How to Drive FEHP/FEH the Best Range and MPG

35062 Views 278 Replies 44 Participants Last post by ptjones, 2 h ago

ptjones

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2021 (Edited)

5

Here are the total of all the improvements that I have done to my FEHP.

Installed Gas Pods which I had on my CMAX, don't know if they made a difference. Raised tire pressure to 44 psi., the max tire pressure on the tire, they were 32psi according to my digital pressure gauge. I would expect 1/2 mile range gain or mpg in ICE Mode. I use EV Now Mode around town and EV later on trips.

I have been noticing that if you start the ICE to increase acceleration it will stay on until it reaches 128*F like the CMAX Hybrid did. It took about .8 miles to make it happen.
Installed Top Grill Cover and ended up taping all the way around the edge to seal it off to get the WT above 215*F

I installed the Grill Cover for the bottom and it blocks the sensors so I had to hole saw 1.25" holes for them to work. I hope these pics give you ideas for what can be done. It could take awhile to determine what kind of range improvement I get. I hope to install wheel covers shortly too. I'm using Velcro to fasten bottom Grill Cover so they can be easily removed. Screwed on the top Grill Cover because it doesn't need to be removed. Painted the backside of Grill Cover so letters look better and last longer.

Paul

Automotive parking light Vehicle registration plate Car Grille Automotive tail & brake light

Automotive tire Hood Motor vehicle Bumper Automotive exterior

To get the OT to work properly I drilled a 3/4" hole. I used a fountain pump 3/4" adapter that I screwed into a 3/4" hole, I will see how it works. It looks like I gained 2 miles in range and mpg. If you keep your car in a garage during the Winter the Grill Covers will keep your ICE, Trans/motors warmer and the inverter also to improve your range more.

Here are some pics of wheel covers that I'm installing. Backside of wheel with aluminum plug copper silicon rubber applied ready to install.

Rim Gas Engineering Circle Machine

showing backside of wheel cover with 1/4-20x 2" screw, 1" plastic spacer and fender washer.

Wheel Automotive tire Tire Hood Motor vehicle

Wheel cover installed.

Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire

1/4" plastic screw out toward edge to keep wheel cover from spinning when stopping hard with the brakes. Wheel Covers add 2 miles range and mpg.

I use Premium to improve mpg's by 1-2 mpg.

For EV Mode you should gain 4 miles and ICE mileage should improve 6 mpg.

Paul

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ptjones

Discussion Starter · #181 · May 3, 2022

To follow up my last two charges have gone to 100% with a range of 41 mi. Monday with ending up with about 47 mi. and 49 mi. range Tuesday morning. I should be able to get at least 49 miles with current conditions. Please Post your current range on full charge to compare what owners are getting now.

Paul

JF Morin

· #182 · May 3, 2022

I live in Montreal, Canada. The highest temperature so far was Between Sunday May 1st and today (May 3rd) for a maximum of +18 celsius degree and a minus of +10 celsius degree overnight. Even at those temperature the EV distance to empty is at a maximum of 50 kilometers (31 miles). I'm worry to never reach again the 60 kilometers range :-(

This is the same thing even if I charged on day, on night, on 120v or on 240v.

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #183 · May 4, 2022

I suspect when you get in the 25-30C range you should gain another 5 kilometers in range. I would raise tire pressure to 44 psi and read post #1 to see what can be done to increase your range. You could also watch my CMAX videos to get more info.

Paul

Dtammaro

· #184 · May 5, 2022

ptjones said:
I suspect when you get in the 25-30C range you should gain another 5 kilometers in range. I would raise tire pressure to 44 psi and read post #1 to see what can be done to increase your range. You could also watch my CMAX videos to get more info.

Paul

You have a link to videos? I’m assuming they are on YouTube. Don’t know if you have the name name on there

Dtammaro

· #185 · May 5, 2022

This is where I’m at and it’s currently 55° Supposed to hit the 70s today, warmer air is on the way I hope

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ptjones

Discussion Starter · #186 · May 16, 2022

Interesting thing happened coming back from a long trip, I had shifted into neutral going down a hill on the Hwy to an off ramp and forgot to shift back to Drive when I used the brakes, the brake couch said I got 100%. I thought regen didn't work in neutral. I will have to watch my ScanGaugeII to see if it is charging the HVB.
Also I lucked out on my trip that I found a carpet store at night that had a chargepoint Level 2 charger for free so I took a nap for three hours and my HVB was full. Sometimes you can get lucky. I averaged 57 mpg with being able to charge for free a couple of times.

