2012 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4 EcoBoost Long-Term Verdict - TruckTrend Magazine
When the F-150 won our Truck of the Year, the EcoBoost engine had the potential to be controversial: Would truck people buy a twin-turbocharged V-6 instead of a V-8. Ford wisely offered two V-8 options, but it turned out that the automaker had... Technical Service Bulletin 12-6-4 offered a hardware/software solution, installing an air-deflector plate on the charge air cooler and reflashing the PCM. The other controversy was with fuel economy. We knew going in that, when it comes to any turbocharged vehicle, you get either the fun of a turbo or the good fuel economy of a smaller-displacement engine. While we drove the F-150 over the year, we were sitting in traffic, towing or off-roading, or driving enthusiastically when there wasn't traffic -- none of which adds up to good fuel economy. Driving between big cities, we kept things in check and the fuel economy was at or above 21 mpg. And we ran it on 87-octane fuel for the year. The Ford, a very capable workhorse, was frequently taken on trips by staffers so they could move furniture, tow cars, or just have a day of fun in the dirt. Source: www.trucktrend.com
