Real world MPG not even close to Ford's Hybrid EPA MPG claims

[Daox]

The EPA randomly tests about 200-250 vehicles each year.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...-mpg-estimates

[Recumpence]

Hey Guys,

I am the only person AFAIK on Ecomodder with a C-Max. Allow me to share my experience and my personal feelings on the matter here;

At this point, I have 3,400 miles on my car. The Lifetime average MPG is currently 46.8mpg. That includes 100 miles of test drivers beating the car before I bought it, and the first 1,000 miles or so of the car learning my driving style and only returning about 43 mpg. So, the last 2,400 miles have been around 50mpg. I have seen numerous 120 mile days above 52mpg.

Now, why the mileage reports showing low averages? Well, my theory is multifaceted. Here are my thoughts on it;

First off, the C-Max has a combined output of 188hp. It just plain moves out when you get on it. Also, it has low profile, wide tires with a low stance. It handles very well for what it is. These two things make it an exercise in personal restraint to try for decent mpg. Most people that drive it enjoy it so much they tend to get on the gas and drive it hard. Ford made this car as a drivers car, not just an exercise in extreme efficiency.

Second, (at this is confirmed on the C-Max forum I frequent) the car requires a good 2,000 miles or so for the computer to memorize your driving style and compensate along with the normal break-in period. The C-Max is so new, most are not even over that break-in/learning phase yet.

Anyway, I am absolutely in love with this car!

I cannot wait to get a full pan and some other hyper-miling mods installed to see what it is really capable of.

Matt

[WesternStarSCR]

That is great to see! Maybe that is the risk / reward proposition when you are considered a class leader. Dodge Dart is at 41 mpg, so if journalist gets close, he is happy. Looks like c-max has a higher bar set, but perhaps a less forgiving one, when the driver chooses to flex his right foot, hence same 41 mpg on a c-max being considered low. In a few years, hopefully mid 40s and 50 will be more the norm even for lead foots.

[mechman600]

Tests show Ford Fusion, C-Max hybrids don't live up to 47-mpg claims

I wonder how hard they were really trying.

[WesternStarSCR]

We now have at least one brother in arms with a C-Max and we will hopefully start getting better data than the automotive press is seeing.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post342127

[drainoil]

Based on how the general population drives in general so fast, jack rabbit starts, hammer down, I'm not surprised they didn't get close to the advertised ratings.

[serialk11r]

What I see from all these "oh my car doesn't get the window sticker rating" complaints is that people who buy these cars probably buy them basically just for fuel economy. Yet what I notice is that the Prii on the road are usually the cars going the fastest.

Anyways, the EPA tests are IMO completely off from real world driving, there is no reason to complain that your car gets worse than what the sticker says because the sticker means very little. My car supposedly does 27 mpg highway. Even with the ludicrously short 5th gear I don't understand how it's even possible to get such bad fuel economy. Yesterday I pulled out my phone and opened Torque and discovered that going 55mph at 3000rpm in gear was returning 38mpg. 27mpg is what happens when the engine is screaming at 4300rpm and I'm doing about 80.

[GRU]

it's impossible for everyone to just "average" a set MPG for a car..some people have short commutes which kills MPG...some people drive 75 mph on the highway and expect 46 MPG...it's not gonna happen

[Recumpence]

I gotta tell you, there are some really pissed off people on the C-Max forum.......

Honestly, I cannot help but criticize their driving habits. My C-Max is really easy to get mid 40s, low 50s is doable if care is taken.

I have 4,500 miles on mine, so I speak from experience.

Matt

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by Recumpence

I gotta tell you, there are some really pissed off people on the C-Max forum.......

Honestly, I cannot help but criticize their driving habits. My C-Max is really easy to get mid 40s, low 50s is doable if care is taken.

I have 4,500 miles on mine, so I speak from experience.

Matt

Thats great to hear.

Have you posted your driving habits and your mpg experiences there? I'd bet a good many of them have no clue why they are getting poor mpgs.