Hypermiling in an Ex?

[Expedition Dave]

Based upon another thread here regarding fuel mileage with the HD tow pack, I made a claim recently of hitting 28 mpg on a recent trip and under certain conditions. Yesterday I duplicated them:

TLDR: 2020 Expedition FX4 (4wd), HD towing package (3.73s), computer confirmed 28 mpg during a 250 mile trip round trip on 35-60mph single/two lane roads. Computer said my average speed was 47 mph, across the total trip).

Conditions: light traffic, few stoplights, all at sea-level with low winds, outside temps 75 in the morning to 90 degrees in the afternoon, 80%+ humidity with light rain.

Travel up, 280 lbs driver/kit with 1/3 of a fuel tank for the first 125 miles. Travel back, 400 lbs of driver and gear, full fuel tank to start. Tires 31/32 lbs of air (cold) in the morning, 34/35 (hot) in the afternoon on the road (yes I know they are all a few pounds low).

This trip was practically made for the Expedition though. Almost no stop and go and low speed limits dictated the trucks ability to generate 30+mpg when traveling gently at low speeds below 50 mph on level ground with no head winds, etc. I also did quite a bit to favor it when conditions allowed using the standard techniques to get good MPG.

Fully believe I could have achieved 29 mpg with fully aired tires and more steady state driving (note the deviation in speed limits above).

Either way, what does this prove at sub-highway speeds?
Not much lol

 

[dlcorbett]

Those numbers are def achievable if you work at em and restrain yourself. I was able to take a 70 mile trip avg about 55mph before and get about 29mpg.

 

[LokiWolf]

What was the hand calculated number? These computer based numbers have been proven many times to inaccurate. A good gauge tank to tank, but not accurate.

Respect for the numbers though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[JasonH]

I am curious to see what this powertrain could do if there was more work done on aerodynamics and perhaps an Atkinson cycle cam profile. I have to believe that Ford is doing the best it can within financial constraints.

For example, the Explorer hybrid retains its towing capacity, but as a result it delivers much less mpg than competitors, such as the Highlander hybrid. It seems any substantial improvement in mpg requires a compromise in towing due to weight increase.

Overall, the Ecoboost 3.5 is impressive, delivering over 20 mpg in a vehicle that weighs 6000 lbs and can tow 9,000 lbs. I don't think we'll see much more improvements apart from more electrification.

 

[craig sargood]

Impressive, I average about 10mpg In my 1st gen.

 

[dlcorbett]

It wasnt hand calculated, to be honest i never do, seems to have too many variables to be completely accurate unless youve done it alot or are prepared to do so. Went to a protest so def not prepared but even so, most times it maybe one or 2 mpg off so 27mpg avg is still good. Ive noticed 55 mph is the mpg sweetspot. No tow, 3.15 and 2wd helps. I knew what its primary purpose was gonna be and it exceeded my expectations on mpg doin what i got it for.

 

[Robert McMillan]

Based upon another thread here regarding fuel mileage with the HD tow pack, I made a claim recently of hitting 28 mpg on a recent trip and under certain conditions. Yesterday I duplicated them:

TLDR: 2020 Expedition FX4 (4wd), HD towing package (3.73s), computer confirmed 28 mpg during a 250 mile trip round trip on 35-60mph single/two lane roads. Computer said my average speed was 47 mph, across the total trip).

Conditions: light traffic, few stoplights, all at sea-level with low winds, outside temps 75 in the morning to 90 degrees in the afternoon, 80%+ humidity with light rain.

Travel up, 280 lbs driver/kit with 1/3 of a fuel tank for the first 125 miles. Travel back, 400 lbs of driver and gear, full fuel tank to start. Tires 31/32 lbs of air (cold) in the morning, 34/35 (hot) in the afternoon on the road (yes I know they are all a few pounds low).

This trip was practically made for the Expedition though. Almost no stop and go and low speed limits dictated the trucks ability to generate 30+mpg when traveling gently at low speeds below 50 mph on level ground with no head winds, etc. I also did quite a bit to favor it when conditions allowed using the standard techniques to get good MPG.

Fully believe I could have achieved 29 mpg with fully aired tires and more steady state driving (note the deviation in speed limits above).

