Ecoboost for short trips
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 34
From: S/W Virginia
Ecoboost for short trips
I'm thinking of getting a '13 ecoboost. I live about 4 miles from work, no traffic, so most of the driving that the truck will have is short trips to and from work. Towing camper in summer.
Is there any downside to the ecoboost with these driving habits?
Is there any downside to the ecoboost with these driving habits?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Short trips aren't harmful as long as the engine gets up to temperature every now and then. As with any engine, moisture and fuel can accumulate in the oil if it never reaches operating temperature, and this can cause problems in the long-term. Direct-injected engines like the EcoBoost are somewhat more susceptible to fuel dilution because of the high pressure injection directly into the combustion chamber.
If the truck never moves outside of the 4-mile commute you may have issues. But if it goes on longer trips every now and again you should be fine.
If the truck never moves outside of the 4-mile commute you may have issues. But if it goes on longer trips every now and again you should be fine.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
I wouldn't hesitate to get the truck but I echo Tom's words. Get her up to temp and punch it from time to time, these engines really love to be run hard.
I'll be in the market for a vehicle to replace my wife's Expedition in a year or so. She only drives about 5k-6K miles per year now and rarely on the freeway. On occasion I take her vehicle to work just to get it up on the freeway and let it run. I most likely will not get her an Ecoboost vehicle because of her driving habits.
I'll be in the market for a vehicle to replace my wife's Expedition in a year or so. She only drives about 5k-6K miles per year now and rarely on the freeway. On occasion I take her vehicle to work just to get it up on the freeway and let it run. I most likely will not get her an Ecoboost vehicle because of her driving habits.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
It'll be fine, but I too recommend a long heat soak once a week or so. And don't baby it, as the engine likes to and needs to be worked. My commute for the last 3 years was just about 6 miles. If we weren't traveling on the weekend then I'd go run it the long way home one night to let her stay at temp. You may need to do oil dump cycles more frequently.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: S/W Virginia
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I have seen this question other places and the general consensus was that it was not a good idea. The engine has the tendency to have fuel dilution in the oil, and short trips exacerbate the issue with moisture in the oil (shows up as yellow grease under oil fill cap). If this short trip was 90% of the duty cycle, an oil change interval of 2k miles might be the best way to handle.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 185
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From: Milwauke WI
It is clear that the OP, no longer has the choice of buying a 3.7L in a new F-150.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 139
Likes: 8
The question wasn't for you, and was sarcasm. Every time there is a question about an ecoboost, there is one or two people who have to let the world know there choice of the 5.0 is the only correct choice. Anyhow I was on here catching up and was just getting tired of it, I will go back to not posting now.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
The question wasn't for you, and was sarcasm. Every time there is a question about an ecoboost, there is one or two people who have to let the world know there choice of the 5.0 is the only correct choice. Anyhow I was on here catching up and was just getting tired of it, I will go back to not posting now.
Don't do that, the two or three opinions don't represent the majority here.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Don't let the haters get you down. Buy it if you think it's a solid truck. Enjoy it, but then take it and get it hot once a week and beat the snot out of it. You'll love it when the truck barks the tires through second gear...third too if you tune it
but I wouldn't know anything about that 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
To the OP, as other said - I wouldn't hesitate on the purchase. Buy it and don't look back. Make sure that you run her hard when you can and don't baby. If you can sneak 1 longer trip in a week up and above your commute that would be beneficial. I have a 5.0 truck and my commute is similar (even shorter) than the one you described. I make sure to get her out on the weekend and a good highway run in when visiting the future in-laws.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
To the OP, as other said - I wouldn't hesitate on the purchase. Buy it and don't look back. Make sure that you run her hard when you can and don't baby. If you can sneak 1 longer trip in a week up and above your commute that would be beneficial. I have a 5.0 truck and my commute is similar (even shorter) than the one you described. I make sure to get her out on the weekend and a good highway run in when visiting the future in-laws.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
