howardbc

Thank you so much to everyone! I have never used the EV button on the console near the shifter. And I didn't even know that I could see the energy use info on the large center display. I will try all suggestions. I really loved the simple graphic on my 2008 Toyota Prius that literally shows the whole car, with the wheels turning and arrows showing when the battery-driven electric motor was running, and when the ICE was running. I think you're right that I am going to get the best info from this forum. Thanks again. Bobbie

Hi, everyone. I have previously posted here but finally actually picked up my Fusion Energi last Friday, April 5th. It's a white Titanium and drives like a dream, but I still have a lot of questions. Like ... is 20-21 miles in EV-only what I get from an entire full battery charge? How can I tell when it is in EV mode and when it is in gasoline mode? I have seen how regenerative braking adds to the battery level. The displays are so confusing. I am going to speak to someone who knows the Ford Sync display but I wonder if anyone at Ford really knows/understands how a plug-in hybrid works. It has way more options than I would have gotten and is missing some that I did want, but I just decided to get serious while there was one on its way by rail. Previous Energis had been sold out from under me and they are scare as hens teeth here in the Phoenix area. At first the dealer asked for $3k over MSRP and I said no. The sales person kept coming down until I felt it was time. I am just now plugging it in for the first time after having an electrician check out my garage outlets. He didn't charge me because his company will want to sell me on the optional charger later. However, I think I will be fine with just the 110v/120V overnight charging. The day I picked up my car the dealership was abuzz with a story about a buyer paying $10k over MSRP! Who knows if this is true but it definitely is a car that is in high demand here right now. I won't take up too much more time but only want to say it is so nice to have a forum like this to ask questions, etc. Thanks for any feedback. Bobbie

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has changed the appearance of their Fusion Energi's grill by maybe blacking it out somehow. If so, where did you have it done and can you post a photo? I think the grill might look good if it were blacked out. I may not do anything but always like for my cars to look a little different. I asked the Ford sales person but she was not aware of any kits that Ford offers. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Thanks. Bobbie

Wow, my head is spinning. I haven't picked up my Fusion Energi yet but am getting a little nervous about the charging process. I will be going with just the 110/120v wall outlet to begin with since I am retired and don't drive every day. I have an electrician (Mr. Electric, who installs garage chargers for Ford) coming out next week to look at my setup. He won't charge me anything just to come out and look, so I figure that can't be bad. I think I will wait to charge the car until Mr. Electric (Arizona electrician) does an inspection. That will be 4 days after I pick up the car and I'm not planning on any long trips before the electrician comes out. Just a little nervous about unintentionally over-loading the circuit. Am I being a ninny? Bobbie

Hi. I haven't even picked up my Fusion Energi yet but was wondering what the mileage might be. I read the owner's manual and learned that I'll have a 14-gallon gas tank. I also read that there will be a minimum 1000-mile break-in period and to not try to figure MPGes until 2000-3000 miles. So, since the Fusion Energi is rated 108MPGe (and I know that is an estimate), and since the gas tank is 14 gallons, if I start with a full gas tank and recharge the batteries every night, is it possible that I could get 1500 miles on that one tank? I multiplied 14 x 108. I do mostly city-driving but occasionally some expressway. Let me know if I am way off base. Thanks. Bobbie

Thank you, meyersnole. Actually the man I asked to come out is a handyman I've used for 10+ years. He has done a lot of electrical work for me. Plus I have about 4-5 other jobs for him so it won't be just the outlet he'll check. He hasn't answered me yet (don't expect it on a holiday weekend) so I will call him on Monday if he doesn't answer before then. I would feel a lot better if I can get someone knowledgeable to make sure one of the 2 outlets are okay. I know my handyman will refer me to a licensed electrician if he doesn't feel like it's something he can do. I appreciate the suggestion about the outlet tester but I would rather pay someone to verify that everything is okay. I would have never thought to even check which switch on my control panel would go with the 2 outlets in my garage. I guess you can tell I'm not an engineer. But I am learning about these things! I have another question about the gas mileage but will look to see if there is a forum just for that subject. Yes, I think I am already addicted to this forum! Great advice and it is much appreciated by this "newbie" who hasn't even picked up her Energi yet. Bobbie

Thank you so much for the welcome! Great tip about having the batteries charged up prior to my picking it up. I hadn't even thought of that, or maybe I assumed they would do that. I'll be sure to remind my sales person. As you might imagine, I am quite excited to finally have a plug-in. I have driven a regular hybrid for 5+ years and it has been great, but I wanted to go to the next level with a hybrid plug-in. I eventually want to get a total EV but don't have the money or patience for a Tesla. And the Nissan Leaf just doesn't have the range, plus it has other problems. I am hoping someone will come out with a reasonably-priced long-range EV some time in the not-too-distant future. I try to keep up with all that with things like Green Car Reports. In the mean time, I expect to be very content with the Energi. It sure has the looks over the Volt, plus it is a little larger. I will be sure to check this forum often. I'm sure I will have many questions after I get the car. Thanks again. Bobbie

Hi. I signed the papers on a 2013 Fusion Energi (white) yesterday and will pick it up on Friday, April 5th. They could have had it ready sooner but I needed to arrange the money, plus the buyer for my current car (2008 Prius) can't meet with me until Friday. I need to clean out my garage, too. I've got an electrician coming to make sure my 120V outlet is grounded and all. I am retired and don't drive every day so I am going to try it without the additional (expensive) garage charger. I think I may have bought one of the few Fusion Energis in the Phoenix area. Just for grins, I used Ford's locator tool and the information it gave me was not accurate. It only showed 1 Fusion Energi in the entire metro area and I know for a fact that that dealer does not have one because I had just spoken to him. Does anyone have any words of advice for me for the first charging? I have to confess to being a little nervous. Plus any feedback on anything about the car would be much appreciated. Thanks so much. Bobbie

Hi. The brochure for the Fusion lists an Oxford White and a White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat. I'm assuming the latter costs extra. I like a white/white white - not a pearl or something else. Suggestions? Thanks.

Hi. I haven't bought a new car yet, but was wondering if anyone in this forum looked at a Chevy Volt before buying their Ford Fusion Energi? I haven't looked at the Chevy Volt yet but want to be able to compare at least 2 hybrid plug-ins. I like the looks of the Ford and I like that Ford has 2-year leases but I will still check out the Volt. The Energi doesn't seem to have a lot of options - just the 2 models. I was hoping for cloth seats and to be able to buy certain options (like a back-up camera, moon-roof, garage door opener) instead of paying $4500 for a whole "package" of things I don't need. I'm in Arizona. I don't need heated seats, automatic wipers, or parking assist. Also, is black the only interior color option? Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

I am in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area and have only found 2 Fusion Energis at the 3 dealerships I contacted. (I'm using the True Car website for my insurance company.) I am thinking of leasing because the technology is changing so fast. Ford has a 2-year lease, whereas Chevy requires 3 years on the Volt. Question: How much does the 240-volt charger for the Energi cost? Can this be paid separately from the car? In other words, paying it separately would not increase the lease payments. Any feedback for this newbie would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hi. I am interested in buying a Ford Fusion Hybrid Plug-in but want to hear what other owners have to say about it. I currently own a Toyota Prius (for 5+ years) and it is okay but the idea of plugging in my car every day really appeals to me. I live in the Phoenix area so the heat is of concern to me. Have there been any issues in the Southwest with high temperatures affecting the battery life? Thank you in advance for any feedback.