New Energi owner

[gerdia]

Hello all,

 

My name is Gerry and on Mar 5th I picked up a '14 Fusion Energi titanium, color Dark side w/jet black interior. car is loaded, only missing cooled seats which wasn't available when this car was put together.

Looking at getting the 240v turboCord which seems to be the cheapest option, with our driving schedule/pattern being the way it is the 240v makes a smart investment.

 

Just a couple of days with it and the mpg is 90, lots to learn on this car.

 

One question though, has anyone installed mud flaps on their Energi?, salesman told me not to because it will change the car aerodynamics and affect mgp.

I was looking into installing some body protection (3m clear film)  to the lower panels, behind the wheels, if mud flaps are a bad idea.

 

Thanks and look forward to more forum discussion.

 

Gerry

Perkasie, Pa.

[jeff_h]

Welcome Gerry -  I wouldn't worry about the MPG hit due to the mud flaps as they don't protrude that much.  So maybe instead of the 90 MPG you mentioned, maybe you would have gotten 89 MPG?  If you like the protection that they would offer and they look OK to you, go right ahead as personally I don't think aerodynamics would be impacted much at all.

 

We haven't had a lot of discussion on this forum on those, but have had a few on the hybrid forum, and here's one that includes some pics from those who have had them installed.

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5600-mud-flaps-anyone/

[gerdia]

Jeff, thank you. I tend to agree with you on the flaps, don't see them making a big difference.

 

thanks again

[pluggedin]

Hello all,

 

My name is Gerry and on Mar 5th I picked up a '14 Fusion Energi titanium, color Dark side w/jet black interior. car is loaded, only missing cooled seats which wasn't available when this car was put together.

Looking at getting the 240v turboCord which seems to be the cheapest option, with our driving schedule/pattern being the way it is the 240v makes a smart investment.

 

Just a couple of days with it and the mpg is 90, lots to learn on this car.

 

One question though, has anyone installed mud flaps on their Energi?, salesman told me not to because it will change the car aerodynamics and affect mgp.

I was looking into installing some body protection (3m clear film)  to the lower panels, behind the wheels, if mud flaps are a bad idea.

 

Thanks and look forward to more forum discussion.

 

Gerry

Perkasie, Pa.

I think I can help you here, Gerry. Several of us on this forum have installed mudflaps, both front and rear, and I am one of them. They look great on the car and are functional as well, in that they have kept road tar and debris off of my rocker panels, etc. To date, my best mpg on a tank of gas has been 180.4 mpg and my lifetime average hovers around 100 mpg, so your salesman doesn't know what he's talking about (no surprise)!

 

I also had a 3M clear bra installed on the hood, front bumper, fenders and mirrors. Driving the Interstates around Tucson is like following a gravel truck and I don't have one rock chip on the front of my car, to date, but have had to replace my front windshield once already.

 

I have found no need for the 3M on the rocker panels, because of the mudflaps, but it might be a good feature to have just the same. Keep the car waxed and you will have no troubles in keeping the car clean and looking new.

 

Two weeks ago I was driving a rural two lane road and hit a raccoon with my lower left front bumper, right at the driving light panel. I had no paint damage from the little varmint, because of the 3M bra, and it cost me $40 to have a body shop realign the various parts in that area of the bumper. 

 

As for the 240v charger, it's worth the expense if you take a lot of short trips during the week or weekend. We only have the one car and I find my wife keeps the wheels turning on the car regularly but the trips are normally 25 miles, or less. So I have charged the car as many as 3-4 times in one day; which is not possible with the 120v charger.

 

Enjoy your new ride!!

[gerdia]

I think I can help you here, Gerry. Several of us on this forum have installed mudflaps, both front and rear, and I am one of them. They look great on the car and are functional as well, in that they have kept road tar and debris off of my rocker panels, etc. To date, my best mpg on a tank of gas has been 180.4 mpg and my lifetime average hovers around 100 mpg, so your salesman doesn't know what he's talking about (no surprise)!

