How Long Do You Plan to Keep Your PowerBoost?

[HammaMan]

I bought mine semi-unintentionally...after a year of no stock on ICE trucks, I got a budget bump and jumped on a PB that a dealer friend had on the lot. I've always been a big fan of hybrids, though, and believe it's the tech for the future, until battery and solar tech can equal or exceed fossil fuel.

When I got this truck, I was blown away by it, and for the first few months of driving, fully intended to buy it from the company at end of corp service life, then keep it forever. I was even willing to replace the battery at EOL. I was excited about trips and unremarkable drives to work...
But...dealer support and how it's held up to basic wear and tear have been very disappointing.
Once the hybrid drivetrain warranty is up (about 1.5 year by current mileage), and costs exceed value, it will go to auction. The company has now dropped the F150 standard, so unless dealer service suddenly does a full 180 and figures out how to solve my issues, I won't get another one.

Hybrid is 100k miles, how many you got on your 22?

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[RGrove]

Hybrid is 100k miles, how many you got on your 22?

72k right now. So actually, I'm about a year from warranty exp if I keep up this average.
I have a hybrid battery DTC that *should* be covered in warranty, but the dealer seems unwilling or unable to fix it, or Ford service direction is ineffective. That's a pretty big red flag for long term repair/maint costs as a fleet vehicle.

 

[HammaMan]

72k right now. So actually, I'm about a year from warranty exp if I keep up this average.
I have a hybrid battery DTC that *should* be covered in warranty, but the dealer seems unwilling or unable to fix it, or Ford service direction is ineffective. That's a pretty big red flag for long term repair/maint costs as a fleet vehicle.

The problem with any HV component is their "special" techs that are needed to work on them. At least w/ the F150 most techs can work on most parts. EVs require special techs and those come with long lead times.

 

[RGrove]

The problem with any HV component is their "special" techs that are needed to work on them. At least w/ the F150 most techs can work on most parts. EVs require special techs and those come with long lead times.

Yeah, it got a specialty hybrid tech, but the solution was a software tweak, which actually made the problem go from intermittent, to 1 day clear, to constant. I'm now averaging something like 15mpg, ICE almost always on.
The last service was 2 weeks ago, and I've done 1500 miles since then.
They kept the ticket open because they still have to do the tailgate recall (for the 2nd time, 1st was an ineffective software fix).
3 messages to the dealer over 2 weeks to get a return appt, and no call back yet.

I also got a bizarre email from Ford this morning about an urgent parking brake repair, which the dealer told me they did 2 weeks ago. Why would Ford not know that if the dealer did it?

 

[RGrove]

The problem with any HV component is their "special" techs that are needed to work on them. At least w/ the F150 most techs can work on most parts. EVs require special techs and those come with long lead times.

BTW long lead times are a very sore spot for me with this truck.
It was pulling to the left very shortly after purchase, so I made an appointment at around 9k miles. for that and regular 10k service interval.
Lead time was over a month, and when I got it to them, they said they aligned it, and charged because it was out of warranty. Front end warranty expires at 12k and I had 12075 on it then. It was out of warranty literally by the round trip from dealer to home. Not only that, but they didn't actually fix anything, and on a return trip, said it was my fault because I hadn't rotated the tires at 5k. I'd brought it to them for every service interval, and was baffled that she'd say it was my fault. They still couldn't fix the pulling-left problem, and when I went to another dealer, they fixed it immediately, so I stuck with them, and they've now been pretty disappointing.

Side note, I followed the owners manual to a T, and both dealers basically said I was waiting too long to service the truck that way. I'd need to change the oil and rotate the tires at 5k, no matter when the manual or oil life indicator says.


It's kinda funny, I've browsed this forum a million times, and when I finally make an account, I'm coming off as a troll. I'm definately not one, just very frustrated and now looking for ways to fix the truck myself.

 

[HammaMan]

Dealers make up nonsense to increase their bottom line. Fortunately the one good thing about my closest dealer is that they have an express lane that can handle most small tasks and do so in short order. They'll handle just about anything with 1hr billing or less via this express lane which is a separate building entirely, with different staff.

