Powerboost Owner Tips!

[joejamesatou]

Things I wish I knew at the beginning.

1. Engine needs heat! I noticed that it took 7 miles for the engine and transmission to get to full operating temperature. I got terrible mileage until then.
   1. Got an engine block heater/oil pan heater.
   2. Drive the truck in Sport Mode until it's up to temp. Takes 2.5 miles to get to temp now and my 24 mile commute gets around 1.5 mpg better with this method.
2. The stock "skid plate" that is cloth is absolute garbage. Swap it out for a real one from an aftermarket company.
3. Drive 70 mph or below if you expect highway mileage. 80 and above kills mileage.
4. Heavy tires kill mileage. KO2's are great, but weigh around 15 lbs more PER TIRE than stock. Get tires that match what you use the truck for.
5. Use premium gas for best power and mileage. Costco 93 is the best deal in Texas.
6. Change your plugs at 60k miles.
7. Use synthetic oil. This is a twin turbo, 430 HP, 3.5 liter motor. Not long ago that was good for a Porsche.

Just wanted to share. Seems like there's a lot of people who put big wheels with beefy tires, a lift, run 87 octane, and cruise at 85 mph who are shocked they aren't getting 23 mpg.

Get it up to temp, treat it right, and enjoy. There are drives I don't care about mileage and just want to put the pedal down and enjoy a 430 HP truck. Other days I just want to have a quiet commute home and get the best mpg in Eco Mode. I'm amazed that this truck can be whatever you ask it to be.

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[Gros Ventre]

As to MPG... The truck is designed for around 60 MPH so that's where you get best mileage. For 80 MPH, and Wyoming has 80 speed limits on interstates, remember that the airflow resistance is a cubic function so going from 60 to 80 is a big deal. ...And keep in mind that a headwind, we get some pretty good ones on I-80, kills mileage also.

 

[darkhorse]

I live at 6700 ft elevation… so 87 octane is fine for me and normal driving.

 

[travisN000]

I have noticed that operating temp and speed make a big difference in my MPG as well. I have the heavy oversized tires and will still see up to 21mpg below 70mph, but it drops fast after that. If I don't warm up the engine (remote start) in the am, my MPG on the 20 minute commute drops from 19-21, back down to 16ish.

I have not seen any improvement in efficiency with premium fuel... I've run both Costo regular and premium many times (55k miles and counting) and it doesn't change my MPGs at all; I will still buy premium for towing, as I feel it is better for the engine if under heavy constant loads

 

[Popplemer]

How long does the block heater take to be effective prior to a cold start?

 

[EricR]

Do you leave the block heater on all night or switch it on when you get up in the morning?

Does warming with electricy cost less than warming with gas?

 

[Gros Ventre]

Do you leave the block heater on all night or switch it on when you get up in the morning?

Does warming with electricy cost less than warming with gas?

Conventional wisdom says after 3 hours you do no good on the block heater. As to efficiency, remember that warming up the engine will be running rich.

 

[ks54703]

Drove a 22 302a PB here in Central WI now have a 22 302a 2.7EB payload package truck.

Colder weather truly effects the PB and during the coldest times it is just a 3.5EB carrying around a lot of useless weight.

Did you figure in the cost of electricity to warm up your PB?? Along with why even have a Hybrid ICE vehicle if you have to PLUG it in every night for it to preform.

 

[joejamesatou]

Conventional wisdom says after 3 hours you do no good on the block heater. As to efficiency, remember that warming up the engine will be running rich.

Indeed. You can tell Ford knew that this was an issue with slow warm up due to the fact they actually have two coolant reservoirs, one for initial warm up, the other regular.

 

[RickBullotta]

YMMV. I prefer to drive 80 and get to my destination earlier.

 

[RickBullotta]

Drove a 22 302a PB here in Central WI now have a 22 302a 2.7EB payload package truck.

Colder weather truly effects the PB and during the coldest times it is just a 3.5EB carrying around a lot of useless weight.

Did you figure in the cost of electricity to warm up your PB?? Along with why even have a Hybrid ICE vehicle if you have to PLUG it in every night for it to preform.

Shouldn't have anything to do with hybrid or not. It's the same motor as the ecoboost in terms of needing time to get to temp.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Indeed. You can tell Ford knew that this was an issue with slow warm up due to the fact they actually have two coolant reservoirs, one for initial warm up, the other regular.

On a PowerBoost the coolant reservoirs are for the engine system and the other one if for the Low temp circuit associated with the Hybrid systems.

 

[doolin64]

I think these are good tips. My truck runs smoother and gets better MPG with 93 octane. Financially it doesn't make sense, but averaging 23+mpg is better for me mentally and worth the extra cost. HA. You need to drive with a light foot to get the best MPG. I also agree the truck likes to be warm in the winter. I usually let it idle for 10 minutes before leaving with the kids in the AM. If I don't, I certainly see a mileage difference. Again, if we get into the semantics I'm sure the gas I waste ilding is probably more expensive than just driving the truck cold and letting it warm as I drive versus remote starting.

 

[HammaMan]

Shouldn't have anything to do with hybrid or not. It's the same motor as the ecoboost in terms of needing time to get to temp.

While his post makes pretty much no sense, the PB can take longer to get fully up to operating temps in both motor and trans because it's using the electric motor / hybrid mode. It's first ~2 minutes of remote start however will heat it up a little faster using heat scavenging from the exhaust. I watched temps yesterday at 30f and with a 5 minute remote start, within a mile or so even the trans was was around 130 degrees.

Indeed. You can tell Ford knew that this was an issue with slow warm up due to the fact they actually have two coolant reservoirs, one for initial warm up, the other regular.

No, just no. That's not how it's configured at all. The HV component cooling loop has nothing to do with engine temps. It doesn't touch the engine nor its cooling loop at all.

 

[BoostedSushi]

What is the MPG gain from 87 vs 92/93? It'd have to be significant to justify an additional $20-$30 a fillup (most stations are $1/gallon higher for premium).

I also do not buy into going 80 MPH versus 70 MPH will get you to your destination that much sooner if you're going around town. If I'm wrong, all for being corrected.

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