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Old 08-30-2014, 01:35 PM   #21
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I think that a blanket statement to never use "overdrive" ignores a lot of variables. With a trailer as light as an Escape, many tow vehicles will have far more towing capacity and their engines may have no problem running all day on flat ground in overdrive.
I agree. Let the tranny tell you what it's doing. If there is alot of shifting, turn off the overdrive. If you're on relatively flat terrain, OD is fine.
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Old 08-30-2014, 02:13 PM   #22
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Many manufacturers are switching to synthetic lubricants and if it comes in new BMW and Mercedes, it certainly is good enough for my engine. BMW service schedule is every 15,000 miles. Many manufacturers now 7,500 mile service with synthetic.


Don't get me wrong. Today's conventional oils are very good and protect your car's vital moving parts. This isn't your daddy's oil any more. Today's cars are built better and need better lubricants. The oil industry is advancing with the rest of the industry.
The use of synthetic oil does not prevent the accumulation of combustion by-products in oil. These by-products can result in acidic contamination of the oil. I personally don't care if BMW or Mercedes have switched to synthetics of it they say it is good for 15,000 miles. Driving habits are more important than miles driven in determining change intervals. And debatable that today's cars are built better. Synthetics DO NOT have better lubricating properties than mineral oils. Don't get me wrong, either. I use synthetics in both of my vehicles for the reasons I stated in my previous post. But I surely don't extend my change intervals because the synthetic manufacturer says "it's good for 15,000 miles."
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Old 08-30-2014, 03:30 PM   #23
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The use of synthetic oil does not prevent the accumulation of combustion by-products in oil. These by-products can result in acidic contamination of the oil. I personally don't care if BMW or Mercedes have switched to synthetics of it they say it is good for 15,000 miles. Driving habits are more important than miles driven in determining change intervals. And debatable that today's cars are built better. Synthetics DO NOT have better lubricating properties than mineral oils. Don't get me wrong, either. I use synthetics in both of my vehicles for the reasons I stated in my previous post. But I surely don't extend my change intervals because the synthetic manufacturer says "it's good for 15,000 miles."
Yup. I change my synthetic oil every 5,000 miles. If I were using conventional oil, I'd still change it every 3,000 miles. It's cheap insurance and less expensive than repairing/replacing an engine, or a tranny. I change my trans fluid about ever 30,000 miles. If you are towing, or operating in a dirty environment, change your fluids more often.

The manufacturer's recommendations of longer service intervals are in their own interest. After the warranty runs out, it's your dime if there's any problems. With my BMW, I still changed the oil every 5,000 miles. In my tug, I change it every 4,000 miles. Like one oil company's ads, love your car. Cute cartoons.

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. Everybody has an opinion. It's your tug and you can take care of it as you see fit.
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Old 08-30-2014, 03:47 PM   #24
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Mark,
Guess we think somewhat alike; same oil change interval. The CR-V gets new synthetic every 5,000 and the F150 EcoBoost every 4,000. Though it don't think towing an egg puts much stress on the EcoBoost with its 11,000+ lbs towing capacity.
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:00 PM   #25
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Guess we think somewhat alike; same oil change interval. The CR-V gets new synthetic every 5,000 and the F150 EcoBoost every 4,000. Though it don't think towing an egg puts much stress on the EcoBoost with its 11,000+ lbs towing capacity.
I agree. Great minds think alike. When towing, you should change your fluids a bit more often.

Ah, another ecoboost. What average fuel mileage do you get when towing? I'm considering moving up to a 1/2 ton. Will drive the F150 soon. Big Labor day sale going on at your local Ford dealer right now! lol Drove the 2014 Dodge Ram Hemi and the Ram EcoDiesel and was very impressed with the ride, quality and amenities of the Ram. Only one problem.... the nice ones are in the mid $50's and finding a Ecodiesel is tough with the trim you want. Diesels hold their resale value better though. You just have to trade your house in on one.
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:34 PM   #26
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Mark,
Guess we think somewhat alike; same oil change interval. The CR-V gets new synthetic every 5,000 and the F150 EcoBoost every 4,000. Though it don't think towing an egg puts much stress on the EcoBoost with its 11,000+ lbs towing capacity.
Carl, how many miles on the Ford EcoBoost when you changed to synthetic? Mine is approaching 4,000 miles now.
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Old 08-31-2014, 02:43 PM   #27
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Carl, how many miles on the Ford EcoBoost when you changed to synthetic? Mine is approaching 4,000 miles now.
I switched at 5,000 miles. The dealer claimed that I should keep the original oil in for that long because of the break-in additives Ford uses in new vehicles. Since then it has been every 4,000, or less if I make a lot of short trips and more than 3 or 4 months pass. And as an aside, I love towing with it; usually I'm unaware that it's pulling anything. Has enough power to pin me back in the seat if I have to punch it at 60 mph.
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Old 08-31-2014, 03:20 PM   #28
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Thanks Carl. I'm right there now. I'll make an appointment to take the truck in for it's new oil next weekend. Cool beans!

I can't believe how much power this truck has over my 2000 Ford F-150 with the Triton V-8. A couple of weeks ago, in rush hour traffic, I had to punch it to get out of situation and dang near lost it. YEOW!

