Eco Mode (any difference)
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
Eco Mode (any difference)
I ran into a fellow today while filling with diesel that was telling me how he got great mileage using eco-mode on his 6.7 diesel. He said he was getting 20 miles per gallon on the road. I have used that mode and it seems to make no difference. On a good day I can get 20 miles per gallon with no wind and on level ground and at 72 MPH. I always think owners tend to exaggerate. I have owned 11,16 and now a 22. Each year with more power has got less MPG. The exception is the 22, it gets a little better than the 16. What is everyone’s real world experience? 20 MPG is the best I ever get.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 898
From: Dallas Metroplex
I personally have noticed no benefit at all to using Eco mode, myself. Other than it crippling performance in city driving, I get no MPG improvement at all. Could be that I'm using more throttle to overcome the dogged acceleration when using Eco mode, lol...
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 4,971
Eco mode would make no difference on the highway. All Eco mode does is change the shift algorithms during part throttle, and on the highway once your truck is at speed and in 6th or 10th, depending on year, it will hardly ever drop from that gear, so no affect on highway MPG.
Eco mode will make it shift into higher gears quicker, and so long as you use light throttle, your mileage should improve around town.
But, it will make your truck more sluggish because it is up-shifting quicker, so performance will be lower.
My truck is 2WD, and I regularly get over 20 MPG on the highway, but I do not go 85-90 MPH on the highway everywhere I go, and I use cruise religiously.
Want more MPG's? Slow down and be very consistent.
Eco mode will make it shift into higher gears quicker, and so long as you use light throttle, your mileage should improve around town.
But, it will make your truck more sluggish because it is up-shifting quicker, so performance will be lower.
My truck is 2WD, and I regularly get over 20 MPG on the highway, but I do not go 85-90 MPH on the highway everywhere I go, and I use cruise religiously.
Want more MPG's? Slow down and be very consistent.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 684
Likes: 84
From: Green Bay Wi
I have a gasser. I tried using eco mode a few times when driving up to the cabin with very light loads. Does not seem to change the mpg much from the normal mode. Even using tow /haul does not seem to change the mpg enough to notice. I seem to get close to 12 mpg regardless if I am towing a trailer or empty going down hill with the wind behind me. Best I have ever seen is 15, worst was 9.5.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,680
Likes: 1,000
From: Near Yosemite CA
I have tried eco mode a couple of times, in an F550 that rolls down the road appx appx 14k#'s it is just plain terrible... talked to a guy that had a 450 and he told me he uses the Deep snow/sand mode all the time, so I started using it, now that's all I use, even the 6 mos out of the yr I'm dragging my Sno-cat, I find it's way better than the tow/haul for my driving. The eco mode in my beast seems to derate the power even more than the CC's already low giddy-up.
Really wish Banks would get the Derringer made for this beast.
Really wish Banks would get the Derringer made for this beast.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 83
Likes: 9
From: Idaho
What I notice is that the gas pedal is softer, very similar to slippery mode. When empty it works well for me. In snow and ice both are favored over a crisp throttle so you can control driving better.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 212
Likes: 48
From: South Jersey
I tried it for one trip to work and back (roughly 85 miles) on my 24, 7.3L. I managed to gain 1/2mpg.. which is probably within the margin of error for the Lie-o-Meter.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 166
Likes: 40
I have a 22 f450 and a 22 f350 7.3 srw. I feel the f450 really benefits from eco mode and I can absolutely average 20mpg driving that truck unloaded. I was actually really astonished by how MPG friendly that truck is. My f350 doesn't seem to benefit much from eco mode and is just a fuel hog, no matter what. The f350 probably averages about 12mpg driving unloaded and i average 6-8 mpg driving with a loaded gvwr of 30k. Please note on both trucks i am a grandpa driver, very easy acceleration and braking, usually drive 65mph or under, Rarely will I hit 70mph. I actually ordered a '25 maverick hybrid because the f350s MPG is so terrible and city driving is the quickest way to kill a modern diesel truck. I go pick it up next month and I'm hopeful that it makes a good daily driver around town
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 37
From: Ethel WA.
I have a 2020 f250 4 x 4 6.7w/3.55 I tried the ECO my mileage was worse 15-16. When in regular mode I get 21-22 everyday. I drive at 68-70 on the freeway and I don’t hot rod for the stop lights. On a long trip like down to Calif. to visit my Brother in law and friends I will get 22-24.
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