Live in South Florida wondering how big a MPG hit I can expect from running the AC ?

[Mark Glenn]

I've watched a lot of test drive MPG reviews on the PB but don't see any that actually show the effect of what running the AC will do to your MPGs. I'll be doing 99% city driving mostly stop-and-go red lights tons of traffic. I'm a fire extinguisher guy driving from business to business all day checking their fire extinguishers. The AC will be on pretty much year-round set between 70 and 75. I'm wondering what kind of MPGs I can expect and how many miles you think I'll be able to squeeze out of a tank full when contently running the AC along with this kind of city driving ?

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[DT444T]

The AC pump on the PowerBoost is electrically driven. I have noticed literally zero difference between AC ON and OFF. Bonus: when you are stopped and the engine turns off, the AC stays consistently cool. It is unaffected by engine RPM, whatsoever.

 

[notabot]

I'm wondering what kind of MPGs I can expect and how many miles you think I'll be able to squeeze out of a tank full when contently running the AC along with this kind of city driving ?

No jack-rabbit starts and running in ECO mode I can get some of my best MPG in the city. Also get more "100% electric" miles than any other time.

 

[Mark Glenn]

No jack-rabbit starts and running in ECO mode I can get some of my best MPG in the city. Also get more "100% electric" miles than any other time.

What kind of MPGs are you seeing and how many miles are you getting to a tank full?

 

[notabot]

What kind of MPGs are you seeing and how many miles are you getting to a tank full?

Below was granny mode, in stop and go with just a bit of 60-65 mph 2 lane divided hwy. I also had my 250lb dirt bike on a bumper hitch, so there was a bit of additional drag. You can calc DTE for PB 31 gallon tank.

 

[imnuts]

The only time I've noticed an MPG hit from running the A/C is in high temperatures, >90°F, or very high humidity in >80°F weather. It isn't significant, maybe 5-10% hit depending on how I'm driving. The nice thing is that the air is always cold and performance isn't impacted.

 

[Mark Glenn]

Someone on FB Ford F150 Powerboost Owners 21+ forum says he's getting almost 33MPGs with the 2wd, 3.55 gear model that's good enough for me I'm not towing anything just a couple of Fire Extinguishers.
Is that the best gear ratio for mileage?

 

[JIMFOUNTAIN]

Someone on FB Ford F150 Powerboost Owners 21+ forum says he's getting almost 33MPGs with the 2wd, 3.55 gear model that's good enough for me I'm not towing anything just a couple of Fire Extinguishers.
Is that the best gear ratio for mileage?

Theoretically the 3.55 should deliver better MPG. But 3.55 shines brightest on the highway because you get highway speeds at lower RPMs. Your use case of mostly city combined with the availability of 10 gear ratios for the PCM to choose from... I doubt 3.55 vs 3.73 would make much of a MPG difference.

Personally I always option out the most powerful engine and highest axle ratio to give the best seat of the pants ometer performance. And driving my powerboost judiciously I get outstanding mileage. I can get 25-28 MPG stop and go over 7 plus miles in the summer (cold zaps Powerboost mileage). 21-22 highway with cruise set at 70. Averaging 72 MPH* for 4 hours over I20 westbound from Georgia I saw high 20s MPG.

* To average 72 MPH I was cruise control set at 83. Bursts to 9x opportunistic passing large trucks. Traffic slowdowns had me a 72 MPH average.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Someone on FB Ford F150 Powerboost Owners 21+ forum says he's getting almost 33MPGs with the 2wd, 3.55 gear model that's good enough for me I'm not towing anything just a couple of Fire Extinguishers.
Is that the best gear ratio for mileage?

The difference in mileage between the two gear ratios is negligible at best. Almost to the point of it being considered within the margin of error. That said mine has the 3.73 and in normal mode I regularly get 23-24 city and 26-28+ @ 65-70 freeway. Typical tank average is 24-25 mpg when using 93 octane. The best I ever saw in it was 30 MPG on a 50 mile flat stretch cruising at 70, but I was also behind a semi for most of that. If you were to practice some of the more extreme hypermile tactics then it's certainly possible to hit 30+ with the PB, however stop/go traffic will kill your mpg as it takes a low to get the 5800 pound truck going.

 

[Mark Glenn]

The difference in mileage between the two gear ratios is negligible at best. Almost to the point of it being considered within the margin of error. That said mine has the 3.73 and in normal mode I regularly get 23-24 city and 26-28+ @ 65-70 freeway. Typical tank average is 24-25 mpg when using 93 octane. The best I ever saw in it was 30 MPG on a 50 mile flat stretch cruising at 70, but I was also behind a semi for most of that. If you were to practice some of the more extreme hypermile tactics then it's certainly possible to hit 30+ with the PB, however stop/go traffic will kill your mpg as it takes a low to get the 5800 pound truck going.

I'm thinking it's the 2WD instead of the 4WD that makes the most difference?
The guy on the forum says 5 to 8mpg savings with the 2wd.?

What would be the best gear ratio for mpg's and city driving?

 

[JIMFOUNTAIN]

I'm thinking it's the 2WD instead of the 4WD that makes the most difference?
The guy on the forum says 5 to 8mpg savings with the 2wd.?

What would be the best gear ratio for mpg's and city driving?

Just looked at local 2022 F150 dealer inventory window stickers....

A 5.0 2wd w 3.31 has EPA rating of 17 city, 24 hwy, 19 overall.
A 5.0 4wd w 3.31 has EPA rating of 16 city, 22 hwy, 18 overall.
A 5.0 4wd w 3.73 has EPA rating of 16 city, 22 hwy, 18 overall.

So axle ratio is not much of a factor. 4wd is a factor. Messing with aero (lifts, etc.) kills mileage. Weight, especially unsprung weight like heavy tires, kills mileage. In fact SCCA racing experience suggests (especially with classes where engine mods are limited) the single most important thing you can do to improve performance is run very light tires/wheels.

Biggest MPG factor is the nut pushing the gas pedal. Quick acceleration and high speeds kill mileage.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I'm thinking it's the 2WD instead of the 4WD that makes the most difference?
The guy on the forum says 5 to 8mpg savings with the 2wd.?

What would be the best gear ratio for mpg's and city driving?

The only time I enable 4wd is when I am offroad.

 

[trojandawg3]

I would say not enough to sweat it...

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I would say not enough to sweat it...

Pretty much.

 

[Mark Glenn]

Heres the conversation on FB
www.facebook.com/groups/297713615877787/posts/452967447019069

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