ElliotB

I like using the cruise control whenever possible. I find it useful for hypermiling. But I found there were times when the traction battery had plenty of power and I was driving at speeds where the EV mode should kick in but it didn't with the cruise control on. I recently discovered a 'trick' to force the 300h into EV mode 'manually' if you set the cruise control at the EV mode doesn't come on on its own. You do have to be below 42mph to have this work (EV mode doesn't work above 42mph). Also, you need to be on a flat road. And of course you need sufficient battery power (typically 3 or more bars but it will work with 2 bars as well if there is sufficient charge). With the cruise control on and the car maintaining the speed the cruise is set at, press the 'cancel' button on the cruise lever, wait a very short period of time (less than a second, perhaps less than a half of a second), the then select 'resume'. If you press resume too soon or wait to long, the car's engine will turn back on. The car will go into EV mode and continue in EV mode as long as you have battery power remaining.

I have the tachometer on all the time and can easily see the precise moment to press the resume button on the tach, just as the needle starts to drop to zero as it enters EV mode. But after doing it a few times, you will kind of get the feel for it.

Happy hypermiling!