Ford Ecoboost Real World Experience

[Bird]

I was visiting with the assistant service manager of a Ford dealership last week and asked him about the ecoboost and he didn't seem too impressed. But when I asked if they were having problems with them, he said they were not, but that he was afraid the EPA mileage ratings were a bit high and would make customers disappointed with their actual mileage.

 

[jejeosborne]

I was visiting with the assistant service manager of a Ford dealership last week and asked him about the ecoboost and he didn't seem too impressed. But when I asked if they were having problems with them, he said they were not, but that he was afraid the EPA mileage ratings were a bit high and would make customers disappointed with their actual mileage.

Surely there is more of a reason to not be impressed. Did he elaborate on anything else? I agree they fall short of the mileage ratings during normal driving but I think that is common with many vehicles. I am able to get the sticker value if I drive very conservatively in town focusing on not hitting the brakes and getting to 5th or 6th gear in reasonable time and on the highway at 58 MPH. Yes, not easy to do unless you want to be a hypermiler.

The demographics of many mechanics are your die hard gear heads who have grown up tinkering with V8's and haven't accepted these small displacement boosted motors yet. Maybe a generalization just a thought but there were far fewer guys I knew who tinkered with the ricers that would've given an appreciation for small displacement power.

 

[Bird]

Did he elaborate on anything else?

No, I didn't pursue it; was just curious as to whether they were experiencing problems, and apparently not.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Having had my Ecoboost for over 3 years now and watching the fuel mileage closely, I can say that the fuel mileage is dependent on several factors. Fuel octane, whether its summer fuel or winter fuel, ambient temperature, pulling any weight, and driving technique all have noticeable effects on fuel mileage in regards to the Ecoboost engine. I get from 10 to 27+ mpg with my Eco. GENERALLY, in warm weather I get 18+ in normal combined driving, and in winter, its just below 15. That winter fuel and lower temps make a big difference. Highway mileage is very dependent on speed. At <60 mph, I can get 27, but that is unusual. Normal there is around 24 with 87 octane. From 60-65, its 22 barely. 70 or over its about 20 -20.5. I did one run where I kept 80-90 mph for quite a while, and was rewarded with 14 mpg, but I wasn't very steady on the go-pedal.

Towed my 25' travel trailer for 3 weeks from Ohio to Arizona and back last September, averaged 11.1 mpg over the 4300+ miles. That was going about 63-65 mph most of the way. About the same towing as my 2005 F250 6.0 diesel got.

Ford has hit a home run with that 3.5 Ecoboost, I just wish the F150 suspension was a bit more robust. Its at the top or very close to the top as compared with the other comparable 1/2 ton pickups, but after going from a F250 to the F150, I really notice the difference. Now if Ford would only put the Eco in the F250...... Maybe a 5.0 Ecoboost V8? Sure would like to see that.

The indicated mpg on the F150 display is extremely accurate. Within .1 mpg. The 2005 F250 was hit and miss, sometimes off by as much as 2 mpg.

Your numbers are right in line with our 2011 Eco 4x4 super crew with 3.73 gears.

Average since day one is 18.3 mpg. 70 to 75 mpg will get us 24 mpg highway. Towing a 6500# box trailer is 13 mpg.

Dash is never off more than .2 mpg.

Chris

 

[handirifle]

Having had my Ecoboost for over 3 years now and watching the fuel mileage closely, I can say that the fuel mileage is dependent on several factors. Fuel octane, whether its summer fuel or winter fuel, ambient temperature, pulling any weight, and driving technique all have noticeable effects on fuel mileage in regards to the Ecoboost engine. I get from 10 to 27+ mpg with my Eco. GENERALLY, in warm weather I get 18+ in normal combined driving, and in winter, its just below 15. That winter fuel and lower temps make a big difference. Highway mileage is very dependent on speed. At <60 mph, I can get 27, but that is unusual. Normal there is around 24 with 87 octane. From 60-65, its 22 barely. 70 or over its about 20 -20.5. I did one run where I kept 80-90 mph for quite a while, and was rewarded with 14 mpg, but I wasn't very steady on the go-pedal.

Towed my 25' travel trailer for 3 weeks from Ohio to Arizona and back last September, averaged 11.1 mpg over the 4300+ miles. That was going about 63-65 mph most of the way. About the same towing as my 2005 F250 6.0 diesel got.

Ford has hit a home run with that 3.5 Ecoboost, I just wish the F150 suspension was a bit more robust. Its at the top or very close to the top as compared with the other comparable 1/2 ton pickups, but after going from a F250 to the F150, I really notice the difference. Now if Ford would only put the Eco in the F250...... Maybe a 5.0 Ecoboost V8? Sure would like to see that.

The indicated mpg on the F150 display is extremely accurate. Within .1 mpg. The 2005 F250 was hit and miss, sometimes off by as much as 2 mpg.

Based on their claims, it sounds like the Eco would be a perfect candidate for a water or water methanol injection. The water system would give you consistent year round averages. The hot intake air seems to be the mpg down fall in your case. Something to consider. Boosted engines really seem to benefit from this stuff.