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MKZ Hybrid Economy - or lack of it

Discussion in 'Ford/Lincoln Hybrids and EVs' started by radmangto, Aug 27, 2016.

  1. radmangto

    radmangto Junior Member

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    I looked for the correct place for this post and if this is incorrect, accept my apologies.

    In March of this year, my Avalon Hybrid lease expired. What to replace it with? Ultimately, I liked the aggressive look of the 2016 MKZ.... and, also a hybrid. I ultimately leased a '16 MKZ Hybrid, all the whistles and Luxe color. $45K worth. Stunning.

    But the post description says it all. Having driven a hybrid that was larger, heavier and more powerful with daily hard driving, the 3 year Avalon average was just over 348 mpg. I am very, very disappointed in the economy. Pre-purchase driving, I knew the acceleration was not equal to the Avalon. The EPA mileage was 39/40... same as the Avalon. So, I felt I would enjoy the purchased luxury, although not a hot-rod, and hybrid mileage. So so wrong.

    I now have over 4,000 easy miles on my Luxe and the last 7 figures for mileage I have hand calculated areZ, 32.4, 33.6, 34.9, 37.4, 33.0, 34.5 and today, 32.7 mpg. I live in flat Florida .... a blend of mild local driving, no stop & go, and some I75 driving. In fact, I have driven quite conservatively to try to get the mileage up.

    To say I am unimpressed would be an interesting statement. I had thought since Ford had gotten financially spanked for lying several years ago in regard to their EPA figures for their hybrids, it would be OK to give them a try.
    Anyone else out there with same hybrid mileage issues?
    Radman
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow someone else just posted about buying one, for the same reasons you stated. that is disappointing.
     
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    You only have 4000 miles on the car. New tires have higher rolling resistance. Yours are just starting to be broken in. Assuming 34.8mpg was your average for the Avalon over its time in your possession, the MKZ is already close to that while still not broken in.
     
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Not only that, the last 4k miles have been during peak summer conditions. The OP needs to get a full year of readings for a better comparison.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, the avalon got 348 mpg. mkz is just not up to the task.
     
  6. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    The EPA estimate is a average only! There are lows and highs! Results will varies! Example: 2 person walks 10 miles one burns 800 calories the other burns 1,200 calories. So the average is 1,000 calories per 10 miles.
     
  7. Jon Hagen

    Jon Hagen Active Member

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    I cant say I am unsatisfied with my 2015 MKZ hybrid, It averaged 36 mpg for the first 5000 miles, then changed oil and ran it another 7500 miles that averaged 41 mpg. Oil analysis showed the oil is good for the Ford recommended 10,000 miles, so the next change will be at another 10,000 miles Things will free up a bit during the first 10,000 miles and mpg will improve if you allow it to. We do not drive it hard, but run with traffic at the speed limit.(65-75)

    It does not match the low to mid 50's mpg of my 2010 Prius, but the quiet comfortable long trip driving with the 1000 pound heavier Lincoln is a good trade in my mind.
    My original intent was to replace the Prius with either an Avalon or a Lexus hybrid, but could not find a single Avalon hybrid in the area on dealers lots and there are no Lexus dealers in the entire state. The local Lincoln dealer had two MKZ hybrids on the lot. So far we are happy with the MKZ hybrid and the dealer.
     
  8. radmangto

    radmangto Junior Member

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    Thanks for replying ....
    If your auto averages 35-36, DON'T lie and let new buyers believe it will provide 40/41..... My Avalon over 3 years near 39 mpg ... That was hand calc .... No onboard computer ....
    No wonder Lincoln was giving $5,500 promotion last Spring .... Just wish Toyo or Lexus offered anything close... But they don't have too .... Far superior product ...
    My Lincoln is loaded, highest level, panoramic roof, etc. rides fine ... But .... USUALLY, if you has Exec acceleration, you have less attractive mpg..... My Lincoln sucks with poor performance from both sides....
    My Avalon electric (with Trac off), would actually smoke the tires ... My old GTO days ...!
    Sorry for my reply rant ...
    Radman

     
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  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    What fuel economy have you gotten since August?

    You said it was fully loaded. I assume it has the upgraded wheels then. This will lower the fuel economy of any car, Toyota hybrids included.

