jgcec@yahoo.com

I was driving down from the Lake Tahoe area which is about 7,000 ft down to sea level and I thought that if I maintained a lightly applied brake force it would regenerate the battery faster. I did add about 11 miles to a completely drained battery. After applying the brakes for about a minute, I noticed the brake burning smell. I don't know if it was coming from my Energi or the truck in front of me. After that I only pumped, (meaning keeping the brakes on for 10 seconds or so, then release) the brakes or not used the brakes at all and just let the engine slow the car down maintaining about 55-60mph. It still added another 5-6 miles to the battery from about 5 miles at that point. I did not notice the smell again, although I was not consistently behind a truck either. How long can the brakes be applied before damage is done to them? I have read that it would be better just to use the Low gear option, than using the brakes in mountain driving. Any comments, suggestions?

A Ford dealer told me that chains are NOT allowed on this car due to the 17" wheels and tires. The regular Fusion can have chains with smaller tires. There seems to be about 1-2 inches of clearance around the front tires, so it would seem possible to put chains on, the the owners manual says no to chains or tire cables, which are just a thinner version of chains.

I am planning to go to Lake Tahoe for Christmas and I need them. I have them for my other cars. Has anyone used ANY chains?

I sat in a Tesla S the other day at the showroom and I thought that the seats were too hard, so I wouldn't give a Tesla a 10, because it would not be perfect for me. So with a 10 being absolute perfection. 9.0 - rear shocks over speed bumps, small trunk, leather could be softer and higher quality the Energi is like having an electric car and a gas car that are seamlessly integrated together. The car pool lane driving is a great bonus here in the bay area in CA. Yes I would buy again compared to what is available now. My previous car Lexus ES 350 2010, Why I liked the ES and I think the Fusion is as good or better ride, front seat comfort, quiet. I probably would buy a Tesla if I could afford it for more trunk space, better acceleration and handling, and more of a status symbol.

Has anyone bought tire chains for driving in the snow? If so would you recommend them? In California they are required under certain conditions.

Is there a newer version of this card? An A5? How do we get the latest SD Card? My Navigation didn't show a new road that was there for probably at least a year. The road it didn't show is the section of Butterfield Blvd between Tennant and Monterey Rd in Morgan Hill CA. Google Butterfield Blvd Morgan Hill CA to see the section I am talking about OR look at new images at top of this website. I am wondering if others have this version and if theirs is out of date? I purchased my Energi 10-28-13. My A4 card number is DM5T-19H449-AA USA/CAN

ChuckJ any night time streaking or other vision issues?

do you know of any free San Jose area charging places?

i read that Rainx causes some problems with night vision, are there any negatives to RainX?

has anyone had squeaking windshield wipers in a light rain? and solutions?

I don't think it matters if you are in manual mode or not, the AC or heat will come on anyway, if you push the wrong button. I am here in the San Jose CA area so AC is the only EV lowering issue. By watching the EV mileage indicator drop down 4-7 miles, (it drops 4 miles for my car) and turning on and off various climate controls you can see the effect of each choice. If I turn it on manual and set the temperature to low the panel or floor vent works without AC. Sometimes I can have the temperature to 70 and the AC doesn't come on, but sometimes it does. Is there a temperature sensor that compares the outside and inside temperature and then turns on the AC or heat is there is certain amount of difference? Maybe their is a delay in the temperature reading above Low or 59, before it starts the AC? What irritates me the most is that the climate system seems to have a mind of its own. There seem to be so many combinations of settings. I would be fascinated to know how this bad of a design ever got made? Another issue is the seat warmer coming on automatically when adjusting the volume control.

I found the spot that I like the most, what do you think? http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/gallery/image/273-js1280-p1050388/

I found the sticker placement that I like the most, It does not distract you too much from the beautiful Fusion front end, http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/gallery/image/273-js1280-p1050388/

The CA DMV says the HOV Sticker has to go on the right side of front bumper, the problem is that modern cars don't really have bumpers in the traditional sense The picture from CA DMV shows a typical car from 30 years ago. I have seen pictures and I went to a Ford dealer that already had the stickers, and LEFT AND RIGHT PLACEMENT the placement can be from near the license plate to just in front of the front wheel on the front quarter panel. HIGH OR LOW PLACEMENT It have also seen it placed at the very bottom of the front bumper area, to just below the headlight. So this gives a wide range of options. http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/gallery/image/266-ca-hov-sticker-placement/