pianewman Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 2017 Fusion Energi, 21k miles. Just purchased, getting to know the car. Twice today, cold engine (45f ambient), FULL battery, right after startup (HVAC set to 69f), rolling downhill (zero throttle input), ICE kicked in, immediately went to a very high, constant rev. The only way to stop the revving ICE was to turn HVAC off. After a few hundred yards (again, zero throttle input), I turned the HVAC on, and the ICE didn't come on. This happened twice. Thoughts? I can't believe this is normal...high-revving a totally cold engine, especially with a fully charger battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailhiker Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 If it is 'Sport' mode, I know mine will rev high downhill with no pedal input. I actually use that mode when going down icy hills. Mine is not a hybrid though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianewman Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 (edited) ...and the hybrid doesn't have a Sport mode. 6 hours ago, pianewman said: 2017 Fusion Energi, 21k miles. Just purchased, getting to know the car. Twice today, cold engine (45f ambient), FULL battery, right after startup (HVAC set to 69f), rolling downhill (zero throttle input), ICE kicked in, immediately went to a very high, constant rev. The only way to stop the revving ICE was to turn HVAC off. After a few hundred yards (again, zero throttle input), I turned the HVAC on, and the ICE didn't come on. This happened twice. Thoughts? I can't believe this is normal...high-revving a totally cold engine, especially with a fully charger battery. I need to add: transmission was in LOW, not DRIVE. I drive full-time in LOW, because I prefer stronger regen. Edited January 31, 2019 by pianewman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Low is supposed to provide more engine braking when going downhill but I don't know how that applies to a hybrid. Did you try it in D? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianewman Posted January 31, 2019 Author Share Posted January 31, 2019 Hoping a Hybrid Energi owner will see this. There aren't many of us on the road, and probably very few in this forum. With a full battery, LOW provides stronger braking (regen), but should NOT engage the ICE, unless ambient is closer to 32f, AND HVAC is asking for heat, AFAIK. I THINK I switched to D when I heard the engine screaming, but I just don't remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kepfordj Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I have no idea why yours is behaving like that, mine never has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajcomputer Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Low range is meant for maximum engine braking. We have 2 hybrids in the house, 2016 Fusion and 2017 C-MAX. I've noticed that when driving down steeper hills with hill descent control activated (in drive) and regen isn't strong enough to control speed it will use the ICE to slow the vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianewman Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 (edited) ajcomputer: You've triggered a thought. Since the battery was FULL, there was no regen available, so the computer must switch over to the ICE. That makes sense. What DOESN'T make sense is why the ICE would go to maximum revs when the car was rolling at <5mph. It felt/sounded like a novice manual trans driver, while down shifting, inadvertently slipping into first gear and popping the clutch. I think I've found the answer. DON'T use LOW with a full battery, unless you want the ICE to kick in and scare the be-jeezus out of you...and stressing a COLD engine!!! Thanks! Edited February 3, 2019 by pianewman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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