    Car companies only have to display the MPG rating for the most common equipped model sold in the US. If you have the larger wheels, your ire at Ford should be directed to Congress for mandating different wheel sizes get their own MPG rating like is done in other countries.
     
    #9 Trollbait, Oct 3, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2016
  10. radmangto

    radmangto Junior Member

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    Very good point on tires ... The Prius offered a tire wheel sport pac on upgraded Prius .... But, Toyota did lower their mpg on window sticker. Since my Avalon had similar Michelin Tires as my Luxe (color/name), it still was far superior; larger sedan, larger gas generator, heavier ..... My Luxe does have 19" wheels where Avalon had 17".... 37 psi ... Harder tires, better mpg ...
    One item that can affect hand calc mpg, is the MKZ does not full-tank top off on the first or second 'click'.... Service dept scolded me for going up to 7 clicks... Could allow gas back flow from tank to some critical emission parts.... From 1-7 clicks can be up to 2 more gallons of gas ... Try it!
    Great discussions ...
    Radman
    ----------------------------

     
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Wheels are unsprung weight. Adding to unsprung weight is worse than keeping too much stuff in the trunk. Larger wheels also add weight farther out from the axle; it takes more energy to spin them up than smaller ones.

    Quick look on Google shows that the MKZ is heavier than the Avalon. Ford isn't very good at keeping cars and trucks light.

    It is possible to get a good amount of fuel into all cars after the first click. Gerdes of Cleanmpg takes some extra steps to ensure a tank is filled to the brim, and managed to get around 2 gallons more into a F150 after the first click. Then there is the ge2 Prius fuel bladder. I remember a manual for a Ford we used to have recommending filling to the second click.

    Was the sport wheel package a Southern Toyota thing, because I don't remember seeing it as an option on Fueleconomy.gov. The Camry hybrid had separate listings there for the LE and XLE. They had different wheel sizes, but I think it could have been because the XLE bumped up into the next EPA weight class that it was required.
     
  12. radmangto

    radmangto Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply ....
    You may be correct from a Physics concept, but these new wheels are ultra light and ultra strong for obvious reasons. Especially with 22" wheels not uncommon in autos and trucks.

    I had done a quick look on the Avalon/MKZ showroom booklets, I gleened that the Avalon was heavier .... If the MKZ is heavier and with a 2.0L engine-generator, that is sad. No wonder it under performs (which I knew upon purchase). But, I was told the EPA values were real every day values ... as the Avalon proved to be nearly so.

    I was told by Lincoln Service not to go beyond the first click or so because of the tank bladder. I have a pic of the miles after reset at 58 and the fuel gauge shows almost at 3/4 of tank. No comment from Service folks beyond, we know, just stop for fuel more often.

    The Pruis wheel package was discussed on this blog many times in 2012/2013 (I had purchased a leftover 2012 Prius at that time) as they were (are) more muscular looking and were 17" vs regular 16". Much discussion regards wind, weight, tire sidewall, etc., over these 17" wheel/tire combo.

    That being said, I don't believe it was a Southern Toyota thing.

    Thanks for your comments... !
    Radman
     
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The larger wheels can be light and strong, but they are heavier ones that the car was EPA tested with. They also may not have the LRR model tire that was on the test car, and that might even be heavier too. It's little changes, but little things look big when you start with a big number.

    Ford still uses a tank bladder? Either way, there are components that capture gasoline vapors on all modern cars, and they can get damaged if flooded by overfilling. Then there might be risk to Ford's capless filler.

    I don't dive into the gen3 forums, and the option doesn't appear Fueleconomy.gov. Smart that Toyota had s specific window sticker for it. different size wheels don't require posting a different rating under US regulations though.
     
  14. Rex B

    Rex B New Member

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    My wifes 2014 MKZ Hybrid gets 40 mpg with boring dependability. She does drive to ma-mile, and the tires are cheap non-LRR imports. We are constantly amazed at the balance of luxury and efficiency. She is going to buy a new one before year-end.
     
  15. WiseEssays

    WiseEssays New Member

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    I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on this blog. I really admire your work and I hope in the future I will return for more info. like this one!
     
  16. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Generic post from new member could work in any comments section from cars to conspiracy theories to cucumbers.

    Bot radar activated!