Poor Fuel Economy

[MontanaV73]

Just got a 2013 F150 Lariat SCrew 3.5 Ecoboost, 6.5ft bed, 3.31 rear end, had it a couple weeks now and noticing some real poor fuel economy. Avg on hwy has been 14.2. Looking for ideas to get that corrected. I'll be towing a 23ft camper along with an ATV in the bed and don't really want to be pushing 8 mpg's through the summer.

So far all I've done is changed out the air filter to K&N.

Thought about changing spark plugs out. If I do, should I stay with OEM?

Also thought about a Diablo Sport Trinity T1000 programmer/tuner.

Any thoughts?

 

[SHOdded]

Definitely do the plugs, they will give you an indication of how the engine is performing.  OEM Motorcraft works great.  Not sure if the IC issue is resolved on the 2013, but check the IC for pooling oil/water/etc.  Empty it out if there's accumulation.  Also consider R&R'ing the transmission/transfer case fluids.  Full synthetic motor oil & either Motorcraft oil filter or Mobil 1 EP filter will also help.

Use a high-volume gas station, preferably Top Tier.  You are resetting the MPG display at fuelup right?  Also heard that winter blend fuels are hard on the mpg's for these trucks.

Tuning you are probably best off with Unleashed and Livernois.  Leading Edge Tuning also has a lot of F150 specific tuning experience.  5 Star may work out for you also.

 

[ZSHO]

How many miles on that Big Boy? would also add a bottle or two of Chevron techron fuel system cleaner in the gas tank depending on the current mileage,any signs of a rough idle,hesitation?  Z 

 

[r1crusher]

What Z asked...mileage?

I have a '13 F150 EB truck also but I have the max tow package with 3.73's in it.  We average in the 17's for highway mpg but I'm tuned also.  I have a friend with your basic truck (stock) and I'm fairly certain he's averaging in the 20's for highway mpg.  It will def. depend on your driving style (lead foot or granny) and terrain for mpg.

As for the IC fix that was corrected starting with the '13 model year I believe.  Plugs...if you're over 40-50k miles change them out.  Plan on doing that way sooner than the recommended intervals.  Also, def. run full synthetics as suggested by SHOdded.  I typically run Mobil1 EP oil and filter on my SHO and F150...just a matter of convenience since both use the same crap.

As for tuning, I'm running Unleashed tunes from Torrie.  I prefer him because with the SCT turners you can data log and fine tune things through him.  Livernois is also good but no data logging with them.  If you have any questions about tuning for your truck feel free to post up or PM me directly.  I'd be happy to answer questions or help if I can.

 

[SHOdded]

Hope BiGMaC chimes in with his mpg observations, I believe he has a '13 Lariat, though non-EB (boo hiss )

 

[r1crusher]

Hope BiGMaC chimes in with his mpg observations, I believe he has a '13 Lariat, though non-EB (boo hiss )

The only thing he'll be able to add to this topic is how his V8 yurns to be a 3.5 EB.  :lol:

 

[ZSHO]

Hope BiGMaC chimes in with his mpg observations, I believe he has a '13 Lariat, though non-EB (boo hiss )

The only thing he'll be able to add to this topic is how his V8 urns to be a 3.5 EB.  :lol:

r1crusher appreciate you contributing as of late,your insight definitely gives the forum that added (boost). Z  :thumb:

 

[BiGMaC]

Hope BiGMaC chimes in with his mpg observations, I believe he has a '13 Lariat, though non-EB (boo hiss )

The only thing he'll be able to add to this topic is how his V8 yurns to be a 3.5 EB.  :lol:

Actually the truck is a 6.7 turbodiesel... For horse shows we pull off 30-40k pounds of trailer and horses.  FWIT the truck gets about 17-18 mpg pulling or not... Love the 3.5 in a P/U but not for heavy pulling...

 

[SHOdded]

40k pounds ... holy schmoly!!!  Hats off, sir!