Paul

Dtammaro

· #187 · May 17, 2022

ptjones said:
Interesting thing happened coming back from a long trip, I had shifted into neutral going down a hill on the Hwy to an off ramp and forgot to shift back to Drive when I used the brakes, the brake couch said I got 100%. I thought regen didn't work in neutral. I will have to watch my ScanGaugeII to see if it is charging the HVB.
Also I lucked out on my trip that I found a carpet store at night that had a chargepoint Level 2 charger for free so I took a nap for three hours and my HVB was full. Sometimes you can get lucky. I averaged 57 mpg with being able to charge for free a couple of times.

Paul

You should still get some energy back from the brakes. You shouldn’t get it from the engine because you Are in neutral but the regenerative breaking should still work normal

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #188 · May 17, 2022

I just tested it out and It doesn't regen in Neutral even though the brake couch says 100%. I'm disappointed with myself when I forget to put it in drive when stepping on the brakes.

Paul

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #189 · May 18, 2022

With high gas prices it is important to do your planning for charging. You don't want to pay more than $1/hr and free is better. Now sense finding a free charging station 3 miles away at City Park I drive to it in the morning, plugin and ride my bike to work. At Lunch time I ride back to the Park, put my bike in the car and go to lunch. I figure this saves about $10/wk plus I get some exercise.

Checking your charging App. you might be able to do something similar. I also noticed that Hotels/Motels and Restaurants are making available Level 1 charging.

Paul

ECO-AKJ

· #190 · May 18, 2022

I had thought about getting my wife an electric bicycle since she will be cutting her commute to work in thirds and can take all backroads home or to work!

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Golluk

· #191 · May 18, 2022

ECO-AKJ said:
I had thought about getting my wife an electric bicycle since she will be cutting her commute to work in thirds and can take all backroads home or to work!

I would STRONGLY advise discussing this with her first. "Good news honey! I bought you an e-bike to commute with, and still had money left over from selling your car!"

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ptjones

Discussion Starter · #192 · May 18, 2022

How far does she need to go?

Paul

ECO-AKJ

· #193 · May 18, 2022

Golluk said:
I would STRONGLY advise discussing this with her first. "Good news honey! I bought you an e-bike to commute with, and still had money left over from selling your car!"

I won't be selling the car she is driving, it is a PHEV C-Max, I will be driving it again soon, I can always get better mileage in it than her.

ECO-AKJ

· #194 · May 18, 2022

ptjones said:
How far does she need to go?

Paul

8.5 Miles, I will still be driving at least 22 miles one way

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #195 · May 18, 2022

Golluk said:
I would STRONGLY advise discussing this with her first. "Good news honey! I bought you an e-bike to commute with, and still had money left over from selling your car!"

Good idea

Paul

ECO-AKJ

· #196 · May 18, 2022

The only problem is, I don't think that she would go for it, I would suggest one of our ATVS but I run premium only in those, so not saving anything with that, and she thinks that motorcycles are death traps or I would be riding one!

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #197 · May 18, 2022

ECO-AKJ said:
8.5 Miles, I will still be driving at least 22 miles one way

Let us know how that conversation goes.

Paul

Golluk

· #198 · May 18, 2022

ptjones said:
Let us know how that conversation goes.

Paul

"we settled on a compromise. She'll still take the C-max, I'll ride the kids tricycle. She made some very convincing threa... arguments."

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ECO-AKJ

· #199 · May 18, 2022

Golluk said:
"we settled on a compromise. She'll still take the C-max, I'll ride the kids tricycle. She made some very convincing threa... arguments."

Nailed it...LOL

Reactions: 1

ptjones

Discussion Starter · #200 · May 18, 2022

Golluk said:
"we settled on a compromise. She'll still take the C-max, I'll ride the kids tricycle. She made some very convincing threa... arguments."

I'm glad you could negotiate an amicable solution.

Getting back on topic as time goes by with new construction we will see more places to charge. Charging Station Apps will show new stations as they come available.

Paul

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