Ford Lowers MPG Ratings on Six Models
06-12-14, 01:17 PM
#1
Ford Lowers MPG Ratings on Six Models
Ford lowers MPG ratings on six vehicles
Second Time C-Max Hybrid Drops Its Fuel Economy Numbers
Ford has announced that it will be lowering the fuel economy ratings on a number of its 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles after an error was discovered in the company's internal testing data. The EPA has been notified.
Worryingly for Ford, the vast majority of the vehicles affected are hybrids, including the C-Max, Fusion and MKZ in both hybrid and plug-in varieties (where applicable). Also covered as part of the rerating is the entire lineup of 2014 Fiesta engines, with the exception of the ST, including the turbocharged, three-cylinder EcoBoost.
The Fiesta range is seeing corrections of one to two miles per gallon in the combined rating. C-Max Hybrid models are seeing their combined rating decreased by three mpg, the Fusion's drops by five mpg, and the MKZ drops seven mpg. Both the C-Max and Fusion Energi models have had their ratings slashed by five mpg. Ford critics will note that this is the second time in less than a year that the Blue Oval has had to recalculate the economy ratings for the C-Max Hybrid. That car was originally rated at 47/47/47 mpg (combined/city/highway), which was dropped to 43/45/40 last year and now to 40/42/37.
"This issue highlights the need for continued strong oversight of the fuel economy labeling program," Chris Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said in a statement. "Consumers need to trust that fuel economy window stickers are giving consumers reliable and fair estimates of real world fuel economy."
The problem cropped up in what's known as the Total Road Load Horsepower. According to Ford, TRLHP is specific to each vehicle, and is used as a measure of resistance in dyno testing for fuel economy ratings. Apparently, Ford discovered that the TLRHP used on the vehicles affected was incorrect. There were also issues with the way wind tunnel testing was factored in to the dyno resistance rating. In Ford's case, it seems like they're trying to pull a Hyundai and Kia and take the honest way out by acknowledging the fault.
"Ford is absolutely committed to delivering top fuel economy and accurate information," said Alan Mulally. "We apologize to our customers and will provide goodwill payments to affected owners. We also are taking steps to improve our processes and prevent issues like this from happening again."
We've got those goodwill payments available below in a table. You can also take a look at the press releases of both Ford and the EPA, which includes a complete breakdown of the re-rated economy figures.
Second Time C-Max Hybrid Drops Its Fuel Economy Numbers
Ford has announced that it will be lowering the fuel economy ratings on a number of its 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles after an error was discovered in the company's internal testing data. The EPA has been notified.
Worryingly for Ford, the vast majority of the vehicles affected are hybrids, including the C-Max, Fusion and MKZ in both hybrid and plug-in varieties (where applicable). Also covered as part of the rerating is the entire lineup of 2014 Fiesta engines, with the exception of the ST, including the turbocharged, three-cylinder EcoBoost.
The Fiesta range is seeing corrections of one to two miles per gallon in the combined rating. C-Max Hybrid models are seeing their combined rating decreased by three mpg, the Fusion's drops by five mpg, and the MKZ drops seven mpg. Both the C-Max and Fusion Energi models have had their ratings slashed by five mpg. Ford critics will note that this is the second time in less than a year that the Blue Oval has had to recalculate the economy ratings for the C-Max Hybrid. That car was originally rated at 47/47/47 mpg (combined/city/highway), which was dropped to 43/45/40 last year and now to 40/42/37.
"This issue highlights the need for continued strong oversight of the fuel economy labeling program," Chris Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, said in a statement. "Consumers need to trust that fuel economy window stickers are giving consumers reliable and fair estimates of real world fuel economy."
The problem cropped up in what's known as the Total Road Load Horsepower. According to Ford, TRLHP is specific to each vehicle, and is used as a measure of resistance in dyno testing for fuel economy ratings. Apparently, Ford discovered that the TLRHP used on the vehicles affected was incorrect. There were also issues with the way wind tunnel testing was factored in to the dyno resistance rating. In Ford's case, it seems like they're trying to pull a Hyundai and Kia and take the honest way out by acknowledging the fault.
