Miles per gallon ….

[mav1212]

I have a 2024 Maverick hybrid lariat, purchased in July 24. When I left the dealer I had 42 mpg. After my first long distance trip it went down to 38mpg.
This trip from Utah to Florida I am now at 29.6 mpg.
this trip I am carrying about 700 lbs in the bed. I have heavier tires and air bag suspension. With all of this I expected a decline in mpg, just not that much.
Is this normal? Will it ever increase with more in town driving?
This is on top of the battery issues. It appears that the cold winter and my lack of a garage has just depleted the battery (starter). It was replaced but still requires constant driving or jump starting. I’m a little concerned about this truck.

Sponsored

 

[oysterville]

Things that are lowering your mpg in a hybrid:

1. Colder ambient temperatures (Utah)
2. Tires with more rolling resistance
3. Freeway speeds
4. Cargo load

 

[dsford]

The MPG is determined my air temperature, driving speed, tire resistance, and load. Driving speed (mostly highway) and load was probably the biggest contributors to you low MPG. I get 44 MPG during the winter months and 47 MPG during the summer. However, I carry no load, and use it mostly for commute to work and back. 40 miles round trip with an about an even split between highway and city stop and go driving. I also keep it at 65 mph while driving on the highway. So again, I think your low MPG is probably based on your driving style (speed and distance) for the most part.

 

[VegasRed]

I have a 2024 Maverick hybrid lariat, purchased in July 24. When I left the dealer I had 42 mpg. After my first long distance trip it went down to 38mpg.
This trip from Utah to Florida I am now at 29.6 mpg.
this trip I am carrying about 700 lbs in the bed. I have heavier tires and air bag suspension. With all of this I expected a decline in mpg, just not that much.
Is this normal? Will it ever increase with more in town driving?
This is on top of the battery issues. It appears that the cold winter and my lack of a garage has just depleted the battery (starter). It was replaced but still requires constant driving or jump starting. I’m a little concerned about this truck.

You didn’t mention your usual freeway speed. From my experience driving through UT, at 70 I’m the slowest guy on the road, and that includes semis. I’m taking a good guess that you were driving 80. When considering the increase in wind resistance from 70 mph to 80 mph, it's important to understand that wind resistance increases exponentially with speed. Specifically, it increases with the square of the velocity.
And wind resistance is proportional to the square of the speed. This means that even a relatively small increase in speed can result in a significant increase in wind resistance.
Based on calculations the wind resistance at 80 mph is 1.31 times greater than at 70 mph. It’s actually amazing that you even got 30 mpg. Especially with a 700 lb load.

 

[Vaportrail]

Today is a beautiful morning here in Phoenix. Very mild temperature with no wind. I was on time, and took it easy on my commute.

I use the ev coach mode on the display, in slippery mode.

It takes a while to get the hang of "pulse and glide" driving. What you do is pay close attention to the grade. I always use cruise control, and accelerate to 66 mph when going up hill, then decelerate to 64 mph when on flat or downhill grades, to kick in electric drive.

This won't work as well if the temperature is too high, or too low. Strong wind, rough roads and being late will always decrease mileage.

Forgot to add, it's a good idea to adjust mirrors so the big trucks that run 90 mph and tailgate, are out of sight out of mind.

I drive the speed limit or a few mph above or below, and don't give a sh*t if other drivers like it or not!

 

[deanobc]

Today is a beautiful morning here in Phoenix. Very mild temperature with no wind. I was on time, and took it easy on my commute.

I use the ev coach mode on the display, in slippery mode.

It takes a while to get the hang of "pulse and glide" driving. What you do is pay close attention to the grade. I always use cruise control, and accelerate to 66 mph when going up hill, then decelerate to 64 mph when on flat or downhill grades, to kick in electric drive.

This won't work as well if the temperature is too high, or too low. Strong wind, rough roads and being late will always decrease mileage.

Yesterday, I achieved the same. 90-minute drive on roads and streets ranging from 30 mph to 45 mph, no excessive idling and when I arrived home, 53.6 mpg.

 

[Scott Asheville]

OP, curious about the air suspension bit. Sounds like you have a cool build. Got a photo to share?

 

[VegasRed]

The real savings for a Maverick is in the trim level, not the powertrain mpg. Seems like you would have been better off with an XL-XLT ecoboost if you want to save money. You're not going to get good gas mileage in the Hybrid unless it's city (as-in NYC, LA, Chi, etc.)

If you're just a greenie who wants to save gas, then go for it...

You have to define “good gas mileage”. At 65-70 on freeways I usually get (without a ripping headwind) 35-38. By my definition that’s good gas mileage. And ~45 around Sin City. 23 Lariat Hybrid.

 

[Cherokee]

Every time I think about the fantastic gas mileage you Hybrid drivers are getting I just have to go out for a drive up one of my mountains.
On the way up I ‘Throttle up’ my Ecoboost and For a Four banger with a Turbo I got a shit ton of power at 80 mph that seems to go on past 100 where Pepper stays silky smooth and relaxed.
Then a wry smile creeps across my face.
My 2024 Lariat has a sweet spot starting at 70 mph and gets even better at 90. I shit you not.
Pepper will stay stock.
Life is good :XD

 

[d7602002]

I think it's amazing that these little trucks both hybrid and EcoBoost get such good mileage. My wife and I were blessed with r first grand child and with driving up to the hospital a few times to see our daughter and the baby, and then driving to visit my daughter at her home, and then driving around town to go to the dog park and stuff we put 420 mi on it and it took 13 and a half gallons of gas which came out to about 31 mi per gallon so I was very happy with that.

 

[Scupking]

You already should know the reason. You said you have heavier tires and had been carrying about 700 lbs in the bed. Heavy tires do make a big difference.

 

[Bill429]

I am at 46.5 for the lifetime of the vehicle. 2024 3,000 mi.
I keep the tire air pressure at the max pressure the tire is rated for.
There is no danger since the tires are rated for that.
It makes for a little bumpier ride but better milage and the tires last a lot longer.
I got over 90,000 miles on my last set of tires (Mercury Mariner Hybrid). Finally replaced them because of their age, not wear.
I no longer use cruise-control. I notice the mpg goes down with that on.
I live in Islamorada, Florida. It's never below 50 here. That might make a difference.

 

[tom_tucker]

You have to define “good gas mileage”. At 65-70 on freeways I usually get (without a ripping headwind) 35-38. By my definition that’s good gas mileage. And ~45 around Sin City. 23 Lariat Hybrid.

Sounds like good fair weather mileage to me. I do think the mileage difference doesn't matter. A little extra gas is such a small difference in the total cost of ownership (TCO). Depreciation, loan interest, taxes, Insurance, registration, tolls, parking, car washes, maintenance, accessories and upgrades.

Then after all that we have fuel cost. Even that is not all about mpg. Efficient route planning and price per gallon factor in to fuel cost. So yeah, I do think mpg is one less thing to worry about...statistically it doesn't matter much. I buy cheap Exxon gas with rewards and I'm happy.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Things that are lowering your mpg in a hybrid:

1. Colder ambient temperatures (Utah)
2. Tires with more rolling resistance
3. Freeway speeds
4. Cargo load

And with colder weather, you use the heater more, which lowers MPG more than running the electric A/C.

Highway driving cause a big MPG hit because at highway speeds, the electric motor is not used or used very little.

OP: City driving is where the Hybrid really shines in terms of MPG.

Sponsored