 

[r1crusher]

Actually the truck is a 6.7 turbodiesel... For horse shows we pull off 30-40k pounds of trailer and horses.  FWIT the truck gets about 17-18 mpg pulling or not... Love the 3.5 in a P/U but not for heavy pulling...

Yeah...didn't have a clue on the truck being diesel but that also means it's not an F150 so...you can stop braggin'. 

I do pull my 26' toy hauler w/ gear and all at about 8500+ lbs. without any issues.  I've also pulled my in laws 36' travel trailer at close to 10k lbs and the 150 did it just fine (actually better than his own F250 gasser).  The F150 can pull heavy stuff tp but it's def. not nearly as efficient doing it as a diesel, I'll give ya that.

 

[MontanaV73]

39k on her right now.  I've kept my lead foot at bay for a week now just to see what she'll do on a normal day.  I've been resetting MPG periodically in town, on the highway and just after refueling.  Coming home tonight cruise control set at 69 I was getting just about 17 mpg.  I'm 30 minute commute, flat terrain.  Maybe that is good for this rig, but from the word on the street, she should do much better.  Montana should be shifting from winter blend fuels here pretty soon

Sounds like the consensus is:
1.  the plugs first and stick with the Motorcraft OEM
2. Mobile 1 EP oil and Filter

As for tuning, I'm about as new to this as they get.  Not quite sure how the tuning process even works so I might need to pm one or all you just to figure this thing out.  I was old school with a 73 international corn binder 20 years ago.  Living in Montana, there isn't many if any places to take my rig to for a tune unless I want to pack some bags and set out for a week. 

SHOddad, R1crusher, ZSHO, many thanks! 

 

[SHOdded]

These days, a lot of tuning is done remotely.  So you order the tuning device, it comes by mail.  The tunes will be sent to an EMail address you specify, or you will connect to a server from which you can download.  If you still want an in-person dyno tune, Livernois is the closest to you that I'd go with.  If you use a local dyno, Unleashed (and probably LET) will tune it for you remotely.

So yeah, whenever you are ready, we'll be here

 

[ZSHO]

I agree with SHOdded and probably would be more convenient to go with LME and you can always email them at info@livernoismotorsports.com,hopefully they will chime in soon.  Z

 

[r1crusher]

39k on her right now.  I've kept my lead foot at bay for a week now just to see what she'll do on a normal day.  I've been resetting MPG periodically in town, on the highway and just after refueling.  Coming home tonight cruise control set at 69 I was getting just about 17 mpg.  I'm 30 minute commute, flat terrain.  Maybe that is good for this rig, but from the word on the street, she should do much better.  Montana should be shifting from winter blend fuels here pretty soon

Sounds like the consensus is:
1.  the plugs first and stick with the Motorcraft OEM
2. Mobile 1 EP oil and Filter

As for tuning, I'm about as new to this as they get.  Not quite sure how the tuning process even works so I might need to pm one or all you just to figure this thing out.  I was old school with a 73 international corn binder 20 years ago.  Living in Montana, there isn't many if any places to take my rig to for a tune unless I want to pack some bags and set out for a week. 

SHOddad, R1crusher, ZSHO, many thanks!

First you're totally welcome for the help...and I think I can say that's from all of us.

Second...I just talked to my buddy with the same optioned truck as you.  He said that with winter blends his mpg sucks...like to the tune of 17's maybe an 18 for mpg.  So you might not be as bad as you think right now.  We he starts getting into the summer blends he's seeing 20-21 mpg.  I would certainly do the plugs as that's def. not going to hurt you in any way (gapped at .035 for stock and .030 when tuned).  When I changed out the plugs in our F150 we picked up about 1.5 mpg...again I'm tuned but I'd expect you to pick up a little at least.

Third...as I mentioned I'm a fan of Unleashed for tunes/tuning but everyone has their favorite vendor.  Just be sure to ask yourself what you plan to do afterwards.  Will you simply throw in the tune and forget about it?  Will you want to tweak it if it doesn't "feel" right?  How many tunes will I want/need?  Performance (93 oct), tow (87 oct), performance (87 oct), etc.  Support from Unleashed or LMS will be top notch, no question.  I went back and forth and settled on Torrie as I said before due to being able to data log and update.  LMS has their tunes very well defined but won't do data logging since it's just the way they do it...and I'm not saying that's bad just how they work.  That's absolutely not to say if you had an issue they wouldn't help you...they WILL.

