Pulled the trigger on a new F150 today.

KennyG · Jul 24, 2017

If you want the stop/start automatically off you have to go into the setup to default it off. However, you can just push the button the dash also.

jajiu · Jul 24, 2017

That's just as annoying as the regen button on the Kubota tractor. You have to push the button every time you start the tractor to keep the regen. on. The new ones automatically come on when you start it and can turn it off if you don't want it to regen. You should be able to opt out of the stop/start without an act of Congress.

dalola · Jul 25, 2017

Nice truck OP! I leased a '15 when they first came out. Didn't really intend to, but had the chance to drive a new '15 company truck for a weekend. Had the 2.7 eco. I thought it was a joke (2.7 liters? Seriously Ford?) I remember the first time I clicked into "sport" mode, and nailed it..... HOLY SH**!! I was NOT prepared for that kind of thrust from a puny 2.7L V6 in a full size crew cab 4x4 pickup. Absolutely smokes ANY (stock) half ton V8 to 60. Smooth, quiet, and comfortable, and nets mid 20's (when driven sanely...)for mpg's to boot. Can't wait to lease an '18 2.7 with the new 10 spd. Best overall vehicle I've ever had. I drive a lot of different vehicles for work, and I'm always happy to get back in my F150!

ultrarunner · Jul 26, 2017

The Eco 3.5 makes the list of the fastest 10 trucks...

1 Quick Trucks - Quickest Trucks from -6 - Road & Track

dragoneggs · Jul 26, 2017

Sysop said:
Engine braking on a gas engine is from closing the throttle body and restricting the intake of air, nothing more.

Maybe off the mark here, but my Bimmer has what I call engine braking... although probably not the right term, it automatically downshifts to maintain speed unless you tap the gas pedal to 'turn off'. I do like that feature.

Sysop · Jul 26, 2017

It downshifts to increase the number of compression cycles per rotation, which in turn creates more engine braking. The engine braking itself is still achieved by restricting the air supply to the intake by the throttle body.

CincyFlyer · Jul 26, 2017

Sysop said:
Engine braking on a gas engine is from closing the throttle body and restricting the intake of air, nothing more.

It would work better if they killed the fuel injection and opened the throttle wide; pumping air uses a lot of power.

KennyG · Jul 26, 2017

CincyFlyer said:
It would work better if they killed the fuel injection and opened the throttle wide; pumping air uses a lot of power.

No, you recover the compression energy in the power stroke which is why a Jake brake opens the exhaust valve. Drawing a vacuum provides more engine braking.

CincyFlyer · Jul 27, 2017

KennyG said:
No, you recover the compression energy in the power stroke which is why a Jake brake opens the exhaust valve. Drawing a vacuum provides more engine braking.

My suggestion requires nothing but a software change to existing hardware, but I do believe that an engine (now just an air pump) that is pumping a bunch of air needs more power than an engine that is pumping just a little air (you can check this out, put your hand over the end of the suction hose of your shop vac and see if it speeds up or slows down.)

KennyG · Jul 27, 2017

CincyFlyer said:
My suggestion requires nothing but a software change to existing hardware, but I do believe that an engine (now just an air pump) that is pumping a bunch of air needs more power than an engine that is pumping just a little air (you can check this out, put your hand over the end of the suction hose of your shop vac and see if it speeds up or slows down.)

OK, Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source, but it's easy. Engine braking - Wikipedia It says:

"The term 'engine braking' refers to the braking effect that occurs in gasoline engines when the accelerator pedal is released.

When the accelerator is released, the butterfly valve that controls intake airflow (the throttle valve) is closed and the air flow through the intake is greatly restricted (but not cut off completely). This causes a high manifold vacuum which the cylinders have to work against - this saps energy and is where the majority of the engine braking force comes from. The concept can be illustrated by the amount of effort required to blow/suck through a narrow tube vs. a wider one. It is the work the engine has to do against this restricted air flow that provides the braking effect.

While some of the braking force is due to friction in the drive train, this is negligible compared to the effect from the manifold vacuum caused by the air-flow restriction."

My shop vac works a lot harder with the hose restricted than open.