"Ford is absolutely committed to delivering top fuel economy and accurate information," said Alan Mulally. "We apologize to our customers and will provide goodwill payments to affected owners. We also are taking steps to improve our processes and prevent issues like this from happening again."
We've got those goodwill payments available below in a table. You can also take a look at the press releases of both Ford and the EPA, which includes a complete breakdown of the re-rated economy figures.
Bad news for Ford, but worse news for anyone who bought a C-Max on the promise that it got better gas mileage than the Prius V. You've got to wonder exactly what is going on with Ford's hybrid technology for two rounds of rating cuts in as many years.
06-12-14, 01:32 PM
#2
I remember the early commerical on the C-Max was bragging about compare to the Prius V, it got more room, more HP, and higher MPG. Call me a Toyota fanboy, but I was thinking in my head that is not possible with how excellent and how dedicated Toyota is on developing the electric hybrid technologies on the Prius. But good for Ford if they actually made it happened.
Now this confirmed my intuition was correct, the Prius continue to be the undefeated king of hybrid.
Ford simply did the math wrong, or lying is more possible if you ask me
Now this confirmed my intuition was correct, the Prius continue to be the undefeated king of hybrid.
Ford simply did the math wrong, or lying is more possible if you ask me
Last edited by BNR34; 06-12-14 at 01:37 PM.
06-12-14, 02:09 PM
#7
Hyundai inflated their epa estimates too. Truthfully as an enthusiast it doesn't bother me all that much, I know there is much more than just the engine. Variables like fuel, weight, environment, tire inflation, driving style etc.. will all play a role in fuel economy. So whatever the sticker says just take it with a grain of salt, they are 'averages' after all
Trending Topics
06-12-14, 02:25 PM
#8
Hyundai inflated their epa estimates too. Truthfully as an enthusiast it doesn't bother me all that much, I know there is much more than just the engine. Variables like fuel, weight, environment, tire inflation, driving style etc.. will all play a role in fuel economy. So whatever the sticker says just take it with a grain of salt, they are 'averages' after all
They are saving gas, but actually spending more money overall.
I want to thank them though, they are saving the gas for me to use in my gas guzzling V8s
06-12-14, 03:15 PM
#9
Maybe it's just me, but I would be royally pissed if I bought a car and then had the manufacturer come back after the fact and slash the MPG ratings. Gas isn't cheap and MPG is definitely a consideration when car shopping for me. Consider the audience for hybrids here - MPG is huge.
Even with all of those variables, the manufacturer is responsible for providing reliable, accurate numbers of what people should expect in average driving. The fact that Ford didn't do that - and for a second time on the C-Max - is pretty foolish.
Even with all of those variables, the manufacturer is responsible for providing reliable, accurate numbers of what people should expect in average driving. The fact that Ford didn't do that - and for a second time on the C-Max - is pretty foolish.
06-12-14, 03:51 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
....37mpg is GAS ONLY numbers.....you want average MPG from actual drivers????
Last edited by bagwell; 06-12-14 at 03:57 PM.
06-12-14, 04:33 PM
#13
I aren't hating, I am just laughing
Check these out, these hypermiling freaks get 1500~5000 MPG, they are real actual drivers too
http://www.voltstats.net/
With the same logic, pure EV get unlimited MPG, because they don't use any gas!
06-12-14, 04:36 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Maybe it's just me, but I would be royally pissed if I bought a car and then had the manufacturer come back after the fact and slash the MPG ratings. Gas isn't cheap and MPG is definitely a consideration when car shopping for me. Consider the audience for hybrids here - MPG is huge.
Even with all of those variables, the manufacturer is responsible for providing reliable, accurate numbers of what people should expect in average driving. The fact that Ford didn't do that - and for a second time on the C-Max - is pretty foolish.
Even with all of those variables, the manufacturer is responsible for providing reliable, accurate numbers of what people should expect in average driving. The fact that Ford didn't do that - and for a second time on the C-Max - is pretty foolish.
Imagine being told your car makes 500hp, you buy it for performance and come to found out it made 420hp.
06-12-14, 04:40 PM
#15
http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/...l-economy.html
Btw, my LS430 can get 100 MPG too, if I push it for 80 miles