The Car Care Nut (Auto Mechanic) Reviews the F-150

[wayfarer556]

This was a pretty great review of the truck. I appreciate his obvious knowledge. I will say that as a guy who just recently ordered a Platinum PB, some of his opinions are concerning. Im trying to take them with a grain of salt and not read toooo much into them and just chalk up his critiques to being hypercritical due to the cost of the truck... I'd love to hear some real life practical opinions on a few of the matters from folks that have owned and driven this truck for a large enough sample size.

When it comes to a gen14 platinum PB, could current owners weigh in on the following?

1.) The seats. Are they uncomfortable? Does that upper back support make the seat better or worse to sit in? During long trips do the seats become less comfortable? Is that platinum badge on the seat really an issue like he mentioned?

2.) I'd love to hear from some folks that have "older" PB trucks. How are they performing a handful of years in? How are the ones performing that have an extra amount of miles on them, like over 100K?

3.) Is the quality of the ride really not great in regards to noise and smoothness? I dont expect it to ride like a Denali... But still have some expectations that a 157" wheel base is going to pretty damn comfortable when compared to most vehicles on the road.

4.) What was that battery noise he was trying to point out?

5.) When the truck switches between hybrid/gas operations during driving, is that really noticeable or is it pretty seamless?


Thanks!

1. I'm a fat fuck, the cloth seats are great for me. Can't speak for the fancy platinum seats but I've never heard anyone complain about them. To be fair, the new Tundra seats are already cracking at their base...as for me, Ford knows who buys their trucks lol. My seat has held up fine. His complaints about refinement I think ultimately comes from the leaf spring configuration.

2. 65k miles on mine, still puts a big fat smile on my face when I need to hit it. I really love driving my truck, people are still shocked at how fast it can be.

3. It handles like a boat. I'd say get used to it, but there's plenty of threads about how to replace the shocks and springs to help the truck feel a lot more stable. It's something I'm planning to do sometime in the future. That said it doesn't really bother me. It's a truck, at the end of the day.

4. I missed the part about battery noise. What part of the video are you referring to? There is a speaker under the front bumper that produces both a backup noise and a humming sound when the truck is in electric mode in low speed. There's a device you can buy from a member of this very forum that can permanently resolve this. https://megaohmmotorsports.bigcartel.com/

5. There are 3 modes, hybrid, electric only, ice only. The transitions between them is pretty seemless but once you get to know the personality of the truck you can tell when it's in one of those modes. Especially if you try to coast on electric for as long as possible. When you're idling is when the transition is the most obvious, especially if you have eco idle.

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[cjm83]

1. I'm a fat fuck, the cloth seats are great for me. Can't speak for the fancy platinum seats but I've never heard anyone complain about them. To be fair, the new Tundra seats are already cracking at their base...as for me, Ford knows who buys their trucks lol. My seat has held up fine. His complaints about refinement I think ultimately comes from the leaf spring configuration.

2. 65k miles on mine, still puts a big fat smile on my face when I need to hit it. I really love driving my truck, people are still shocked at how fast it can be.

3. It handles like a boat. I'd say get used to it, but there's plenty of threads about how to replace the shocks and springs to help the truck feel a lot more stable. It's something I'm planning to do sometime in the future. That said it doesn't really bother me. It's a truck, at the end of the day.

4. I missed the part about battery noise. What part of the video are you referring to? There is a speaker under the front bumper that produces both a backup noise and a humming sound when the truck is in electric mode in low speed. There's a device you can buy from a member of this very forum that can permanently resolve this. https://megaohmmotorsports.bigcartel.com/

5. There are 3 modes, hybrid, electric only, ice only. The transitions between them is pretty seemless but once you get to know the personality of the truck you can tell when it's in one of those modes. Especially if you try to coast on electric for as long as possible. When you're idling is when the transition is the most obvious, especially if you have eco idle.

4.) The part about the noise (I mispoke, the battery isn't mentioned). He says, "its a very distinct noise when you step on the brake." He also mentions that the hybrid system is "not refined, its clunky, its not smooth."

This part of the video starts at about the 36:15 mark and is 30-45 seconds long...


What is this noise he is talking about? And why is he saying the hybrid system is not refined, its clunky, and its not smooth? Those are not favorable descriptive words...

 

[wayfarer556]

4.) The part about the noise (I mispoke, the battery isn't mentioned). He says, "its a very distinct noise when you step on the brake." He also mentions that the hybrid system is "not refined, its clunky, its not smooth."

This part of the video starts at about the 36:15 mark and is 30-45 seconds long...


What is this noise he is talking about? And why is he saying the hybrid system is not refined, its clunky, and its not smooth? Those are not favorable descriptive words...

For those reading this thread, he's referring to this:



That noise I'm almost certain is the regenerative braking activating the electric motor, which is wedged between both the transmission and the combustion engine. You're not going to notice this while driving. My truck makes that noise too when you push the brakes in, and you only notice it really when it's in electric only mode. Honest, I think it's fine. I didn't even think about it until I read your question.

