F-150 with Ecoboost

[user removed]

It was a F150 standad cab 8 foot bed, one of those they advertise with a low ball price of $13,200 in the paper then try to get you in something more expensive when you come to the dealer.

"The only one we have is red."

"That's fine. Ill take that one."

regards
Mech

[p38fln]

1999 was also before Ford, Toyota, GM and Chrysler got in the spitting match over who could build the biggest half-ton...
The 2011 "Half-ton" f-150 has a rated payload of over 3,000 pounds in some models, and can tow over 5 1/2 tons. Mine can tow 5 1/2 tons and has a rated payload of 1,962 pounds. The engine in the one I have puts out nearly the same torque as the 7.3 liter powerstroke in 1995. It's getting a little bit ridiculous at this point to keep calling them half tons.
They had to make the frame stronger (and heavier) to accomplish this insanity, so rather than open C channels like pickups had for years and years and years, the frame is now box shaped. Extremely tough - and extremely heavy.

[p38fln]

Drove it a little further than usual yesterday, 26 miles out and back.
17.4 MPG on the outbound leg and 20.2 on the return. Stupid hills
I still want some flat ground to see what it really gets - I mean, its interesting that in rolling hills it gets 17-20 MPG but what would it get on flat level ground for a few hundred miles? (Probably closer to 20 is my guess)

[Kodak]

Out of curiosity, what techniques are you using on hills?

[p38fln]

To be honest, I turn the cruise on and let it figure out how to get it done. I've tried doing it with my feet and I keep forgetting to let off the throttle at the top..

[p38fln]

So I tried a little experiment - I reset the truck computer at the bottom of a large hill (Heading to taco bell, of course. Why they can't build one at the BOTTOM of the hill...) and reset it again at the top.

Here's the pictures from the truck's dash board - Yes, the 6th gear picture is CLIMBING the hill and the 3rd gear picture is going DOWN the hill. The transmission automatically downshifts to increase engine braking (And I was still using the brakes).

Heading up hill -


Heading down hill - I had to stop at every blasted stop light on the way down the hill. Magnetic sensors only. Did it again today and the same stretch actually ticked the computerized counter up over the 40 MPG mark but it's pitch black and snowing so no picture.

[Frank Lee]

Looks like you should only drive downhill

[p38fln]

Can someone explain this one, I'm scratching my head. Switched from 93 octane to 87 - definitely a lot less power, and the fuel economy went up. Seems to be the opposite of normal

[user removed]

Think of it as a form of governor.

regards
Mech

[p38fln]

That makes sense.
I wish it could run on E-85...