Fuel Efficiency Thoughts - 2025 Lariat 2.0 Ecoboost

[Maverick Country Club]

My thoughts (with % of certainty) …
- When using climate control, the "Instrument Panel Air Vents" setting is the most fuel efficient option. 70%
- A tonneau cover on the bed increases fuel economy. 90%
- Driving at the speed/gear combination at the lowest rpm is best for fuel economy, terrain extremes aside. 85%
- Using a full synthetic motor oil increases fuel efficiency, fresher the better. 95%
- Over inflated, hard , high mileage tires offer increased fuel efficiency at the cost of traction control. 100%
- A clean, waxed, truck offer increased fuel efficiency. 100%
- Using the Auto vs. Manual climate control increases fuel efficiency. 50%

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[Raymundo76]

I use a USB fan for cooling instead of the climate control system when possible; and use it to augment when it is warmer. In my first 460 miles am getting ~24MPG city and ~34MPG highway (per the trip computer); and that is following the break in per the manual (which is a real pain on long highway trips). The highway miles were for a 270 round trip from Mesa (elev~1300) to Heber (elev~6800) and back.

 

[dalola]

Some counter points:

Where your HVAC blend door is set has no effect on FE.
The tonneau cover effect is fractional.
On an FI engine, the lowest rpm is not always the most efficient, if it's in boost.
All new oil is "fresh".
Auto Climate does not always operate more efficiently, similar to cruise control.

 

[Maverick Country Club]

I use a USB fan for cooling instead of the climate control system when possible; and use it to augment when it is warmer. In my first 460 miles am getting ~24MPG city and ~34MPG highway (per the trip computer); and that is following the break in per the manual (which is a real pain on long highway trips). The highway miles were for a 270 round trip from Mesa (elev~1300) to Heber (elev~6800) and back.

Seems like the mileage drops fast over 60mph and long trips I usually go 82mph or 10% over the limit.

 

[Raymundo76]

Seems like the mileage drops fast over 60mph and long trips I usually go 82mph or 10% over the limit.

The speed limit on US 87 and AZ 260 is a mix of 65 and 55 with many locations having heavy curves where it is difficult to maintain high speeds. After break in, I will resume driving 7 MPH over the speed limit using cruse control. I have been making this drive since 1978; and have learned that these are the most heavily ticketed roads in AZ. Also there are more elk hits per mile between Forest Lakes and Heber than any other stretch of road in AZ. So excessive speeding is not a smart thing to be doing on this drive. FYI I have a hard bed cover, which likely improves MPG a little. Also on his trip I was using a mix of 87 and 91 octane gas. I appreciate you relating your experience.

 

[Jasun]

My thoughts (with % of certainty) …
- When using climate control, the "Instrument Panel Air Vents" setting is the most fuel efficient option. 70%
- A tonneau cover on the bed increases fuel economy. 90%
- Driving at the speed/gear combination at the lowest rpm is best for fuel economy, terrain extremes aside. 85%
- Using a full synthetic motor oil increases fuel efficiency, fresher the better. 95%
- Over inflated, hard , high mileage tires offer increased fuel efficiency at the cost of traction control. 100%
- A clean, waxed, truck offer increased fuel efficiency. 100%
- Using the Auto vs. Manual climate control increases fuel efficiency. 50%

Most of that lines up with real world results. Tonneau cover, steady rpm, and tire pressure make the biggest difference you can actually feel. Oil type and wax help, but the gains are small compared to speed and aero. Climate control choice matters less than people think unless you run full AC at high fan all the time. At the end of the day, keeping speeds reasonable and airflow clean beats most tweaks.

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