Love it or hate it, automatic start-stop technology doesn’t appear to be going anywhere in the age of increasingly strict CAFE standards. Starting for model year 2017, 3.5L EcoBoost-equipped F-150s will come standard with an auto start-stop feature, just as the current 2.7L EcoBoost trucks already do. Also included is the high-output 3.5L EcoBoost that will be found in the upcoming 2017 Ford Raptor. Given the current number of F-150 EcoBoosts sold, the company predicts that 60% or more of its truck lineup could have standard auto start-stop. F-150s will not operate in start-stop mode when towing or in 4-wheel-drive mode.
“EcoBoost already powers F-150’s best-in-class towing,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Now, with every EcoBoost-equipped F-150 mildly electrified with standard Auto Start-Stop technology, customers’ fuel efficiency is expected to improve as well.”
For those not familiar with the technology, auto start-stop turns off a vehicle’s engine when it comes to a stop and quickly turns it back on when the brakes are released. In our experience, the technology can be somewhat finicky, sometimes choosing to not shutoff when it should. At other times, such as pulling up to a red light that quickly turns green, the engine may only be off for only a second or two before restarting. It makes one wonder how much gas is actually being saved – especially when considering how much it costs a company to add the technology to a vehicle – and how much additional wear and tear an engine endures from all the additional startups. We thoroughly enjoy the 3.5L EcoBoost engine so it will be interesting to so just how much (if any) auto start-stop improves its economy. Until we can bring you that real-world MPG test, check out the current EcoBoost engines pitted against the competition.
