use the Power Meter (replaces tachometer) and Brake Coach to improve driving techniques while not pissing off fellow drivers. When I get my Hybrid, I'll just have to remember I still have to look at the road/traffic and not become fixated on these two features.

To anyone whose gotten their Hybrid, do you find these two driver aids useful? I'm thinking initially they would be helpful, but overtime you won't need as much "coaching".

I have a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and it essentially functions the exact same. It takes a little getting used to, but ultimately I enjoy the functionality of the system. I can tell you from years of first-hand experience that I am a much safer driver now than before having a hybrid (While still having fun when I want to). Unless it's necessary, I don't punch the throttle or slam on the brakes like I used to, and honestly, that has saved me from a few car accidents through the years.

Some people might not like it, but it's honestly not a huge deal. Most people will transition just fine.

 

[Guardian]

Don't have my truck but this video was great and motivated me!!! A very different approach from the "usual" I am going to watch this and other videos right up to the day I git my ride!!

 

[D Janke]

I use the power meter on my Fusion pretty regularly. Especially since the transition point from ICE <=> EV moves dependent on battery SoC and speed. So EV coach is going to be up 100% of the time for me. Getting to see what the max regen potential in real-time is even better. More useful than trying to gauge by pedal feel (and getting scored after the fact) when the blended braking is so well-tuned.

I do wish the analog power gauge was more functional. As implemented it's mostly just a 'are you pushing the throttle' gauge which isn't especially informative in comparison to EV Coach. Maybe if Ford had added some multi-segment lighting so it's capable of showing the EV and Regen bands.

Yep, I still get a solid 40+ mpg out of my 2011 Fusion Hybrid. That will be the easy part in owning the Maverick Hybrid. The hard part, is actually GETTING the Maverick Hybrid ......

 

[Sykotyk]

The problem with cold is that the engine will run even when it's not necessary for travel just because the cold batteries need charged. Regardless of the climate control needs.

 

[clavicus]

The problem with cold is that the engine will run even when it's not necessary for travel just because the cold batteries need charged. Regardless of the climate control needs.

Just a little anecdote—when starting my maverick on a cold day (near freezing) with no climate control, the system stayed on battery only driving for a little while as I was gently leaving my subdivision. So there may be a little bit of leeway before the system says, “ohhh ok we are really going for a drive, not just cruising a parking lot “ before the ICE kicks on, even thought it’s moderately cold.

 

[Aza]

@Shay Thank you for making a great video for us first time hybrid owners (soon to be)

 

[brnpttmn]

The problem with cold is that the engine will run even when it's not necessary for travel just because the cold batteries need charged. Regardless of the climate control needs.

But not as much as when the climate control is on.

 

[Sykotyk]

But not as much as when the climate control is on.

Correct. When it's cold and I start the truck with the heat on the engine runs immediately.

Also, I've had to back up a lot after running a lot of electric on way home. So I think my batteries are far lower charged than others may be.

Also, I'm not sure how the engine runs parked since the transmission isn't a regular transmission. I was under the impression it doesn't have a clutch. Either the drive motor is working if the regen motor is taking power from inertia.

Especially since the engine always cuts out when in reverse. Unless that's only because the drive motor is running in reverse and they can't charge the battery the same time the drive motor is running backwards (the switching needs to do that might make it simpler to just kill the charging and only let the electric motor run in reverse).

Anyways Im up to 32mpg since day 1. And that's with about 150 miles towing on just under 600 miles.

 

[clavicus]

Correct. When it's cold and I start the truck with the heat on the engine runs immediately.

Also, I've had to back up a lot after running a lot of electric on way home. So I think my batteries are far lower charged than others may be.

Also, I'm not sure how the engine runs parked since the transmission isn't a regular transmission. I was under the impression it doesn't have a clutch. Either the drive motor is working if the regen motor is taking power from inertia.

Especially since the engine always cuts out when in reverse. Unless that's only because the drive motor is running in reverse and they can't charge the battery the same time the drive motor is running backwards (the switching needs to do that might make it simpler to just kill the charging and only let the electric motor run in reverse).

