[alcatraz]

Ford will be implementing a series of calibration updates that will improve the fuel efficiency of the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid, Fusion Hybrid, and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. These updates would improve fuel efficiency during short trips, highway travel and during use of the climate control system.

Specifically, the changes will optimize the Active Grille Shutter to reduce drag, minimize the use of the air conditioning compressor, and make it possible to drive the car in pure-electric mode at speeds up to 85 mph.

Raj Nair, Ford VP of Global Product Development says, "We are committed to continuously improving the fuel economy of our vehicles. We believe these actions will provide our customers enhanced on-road fuel economy satisfaction."

What do you think of this news? Is it good that fuel efficiency will be improved, or does it just show that Ford is making mistakes when it first releases its models?

 

[zep]

Ford will be implementing a series of calibration updates that will improve the fuel efficiency of the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid, Fusion Hybrid, and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. These updates would improve fuel efficiency during short trips, highway travel and during use of the climate control system.

Specifically, the changes will optimize the Active Grille Shutter to reduce drag, minimize the use of the air conditioning compressor, and make it possible to drive the car in pure-electric mode at speeds up to 85 mph.

Raj Nair, Ford VP of Global Product Development says, "We are committed to continuously improving the fuel economy of our vehicles. We believe these actions will provide our customers enhanced on-road fuel economy satisfaction."

What do you think of this news? Is it good that fuel efficiency will be improved, or does it just show that Ford is making mistakes when it first releases its models?

It shows inefficiencies with the testing process, the EPA rates mpg not FoMoCo. But I am interested what this will do to battery life. To run the vehicles on electric longer the software is re flashed to run deeper into the batterys reserve stop gap, sort of like driving into the reserve after your fuel light has come on. Batterys diminish over time from drain and recharge drain and recharge, I have no idea if this is even a factor just curious..

 

[MKZFan]

There's only so much car makers can do with the time frame they have which is why they have these updates and fixes that come later on, just part of the process. I just can't wait to see how much farther they can tune the ECU to extract even more MPG's

 

[alcatraz]

There's only so much car makers can do with the time frame they have which is why they have these updates and fixes that come later on, just part of the process. I just can't wait to see how much farther they can tune the ECU to extract even more MPG's

Do you think that these types of software updates to increase mpg will be something that happens on a semi-regular basis now that we see many more hybrids and EVs being released by car companies?

 

[zep]

Do you think that these types of software updates to increase mpg will be something that happens on a semi-regular basis now that we see many more hybrids and EVs being released by car companies?

possibly, but there is a limit to how much efficiency software can wring out of hardware. Eventually those pieces reach physical limits

 

[MKZephyerstein]

There's only so much car makers can do with the time frame they have which is why they have these updates and fixes that come later on, just part of the process. I just can't wait to see how much farther they can tune the ECU to extract even more MPG's

I am surprised this wasn't figured out from the beginning when the software released should be already running at it's best. But if they are rushing through the process they might want to consider slowing down. It will save them from publicized problems later on.

 

[Telepathy]

Well just look at phone for example, I hate to compare the two but hey phones and electronic devices get firmware updates too so why should cars when they figure out on how to improve and get better mpgs or whatever that my benefit the car owners.

 

[Kryptonite]

Well just look at phone for example, I hate to compare the two but hey phones and electronic devices get firmware updates too so why should cars when they figure out on how to improve and get better mpgs or whatever that my benefit the car owners.

It makes sense but just how different can it be when they make the changes from the original software?

How does the update work and what does it change in order to achieve better efficiency?

 

[Vendetta]

It all just depends. Funny thing to say but the computers do really controls everything. everything has a solenoid that makes things move a certain way or regulate it. So with these flash updates it might change the angle, the speed or just how much fuel is added in to the combustion and the list goes on.

A good example that was mention is the grille shutters to reduce drag. What do you think that operates off of? the solenoid, now if that were to go wrong it doesn't matter what signal or update the cpu sends.

 

[golfball]

Sounds like a great idea. More value to the MKZ hybrid.