New member with a Hybrid on order looking for tips and information...

[badger_biker]

Hi - I've been interested in the Maverick since they came out but have been waiting until my social security started to order one and unfortunately only recently found this forum so I'm way behind on the learning curve. I have an early May build start date for a Cactus gray Lariat Hybrid. Although I was able to check out and test drive the gas model I've never been able to find any dealer with a Hybrid to even look at let alone test drive it. I've never owned any kind of hybrid vehicle so I would really appreciate any tips about your Maverick or threads that would be especially helpful in learning more about maintaining, driving, and getting the most out of it.

Other questions:
Is the hybrid oil filter easy enough to get at for self changes? Spin on or cartridge?

I live in Wisconsin so any information on how the FWD handles in snow would be appreciated. I'm anticipating purchasing a 2nd set of wheels for dedicated snow tires as I have done with past FWD vehicles and am wondering if that will be necessary the first winter or if the OEM tires are decent in snow.

I'm a cyclist and not being able to lay a bike down without removing the front wheel in the short box with the gate up and under a tonneau cover was a deterrent for the Maverick but the hybrid gas mileage out weighed that. I may have to go to a topper eventually and stand the bike up for that reason and any suggestions/experiences for toppers would be appreciated. I'd like something secure but hopefully not too difficult to take on and off.

I'll keep exploring the forum and thanks in advance for any information/tips.

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[tom_tucker]

One week ago today, Adirondack mts and 20" of wet snow. Wouldn't have made it up and out in the AM without X-ICE snow tires and plow came by. Had to shovel out and get a push but didn't need the chains. Only issue (not having AWD) has been starting from a stop uphill a few times in fresh snow but not stuck yet. The tracking isn't as good as AWD either (I provide corrections). No way without snow tires.

I lay my bike in the bed (on bed mat, tailgate down) and strap it down for free or I use the hitch rack I already had. Hitch rack with an extender allows the tailgate to go all the way down, I'm very happy with it for weekend trips.

My topper probably isn't coming off any time soon, but it's certainly doable. I fit a king bed with a king mattress with the topper on, so hasn't been an issue yet.

 

[Dave_in_PA]

I have Nokia all weather tires and had no problems with the few snow storms we had in PA this year.

Hitch bike racks are just so economical and easy to use these days. I would highly recommend finding the one that fits your lifestyle.

I was going to install a cap but am glad I just went with a tonneau.

 

[Superg0]

There is nothing more convenient than a hitch receiver. Hybrid will accept trailer hitch. Good racks have locks built in and you can also run a cable through the receiver. Laying a bike down in the bed of a Mav should not even be a consideration.

 

[tom_tucker]

There is nothing more convenient than a hitch receiver. Hybrid will accept trailer hitch. Good racks have locks built in and you can also run a cable through the receiver. Laying a bike down in the bed of a Mav should not even be a consideration.

Maybe you've never tried laying a bike down in the Maverick. Soon come. Works fine for a mtn bike driving to a local trail. Typically I'll use the hitch but don't have to.

 

[Superg0]

Maybe you've never tried laying a bike down in the Maverick. Soon come. Works fine for a mtn bike driving to a local trail. Typically I'll use the hitch but don't have to.

No matter what vehicle I'm in, laying down a bike is not an option. I just care too much for my bikes to put them through this.

 

[Deweyordeweynot]

Hi - I've been interested in the Maverick since they came out but have been waiting until my social security started to order one and unfortunately only recently found this forum so I'm way behind on the learning curve. I have an early May build start date for a Cactus gray Lariat Hybrid. Although I was able to check out and test drive the gas model I've never been able to find any dealer with a Hybrid to even look at let alone test drive it. I've never owned any kind of hybrid vehicle so I would really appreciate any tips about your Maverick or threads that would be especially helpful in learning more about maintaining, driving, and getting the most out of it.

Other questions:
Is the hybrid oil filter easy enough to get at for self changes? Spin on or cartridge?

I live in Wisconsin so any information on how the FWD handles in snow would be appreciated. I'm anticipating purchasing a 2nd set of wheels for dedicated snow tires as I have done with past FWD vehicles and am wondering if that will be necessary the first winter or if the OEM tires are decent in snow.

