New to me Fusion Hybrid

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milehigh

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I recently picked up a 14 Fusion hybrid with 19k miles. Fantastic car and I'm averaging about 42 mpg in 70/30 highway/city. I'm not new to oil nor with cars, however this is my first hybrid.

The manufacturer calls for 0w20 with 10k intervals so no concerns there. The car has a oil monitor but from my research it is just a mileage counter and not much else like modern day OLM's (such as my previous Cruze). The plug in "Energi" model has a "smart" OLM.

My concern with the hybrid is that the car will frequently alternate between EV mode and gas assist (I have the smart gauges that I can set my own parameters to monitor, I watch for EV mode and use the digital tach).

I understand the car is designed this way, it just seems strange to see the engine come to life (cold) from off to 3k+ loaded RPM in the first drive of the day (while stone cold) and also while cruising down the highway (not as concerning when up to operating temp). FWIW, the car will cruise in EV mode up to around 70mph while the charge lasts.

With this type of operation that hybrids live in (sudden power up very frequently), what do you all recommend for an excellent 0w20 for 10k intervals? I have Mobil AFE on the shelf as that is my normal go-to for my other cars. I want to make sure the engine lives a long and happy life.

For an oil filter, I plan to use a Motorcraft FL-910S as I've been happy with them previously.

Thanks!
 
It's hard to beat Mobil 1 AFE 0w20
at Walmart prices....the same could be said for PP 0w20.
 
I'm not real familiar with the Mobil lineup,(but you seem to be a fan) is there a 0w20 M1EP?

thinking with the inherent longer intervals of the hybrid, and the hard startups on the fly, the extended protection could be the way to go..

so my gut recommendation is:
M1EP, and a Fram Ultra(since you say the 910s is the filter for your car, it should be the XG3614) which is a stout enough filter to stand up to the long drain.(and the Motorcraft filters have shown not to be immune to the purolator tearing...)
 
Agreed go with the xg3614 or Tg3614.
I have a new C Max hybrid and I haven't decided on the oil yet.
I have plenty of it though.

It is gotten into the 20's here and yes the engine kicks on down the road but you shouldn't be at 3k rpm then as at 2k you're over 60 mph. Even accelerating when it's cold you wouldn't need to do that right away. I go easy for several miles or turn on the heater or defroster to put it in the engine mode right away.
 
Congrats!

My 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid has an OLM that I believe is smart. I can go 12k+ (rolling mileage, so engine mileage is a bit less) on an OCI, so I think you're all set distance-wise.

My car does the same thing. Lots of on/off, even on the highway at 70+ MPH. Can easily change to battery mode right after a big climb, shut down the engine and coast.. That sort of thing, which, even if there's an e-water pump that keeps flowing, still worries me a bit regarding heatsoak.

Im the first person to not agree with the hype of real and fake synthetic oils, the necessity of group IV for most applications, etc. But because I do a lot of highway driving, and because the engine can turn off immediately after cresting a hill at 75 MPH, I decided to go with M1 0w-20 EP for that car. Initially I started with the HAH and our Odyssey on the same oil, but I decided to go Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20 in the Odyssey, which has a smart OLM that takes us to ~5k intervals due to mostly around-town driving. I do the oil filter every other change on the Ody, while because of the time and distance, do change the filter each time on the HAH (both recommend every other).

FWIW, on the hondas, we know that the OE filters are very poor efficiency. What Ive gone with is that since Im changing the odyssey every other time (primarily due to a stupid location making it more oil-drip prone), I run a Fram Ultra, so I know we get great filtration and holding capacity. Since the HAH starts and stops so often, and in such an odd manner, I value the immediate flow over the filtration, so though I started on Fram Ultras, Im now using OE and I have a Wix Platinum on deck to try... The Wix Platinum seems to also be biased towards flow and holding capacity over filtration efficiency, which I believe will result in lower pressure drop for most of the lifecycle. Again, important if the engine is doing all these odd start and stops under load and speed.
 
