Ford 3.5 L V-6 with elec. 6 sp.

crashz · Dec 7, 2015

My 2014 F150 work truck (XLT, extended cab, 6 ft bed, 4x4) has the V6 and 6 spd auto . It delivers an honest 19.8 mpg on the display and verified by hand. my driving is about 70% highway and 30% city and I tend to have a light foot. Rides nice and is an excellent cruiser. Unlike its EcoBoost twin, it has no power though.

But if you aren't out to race people, its a nice ride.

Rustyiron · Dec 7, 2015

The aluminum thing is bothering me. I know what to expect with steel, but I don't know what to expect from the alum. I am phobic about rust, or what ever it is alum does. There is no cure for this and it is terminal. I'd hop right on the first stainless or plastic (bodied) truck that came out.

Garandman · Dec 7, 2015

tcartwri said:
The RAM V6 with the 8 speed will return an honest 25~26 mpg on the hwy. Ford for whatever reason always fudges their numbers high by several mpg.

They all do the same EPA test. How do they pull that off?

Garandman · Dec 7, 2015

Rustyiron said:
The aluminum thing is bothering me. I know what to expect with steel, but I don't know what to expect from the alum. I am phobic about rust, or what ever it is alum does. There is no cure for this and it is terminal. I'd hop right on the first stainless or plastic (bodied) truck that came out.

My 2006 Outback has an aluminum hood and tailgate. No corrosion, incredibly lighter.

tcartwri · Dec 7, 2015

Garandman said:
They all do the same EPA test. How do they pull that off?

They're self reporting. It's not the epa that does the testing.

Garandman · Dec 8, 2015

tcartwri said:
They're self reporting. It's not the epa that does the testing.

I see. So your contention is that Ford cheats on all EPA numbers, or just pickup trucks?

CJONE · Dec 8, 2015

Rusty, we have at least 5 new ones and 2 of them were the fist ones off the line. 0 issues so far with the aluminum bodies, I wish I could give you accurate info on mileage but they are all 5.0 crew cabs. But the new body style has been almost 2 mpg better than the older ones. As far as Ford being accurate on estimates. The 2012 that I was driving that a kid totaled when he ran a stop sign averaged 13.4, it liked fuel. The 2012 I have now that is the same basic truck is getting almost 17, so like has been stated it seems to vary quite a bit from vehicle to vehicle. One thing I will say about the new aluminum bodies is they are tough, very hard to dent! CJ

tcartwri · Dec 8, 2015

Garandman said:
I see. So your contention is that Ford cheats on all EPA numbers, or just pickup trucks?

It has been my experience and others. I've had four new/old ford products since the early 90's.... The only one that hit the epa number was my crown vic. Very easy on fuel on the hwy.

sorry five... forgot one.

Garandman · Dec 8, 2015

tcartwri said:
It has been my experience and others. I've had four new/old ford products since the early 90's.... The only one that hit the epa number was my crown vic. Very easy on fuel on the hwy.

Maximum speed for the highway portion of the EPA tests is 60mph. Average speed is 48mph. The numbers are all BS.

We had a 2010 Ford Transit Connect rated 22/25 that usually exceeded those numbers, typically 27-28 per tank, calculated. Our Transit Ecoboost only has 3,000 miles on it so I'm not sure what the number will hit, but it's already 20% better than the Express it replaced.

ModMech · Dec 8, 2015

The OEMs "certify" the MPG ratings themselves, but the "tests" are done in accordance with EPA procedures. ALL OEMs "optimize" the results by using best case situations where the EPA allows latitude in the test regimens and that is how so many OEMs have gotten into trouble with the MPG ratings.

EVERY OEM has, at one time or another, been absolutely guilty of over-reporting the MPG on at least one vehicle model. That's right, not one is completely honest; in part because the EPA testing is not at all representative of *actual driving conditions* and also because the test procedures are not set in stone.