maybe 1 mpg
Lesson Learned... thought I would share...
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Lesson Learned... thought I would share...
So the gas mileage of my F-250 was not exactly what I thought it should be... in fact after 23K miles it started to demenish. I took it to my dealer and had the fuel filters changed... made an impressive impact ... went from 16.9 highwway to 18.2.
This past weekend I installed the AFE Stage II intake... sounds impressive and the bottom end HP is noticable !!!
Yesterday temps were in the upper 70's so I decided to spend some QT with a polishing rag. I noticed that the front hubs were LOCKED
... probably have been since I drove it off the lot. Got out the owners manual and verified that the preferred position would be AUTO. specificaly states for brtter fuel economy.
Question I have is what is the purpose of the hub locks when the "Shift On The Fly" shift locks them in ?? What is the impact on the performance of 4WD if they are not LOCKED ??
Tomorrow is the first long highway trip (187 miles one way) since the mod and the discovery... I will post tomorrow the outcome of any realized improvements of MPG's.
Next week I haul my RV from Arkansas to Indiana to a field trial and will see how the mileage/ HP has changed in towing a 10K load.
This past weekend I installed the AFE Stage II intake... sounds impressive and the bottom end HP is noticable !!!
Yesterday temps were in the upper 70's so I decided to spend some QT with a polishing rag. I noticed that the front hubs were LOCKED
... probably have been since I drove it off the lot. Got out the owners manual and verified that the preferred position would be AUTO. specificaly states for brtter fuel economy.Question I have is what is the purpose of the hub locks when the "Shift On The Fly" shift locks them in ?? What is the impact on the performance of 4WD if they are not LOCKED ??
Tomorrow is the first long highway trip (187 miles one way) since the mod and the discovery... I will post tomorrow the outcome of any realized improvements of MPG's.
Next week I haul my RV from Arkansas to Indiana to a field trial and will see how the mileage/ HP has changed in towing a 10K load.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX USA
Using the Auto should be the same as "Locking " the hubs manually.. The ability to "manually" lock the hubs comes when the vaccume hoses or solenoids go out and the hubs won't lock in automatically.
On my 2001 my auto hubs quit in about 2005 I tried a few fixes - never did figure out exactly what component was bad & just got out & locked the hubs when needed. Of Course - here at FTE there are tons of writeups how to diagnose & fix these hubs or ESOF systems... But I was lazy - never did fix - sold the truck in 2010 & just told the guy he had to get out & lock the hubs..
On my 2001 my auto hubs quit in about 2005 I tried a few fixes - never did figure out exactly what component was bad & just got out & locked the hubs when needed. Of Course - here at FTE there are tons of writeups how to diagnose & fix these hubs or ESOF systems... But I was lazy - never did fix - sold the truck in 2010 & just told the guy he had to get out & lock the hubs..
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
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From: Corinth, TX
I think it also helps with faster engagement, etc. Plus, if you *know* you're going to need 4x4, having them already locked is a good feeling, IMO.
I'm considering replacing my fuel filters at 18k, a bit early. I wonder if I'll notice an increase in MPG like yours
I'm considering replacing my fuel filters at 18k, a bit early. I wonder if I'll notice an increase in MPG like yours
Mountain Pass
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 125
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From: Battle Mountain NV
When I got mine last month dealer told me I could run in 4X4 for 1000 miles with hubs in Auto, after that needed to be locked for lubrication, any body else told that, or know any different.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 115
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From: So Cal
As is often the case your dealer is an idiot. Keep the hubs in auto at all times unless you try to use 4x4 and the fronts don't engage. Then put them to lock. If you put your hubs in lock while in 2 wheel drive you are needlessly turning the front drivetrain.
It's not a bad idea to lock them or get out and use 4x4 every month or so to help keep the hubs from freezing up. JMHO
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 188
I'd check them for ease of turning once in a while. My 02 and 01 both would freeze up (never totally but would get real hard) enough that I made a tool ( piece of 2 or 1 1/2 in PVC pipe notched out) to turn them just in case. There are at least 3 seals in that area for keeping out water,dirt,etc. and some day you might need 4x4 and when the hubs don't engage and you get out to turn them they may not go easy.
They (posters) had all kinds of fixes with lubes,etc. all of the didn't last for long on the 01's etc. My 08 never had the problem so Ford must have fixed something in the sealing of these hubs. But I still check them once in a while. The tool I now use to hold open the filling lever while cleaning the windshield.
They (posters) had all kinds of fixes with lubes,etc. all of the didn't last for long on the 01's etc. My 08 never had the problem so Ford must have fixed something in the sealing of these hubs. But I still check them once in a while. The tool I now use to hold open the filling lever while cleaning the windshield.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
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From: Illinois
I leave mine in auto all the time. I personally have not needed to put them in manual. I use 4 wheel drive a lot in the winter and very little in the summer months (usually out in the fields). Leaving the selector in the manual position will keep the front drive train engaged which reduces your fuel mileage and add additional wear and tear to the front driveline. As others have advised, I move the selector back and forth a few times a month, just to ensure it doesn't lock up or start to get hard. My '05 became very stiff and difficult to turn after 6 years of ownership.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 257
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From: Sterling, Colorado
Until I did a little experimenting, I always though they worked kinda like the old Warn Insta-Matic hubs... with an "auto" and a "lock" setting... where the big difference is that in 'auto', they would allow the wheels to rotate faster than the axle, which eliminates any ability to use compression braking through the front drivetrain. Set them to 'lock' and they're locked -- and you get compression braking forces through both axles.
From what I have been able to tell (on some pretty slick surfaces), the Ford hubs are either locked or not, regardless of the manual hub setting -- you get compression braking either way (while in 4wd).