JHZR2 I had a 2010 Insight and it always started off using the motor. A rather basic hybrid system.
These Fords start in Electric mode and you could down the road several miles without kicking into the 2L motor.
Now on your Honda does it always start off the motor or is it like the Ford?
 
My mother's 2010 Milan Hybrid has 0W-20 Mobil 1 EP in it but that's because I bought it on sale for the same price as AFE with rebates. I've used QSUD, Valvoline, and AFE 0W-20. Never burns any...
 
I hate to ask.................
Have you noticed any of these quieter or smoother to any degree?? Thanks!

Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
My mother's 2010 Milan Hybrid has 0W-20 Mobil 1 EP in it but that's because I bought it on sale for the same price as AFE with rebates. I've used QSUD, Valvoline, and AFE 0W-20. Never burns any...
 
Not suggesting any of you necessarily run it, but Chevron has an HDEO for hybrid diesels that operate in semi-confined spaces like ports and such. They documented heat-soak as the #1 oil killer, and that it added to coking (multiple engine topologies and MFG's...).

Any of your motors have a turbo?

If so, I'd be doing some reading of Chevron's test data and buy oil accordingly ...
 
Good conversation and I appreciate the suggestions.

A little more info about my daily drive. The car is garaged I drive approximately 1.5 miles out of my neighborhood to a 75mph interstate. I'm usually in EV mode in the 'hood, then I need to heavy accelerate across a major road (without a stoplight) and down the the highway. Not exactly cold engine friendly...

With my Cruze turbo manual, I could short shift as needed with the strong torque (I Trifecta tuned it) until temps came up (I could monitor oil temp with my scanguage). Not so much with this "nearly fully automated" car.

I'm going to do an oil change in the next week or two as I am not sure what the dealer (Lexus) put in there before they sold it to me. They gave me the shop receipt that says 5w30 bulk so its pretty iffy. I'm leaning toward an EP oil now since the duty cycle of this engine is different from the normal, average car. If the car stays solid, I plan to keep it to around 250k so longevity is important to me.

Please keep any hybrid relevant info coming! Learning more about this everyday...

Thanks all!
 
Just run your heater or defroster to make the engine kick on and by the time you get to the Interstate you should be in good shape. 0w20 should help out as well.
 
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
JHZR2 I had a 2010 Insight and it always started off using the motor. A rather basic hybrid system.
These Fords start in Electric mode and you could down the road several miles without kicking into the 2L motor.
Now on your Honda does it always start off the motor or is it like the Ford?


Like the Ford - it goes on electric until load or state of charge (or heat) demands the engine. Honestly, I kind of wish there was a way to force the engine to either stay on or to be biased to operate first. Example - winter morning, very cold, need to go on a 150 mile interstate trip at high speeds. Would love to force the engine on for around town to the highway, so its warm in time for the higher load of the drive, plus makes heat faster.

Actually, calling for heat is the best way to force the engine on! Problem is, when you're calling for heat, you're pulling heat from the engine,,causing it to take longer to warm up. I am not a fan of that. Alternately, I can force an EV mode until charge runs out, which I really like for certain situations like if we are shuffling cars in the driveway.
 
Originally Posted By: milehigh
Good conversation and I appreciate the suggestions.

A little more info about my daily drive. The car is garaged I drive approximately 1.5 miles out of my neighborhood to a 75mph interstate. I'm usually in EV mode in the 'hood, then I need to heavy accelerate across a major road (without a stoplight) and down the the highway. Not exactly cold engine friendly...

With my Cruze turbo manual, I could short shift as needed with the strong torque (I Trifecta tuned it) until temps came up (I could monitor oil temp with my scanguage). Not so much with this "nearly fully automated" car.