I reset the computer every fillup. I'm getting 16.8mpg in sloooow commuting traffic. Happy camper!
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Old 08-31-2014, 04:26 PM   #29
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I can't believe how much power this truck has over my 2000 Ford F-150 with the Triton V-8. A couple of weeks ago, in rush hour traffic, I had to punch it to get out of situation and dang near lost it. YEOW!
That's when it's nice to have 4WD. Hence part of the reason I'm looking at 1/2 ton trucks. Comes in handy often. My Dodge Dakota is 2WD and I kind of kick myself for not getting it.
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Old 08-31-2014, 05:11 PM   #30
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I don't know about other brands, but the difference (also) for the Ford F-150 between 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive is ALSO the fuel tank. I have the 4x4 version and it has a 36 gallon tank. Which really bites at fill up. AND, my insurance is more expensive...
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Old 08-31-2014, 05:42 PM   #31
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Service will also cost more.
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Old 08-31-2014, 06:03 PM   #32
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Service will also cost more.
Sigh...
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Old 08-31-2014, 07:39 PM   #33
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I can't believe how much power this truck has over my 2000 Ford F-150 with the Triton V-8. A couple of weeks ago, in rush hour traffic, I had to punch it to get out of situation and dang near lost it. YEOW!
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That's when it's nice to have 4WD.
I'm not sure that would help at all. Unlike typical SUVs, which have 4WD systems that work full-time, the pickups typically have part-time 4WD that doesn't do anything at all unless you shift it into 4WD... which you can't do on dry pavement with a part-time system.

As Ford says in the F-150 owner's manual:
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Do not use 4X4 mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components. 4X4 mode is only intended for consistently slippery or loose surfaces.
If you get an Expedition - which has the same engine, transmission, forward frame and suspension, and forward bodywork - and if you choose 4WD you get Ford's "Control Trac® 4-Wheel-Drive System", which actually does work full time (if that mode is selected); that's not available in a normal F-150.

I was riding with a business associate in his Escalade and asked why he had 4WD... in Houston. He said he couldn't buy the vehicle without 4WD, and had only engaged it once, just to see if the button worked. This is the kind of ridiculous waste that we have reached.

Also, an F-150 should have traction control, so it won't spin the rear wheels and lose control. More driven wheels could just mean even more acceleration, compromising front traction, and less ability to control the vehicle.
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Old 08-31-2014, 08:14 PM   #34
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I was riding with a business associate in his Escalade and asked why he had 4WD... in Houston. He said he couldn't buy the vehicle without 4WD, and had only engaged it once, just to see if the button worked. This is the kind of ridiculous waste that we have reached.
I agree. 4WD drive seems to be on everyone's list, although the vast majority will never use it. AWD is great, and we've been glad we had it a few times when the roads were slick.
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Old 09-01-2014, 04:55 AM   #35
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My Infiniti has all wheel drive and it engages it as needed. It's nice. I think the GMC Denali pickup has all wheel drive. That may be nice too. 4X4 is manual and I mostly used it when it was raining, or in the mountains. There's also 4WD clubs that go to places to play with all 4 wheels.

A 36 gallon tank and 24 MPG highway. Over 800 miles on a tank of gas makes my butt ache thinkin about it. I need to stop at about 300 miles max for gas and to stretch my legs. Pups like to go for a short walk too.
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Old 09-01-2014, 10:11 AM   #36
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A 36 gallon tank and 24 MPG highway. Over 800 miles on a tank of gas makes my butt ache thinkin about it. I need to stop at about 300 miles max for gas and to stretch my legs. Pups like to go for a short walk too.
Yup. When travelong long distances we have a rule to stop every 3 hours whether we need it or not. Makes the dog happier too.
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Old 09-01-2014, 10:30 AM   #37
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My biggest complaint about the RAV4 as a tow vehicle for the 17 is the size of the gas tank - 15 gallons. Although I do OK at an 15MPG average, headwinds can knock that down to under 10, which makes some of the drives between stations out west interesting.
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Old 09-01-2014, 11:03 AM   #38
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I see your point Jon. Its nice to know you CAN travel far, even if you don't.
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Old 09-01-2014, 11:51 AM   #39
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Out old truck had a 96 L tank which with its poor mileage made about 300 km the comfortable range on a tank of gas sometimes a bit nerve racking managing gas stops. We always needed gas before food and bathroom breaks . Now with a bigger fuel tank and a bit better mileage the food and bathroom breaks dictate the stops and we just fill up the gas while we are stopped . A bit more range on the tank is quite nice.
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Old 09-01-2014, 12:55 PM   #40
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My Infiniti has all wheel drive and it engages it as needed. It's nice. I think the GMC Denali pickup has all wheel drive.
That would be nice, and one might hope that after jacking up the price for the Denali trim level you could get functional improvements, but GM offers the same owners manual for all version of GMC Sierra 1500, and it contains this typical part-time-only 4WD warning:
Quote:
Driving on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for an extended period of time can cause premature wear on the vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for extended periods of time.
Also, it warns of the other no-centre-differential issue:
Quote:
While driving on clean, dry pavement and during tight turns, you may experience vibration in the steering system.
A Yukon Denali (or Cadillac equivalent) is the corresponding SUV, and would presumably have a proper AWD system.

The uselessness of truck 4WD systems for highway use is one of the reasons that as I drive my two-wheel-drive car on winter highways, I see 4WD pickups in the ditch almost as much as any other type of vehicle... although the "winner" is the SUVs driven by incompetents who think they are invulnerable.

None of this, of course, has anything to do with diesels... except that if you buy a pickup just to get a diesel, you get a pickup.
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