Kevin O,
I just bought a 2011 XC, Ecoboost, 4x4, with 3.55 l/s. It sounds like you have done some towing with your Ecoboost. Do you put the trans in Tow/haul mode and let it do all the thinking or does it seem to do better in manual mode?

 

Leave it in Tow/Haul.

If you want to choose gears, just play with the +- on the gear shifter.

Full Manual mode turns off tow/haul light. Not sure if manual mode has tow/haul built into it so verify if you are curious.

 

Yes I racked up 4500 miles last summer towing our trailer. Whenever i tow anything or haul anything heavy in the bed i use tow/haul mode. I have never used the manual mode, I let the trans do it's thing and if I'm towing in the mountains i usually just lockout 6th gear so the trans isn't constantly shifting in and out. With the cruise set between 60-65mph i can cruise up most hills in 5th at 2000-2100rpm's and averaged a best 10-10.6 mpg doing it!

 

I will tell you what my salesman told me. Go home, Google it (or read threads like this) and come back and drive it. He said he does not try and push the EcoBoost because you can't argue with V8 truck lovers (guys like me) how a V6 can replace a V8 but once you put them in it - game over. I pulled out of the dealer lot on my test drive and I was sold on the first push of the gas. So, while you should ask and research I highly recommend you go drive it!

 

Tow haul isn't needed in Manual mode because you're shifting yourself. However, Manual mode does keep the torque converter locked up at VERY low speeds... like 5mph in 1st gear slow. Manual mode basically turns the transmission into a Powershift with a combination brake and inching pedal.

 

I asked this question in another thread a while ago and never got a reply: I've left my transmission in Drive but with the 6 gears illuminated because I like to know what gear I'm in, ever since I bought my truck in November 2012. Revs in gears seem the same, so I assume I can't hurt it doing this. Right?

Craig
2013 XL reg-cab 8-ft box 5.0

 

There's really nothing you can do to hurt your tranny except maybe make full throttle neutral drops - the computer will take care of it.

 

If you're talking about what happens when in drive and you hit the gear + button to show the numbers in the dash display that is all that you have done. It doesn't do anything to change the shift pattern or gear selection at this point.

 

i have the 3.5/ 5.0/ and 5.4 at work and lets just say, me i like the 5.0 but its just one man's point of view. the 3.5 is a great towing motor! the 5.4 and 3.5 seem to have more low end grunt for towing. the 3.5 and 5.0 are more high rev motor's it seems to me (again just my point of view). but on to the OP's question, what ever motor you pick you will have a winner! good luck with the new ride and hope it puts a smile on your face like mine dose every time my butt hits the seat!

 

Love it.

 

I just traded in my 2004 5.4l for a new 2013 EB. Both were 2wd but the 2004 was a Supercab. I can honestly say that I'm seeing the advertised mpgs. With 1200 miles on the odometer, I averaged 21.1 mpg on a 400 mile trip going 70mph with my wife, daughter, 2 full size dogs, and the bed full of Christmas presents from my in-laws and it wasn't even broken in yet. I used 3/4 tank of gas (26 gallon tank). I've done this trip many times with my 5.4l and had to fill up at about 380 miles. I'm easily averaging 3-5 mpg better than my 2004 which had a K&N filter, GOTTS mod, Magnaflow exhaust, and Edge Evo. To get the best mileage with the EB you have to be disciplined. Don't let the truck rev pas 2k RPMs when accelerating and stay at 65-70mph on the freeway. Best mileage is going 50-65mph. The biggest noticeable difference is hill climbing where the EB really shines. At 70mph climbing a steep bridge, my 2004 would downshift from 5th to 4th even with 3.73 gears. My EB doesn't even break a sweat in 6th gear at 1800 RPMs with 3.55 gears. The gearing makes a big difference too. Test drive an EB with 3.15 gears and then another with 3.55 (or 3.73 with max trailer tow package). I wish I could compare the 5.0 to the EB but I really have little experience. I chose the EB mainly for potential. Factory forced induction is a lot easier to up the horsepower with basic mods. I can't wait to get a CAI and a custom tune once I put more miles on the truck. I'm currently at 3000 miles so far.