I prefer N to keep the ICE off in those situations, but usually I only come to a single complete stop, so it's better that way, but I can certainly understand FASing then as well.

First 4WD Hypermiler

Have you read the FEH FAQ?

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I said on a cold day. When the engine is running just for the sake of maintaining normal operating temperature.
-John

I have a 2006 FEH and tried this FAS stuff and I must be missing something. If I turn off the engine with the ignition switch (key) and I can't start the car back up without going to "D".

I have other vehicles that will allow me to start the car in "N" but this thing won't. I throw it in Neutral and turn the key every combination of ways to get it to start and all it get is ACC mode and all the dash icons are lit up. What gives? How do you FAS on the 2006. Step by step and very slowly apparently because I have no idea why I don't understand what I've read to this point.

I have the nav package and all the bells and whistles not that I think it matters but just incase that's messing it up.

Thanks for your patience.

From what I've read you can only start the car in neutral if you're going over 6mph. If you've slowed to below that point you need to go back to park to start it.

Best trip: 48.9 mpg over 17.9 miles (scangauge)
Best tank: 40.7 mpg over 606 miles (calculated)

I have recently started with Neutral on grades while the ICE is running. I did some searching elsewhere on the internet, and it appears that the general consensus is that shifting an automatic while in gear will harm your transmission. Until gas hits the $20 per gallon range I'm assuming a transmission costs more than you'd be saving in gas.
I'd appreciate hearing from anybody who's used the N-ICE technique for a while with their input on whether this will destroy a tranny. I reset my average mileage calculator the other day, then went down a hill--I got to 40 MPG while in NICE.

You can go between neutral and drive without worrying about harming the transmission. That's why they make it so that you don't have to push the button to switch between the two. Now, the Forced Auto-Stop over 40mph is up for debate. Some have pointed out that you are at risk of over-spinning the generator if the engine is off.

I switch to neutral all the time when I'm coasting (or gliding), but seldom use the key to turn off the engine.

Best trip: 48.9 mpg over 17.9 miles (scangauge)
Best tank: 40.7 mpg over 606 miles (calculated)

I did that for almost 40,000 miles in the 05 FEH I used to own with no problems.

~John

Pictures of a few of the modifications I have made to the truck:

http://www.pbase.com/jmorton10/inbox&page=all

Everything about the transmission in this vehicle is controlled by computer. The shifter might as well be a mouse. The computer won't let you do anything BAD to the transmission.....there are a number of people here that have even shifted into reverse while driving at highway speeds. The computer simply ignores the "request".

-Tim

2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD
Black with Pebble interior
Premium Package with Nav & Moonroof



Current ODO: 26,152
Typical Drive: 20 min crosstown in heavy traffic (3.5mi there and back twice a day)


532 Gallons of gas saved
That's 10,642 lbs less CO2 emitted

You mean I could do a "Rockford" in this baby??? Woo-hoo!
I've noticed that when I slip into and out of neutral I don't get a "hurky-jerky" motion (that's a technical term), whereas some of the people who were trying this felt a change in motion. Maybe I'm just an excellent driver who is one with her vehicle. Yeah, that's the ticket.

You should not feel any motion or hear any sounds when going in and out of neutral. Neutral ( with the key and computer "on" ) does not move any gears.
Neutral only opens the electrical connections between the motors, allowing them to "freewheel" by momentum alone.

You may feel the regen "let off" when you go to neutral, which may feel like the car is speeding up... when really, it is just quitting slowing down!
-John