I searched multiple times and methods and could not find any threads concerning "Econ" mode on the 2020 SD. This is accessed from the "Drive Mode" button on the gear selector.

The Owner's Manual was less than informative. Our 2016 F-550 at work does not have this option.

From my limited experience with this set up I don't see a huge difference in acceleration or performance. I'm guessing it changes the shift points to get in to higher gears sooner.

Is there any reason not to use this mode while normal driving?

 

Good question. I was wondering the same.

 

So far on my 2020 I find the throttle response greatly reduced but fuel mileage to about the same.

 

Less response even after it downshifts several gears or does the TCM hold the gear or drop less gears in this mode?

Based on the order guide it seems to just be a TCM strategy but there is a little talk about it detuning, I just can't find evidence from Ford.

 

All I can say is I find the throttle response to be less. More of a slower reaction to throttle input. It might just be me.

 

Feels about the same to me, a tad less responsive.

 

I tend to agree with the "throttle response" aspect. I've been driving in "Econ" and today it was in "Normal" as I was getting on an entrance ramp. WOW, just wow.

I think the difference is more noticeable going from "Econ" to "Normal" than the reverse.

Still interesting to find out if there are potential downsides or side effects.

 

ECON is really Driving Miss Daisy Mode and the truck feels sluggish. If I play along, I can get 17.9 mpg around town. In Normal mode, point and go mode, the truck is responsive enough for my style of fast but still legal driving. This mode is showing 16.7 mpg on the lie-o-meter.

 

I’ve only had my 2020 F250, 6.7 for a couple tanks of fuel. Haven’t used the ECON mode. To my amazement, the avg on the instrument cluster is at 19.4. On the highway stretches I’ve actually seen 20 during the 65mph legs! True, I’ve been driving pretty conservative during break-in and haven’t used cruise. I’m just totally surprised - it’s actually better than my 2016 F150 3.5 EB was. No doubt more aggressive driving will change things, but I doubt that I’ll even try the ECON mode after hearing the reports above on performance when you might need it. I’ll be interested to see what happens in trailer mode with a 10k trailer.

 

Yes, definitely looking forward to “Tow/Haul” mode in a couple weeks.

 

What say y’all?

 

From 19.4 MPG to 22.6 MPG (hand calculated) is a 16% increase...hardly insignificant. Our overlords in the EPA would be astonished with a 5% increase in any setting.

Clearly, having an EGG between your right foot and the "skinny peddle" is more significant than some "drive -by-wire" apparatus throttle response mechanism.

On the towing side I'm getting 13.9 MPG calculated by the InfoTainMent System...my hand calculations indicate less.

YMMV...For Sure

 

I tried ECO mode and it was sluggish and I didn't like it so I went back to normal mode. MPG in normal mode is very good for a truck with 475hp and 1050lb-ft. I bought a 1 ton truck, not a Prius so I won't be using ECO mode.

 

What were you towing and how much did it weigh when you got the 13.9mpg?

 

2018 Cougar 29’ about 8400 pounds.



Somewhere in S IL.