When he says the system is clunky and unrefined, I think what he really means is that the hybrid system doesn't hide any of the noises it makes externally, and he's likely concerned by all the plumbing involved compared to how Toyota does things. Having driven both a hybrid Rav 4 and my Powerboost, I far, far prefer my Powerboost. While it may be clunky and it may be unrefined, I feel it's robust and reliable. And the system has different priorities compared to a Toyota system, which I think is never more evident than the ProPower system that this truck is practically designed around.

 

[Snakebitten]

When you step on the brake, the electric brake booster (vacuum?) has to be turned on, rather than running 6 cylinders of ICE just to get brake boost.

Indeed that is a distinctive sound.

I think if the reviewer lived with the F150 Hybrid for a couple of months, and then compared it to Toyota's version of a Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid...... He'd discover a LOT of things about the Ford approach that he's not likely to notice just by poking around.

 

[cjm83]

For those reading this thread, he's referring to this:



That noise I'm almost certain is the regenerative braking activating the electric motor, which is wedged between both the transmission and the combustion engine. You're not going to notice this while driving. My truck makes that noise too when you push the brakes in, and you only notice it really when it's in electric only mode. Honest, I think it's fine. I didn't even think about it until I read your question.

When he says the system is clunky and unrefined, I think what he really means is that the hybrid system doesn't hide any of the noises it makes externally, and he's likely concerned by all the plumbing involved compared to how Toyota does things. Having driven both a hybrid Rav 4 and my Powerboost, I far, far prefer my Powerboost. While it may be clunky and it may be unrefined, I feel it's robust and reliable. And the system has different priorities compared to a Toyota system, which I think is never more evident than the ProPower system that this truck is practically designed around.

Sounds good. Thanks for the detailed explanation. That all makes solid sense.

 

[cjm83]

When you step on the brake, the electric brake booster (vacuum?) has to be turned on, rather than running 6 cylinders of ICE just to get brake boost.

Indeed that is a distinctive sound.

I think if the reviewer lived with the F150 Hybrid for a couple of months, and then compared it to Toyota's version of a Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid...... He'd discover a LOT of things about the Ford approach that he's not likely to notice just by poking around.

I assume you mean he'd discover a lot of things about Fords approach that he'd ultimately really like?? As opposed to a bunch of things he felt was less than adequate?

 

[Snakebitten]

I assume you mean he'd discover a lot of things about Fords approach that he'd ultimately really like?? As opposed to a bunch of things he felt was less than adequate?

I'm just saying that with 3.5 years of living with 2 different Powerboost,...... Ford's take on what a 1/2 ton pick up with 3.5L twin turbo Hybrid can offer as a package, vs the Toyota take on basically the same exact platform?

The Ford has done a much better job of leveraging all the options.

I have no beef with Toyota's engineering prowess. They have decades of credibility regarding. But in my opinion, they were way too conservative at introducing the new generation, and it's plagiarized architecture. If you are going to flatter the competition, and imitation IS flattery, then show what you are capable of!

I'm convinced Toyota could build a better Powerboost than Ford, if they were aiming to.

 

[cjm83]

I'm just saying that with 3.5 years of living with 2 different Powerboost,...... Ford's take on what a 1/2 ton pick up with 3.5L twin turbo Hybrid can offer as a package, vs the Toyota take on basically the same exact platform?

The Ford has done a much better job of leveraging all the options.

I have no beef with Toyota's engineering prowess. They have decades of credibility regarding. But in my opinion, they were way too conservative at introducing the new generation, and it's plagiarized architecture. If you are going to flatter the competition, and imitation IS flattery, then show what you are capable of!

I'm convinced Toyota could build a better Powerboost than Ford, if they were aiming to.

Always appreciate your insight. Wont be the last time I seek it.

 

[Snakebitten]

Well shucks.
(in my best Gomer Pyle voice)

 

[sporkfed]

I think if the reviewer lived with the F150 Hybrid for a couple of months, and then compared it to Toyota's version of a Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid...... He'd discover a LOT of things about the Ford approach that he's not likely to notice just by poking around.

FWIW, he owns a Tundra 1794 Edition, so he could actually compare them.

 

[Snakebitten]

FWIW, he owns a Tundra 1794 Edition, so he could actually compare them.

Oh I have no doubt that he knows the Toyota inside-out.

But he'd need to live with the Powerboost for a while to get to know it intimately, so to speak. Especially a high trim example. Ask anyone with a similar truck and they'll tell you it takes a while to absorb/discover everything packed into that truck.

 

[HammaMan]

Ford needs to have a reviewers guide of sorts to really put the trucks through their paces, especially the PPOB like "connect up a full size fridge or freezer for an hour" or "use a miter saw to cut some 2x4s on the tailgate".

 

[ReverendQ]

Ford needs to have a reviewers guide of sorts to really put the trucks through their paces, especially the PPOB like "connect up a full size fridge or freezer for an hour" or "use a miter saw to cut some 2x4s on the tailgate".

Did someone say cut? I couldn't resist, LOL.

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