Expedition Dave
Full Access Members
To argue with well documented, empirical data over many years on this item's worth is of no value.
It absolutely works as designed, is verifiable, and repeatable during controlled testing--or else Ford and every other manufacturer would not bother to add it due to cost. complexity and even weight (yes, weight--engineers fight for pennies and ounces on any vehicle produced by committee).
Now, "how much?" of a difference it makes debatable to us as owners--but for Ford if it saves "0.whateverdude" a mile per gallon, per vehicle to the EPA, Ford will call it good over the 'bazillion trucks it sells towards their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating (the real reason for START/STOP is so it can inflate the in-town gas use mileage figures).
It may not even be measurable under out here in real world conditions due to so many factors during highway conditions. Examine the debates on tire pressure, wheel weights, octane, roof racks, lifts, etc.
So to those who don't notice it--trust me it is there just can't always be measured due to the above.
BUT IT ABSOLUTELY looks 100% better with it gone, looks more off-road worthy and is more off-road worthy by increasing your approach angles (or just less likely to kiss a curb).
It absolutely works as designed, is verifiable, and repeatable during controlled testing--or else Ford and every other manufacturer would not bother to add it due to cost. complexity and even weight (yes, weight--engineers fight for pennies and ounces on any vehicle produced by committee).
Now, "how much?" of a difference it makes debatable to us as owners--but for Ford if it saves "0.whateverdude" a mile per gallon, per vehicle to the EPA, Ford will call it good over the 'bazillion trucks it sells towards their Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating (the real reason for START/STOP is so it can inflate the in-town gas use mileage figures).
It may not even be measurable under out here in real world conditions due to so many factors during highway conditions. Examine the debates on tire pressure, wheel weights, octane, roof racks, lifts, etc.
So to those who don't notice it--trust me it is there just can't always be measured due to the above.
BUT IT ABSOLUTELY looks 100% better with it gone, looks more off-road worthy and is more off-road worthy by increasing your approach angles (or just less likely to kiss a curb).
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