 

[BlackJac]

I believe the guys running the tuned F150 run best with plugs gapped at .028". Also, check tire pressures, maybe low affecting fuel economy.

 

[r1crusher]

I've read some guys were trying gaps down to .028 but I don't think I've seen Torrie recommend it (or he might have but I've never read about it).  It didn't think the results at .028 were promising, again I very well could be wrong.

 

[MontanaV73]

These days, a lot of tuning is done remotely.  So you order the tuning device, it comes by mail.  The tunes will be sent to an EMail address you specify, or you will connect to a server from which you can download.  If you still want an in-person dyno tune, Livernois is the closest to you that I'd go with.  If you use a local dyno, Unleashed (and probably LET) will tune it for you remotely.
This is good, I'm starting to get excited looking at all these tunes.  I'm leaning towards the Unleashed.  I like the idea of being able to get them remotely downloaded and them being able to track my logs.  I also plan on bolt on systems. 



In your opinion, what should someone start with on a stock truck.  What would be the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak.  I also plan on asking Unleashed the same ?'s but wanted to get some non vendor input before asking.

 

[MontanaV73]

Checked the tires, pressure was good.  Changed the oil to Mobile 1 EP and Mobile EP filter.  Got the SP534 plugs on order should be here next week. 

I will probably switch my K&N air filter out for a dry filter.  Not sure I'm too keen on the oiled filters.  Lastly, I'll check/clean the MAF/MAP sensors. 

I'm slowly learning and this is some good stuff.  Really appreciate all the guidance.... 

As for the actual tuners, Ive noticed a couple folks didn't like the SCT as much due to the lack of focus on Tow and MPG, mostly performance and torque.  Are there any tuners that focus more on MPGs and Towing that include performance and torque?

 

[SHOdded]

There are more mods to be had in the F150 world than in the SHO/Flex/MKS/XSport world, but I assume the list would be very similar to this, though the gains should be more substantial:
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,808

Hard to beat a tune for price/performance on pretty much any platform these days.  OEM designs have improved that much!  Still plenty of boltons that work well, I would suggest looking at Full Race's FreakOBoost build to get ideas:
http://www.full-race.com/articles/what-is-ecoboost.html

Another build by Gearhead Fabrications:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucA3G7qBHk

All depends how far you want to take it.

 

[MontanaV73]

Second...I just talked to my buddy with the same optioned truck as you.  He said that with winter blends his mpg sucks...like to the tune of 17's maybe an 18 for mpg.  So you might not be as bad as you think right now.  We he starts getting into the summer blends he's seeing 20-21 mpg.  I would certainly do the plugs as that's def. not going to hurt you in any way (gapped at .035 for stock and .030 when tuned).  When I changed out the plugs in our F150 we picked up about 1.5 mpg...again I'm tuned but I'd expect you to pick up a little at least.

Third...as I mentioned I'm a fan of Unleashed for tunes/tuning but everyone has their favorite vendor.  Just be sure to ask yourself what you plan to do afterwards.  Will you simply throw in the tune and forget about it?  Will you want to tweak it if it doesn't "feel" right?  How many tunes will I want/need?  Performance (93 oct), tow (87 oct), performance (87 oct), etc.  Support from Unleashed or LMS will be top notch, no question.  I went back and forth and settled on Torrie as I said before due to being able to data log and update.  LMS has their tunes very well defined but won't do data logging since it's just the way they do it...and I'm not saying that's bad just how they work.  That's absolutely not to say if you had an issue they wouldn't help you...they WILL.

I'm very optimistic that I will see the 20+ when the shift to the summer blend comes to the Big Sky.  I would like to pursue bolt on additions.  In your opinion, what would be the biggest bang for the buck to start off with on stock truck?