Calibration Updates for Fusion Hybrids

[larryh]

Ford has announced several calibration updates to improve performance of its hybrid cars http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=38296.  It doesn't specifically mention the Energi, but hopefully there is an update that applies to it as well.  The following is an excerpt:

 

Better on-road mileage performance for hybrids

As its electrified vehicle market share grows, Ford also is taking action to improve the on-road fuel economy performance of 2013-model hybrid vehicles in the United States and Canada. Starting in August, the company will make calibration updates designed to improve on-road fuel economy for owners of the 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid, 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

 

“We are committed to continuously improving the fuel economy of our vehicles,” said Nair. “We believe these actions will provide our customers enhanced on-road fuel economy satisfaction.”

 

Calibration updates to Ford hybrid vehicles include control system enhancements for a variety of driving conditions on the highway, during short trips and while using the climate control system. Enhancements designed to improve customer satisfaction include:

 

• Increasing the maximum pure electric speed to 85 mph from 62 mph, allowing increased use of electric-only mode on the highway
• Optimizing the use of Active Grille Shutters to reduce aerodynamic drag under more driving and temperature conditions including cold weather, during air conditioner use and when the engine coolant temperature is higher
• Reducing the electric fan speed as a function of coolant temperature to minimize the fan’s energy consumption
• Shortening engine warm-up time by up to 50 percent to enable electric-only driving and engine shutdown at stops sooner after cold starts
• Optimizing the climate control system to minimize use of the air conditioning compressor and reduce the energy used in cold weather operation

“Just as individual mileage can vary based on driving styles and environmental conditions, we expect fuel economy improvements will differ from customer to customer depending on individual driving habits,” said Nair. “Customers should see the most improvement at highway speeds, during air conditioner use and operation in colder climates.”

Edited July 17, 2013 at 10:11 AM by larryh

[murphy]

The update does not apply to the Fusion Energi or the C_MAX Energi.

The Energi already has a maximum electric speed of 85 mph.

[larryh]

This addresses one of my major concerns with purchasing a newly designed car.   It takes time to work out all the bugs and optimize the software algorithms that control the car.  As Ford works out these issues, I would like updates for the car.  Now Ford has stated that it is committed to providing performance enhancements to existing owners.   So, just as for computer hardware/software, we can continue to get updates for the car to enhance performance.  This is unlike cars in the past.  Generally, you are stuck with what you get when you purchased the car--there is no upgrade path.

Edited July 17, 2013 at 10:41 AM by larryh

[Russael]

I'm not sure about increasing the electric hybrid speed to 85MPH... that battery is really small and if you push that amount of current out of such a small battery while a car is traveling that fast... I can see that thing heating up REAL quick as it dumps whatever hybrid charge it managed to accumulate to the traction motor.  It'd be even worse if you're running A/C too.  The duration of electric mode would be what... a minute?  Increasing it from 62 to maybe 75 methinks would be more reasonable.  Of course, it'd work well if you were in hilly terrain... if you're doing 65 - 75 downhill, at least now the engine should turn off if you're able to maintain speed.

 

The active grille shutter thing is a smart idea.  Make it 'demand needed' instead of just locking it in at one speed.

 

Variable fan speed is also a good way to conserve energy.  BUT... what do you do when engine is up to temperature and at what speed?  Do you turn the fan on, or do you open the grille shutters?  Or both?  Curious to see what they have in mind.

 

Minimizing the use of the A/C compressor in cold weather is also smart.  I never understood why a car needed the 'dryer' function in cold weather while using the defroster.  Humidity is usually quite low in winter.  I always fiddled with my controls and used floor/defrost which wouldn't turn on the A/C compressor and it worked just fine.

 

On the other bright side and to go with what Larryh says... it's sweet that they're coming out with computer revisions for the car.  Granted, MOST vehicles DO get new computer software revisions but they don't tell you about them.  If you take your vehicle in for service, they'll use their 'world diagnostic system' and push system updates to your vehicle.  I've had my 1999 truck receive a few updates.

[TX NRG]

Ford said Energi will not get these updates.

 

"Raj Nair, Ford’s head of global product development, said the voluntary action is not related to the lawsuits, but rather is part of continuous improvement efforts.

 

He would not say how much better mileage will get nor did he estimate the cost of the dealer actions. But he did say the software changes will not change the EPA ratings and the government agency is aware of the program.

 

The changes do not affect Ford’s Fusion and C-Max plug-in hybrids, Nair said."

[BadRock]

I'm not sure about increasing the electric hybrid speed to 85MPH... that battery is really small and if you push that amount of current out of such a small battery while a car is traveling that fast... I can see that thing heating up REAL quick as it dumps whatever hybrid charge it managed to accumulate to the traction motor.  It'd be even worse if you're running A/C too.  The duration of electric mode would be what... a minute?  Increasing it from 62 to maybe 75 methinks would be more reasonable.  Of course, it'd work well if you were in hilly terrain... if you're doing 65 - 75 downhill, at least now the engine should turn off if you're able to maintain speed.

 

I would agree, with a small battery you are going to have a lot of heat to deal with and very little run time.

 

The active grille shutter thing is a smart idea.  Make it 'demand needed' instead of just locking it in at one speed.

 

Is it locked to a speed? I would have thought this is temperature controlled not speed controlled.

 

 

Variable fan speed is also a good way to conserve energy.  BUT... what do you do when engine is up to temperature and at what speed?  Do you turn the fan on, or do you open the grille shutters?  Or both?  Curious to see what they have in mind.

 

 

The fan should only be on when you do not have air flow from vehicle movement or you are not accomplishing the cooling required.

 

 

Minimizing the use of the A/C compressor in cold weather is also smart.  I never understood why a car needed the 'dryer' function in cold weather while using the defroster.  Humidity is usually quite low in winter.  I always fiddled with my controls and used floor/defrost which wouldn't turn on the A/C compressor and it worked just fine.

 

 

 

A/C use with the defrost is more of a component lubrication technique than a drying function.

[Russael]

 

 

Is it locked to a speed? I would have thought this is temperature controlled not speed controlled.

 

I believe it was locked to 62MPH or greater (the speed where hybrid mode was suspended).  Reasoning behind that is that they said the active grille shutters didn't do a whole lot for the car's aerodynamics until it reached expressway speeds.  I disagree and think that even at speeds greater than 40MPH would make a difference... but would there still be enough airflow to get through the bottom vents to still cool the engine?  At least then they could open and close as needed.

 

 

 

A/C use with the defrost is more of a component lubrication technique than a drying function.

 

You sure?  I was always under the impression that it was to remove moisture from the windshield.  I know it needs to come on in summer months when your window fogs up when the humidity is really high and condenses on the windows... but I know a few people in the dead of winter who had their defrosters on and I could still hear the A/C compressor kicking on and off.  I suppose it could be a lubrication thing in winter...

[larryh]

In the winter, the car cools off very quickly when the heating element is turned off.  It would be nice if the grille shutters would close in the winter time to conserve heat.  I wonder how much of a difference it would make?

Edited July 17, 2013 at 09:09 PM by larryh