Fuel door release button.

[Dune]

About my only real "beef" with my Fusion Energi is the placement of the fuel door release button.

Where it is on the passenger side of the center console is ridiculous.

I've had the car since last August and have lost count of the number of times a passenger has accidentally opened the door.

A minor inconvenience to be sure but one that screams "What were you thinking?" 

It's hard to think of a (reasonable) worse place to have put it.

[jeff_h]

I agree, as others have also noted here - can't believe it was located there as we've done the same several times.  Seems like a location next to the trunk release would have been better.

[SteveEnergi]

Yes, as mentioned on other threads; it's a terrible place for a fuel door button.  Usually large companies have "form factor" experts to see potential usability issues.  It definitely should have been placed somewhere on the dash, or near the trunk release.  It makes absolutely no sense to have it there.  The "EV" button could also be in a better location.  The driver shouldn't have to reach around the shift lever.

[Dune]

Well, I figured that it had to have been mentioned before, and guess that after searching here for "fuel door" I didn't scroll down far enough.  Thanks.

The placement of both buttons is indeed an anomaly in comparison with the rest of the car.

[Bills_Fusion_Energi]

I've also had a passenger unintentionally operate each button at one time or another NUMEROUS times....

 

A REALLY DUMB place to position ANY button that is intended to be operated by the driver ! !

[howardbc]

Where is the trunk release?

 

I wish there was a release button (inside the cabin) for the charging port, plus something to alert one if the charging port was left open. 

[murphy]

Where is the trunk release?

 

Just to the left of the steering column.

[Dune]

I would agree about the charging door.  It is insecure and does not seem to be very robust. I think that an inside release would be better, a la the Volt (although that door equally flimsy).  Don't really like the idea that someone could just pop my charge door open and have access to vandalize the charge socket were they so inclined.

On a plug-in car, doesn't it seem like the charge door should be at least as secure as the gas door?

Edited March 4, 2014 at 09:27 PM by Dune

[seadiel]

I agree,

 

The fuel release button should be next to the trunk release button.

I would prefer the EV button on a steering wheel control.

 

Would be nice if there was a sensor for the charging port if it is open.

[vett93]

Where is the trunk release button?

[murphy]

Where is the trunk release button?

To the right of the headlight switch.

There is also one to the right of the license plate light.

[Fat Fusion]

I would agree about the charging door.  It is insecure and does not seem to be very robust. I think that an inside release would be better, a la the Volt (although that door equally flimsy).  Don't really like the idea that someone could just pop my charge door open and have access to vandalize the charge socket were they so inclined.

On a plug-in car, doesn't it seem like the charge door should be at least as secure as the gas door?

 

No.  The gas door serves a purpose to keep volatile gasoline contained in an accident.  No such worry about electrons spilling out.  My guess is the door was as light as they could make it.

[Dune]

Gas doors and caps were unsecured for decades, and the first locking ones appeared because the price went way up, not because of the volatility of the fuel.  The gas cap isn't the containment concern in an accident, rupture of the tank is.  If, in the Fusion, security of the gas filler was paramount, then how does one explain the placement of the fuel door release that gets activated more on accident than on purpose?  As I said , the Volt has an inside release.  With all due respect to the engineers who designed the Fusion, not fitting the charge port with a secured door that releases from the inside was an oversight.  Weight?  I don't really think that the few ounces we are talking about is going to make any difference on a car with this much weight in batteries that is not intended to be a sports car. 

 

If security isn't going to be considered, then a better design might have been spring loaded, so that when plugged in the plug itself would hold the door open, and it would close under spring tension when removed.  This would prevent the door from being left open inadvertently, not that I do that with some frequency or anything.

Edited March 18, 2014 at 10:20 PM by Dune

[Fat Fusion]

Seat belts weren't required for the first 60-70 years of the automobile, but I doubt you'd argue they're not for safety.  And the ability of the gas cap to contain fuel is not insignificant.  It's not "paramount" but it's not insignificant.  If you want a better charge door then make one yourself.