Either way, what does this prove at sub-highway speeds?
Not much lol

I can get 29.4 on my EL with e30 tune and 35s

 

[Deadman]

Mine does 25 on the highway if I run it easy. I'm sure 29 is possible at the lower speeds. Nice work!

 

[Robert McMillan]

Mine does 25 on the highway if I run it easy. I'm sure 29 is possible at the lower speeds. Nice work!

That’s at 65mph

 

[Paul M]

Kind of mileage related...

I purchased a platinum max 4x4 with the tow package on Saturday and am still on the dealers first tank.

These with a 400 hp platinum, do you use 87 or 91 fuel. In Oklahoma we have the option to purchase non-alcohol E10 fuel. I’ve always used non E10 100% fuel and will continue to do so. My question is the Pro/Cons of 87 vs. 91 octane in the platinum?

 

[Robert McMillan]

Kind of mileage related...

I purchased a platinum max 4x4 with the tow package on Saturday and am still on the dealers first tank.

These with a 400 hp platinum, do you use 87 or 91 fuel. In Oklahoma we have the option to purchase non-alcohol E10 fuel. I’ve always used non E10 100% fuel and will continue to do so. My question is the Pro/Cons of 87 vs. 91 octane in the platinum?

Wtf is non alcohol E10? Ethanol is alcohol so how can you have non alcohol alcohol

 

[Robert McMillan]

Kind of mileage related...

I purchased a platinum max 4x4 with the tow package on Saturday and am still on the dealers first tank.

These with a 400 hp platinum, do you use 87 or 91 fuel. In Oklahoma we have the option to purchase non-alcohol E10 fuel. I’ve always used non E10 100% fuel and will continue to do so. My question is the Pro/Cons of 87 vs. 91 octane in the platinum?

Also you’ll want the highest octane you can get in these unless you want a sluggish lazy SUV

 

[Paul M]

Wtf is non alcohol E10? Ethanol is alcohol so how can you have non alcohol alcohol

Sorry I worded that poorly. E10 or pure gas was the option I meant.

 

[Robert McMillan]

Sorry I worded that poorly. E10 or pure gas was the option I meant.

Go as high as you can

 

[FormerGermanFan]

Kind of mileage related...

I purchased a platinum max 4x4 with the tow package on Saturday and am still on the dealers first tank.

These with a 400 hp platinum, do you use 87 or 91 fuel. In Oklahoma we have the option to purchase non-alcohol E10 fuel. I’ve always used non E10 100% fuel and will continue to do so. My question is the Pro/Cons of 87 vs. 91 octane in the platinum?

Based on how it feels from the drivers seat, the Expy definitely drives a tad quicker and shifts smoother on premium fuel. I've also noticed on premium (93 -Texas) I get 15.4MPG average vs. 12MPG on 87. I've heard using non-ethanol fuel you'd get higher MPG's as well but cannot confirm this.

 

[Paul M]

Mileage is definitely higher with non-ethanol.

 

[Robert McMillan]

Based on how it feels from the drivers seat, the Expy definitely drives a tad quicker and shifts smoother on premium fuel. I've also noticed on premium (93 -Texas) I get 15.4MPG average vs. 12MPG on 87. I've heard using non-ethanol fuel you'd get higher MPG's as well but cannot confirm this.

only slightly but yes. Maybe 1-1.5 if you baby it

 

[Craigga542]

Night and day difference for me, comparing 87 to 91 and power. MPG’s went up slightly, but you’ll never recoup your money. Hardly any difference from 91 to 93. Rabbit hole on ethanol vs non-ethanol, depending who you talk to here. IMO, I wouldn’t shy away from ethanol on this engine.

 

[Robert McMillan]

Night and day difference for me, comparing 87 to 91 and power. MPG’s went up slightly, but you’ll never recoup your money. Hardly any difference from 91 to 93. Rabbit hole on ethanol vs non-ethanol, depending who you talk to here. IMO, I wouldn’t shy away from ethanol on this engine.

Agree, I run e34 (e85 and 93). 0-60 5.8 over 8.3 stock and that’s the EL 6 speed on 35s. Much better to have that really high octane. It’s an SUV if you wanted MPG should’ve gotten a Focus.

 

[Deadman]

The Ethanol hurts milage for sure. I've never ran it in my Expedition, but in my other 3.5L EcoBoost it hurts a couple mpg!