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Comments
As, a side note, in my first six months, I also experienced a violent shaking of the engine and transmission, with the "check engine" light also shaking on and off. The dealer couldn't find any thing wrong. It hasn't done it since. Most of my problems centered around two sets of failing oxegon sensors.
Another note on towing: I have a 8 - 10,000 lb toy hauler (sometimes more loaded) and this truck pulls it off with no problems, even up steep inclines pulling out of my place. I'm still impressed with the power and mileage as it has stabilized (I didn't do anything, note use only 91 octane fuel). My mileage is about 10 mpg at 55 mph with the heavy loaded toy hauler.
As previously stated, at $54,000 a copy, these issues should not have been passed to the consumer!
Just my thoughts......., then again I've already had to replace both left and right side......
Other major issues have been identified primarily that while there may be four model years identified between 2011 and 2013, there have been some are major changes and distinctions in each power train and their components that are factors in poor fuel economy. The consumers are not aware of these changes and assumes these eco boost platforms are the same. Advertizing alone is very misleading with a 2 wheel drive low axle eco boost delivering 23 mpg at 75 mph and a supercrew /373 axle only delivering 16.9 under 70mph with maximum trailer tow. Many calibration changes have ocurred, vacuum pumps have gone from electric back to engine design. Unfortunately, I have the later which is subject to condensation and freeze which can result in brake fade and poor performance with the only option to have the pump replaced. Hopefully this happens within the warranty period and the consumer doesn't have to pay out of pocket. There are other issues if I wanted to knit pick but not worth the print.
My rig has improved in economy to 16cty/20hwy under 70 mph in temps above 45 but you have to kiss the rig everytime you take it out of the stable. (Winter fuel economy is still 13.8-14.5 cty and 17.0/18.5hwy).
Federal EPA requirements over the next three years are going to force innovations including aluminum body components , eight and nine speed transmissions but variable valve timing and naturally aspirated gas engines will prevail. Currently there are too many alternatives to consider the 3.5 eco boost as a alternative, however, "Total Works" /Ford maintenance packages driving oil changes below $30.00 make it hard to jusify the diesel off set givin fuel cost sometimes as high as $1.00 per/gal difference for diesel and diesel additives etc.
Watch the Big Three for major industry changes over the next three years. Pay special attention to transmissions and variable valve timing. There are and will be many other BETTER choices than the 3.5 eco boost as alternatives.
Thanks for your comments!!
I agree the vehicle will tow but Ford still owes the consumer tuning and performance assistance. This rig could deliver more and create positive customer feed back if they would only invest a little money in fully understanding their own technology.
I'm a non-owner looking to buy a used 2011 or so F150 supercab, 4x4, for a work truck. I'll be driving 70 miles per day total for work with about 5 miles of that being city traffic in the mid-atlantic region. I'll never be towing. Interested in either the 3.5 or the 3.7 non-eco-boost v-6's for the best gas mileage I can get. I'd really like to get something with an mpg of about 20, since the van I currently drive gets about 23.
Any opinions? Should I steer away from the eco-boost? Is the gas mpg controversy really about just advertised vs actual only when towing? Anything I'm not considering that I should be? I'm not up to speed on trucks since I haven't owned one in over 10 years. Thanks for any assist.
and highway. The Hemi is actually boasting better city and highway but the trim in the. GM line-up is really nice.
Harley offered some good advice for alternative trucks. Such as the Ford 5.0 V8 and offerings from Ram and Chevy/GMC.
Here is the thing! You really can't make more power without burning more fuel. However when the "MORE" power is not needed, there are ways to increase mileage, such as variable valve timing and disabling a cylinder during light duty. And small efficient engines with the turbo "BOOST" when needed is certainly a great alternative. However the turbo must be operating, and not operating, darn near perfect at all times to really be effective. And the driver must be willing to drive with a light foot and stay "OUT" of the turbo. When the turbo activates, a lot of air and fuel are dumped into the engine, which may be even more than a efficient V8 would use.
We occasionally tow a small camper weighing about 3000#. As do several of our friends. Our truck is a V6.
Strangly enough, the folks with the V8s get about the same mileage "TOWING" as we do.
Not towing, we get 1-3 better mpg than they do, both Local and highway. But that also depends on how heavy our right foot is. The V8s just don't need to work as hard as the 6s, to accomplish anything but the lightest task.
Conclusion: If I was working the truck with anything more than 1000# load most of the time, it would be a V8. Also, if asking the V6 to accelerate like an 8, for that "seat of the pants" experience, the mileage is going to be pretty much the same as the V8.
If you don't need a heavy duty, heavy towing, super manly Pickup, you might consider a midsize truck. I have owned a couple each of Ram, Chevy, and Ford full size trucks. Our present one is a Midsize and much better fits our needs since we no longer tow a 30' 6000# camper.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Kip
Depending on when you buy the Ecoboost and which model year, you could even be subject to paying more for the ecoboost power train.
I did the research and decided to buy the 5.0 over the Echo Boost. I have 4500 miles on the truck now and it has been flawless. The 5.0 is a very nice engine with a lot of gas saving technology. I have been logging every tank of gas and can say being truthful that my average gas mileage is 18.5mpg. My truck is a 2013 F150 supercab 2wd XLT with the towing package 3.55 gears and 7100lb GVW. I got about $12,000 off sticker when I bought it a few months ago. I know other trucks like the Tundra hold value a lot better than the F150 but I also think they pay closer to sticker when buying. If anyone is considering the GM trucks with AFM you had better check out their forum because it looks a lot worse than the Eco Boost forum. Honda tried variable cylinder management for years and never perfected it so I am not sure why GM would even try.
I started this thread over 3 years ago. I just looked at the first post (mine) and remembered the Ford salesman telling me about getting 29MPG in the ecoboost. Now that is funny right there. Maybe the New F150 will get 29MPG.