Break in of new Powerboost. Question.

[nysteve]

If all goes well I'll be flying out to Des Moines and picking up my new Powerboost XLT from Granger on Tuesday. I will have a 1200 mile drive back to Long Island NY. I plan to take RT 30 back at least 700 miles of the way. On the map it looks like a 2 lane divided highway with some traffic lights. That should give the opportunity to vary my speed without causing a traffic hazard for engine break-in. I'm not doing hotels , just pull over in a safe spot for naps. So , during a proper break in , is it acceptable to leave the truck on for the AC for a few hours a couple of times? If not I'll sweat it out the old fashioned way. I'de rather start the truck of right. Any comments , suggestions , on break in or route are welcome.

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[Cobraman428]

There was nothing in the manual that says you can't leave the truck idling during the break in period. The truck has a 30 min idle setting by default. You can turn that off. I would put in Generator mode and turn A/C on while napping. The PB engine will cycle off/on as needed to charge the hybrid battery. I would also turn off the center display (button under the screen) and put something over the instrument panel to block the light since it doesn't completely turn off. Here is the break-in info from my 2021 PB. I'm sure others here will give you more info. Good luck and safe travels.

 

[Kodiak]

Here is what will happen with the PB. You will pull over and if it is hot outside just put the truck in park. Take a nap and the truck will probably run for about 2 minutes and then the ICE shuts off for the next 8 - 10 minutes while you have the air running and you are staying at 70 degrees and napping comfortably. The truck cycle will rinse and repeat until your nap is done.

Stop somewhere for a coffee, rest break, eat etc. and shut the truck off while you are gone. When done start up the truck and keep on truckin. You will be home before you know it and if it ever start to drag, just think of all the extra money you have for mods! Easy.

Drive safe and good luck. Remember if you are tired do not hesitate to stop for a time in a hotel. Adding the cost of a hotel stop to the overall cost of the truck is nothing.

 

[HammaMan]

You can set a timer on your phone and just lock out gears while cruising to vary RPMs. The 10 speed's ratios are so close that you don't really need to vary speed just drop gears. If it's empty area, take an exit and hop right back on to roll through the gears and get back up to speed. I'm a bit more aggressive on new engines, not balls out, but keeping the RPMs higher. There's a difference between running higher RPMs and doing it while accelerating. It's easier on the motor turning higher RPMs than it is to build boost at lower RPMs. Just stay out of boost sans accelerating. With no traffic around you, you can slow down some then moderately aggressive get back to speed (Use RPM vs boost). Probably wouldn't use 8/9/10 until a couple hundred miles in. In regular mode the - button will lock out gears. You can also run manual mode running each gear out to 4500 RPM or so, not so much accelerating fast, but just running higher RPMs before shifting.

 

[nysteve]

Thanks! Running the AC while stopped , efficiently without stressing the engine was one of the big selling points of the Powerboost for me. I just did a run up from Florida in the 2011 and didn't want to pull over with the motor running for the AC. To hot to run it , to hot to nap. Ended up doing it with no real breaks.

 

[Borchelt]

Thanks! Running the AC while stopped , efficiently without stressing the engine was one of the big selling points of the Powerboost for me. I just did a run up from Florida in the 2011 and didn't want to pull over with the motor running for the AC. To hot to run it , to hot to nap. Ended up doing it with no real breaks.

Selling point for me too! Especially since SW Idaho has been over 100F for two weeks now. The other main point for me is the 7.2Kw power option. I have installed a sub panel at home and can run the entire house (minus AC, Ovens and outdoor spa) including 3 fridges and 1 upright freezer with no issues.

My install if you're interested.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...-onboard-saves-thanksgiving.20670/post-401148

 

[stevemcbo]

Don't expect great gas milage until after about 12,000 miles. But so drive and enjoy.

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