[Energitic]

After several accidental fuel door openings by passengers in just the two weeks I've had the car now, I have to agree that this is a very annoying design flaw. :(

 

Please Ford, consider if you can come up with a software-based mitigation for the current models (e.g. by only opening the door after holding down the button for 5 seconds, or perhaps after a "double click"). And, by all means, move the button elsewhere for the next vehicle update!

[SteveEnergi]

...Or at the very least, make the "gas depressurization/door open" button like the parking break, where you have to "pull up" rather than push.  Almost any other solution would be better than what was designed.  It's hard to believe that the Ford design engineers put thought into the location/operation of this button.

 

Steve

[jeff_h]

...Or at the very least, make the "gas depressurization/door open" button like the parking break, where you have to "pull up" rather than push.  Almost any other solution would be better than what was designed.  It's hard to believe that the Ford design engineers put thought into the location/operation of this button.

 

That would also be a good idea, but seems like there could be a software update that would change the behavior of the button to need 5 seconds continuous to pop the fuel door, or twice quickly - as the OP notes above.  

[Zman11]

I recently got a Fusion Titanium Gas only and noticed a few small differences from my Fusion Energi.

 

The light switch and moonroof button are softtouch instead of buttons.

There was no Fuel door door release button. Is there a specific requirement to  have the switch on the Energi?

[murphy]

The Energi has a pressurized fuel system.  When the button is pushed the pressure is equalized before the door is opened.  That's why it doesn't open right away.

[Eric4539]

I think it was from March 2013 build date when Ford changed to capacitive switches for the overhead light and moonroof controls.  You know you have an older build if you have the actual buttons.

 

That might have been the same timeframe when the Bordeaux Reserve and Ginger Ale colors were dropped along with the Aluminum Pedals on the Titanium models.  But then Ford brought the Aluminum Pedals back on Titanium models.  Confusing!

[jeff_h]

I think it was from March 2013 build date when Ford changed to capacitive switches for the overhead light and moonroof controls.  You know you have an older build if you have the actual buttons.

 

Confusing is right, as I had one that sneaked in early I guess... SE Hybrid built in Dec 2012 had the capacitive switches, but then the Energis built in Feb 2013 and Mar 15th 2013 both have actual buttons.

[Bud]

Yes, as mentioned on other threads; it's a terrible place for a fuel door button.  Usually large companies have "form factor" experts to see potential usability issues.  It definitely should have been placed somewhere on the dash, or near the trunk release.  It makes absolutely no sense to have it there.  The "EV" button could also be in a better location.  The driver shouldn't have to reach around the shift lever.

 

Have the hill-assist as a setting (on/off) and place the EV controls where the hill assist button is on the shifter. The hill assists could also be triggered by quickly/lightly touching the brake while going down a hill.

[stevedebi]

Have the hill-assist as a setting (on/off) and place the EV controls where the hill assist button is on the shifter. The hill assists could also be triggered by quickly/lightly touching the brake while going down a hill.

I think there is room for both on the shifter - at least there is on the C-Max shifter.

[lonzo71]

The Energi has a pressurized fuel system.  When the button is pushed the pressure is equalized before the door is opened.  That's why it doesn't open right away.

 

Umm, you are correct about the system, but the door itself isnt pressurized, its just an outer door. And the reason why there is a door to begin with has to do with looks, not anything else as some as the other comments were debating.

[murphy]

Umm, you are correct about the system, but the door itself isnt pressurized, its just an outer door. And the reason why there is a door to begin with has to do with looks, not anything else as some as the other comments were debating.

From the owners manual

 

Easy Fuel™ Capless System

(Energi Vehicles Only)

WARNING

The fuel system may be under

pressure. If you hear a hissing sound

near the fuel filler door, do not refuel

until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may

spray out, which could cause serious

personal injury.

Note: Your vehicle features a locking fuel

door and an auto-sealing feature that locks

the fuel tank refueling valve. Before you can

refuel your vehicle you must first press the

button located on the center console.

Pressing this button will unlock the fuel tank

refueling valve allowing the fuel filler door

to open so that the fuel filler nozzle can be

inserted into the fuel inlet. This could take

up to 15 seconds before the fuel filler door

pops open allowing the insertion of the fuel

filler nozzle.