I've twice reset my oil minder on this oil change with no reservations about it as it's both time and mileage based, and I'll change it at 4k miles and not a mile sooner.

 

[RGrove]

I've twice reset my oil minder on this oil change with no reservations about it as it's both time and mileage based, and I'll change it at 4k miles and not a mile sooner.

I don't think I follow you...sounds kind of opposite what I was saying... ?
My oil life indicator would let me go well over 10k without an oil change, but I change at 5k now. Ford's manual and the truck's management system were way too long, according to the dealer service writers. What you're saying sounds like the truck's interval was way too short. I'd defer to the most protective interval, so if the truck said change at4k, and I wanted to change at 5k, I'd do it at 4k on the assumption that the truck's analysis of usage/temps/towing/etc were smarter than me...

 

[HammaMan]

I don't think I follow you...sounds kind of opposite what I was saying... ?
My oil life indicator would let me go well over 10k without an oil change, but I change at 5k now. Ford's manual and the truck's management system were way too long, according to the dealer service writers. What you're saying sounds like the truck's interval was way too short. I'd defer to the most protective interval, so if the truck said change at4k, and I wanted to change at 5k, I'd do it at 4k on the assumption that the truck's analysis of usage/temps/towing/etc were smarter than me...

Well not following it for me is in the cards because of time gating. With you it sounds like you should follow whatever is appropriate for your use case and oil. Not sure why mine has been overly sensitive but I track my hours and miles with a full synthetic oil. Not sure why my oil minder falls off so quick.

 

[RGrove]

Ok, that's what I thought you were saying... That is pretty odd. If that works for you and protects the engine, then that's good.
I was happy to follow the manual and have the dealer do every fluid top and bolt-turn until warranty was up, just got more aggressive with the oil maintenance after they told me it would kill the truck to follow the manual. ?

 

[HammaMan]

I think it got corrupted a few months back when I was doing a lot of updates. Seemed every other week when I paid attention 10% at a time was just vanishing. Went from 50% to alerting in less than 2 months and about 300 miles.

 

[RGrove]

Ha, you'd be changing the oil more than filling the gas tank!

 

[Philip2024]

I’m

Should my calculation change? That is what I am curious to hear from the community.

Any vehicle or engine can have issues. I think Fords engines are pretty solid for the most part, but 1,000 miles in I saw the "trailer brake system fault" warning pop up and it freaked me out.

I had the same issue on my 23 Powerboost. I pulled the fuse for it and reinstalled it and haven’t seen that issue again. I don’t remember the fuse number. Maybe 50 or 52 not sure but I found it in the forums. Give that a try.

 

[eharri3]

Ram charger is looking to be a 3/4 ton truck, possibly on the 145ish wheelbase with its 8 lug axles. Curious if they'll offer a long bed.

This is what I understand of the plan.

Hybrid with better range. Electric motor is primary drive unit. Gas motor only re charges it and does not propel the vehicle except for when extra power is called for. 5 year reliability reports should be rolling in right around the time my ESP is up.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/electric/ram-1500-ramcharger.html

 

[Kodiak]

This is what I understand of the plan.

Hybrid with better range. Electric motor is primary drive unit. Gas motor only re charges it and does not propel the vehicle except for when extra power is called for. 5 year reliability reports should be rolling in right around the time my ESP is up.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/electric/ram-1500-ramcharger.html

The only thing I think is incorrect is that the engine is never used for thrust and is only used to supply power to the batteries for the electric motors. The entire drive assembly for the ICE is eliminated.

 

[DBL R]

They should do a merge of the Lightning and PowerBoost concepts. Much bigger battery, bigger drive motor. A battery with even 30 miles range would be a huge deal given how much regen a truck this heavy can drive.

I'd be okay with the payload hit.

Luckily you’re basically describing the ram pro charger. It’ll be interesting to see how well that does

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