I really do not doubt that the EB can get 24 on a fairly level highway at 65 mph. I have the 5.0 and regularly get 22.1 on I-45. It's a fairly level stretch. But, give me a head wind and I lose a mpg. Also, when I get into hills and traffic, it will drop to 20.5 over the whole trip.

 

I had a 2010 5.4 Lariat 4x2 when my bro-in-law (FX4) and then father-in-law (FX2) bought Ecoboosts. When I test drove the FX4 I did a lot of stoplight runs around town. I thought that it was a little better than my Lariat, but not much. Of course I didn't get it on the highway and it was 4x4 compared to my 4x2. After that, my father-in-law was insistent that I drive his FX2, so I did. This time I drove it the same way I always drive my truck (conservatively) around town, but then got on the interstate and drove 10 miles or so. Once again, around town it didn't seem that different, but once I was on the highway I was shocked at how much more responsive the Ecoboost was when compared to my 5.4. It responded much better and quicker without requiring me to put my foot to the floor.

I don't usually buy a new engine the first year, but since my truck was built the last week in September, I figured that it was pretty close to the 2012s. After only 450 miles, I have to say that I am VERY glad that I traded in my 5.4. Even though the new one is 4x4, I still think that it responds much better than my old 4x2 on the highway.

And as to the mileage, I saw 19mpg on the trip back from Austin (pure highway), but have not yet seen 15mpg since then in a combination of highway/city. It is about what I was getting out of my 5.4, but hopefully it will get better as I drive it more.

 

Indeed very possible. Here's one example...

"Driving to school in my 2011 ecoboost screw 4x4 with 3.73. Some hills but mostly flat road. No tail wind. Getting 25 mpg"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCGT-fJS4c

 

5111 - I was averaging 13.3 in the city, then did 40 miles of highway driving, upped it to 14.4. More city driving, kept it at 14.4, then about 50 miles of highway, and now I'm up to 14.9 (said 15.0 on the highway, dropped .1 after getting back into city driving).

Either way, I'm impressed so far, as I only have 275 miles on my truck. I heard that the engine computer runs the EB rich for the first 500-1000 miles, at which point it leans out, so I'm waiting until then to see what the actual mileage might be. The 15,000 mile mark will be another milestone, as the engine should be fully broken-in by then.

-John

 

I don't quite believe Ford would be this stupid. There's a reason they didn't have their hand out for taxpayer bailout money.

 

you're getting exactly what I am. I don't think there is a "rich break-in" period that people talk about. Mine hasn't changed and I'm near 2000 miles. Just filled up again last night and 14.7 was the average 50/50. At 15,000 you're right, that will be the true mileage.

 

Good to know that I'm not alone!

Before my F-150, I had a 2010 Maxima, which at 15k miles, had a distinct fuel mileage increase. It was only around 1 mpg in the city, but almost 4 mpg on the highway! Since I live in the DC metro area, I expect poor gas mileage - my Maxima only ever got its EPA-rated city mileage, unless I was on the highway. In the height of summer, it got as low as 16.5 mpg.

I am expecting better of my F-150 EB once the engine is broken in (still only around 300 miles right now), but it's ok - a little highway driving has jumped the mpgs from 13.3 to 15.0.

An interesting note: I borrowed a 2011 GMC Sierra 5.3l SLE, with less than 100 miles on it, for review for my web site. I averaged 14.8 mpg with very little highway driving, driving on the same roads at the same time as I have with my F-150. While the EcoBoost power is great, I'm surprised that the Sierra's 5.3 (with multi-displacement system) achieved better results so quickly.

-John