I'm going to do an oil change in the next week or two as I am not sure what the dealer (Lexus) put in there before they sold it to me. They gave me the shop receipt that says 5w30 bulk so its pretty iffy. I'm leaning toward an EP oil now since the duty cycle of this engine is different from the normal, average car. If the car stays solid, I plan to keep it to around 250k so longevity is important to me.

Please keep any hybrid relevant info coming! Learning more about this everyday...

Thanks all!









2010 Fusion Hybrid. A few more miles on it than most Ford hybrids (158,000). Slightly higher fuel economy than most (42-43mpg winter avg, 47-48 mpg avg moderate temps, not uncommon to break 50 mpg @ 65 mph + moderate temps).

Have used Motorcraft 5W20 FULL Synthetic early on ( when under 100,000 miles) @ up to 7500 intervals. Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 old version, Mobil 1 0W20 AFE, & EP up to 10,000 mile intervals. Also 1 run of Toyota 0W20.

Conclusion on my car: I like the Motorcraft overall, however, I refuse to pay dealer cost for it - I had a $2/ qt closeout stash. With that in mind, I'll be using Mobil 1 0W20 AFE going forward. The one UAO looked almost as good as the Motorcraft - with more available TBA leftover. Fuel mileage for the Toyota 0W20 was not significantly better than the others (unless you want to split fractions of difference, sorry Toyota high VI oil fanatics. UOA for it did NOT look different, i.e. better). I also thought the Pennzoil Ultra was a bit quieter to my old ears - however, I have no decibel meter to prove it. Have not tried the Ultra Platinum.

Unlike most bitogers, I am a bit reluctant to stretch OCI out past 10,000 miles with Mobil 1 AFE or EP. I am looking at the increasing number Prius owners with oil burning issues as they accumulate higher miles. (I don't know if it is the car, the oil change intervals or the Toyota 0W20 motor oil). So I am keeping my intervals to 7500 or less, going forward. Oil level stays about the same, with very little (if any) oil added at that interval. Oh, I drive 80% highway, 20% city.

Hope it helps.
 
It wouldn't be hard to put a Hybrid lock out switch on them and I don't know why they don't. And as you said they don't heat up so fast either. On the C-Max even the base car comes with heated seats. On a few 20F days here I know why
smile.gif



Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
JHZR2 I had a 2010 Insight and it always started off using the motor. A rather basic hybrid system.
These Fords start in Electric mode and you could down the road several miles without kicking into the 2L motor.
Now on your Honda does it always start off the motor or is it like the Ford?


Like the Ford - it goes on electric until load or state of charge (or heat) demands the engine. Honestly, I kind of wish there was a way to force the engine to either stay on or to be biased to operate first. Example - winter morning, very cold, need to go on a 150 mile interstate trip at high speeds. Would love to force the engine on for around town to the highway, so its warm in time for the higher load of the drive, plus makes heat faster.

Actually, calling for heat is the best way to force the engine on! Problem is, when you're calling for heat, you're pulling heat from the engine,,causing it to take longer to warm up. I am not a fan of that. Alternately, I can force an EV mode until charge runs out, which I really like for certain situations like if we are shuffling cars in the driveway.
 
That's a good post. This site has a fair amount of biased opinion and snarky comments - and IMO a "been there and done that" is always more welcome.
I have always assumed my Fusion Hybrid was the easiest on oil of all my vehicles - but I do live in the south...
However - just out of habit I have run premium oils in it - but 7500 is all I do ...
Many years ago I moved from 3k to 5k ... and still will not exceed the above ... guess I should ...
 
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant
I hate to ask.................
Have you noticed any of these quieter or smoother to any degree?? Thanks!

Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
My mother's 2010 Milan Hybrid has 0W-20 Mobil 1 EP in it but that's because I bought it on sale for the same price as AFE with rebates. I've used QSUD, Valvoline, and AFE 0W-20. Never burns any...


Not really, her mileage has gone up a smidgen with the M1 EP...
 
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