I'm a cyclist and not being able to lay a bike down without removing the front wheel in the short box with the gate up and under a tonneau cover was a deterrent for the Maverick but the hybrid gas mileage out weighed that. I may have to go to a topper eventually and stand the bike up for that reason and any suggestions/experiences for toppers would be appreciated. I'd like something secure but hopefully not too difficult to take on and off.

I'll keep exploring the forum and thanks in advance for any information/tips.

I'm a new hybrid owner and it's a great little truck. We ride a tandem and no way is a recumbent tandem fitting in the bed...but I found an extender bar at Harbor Freight and can picture attaching a fork skewer to it with the bike loaded in backwards...your bike is not nearly as long but the extender may work for you, too.

There's a wealth of knowledge in the forums and don't hesitate to ask them about anything Maverick-related.

 

[badger_biker]

I appreciate the feedback.
I have no problem laying any of my bikes down and do it all the time in the back of my Hyundai Elantra Touring. They fit without removing anything and when I close the hatch they are more or less out of sight and out of the weather. That is what I realize I won't get with the Maverick unless the bike is upright diagonally and under a topper. I have a hitch rack but that does nothing to protect the bike from weather and is more exposed to theft. Unfortunately due to the short bed I'm aware this convenience is a trade off for the economy of the Maverick.
I'll probably set up some fork mounts to hold the bike upright when I'm not concerned about weather or won't be leaving the truck parked with the bike for any length of time. It will probably be a little simpler than putting on and taking of my hitch rack.

 

[Oscarcat]

Me: 2024 Lariat hybrid. Bikes: Normally there are two of us and I load them wheels on, upright, tailgate down and use bungees and the convenient standard tie-downs to secure them, one to the left and one to the right bed sides. The other day I had 4 mountain bikes in the bed and 4 adult riders in the cab. They are mountain bikes after all, so I don't worry about weather hurting them.

Oil change: The URL is too long to post, but search "Sam Haymart Maverick hybrid oil change". He follows what I consider best practices including pre-fill the oil filter. Once I confirm I can loosen/twist off my filter, I punch a hole in the bottom and drain out the filter to eliminate the mess, wrap a plastic produce bag around the filter and spin it off. No mess.

I just did my first oil change at 2,200 miles. Remember that a hybrid GAS [ICE] engine, depending on driving conditions, runs only 50-65% of the time. The rest of the time the Mav runs in electric mode. So for every 1000 miles on the odometer, my ICE runs for 600 miles. Doing the math, I changed the factory oil and filter at 1320 miles of ICE operation. You get the idea and the display at the end of each start up and shut down shows how many miles each electric/gas.

I do my own changes - I use "redneck ramps" being two 2x6's under each front wheel to give me 3" additional clearance. I use Mobil-1 hybrid specific full syn 0w-20 and a Motorcraft 400s or 910s filter. Hybrid specific oil has extra additives to combat sludge and acid buildup due to the fact that the ICE doesn't always get up to operating temp long enough to burn off the moisture. DIY oil changes are easy on the Mav.

A hybrid makes different sounds compared to the 2.0 EB or any full ICE powered vehicle. The 45mpg is amazing and you will adjust to the sounds. The electric sounds mellowed at about the 2000 mile mark as components worked in. I run 36 psi in my tires.

Obviously I don't live in snow country so I will leave it to others to opine on ice and snow operation.

Modifications: #1 is a tailgate damper. After that: [Black for me] MAVERICK tailgate letters, a black bezel around the sound system knobs, the Mabett one piece plastic tailgate plug to keep debris out, hitch plug, and hood struts.

Future project: Fabricate a plastic panel for the gap behind the left [driver's] rear wheel unless Mabett designs one first.

 

[MetalsGeek]

Hi - I've been interested in the Maverick since they came out but have been waiting until my social security started to order one and unfortunately only recently found this forum so I'm way behind on the learning curve. I have an early May build start date for a Cactus gray Lariat Hybrid. Although I was able to check out and test drive the gas model I've never been able to find any dealer with a Hybrid to even look at let alone test drive it. I've never owned any kind of hybrid vehicle so I would really appreciate any tips about your Maverick or threads that would be especially helpful in learning more about maintaining, driving, and getting the most out of it.

