What are the break-in mileage changes

[FX4Offroad]

I've read in various areas on this forum about changes the computer makes at different mileage intervals.

That said, I thought it would be a good idea to have that information in one place.

For instance, I read that mpgs change at 1,000 miles and again at 5,000 miles. If this is true, I assume Ford programs these milestones as a safeguard and sort of "break-in" period.

Can anyone post what they know about this - and possibly other milestones as well?

If this isn't a fact, no worries.

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[Robert Manikowski]

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 1000 miles... you're gonna see some serious shit

 

[FX4Offroad]

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 1000 miles... you're gonna see some serious shit

Lol. Not quite what I was looking for in this thread but I hope you're right. I just hit 750 and I'm totally impressed with the power AND the mpgs.

 

[DHare]

MPG will show improvement as the truck breaks in, but I think the idea that Ford somehow programs MPG changes into the computer is an old wife's (or mechanics) tale.

 

[NVHoonigan]

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 1000 miles... you're gonna see some serious shit

 

[MSG W]

I've read in various areas on this forum about changes the computer makes at different mileage intervals.

That said, I thought it would be a good idea to have that information in one place.

For instance, I read that mpgs change at 1,000 miles and again at 5,000 miles. If this is true, I assume Ford programs these milestones as a safeguard and sort of "break-in" period.

Can anyone post what they know about this - and possibly other milestones as well?

If this isn't a fact, no worries.

As far as MPG goes, before 1k miles, 23.9, 21.8 and 23.3, three before 5 k 23.5, 23.6 and 22.8, my last three 24.2, 23.3, and 23.6 That about the first 9k. I am not seeing a major jump but maybe a steady rise. I am going to guess going forward it will in low 23, this according to the app I use, still working on the computer in the truck to match the hand

 

[mike]

I've read in various areas on this forum about changes the computer makes at different mileage intervals.

That said, I thought it would be a good idea to have that information in one place.

For instance, I read that mpgs change at 1,000 miles and again at 5,000 miles. If this is true, I assume Ford programs these milestones as a safeguard and sort of "break-in" period.

Can anyone post what they know about this - and possibly other milestones as well?

If this isn't a fact, no worries.

With a little over 2000 miles I have gotten a consistent 22 mpg using any octane gas. Pretty much just using it for commuting so the daily drive and style of driving has been very consistent. Based on the wives tales, I was expecting 25mpg but I am happy enough with 22mpg. I think what has happened is folks learned to drive more economically while some of us with consistent mileage started that way from the get go.

Then there is the transmission learning. Mechanics have done well spreading that myth. Sounds like they are using the excuse to avoid having to troubleshoot something that is either design or software. My transmission shifts ok with some hiccups, but for a 10 speed, I guess I was expecting. more smoothness. Could be a lot worse.. could be the POS 8-speed in the Coloranyan.

 

[Lmood]

All of these mpg claims I keep seeing. Are y'all looking at average mpg or instant? My instant is consistent with what is stated, but my average is still down in the 18-19 mpg range

 

[FX4Offroad]

I'm looking at average. I can certainly reset the mpg going down hill and get 99 mpg. Lol

No, average.

 

[t4thfavor]

My average is excellent. I'm consistently 25ish. which is within 1MPG of what I hand calculated for a few tanks.

As for the programmed changes, they certainly do program break-in periods in the Focus RS which has basically the same engine, and several of the Mustang models.

I have 16000 miles roughly now, and I can say it got much faster at the 1000 mile mark, and there was a noticeable increase in MPG. Now, I can't say that the MPG increase directly correlated with the power increase, but it went from 23 to 25 average basically over a single tank.

The only way to tell for sure would be to record boost and fuel for a few hundred miles pre 500-1000 mile mark, then do the same afterwards. I don't really know anyone who could do that, so my guess is it will have to stay in the realm of fantasy.

 

[DavidR]

With a little over 2000 miles I have gotten a consistent 22 mpg using any octane gas. Pretty much just using it for commuting so the daily drive and style of driving has been very consistent. Based on the wives tales, I was expecting 25mpg but I am happy enough with 22mpg. I think what has happened is folks learned to drive more economically while some of us with consistent mileage started that way from the get go.

Then there is the transmission learning. Mechanics have done well spreading that myth. Sounds like they are using the excuse to avoid having to troubleshoot something that is either design or software. My transmission shifts ok with some hiccups, but for a 10 speed, I guess I was expecting. more smoothness. Could be a lot worse.. could be the POS 8-speed in the Coloranyan.

After about 1400 miles, what I've noticed is that the MPGs drop with stop-and-go driving more so than previous trucks I've had. In mixed highway, on a 500 mile trip including out and back over a 9,500 ft. pass and mixed freeway/highway with a small number of stops, I averaged 28MPG, which is pretty impressive. I did keep it to the speed limit on the freeway and highway stretches (mostly 65MPH on the roads I was on) to get a baseline reference. Any amount of stop-and-go kills it, though. In the local suburbs, where we have more frequent stop-and-go than the EPA city test schedule, it drops to about 20-21. I think getting 25 mixed would require living in a fairly rural area or having a significant amount of low-traffic freeway in your commute.

Agreed on the transmission. It's generally acceptable, but smoothness and and manual shifting response in Sport mode could be better. It can occasionally get tricked into making clunky shifts, but most auto transmissions can. The computer automatically rev-matches on downshifts into lower gears. I'm sure that's good for reduced wear, but it took some getting used to.

 

[Steven D Tipton]

Just to throw in my numbers. All hand calculation. Xl 4x4 fx package. All my driving is been split. Hwy and intown. 0 to 5000 miles. Worst 21.81 driving it like I stole it on purpose. Avg normal 23.56 to 24.12. My first long hwy trip using 87, No AC on but 80 mpg through 77 in wva 24.86. Have the Ford retractable tonneau cover on now and 6800. Pulled in a 26 mpg the other day. Half in town and half highway. With air. I do see better numbers with using mid to premium. So if I had to guess. Maybe 2 mpg increase. I think I could get 27.

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