Anyways Im up to 32mpg since day 1. And that's with about 150 miles towing on just under 600 miles.

Correct it doesn't have a clutch, and reverse is purely using the electric traction motor, and it's so cool to see what the ICE --> eCVT planetary gearset connection actually looks like and how it works! Check out this video to answer all your curiosity about that. This is the RAV4 hybrid transaxle but it's basically the same as Ford's hybrid transaxle, since they both have a common ancestor. Ford branched off and started making their own versions in-house mid-2010's, but they remain very similar.

Just beware I found it hard to wrap my head around the planetary gearset, it's like thinking in 4-dimensions trying to figure out exactly what's happening between the various components during all the different possible situations. I think I understand it better now, but it took a while. For a while I was often wrong when trying to explain it to others, but I think there's no better starting place than this video.

 

[Shay]

@Shay Thank you for making a great video for us first time hybrid owners (soon to be)

You're all welcome. I have been evolving my driving habits and so far city mpg has been 44 on the first tank, 44.5 on the second and today 46 on the third - measured at the tank. Dash says 49.xx.

 

[Aza]

You're all welcome. I have been evolving my driving habits and so far city mpg has been 44 on the first tank, 44.5 on the second and today 46 on the third - measured at the tank. Dash says 49.xx.

Wow! Those numbers are great! Sounds like you are really adapting to a new driving style and it’s working!

 

[SValline]

Sam, this video was extremely helpful, thank you.

The older I get, the less concerned I am about what the people around me think of my driving. I've been using Smith System techniques for a couple of years and they blend very well with this recommended hybrid driving style.

Racing up to lights and braking hard is a waste of fuel and harder on the vehicle than coasting up to an obvious red light. Plus a courtesy tap on the brakes lets the tailgaters behind you know you're all stopping soon. In my 2016 Mustang, I managed 70,000 miles on my brake pads using this method with not one horn honk from behind. I can't wait to get my XLT hybrid!!

 

[icegradner]

I found when I first got a hybrid 6 years ago that I used the energy tracking system (similar to what appears on the maverick) a lot. Then after a year, and I stopped trying to get every possible MPG on each tank, I just started ignoring those screens. I still brake long, and coast when possible, but In the end I found the screen info rather distracting while driving. Almost running into the back end of someone's car woke me up to that.

 

[Terry Lindberg]

I found when I first got a hybrid 6 years ago that I used the energy tracking system (similar to what appears on the maverick) a lot. Then after a year, and I stopped trying to get every possible MPG on each tank, I just started ignoring those screens. I still brake long, and coast when possible, but In the end I found the screen info rather distracting while driving. Almost running into the back end of someone's car woke me up to that.

I've found the EV couch really helpful in learning what the *very small* amount of pedal pressure feels like to stay in EV mode, so that I can do pulse and glide more by feel and less by watching the coach screen. I agree with @Darnon this should really be built into that power meter tach, that would be more helpful to always see it and be able to have a different screen up.

It is also interesting to use the coach and see where, for example, on cold mornings the electric mode can't just be forced into action, there are a lot of conditions and variables in the back-end that force the ICE to be on and electric mode disabled; or when you see a tiny "hybrid" band instead of when you would expect to see the electric band, that seems to mean the ICE is actively refilling the battery state of charge.

Or even stranger to me, when I leave work the truck will be in "All Electric" mode if I stay under 25mph or don't push the accelerator *too* much, but I can definitely push it more than usual and stay in electric mode in this status. I'm guessing this is kind of a "leaving the parking lot" mode or something lol. I wish there was more of a pedal travel range in the ECO mode that stayed in the small electric range so that it wasn't such a tiny tiny range of pedal travel that's easy to blow past, even if you're willing to go slower and take your time.

I drive a 2023 Lariat Hybrid. My default screen shows the EV Coach. How do make the Brake Coach appear? And, in the most non-technical terms I can manage, what is the little “bug” in the upper left of the screen that changes from green to amber to red telling me?

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