Other questions:
Is the hybrid oil filter easy enough to get at for self changes? Spin on or cartridge?

I live in Wisconsin so any information on how the FWD handles in snow would be appreciated. I'm anticipating purchasing a 2nd set of wheels for dedicated snow tires as I have done with past FWD vehicles and am wondering if that will be necessary the first winter or if the OEM tires are decent in snow.

I'm a cyclist and not being able to lay a bike down without removing the front wheel in the short box with the gate up and under a tonneau cover was a deterrent for the Maverick but the hybrid gas mileage out weighed that. I may have to go to a topper eventually and stand the bike up for that reason and any suggestions/experiences for toppers would be appreciated. I'd like something secure but hopefully not too difficult to take on and off.

I'll keep exploring the forum and thanks in advance for any information/tips.

Here are some oil change notes you may find useful... Be aware that all the "Torx" fasteners on the truck are Torx Plus, but for low-stress locations like the lower cover screws, you can get by just fine with regular Torx tooling. The lower cover uses (15) TP-27 sheet metal screws. I bought the Neiko 10086A 6-point Torx Plus bit set from Amazon and it has been good. I bought Motorcraft FL-910S filters from Rock Auto. For oil changes, my hybrid engine likes 5.7 qts of synthetic 0W-20. If you're into drain valves like Valvomax, the plug uses M12-1.75 threads and this kit fits fine, although the pan is so flat you may get a more complete drain without the valve. The oil filter is vertical so it's easy to pre-fill. It's not easy to get a normal oil filter wrench on it, so I bought one of the axial gripper oil filter wrenches and I hope that will solve all my problems next time. When you go to reset the Oil Life monitor, the reset function is under INFORMATION but you have to be aware that this screen has more lines than will fit so you have to scroll to find it.

 

[tom_tucker]

I appreciate the feedback.
I have no problem laying any of my bikes down and do it all the time in the back of my Hyundai Elantra Touring. They fit without removing anything and when I close the hatch they are more or less out of sight and out of the weather. That is what I realize I won't get with the Maverick unless the bike is upright diagonally and under a topper. I have a hitch rack but that does nothing to protect the bike from weather and is more exposed to theft. Unfortunately due to the short bed I'm aware this convenience is a trade off for the economy of the Maverick.
I'll probably set up some fork mounts to hold the bike upright when I'm not concerned about weather or won't be leaving the truck parked with the bike for any length of time. It will probably be a little simpler than putting on and taking of my hitch rack.

That's certainly a Maverick limitation vs. a minivan or SUV. You get 2 Med sized areas, cab and bed. Neither are ideal to carry a bike. Mine are $2k-4K type bikes, not 10k carbon roadie.

In the event of an accident, I'll be glad I have a separate cargo area. That was my goal with Maverick- keep the heavy, sharp, stinky, muddy stuff out of the passenger Cab.

I think you guys have sold me on building the Ford DIY flexbed in-bed fork mount bike rack. I'll be able to fit my bike under the Bed Cap tailgate up without the front wheel.

 

[badger_biker]

Thanks for the oil change info Oscarcat and MetalsGeek! Not ever owning one it never occurred to me the road mileage doesn’t equal ICE mileage on a hybrid. Duh. Is the display of electric/gas miles cumulative or just for the most recent drive? I’m glad self changes will be simple enough.

 

[tom_tucker]

Thanks for the oil change info Oscarcat and MetalsGeek! Not ever owning one it never occurred to me the road mileage doesn’t equal ICE mileage on a hybrid. Duh. Is the display of electric/gas miles cumulative or just for the most recent drive? I’m glad self changes will be simple enough.

The Lariat will show you all that and more, I'm sure. 10k changes are no thing if you drive easy. I'm doing 7500 changes now for the 1st 60k, dealership service. It was a mistake to buy the plan but it's done now. Doing the deal is something to focus on, IMO. There's financing, maint. plans and ext. warranties. Basically know what you want and how to say no to what you don't. You're still 2-3 months out which is good.

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