 

I also had a 3M clear bra installed on the hood, front bumper, fenders and mirrors. Driving the Interstates around Tucson is like following a gravel truck and I don't have one rock chip on the front of my car, to date, but have had to replace my front windshield once already.

 

I have found no need for the 3M on the rocker panels, because of the mudflaps, but it might be a good feature to have just the same. Keep the car waxed and you will have no troubles in keeping the car clean and looking new.

 

Two weeks ago I was driving a rural two lane road and hit a raccoon with my lower left front bumper, right at the driving light panel. I had no paint damage from the little varmint, because of the 3M bra, and it cost me $40 to have a body shop realign the various parts in that area of the bumper. 

 

As for the 240v charger, it's worth the expense if you take a lot of short trips during the week or weekend. We only have the one car and I find my wife keeps the wheels turning on the car regularly but the trips are normally 25 miles, or less. So I have charged the car as many as 3-4 times in one day; which is not possible with the 120v charger.

 

Enjoy your new ride!!

Thank you for your reply, I will go ahead and get the flaps.

[Eric4539]

Hi Gerry,

 

Congratulations on your 2014 Energi!  

 

I also installed the 3M clear bra with the help of a friend.  I have partial hood, front bumper, front fenders, mirrors, and the concavities behind each door handle.  I know a professional installer would have done a better job but I am happy with the results.

 

I can tell that the clear bra has saved many rock chips and the car looks great.

 

I am just about ready to install the mud guards.  I might be crazy but I purchased them towards the end of last year and decided to paint them to match the car.  So I had to wait until we had a streak of warm weather to primer and paint them.  They have dried for a week, polished them, and now and I just have to wash the car and install them.

 

I may take photos depending how they look!

[pluggedin]

Hi Gerry,

 

Congratulations on your 2014 Energi!  

 

I also installed the 3M clear bra with the help of a friend.  I have partial hood, front bumper, front fenders, mirrors, and the concavities behind each door handle.  I know a professional installer would have done a better job but I am happy with the results.

 

I can tell that the clear bra has saved many rock chips and the car looks great.

 

I am just about ready to install the mud guards.  I might be crazy but I purchased them towards the end of last year and decided to paint them to match the car.  So I had to wait until we had a streak of warm weather to primer and paint them.  They have dried for a week, polished them, and now and I just have to wash the car and install them.

 

I may take photos depending how they look!

I hope the painted mudflaps turn out great looking for you! I wanted to do that too but three body shops I talked to turned their noses up to the idea and didn't recommend it. They look good just the same. However, I would love to see some pix once you get them installed.

[Eric4539]

Ok, I installed my body color mud guards this afternoon.  Installation was simple and I am happy with the results.  I posted a few pictures in the Gallery. 

 

http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/gallery/album/21-eric4539/

[gerdia]

Ok, I installed my body color mud guards this afternoon.  Installation was simple and I am happy with the results.  I posted a few pictures in the Gallery. 

 

http://www.fordfusionenergiforum.com/gallery/album/21-eric4539/

wow!! they looked great, you painted them yourself? if so, you might have to post a "how to" thread. i going to have to think about this one.

 

thanks 

[pluggedin]

wow!! they looked great, you painted them yourself? if so, you might have to post a "how to" thread. i going to have to think about this one.

 

thanks 

I second the thought of a "How to" thread. The flaps look as good painted as I had envisioned them to be. Do you think the paint will crack or chip over time, since they are hard rubber? Regardless, nice job!! :clapping:

[Eric4539]

I have 3 coats of Gloss Clearcoat on each mudguard so I hope they will be durable enough to withstand rocks and road debris.  Tomorrow I am doing a 125 mile (250 roundtrip) drive so I will inspect them when I return on Tuesday.

 

Here is the primer, color coat and clear coat that I used.  I ordered from Automotive Touchup and was very happy with their products.

 

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/?A=445&SubAffiliateID=s42_11828540_21737984

 

I watched several videos on YouTube on how to paint plastic auto parts and used the simplest method.  I figured if someone could paint a replacement bumper using a rattle can I could do the same with 4 small mud guards!

