Not really any questions but just really a thought. I think it would be cool if when you opted to use eco mode that the engine would cut back to 4 cylinders for us V8 guys. I know that the new models are doing this but I would be cool if an update reprogramming could do this. And it would only work once you were cruising above 50-55 mph. Just my 1cent though for the day.

 

My Charger does that (MDS) it makes almost no difference in gas mileage but adds complexity to the engine. Anything you do like breath heavy takes it out of MDS mode. Also above 70 it comes out of MDS mode. So really a mostly useless feature. And all it does it cut fuel and spark to those cylinders (it may also lock the valves open) but the mass still rotates.

 

If I'd wanted absolute fuel efficiency I would have bought a Prius. I hate trading reliability for complexity. That's why my damn *** button is disabled.

 

Buy a 2021 5.0 and you will have it.

 

My 2009 5.3L Chevy Avalanche had that feature, which was called Displacement on Demand (DOD), and it cost me over 4 grand for an upper engine overhaul due to a lifter freezing and ruining the cam. I had the work done by a highly experienced mechanic who is very familiar with that issue, and he said he always disables the DOD feature to avoid premature engine failure. If Ford offers it, I would hope they found a way to avoid the issue with Chevy's design.

 

I had exactly the same thing happen in a Tahoe. I changed the cam and lifters and had the computer reprogrammed to eliminate the whole setup. I did the work myself but the cost was about $1,000 for parts and the reprogramming.

Afterwards, I had absolutely no difference in gas mileage from when it had the original setup.

GM still does that crap so I bought a new Ford.

crazy thing....my wife bought a new bronco sport with the 1.5 L 3 cylinder engine. It does deactivate one of the three cylinders. Crap!!!

I wouldn’t own it if I’d have known. Shame on me.

 

I too had the DOD feature deleted when it was overhauled a few years ago. I noticed little or no difference in mileage, but I noticed a significant difference in performance. I recently traded it for a 2018 F-150 Lariat FX4 and am very happy with the new rig. Regarding your wife's Bronco, I didn't realize any cars had a 3 cylinder engine, let alone one that switched to 2 cylinders... does it sound like a Jonny Popper in 2 cylinder mode? (I'm and old guy who grew up on a farm when those tractors were common.) Seriously though, have you looked into having that feature disabled?