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Comfort vs Normal Suspension Mode and Fuel Economy?


metroplex

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Has anyone observed any fuel economy differences between Comfort and Normal suspension modes? I used Normal mode for several fillups and drove it in Comfort mode for the next and noticed a 2 mpg drop given the same driving conditions. It's not a lot but was wondering if anyone else tracked theirs.

I have the same CCD suspension on my 2017 Fusion Sport. The Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM) on the MKZ 3.0 is slightly different from the Fusion Sport in only a few areas like the torque vectoring rear diff etc but the actual dampers are shared. To me, the Suspension settings really only affect the rebound circuit. The compression circuit feels about the same. But on an undulating surface, the difference is clear as night and day between the 3 modes.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

This is an interesting topic! I usually drive in "comfort" mode and use the S button for "sport" engine and suspension when needed.

 

So I tried "normal" mode for suspension on my long highway commute to work and noticed slightly better mileage. I'll have to try this mode a bit longer to see if it's reality or not.

 

If "normal" mode yields better mileage, I suspect it could be from less wind resistance with less bouncing up and down at speed.

 

Stiffer suspension might also provide more torque applied from chassis to ground, that otherwise could be wasted in compliance.

 

Just my thoughts...

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Mine is on Sport from day 1.  I never switch.  In fact, it was delivered that way.  I’ve been dealing with the dealer leasing manager for so long that he knows where I prefer all the settings to be, and it's done in prep.

 

I doubt that it has any significant effect on fuel economy. 

Edited by drolds1
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2 hours ago, TomV said:

This is an interesting topic! I usually drive in "comfort" mode and use the S button for "sport" engine and suspension when needed.

 

So I tried "normal" mode for suspension on my long highway commute to work and noticed slightly better mileage. I'll have to try this mode a bit longer to see if it's reality or not.

 

If "normal" mode yields better mileage, I suspect it could be from less wind resistance with less bouncing up and down at speed.

 

Stiffer suspension might also provide more torque applied from chassis to ground, that otherwise could be wasted in compliance.

 

Just my thoughts...


That's my thought as well, kind of like on a MTB where you lockout the fork for more efficiency on flat roads.

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