Hi.

I am new to this forum. Wish I had thought to look for it sooner.

I have a 2005 FEH, one of the first purchased in northern California (October 2004). It has 95,000 miles on it. My service rep says he knows of no one else who has one with this many miles. (Got to love California commuting).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else out there has close to this many miles and what your experience has been. Until about 10,000 miles ago, I was averaging 29-31 mpg. I am now getting 27-29. The dealership can't figure out why.

Thanks in advance.

 

I'd guess the outside temperature is having somewhat of an effect, the gas formulations changed with the season or your tires are down. All ar possibilities.

There probably be some decline in battery efficiency--EVENTUALLY--but I'd be surpised if it was sudden and suprised if you'd see it now.

 

I suspect the database out in the real world.....with your same situation...is not very large(yet). I have read about taxi fleet FEHs, younger in age than yours, with over 240,000 miles that report brake component failures (due to lack of regular maintenance).

It may be that your ICE is suffering and in need of a complete tune-up, plugs, etc. [It would be interesting to monitor the state-of-charge value on your HVBattery to see how it reacts while driving] Good luck.

 

Welcome...

Since you mention the dealer in your post I assume you adhere to the Ford maintenance schedule. At 95,000 miles you're coming up on the pretty extensive 100,000 mile maintenance that includes new spark plugs, coolant, filters, drive belt and a thorough inspection. You may want to have this service done sooner rather than later if you can't find other factors that are reducing your FE.

I'd start with an air filter, checking the tire pressure all around (might want to check the spare tire too). Since you've had the vehicle since 2004, you're probably aware that cold weather has a more noticeable effect on the FEH's FE (not percentage wise but in number). It may help to look back through your FE log (if you have one) and see what you were getting in the past about this time of year and compare.

Theres' a lot of information here and plenty of people that are willing to help you. I personally want to thank you for being an early adopter of the FEH.

 

My job requires me to travel between 9 states each month. ( or almost )

It is shocking to me how much the gasoline quality varries ( energy per gallon ) from state to state, and local to local. I want to put together a briefcase chemistry set, to sample what I see and get hard numbers... but that is still on the drawing board.

I have read online that there are 30 different formulations for "regular" gas. This is only adding to the high cost of gas.

The reality is, the cleaner the gas, the lower the MPG you get.
So environmentally wise... you are at least breaking even... and hopefully coming out ahead ( EPA hopes so ) using more of the cleaner gas.

I suspect the type of gas in your area has recently changed.
But do check your tires also. A 10 psi move from 35psi to 45psi will get you 2-3 MPG more.

Good luck! Thanks for joining the group, and post back often!
( My FEH was "born" 12/13/04 and I have 59,000 miles )
-John

 

Hey eajsbks! One of my fellow Oct '04 owners! I also bought mine in Northern Cal (Stevens Creek, San Jose). Alas, I can't help you with the mileage, I only have 58,000, but my experience reflects the things mentioned here.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is rain. That'll decrease your mileage noticeably. Beyond that the standard stuff applies. Tires, fuel, temperature, tuneup. Some people have complained about a drop after they had the recall work done.

Good luck, and definitely let us know when this is resolved.

 

35 to 45psi ? Will the tires wear normally with that much pressure or is 45 still within the range. I'm running the OEM continental tires...., and would love to get 2-3 more mpg....

 

After 50,000 miles of running my tires at 45psi, the center of the tread is about 1mm thinner than the corners. Just barely enough to detect. So now, I've lowered them back to 35psi for winter conditions and that should help even them out. Most people say this is an 80,000 mile tire. The tire manufacturer says 44psi cold, is the safe upper limit. Ford says the "safe" range is 25psi to 44psi, with 35psi being the "happy medium" which is a compromise of ride softness and MPG.

If you don't want to worry about it, try 40psi and see if you get 1 MPG more! -John

 

I just bought my used 2005 FEH with 80,000 miles on it. On the 500-mile drive home to northern Minnesota, in -15 degrees and fighting a headwind, the gauge was showing 22.3 mpg. It's now about 21.9 in the few short trips I've taken around town, still in the -20 degree range.

 

There's a user with more than 100K on his, https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...-report-16212/ gives his report.

Congrats on making it so many miles, I hope that you're still pleased with your vehicle!