A Ford Maverick Hybrid owner, Jim Cambron, experienced a significant drop in fuel economy from 43 to 32 MPG after driving 122,000 miles. He also encountered issues such as engine over-revving and sound system errors during a cross-country trip.
Despite the complexity of modern hybrid vehicles, which combine internal combustion and electric technologies, a simple engine tune-up was able to completely restore the vehicle's performance and fix the electrical glitches.
Jim Cambron's experience provides a fascinating case study in how traditional maintenance practices can dramatically impact hybrid system performance.
Author's summary: Traditional maintenance can improve hybrid performance.