 

Here are the steps from one of the videos I watched.  I did not follow them exactly so you might achieve better results should you do each step.

 

1) Clean with soap solution (I used Dawn dishwashing liquid)

• I scrubbed each mud guard with a non abrasive cleaning sponge
  
• I let the mud guards dry for a couple of months because it was winter
  

2) Clean with Plastic Cleaner (I omitted this)

• Do not use wax or silicone remover
  
• Liquid is the easiest - wipe on, wipe off
  
• Finish with an alcohol solution (I cleaned each mud guard with weak isopropyl alcohol)
  

3) Scuff with fine scotch pad (I omitted this step)

 

4) Plastic Primer (adhesion promoter)

• 3 coats in 10 minutes
  

5) Color coat

• 3 coats in 10 minutes
  

6) Clear coat

• 3 coats in 10 minutes
  

7) 1 week to dry

 

8) Wet sand (I omitted this step)

 

9) Buff with polishing compound, small amount of compound on part and buffing pad (I omitted this step)

 

10) Polish (I used Nu Finish)

 

I still have about 1/4 remaining of each; the Adhesion Promoter, Basecoat Color and Gloss Clearcoat.  I painted both sides of each mud guard.

[FordService]

...  My name is Gerry and on Mar 5th I picked up a '14 Fusion Energi titanium, color Dark side w/jet black interior. car is loaded, only missing cooled seats which wasn't available when this car was put together. ...

 

Gerry,

 

Congrats on the new car and welcome to the forum! I'm the Ford Customer Service rep here, and I'm available to answer any questions you have. If you need anything, feel free to send me a PM!

 

Ashley

[apm]

Hello all,

 

My name is Gerry and on Mar 5th I picked up a '14 Fusion Energi titanium, color Dark side w/jet black interior. car is loaded, only missing cooled seats which wasn't available when this car was put together.

Looking at getting the 240v turboCord which seems to be the cheapest option, with our driving schedule/pattern being the way it is the 240v makes a smart investment.

 

Just a couple of days with it and the mpg is 90, lots to learn on this car.

 

One question though, has anyone installed mud flaps on their Energi?, salesman told me not to because it will change the car aerodynamics and affect mgp.

I was looking into installing some body protection (3m clear film)  to the lower panels, behind the wheels, if mud flaps are a bad idea.

 

Thanks and look forward to more forum discussion.

 

Gerry

Perkasie, Pa.

Hi Gerry,

 

There are lower price options for the 240V Charger. I purchased the Bosch EL-51253 (30 amp 18' cord) from Amazon for $565. If you can live with a shorter cord, there is another Bosch (16 amp, 12' cord) at Amazon for $430. There is also a Clipper Crek that sell for $495.

 

I do like the size of the Turbo Cord.

 

Regards,

APM

[gerdia]

Hi Gerry,

 

There are lower price options for the 240V Charger. I purchased the Bosch EL-51253 (30 amp 18' cord) from Amazon for $565. If you can live with a shorter cord, there is another Bosch (16 amp, 12' cord) at Amazon for $430. There is also a Clipper Crek that sell for $495.

 

I do like the size of the Turbo Cord.

 

Regards,

APM

APM,

 

Thank so much for the info, I will definitely take a close look at those.

 

 

gerry

[Rexracer]

I have the Bosch 16amp with the 12' cord. Charger works great but the cord is definitly short. I would have gotten the 30amp with the 18' cord, but they were not going to have any till after the first of the year and I wanted to get it installed before then to get the tax rebates this year.

 

Charger works great, highly recommended.

[meyersnole]

I have the Bosch 30A with the 18' cord. It has worked flawlessly since the day it was installed, very happy with it.

 

I took my time getting a L2 charger, as it is not hard to live with this car and the supplied 120V charger. Having said that I am happy with my purchase, and I went with the 30A model because I know I am likely to get another electric car and this one has a cord that can reach both sides of the garage.