2011 5.0L First Impressions
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Canada
2011 5.0L First Impressions
I purchased a 2011 xlt supercab 4x2 with a 5.0L, 6.5ft box and a 3.31 rear end about a month ago and I just thought I'd share my opinions of it so far. I also optioned for the trailer tow package and Sync.
First I'll give a little history explaining why I bought what I did. I shopped for almost 2 months for the truck I wanted. I test drove f150's, silverado's, sierra's, and rams (was never a big tundra fan). I found the F150 was the best in terms technology, capability and interior comfort even though its not the cheapest truck out there.
I drove the 3.7L, the 5.0L and the ecoboost.
First off I'll say the ecoboost has a ton of power, very strong for a small engine. But it definitely feels more impressive then it sounds. I have read that turbo's eat up the exhaust note making the engine tone seem flat, this seemed to be true with the ecoboost.
The 3.7L is a nice engine, got the truck moving really well and was able to rev to 7000 rpm! Also its rated the best on fuel.
The 5.0L is a great middle of the road package, has lots more grunt then the 3.7L and sounded WAY better then the ecoboost.
But when all was said and done I wanted the 3.7L. It fit my budget and it seemed to be all I would need (only pull 5500 lbs on occaision, and I have a 120km daily commute to work, 80% highway). However when I started reading consumer reviews and doing more research it seemed to me that the 3.7L did not get as good gas mileage as it was supposed to unless you really drive it cautiously (which is true with any vehicle). With this in mind I went back and drove a 5.0L and a 3.7L back to back along the same route attemping to maximize fuel economy. I found that the 5.0L had to work a lot less hard when getting the truck up to speed (even though the 3.7L is no slouch), I felt much more confident behind the 5.0L. What also shocked me was the 5.0L returned 10.5 L / 100km (22.4 mpg) on my test drive and the 3.7L was only slightly better at 10 L/100km (23.5 mpg). Since these were only 20 minute test drives I had to trust the on board computer. I did not drive one truck harder or lighter then the other. The extra towing capacity (8k lbs with the 3.31) and that sweet 5.0L exhaust note coupled with simillar fuel economy was enough to change my mind about the 5.0L and I pulled the trigger on it three days later.
The truck has 5000km (roughly 3125 miles) on it right now. I love this engine, sounds amazing, has lots of power and I always feel like it has a ton more in reserve. Passing on the highway is effortless for this machine. My commute is along a highway with lots of hills and valleys and with the cruise set at 100kph (60mph) the truck never leaves sixth gear, lots of torque to get the job done and the engine is only spinning at 1500 rpm, thanks to its 3.31 rear end. This truck in a 4x2 config with the 3.31 was made for the highway. As far as gas mileage is concerned I am very impressed so far. The onboard computer states that I am using 11 average liters per 100 kilometers (21.4 mpg). I have calculated my usage over 4 tanks and have yeilded an average of 11.5 average liters per 100 kilometers (20.5 mpg), the onboard computer seems to be fairly accurate.... as a comparison my 2004 Taurus (2v 3.0L) was getting 10.5 average liters per 100 kilometers (22.4mpg) on the exact same drive and driving conditions. As long as I drive it nicely it returns very good fuel economy numbers for a vehicle its size.....although I really can't resist blowing the doors off the odd civic at a red light now and then
. The truck handles great and the traction control works really good in the snow, but its good that Ford gives you the option of turning it off if you want to have some more fun!
The seats are extremely comfy, I'm 6'1" and driving the truck for 3 hours straight is no sweat for me. The rear room in the supercab is great, more then enough for most people I'd say, however I can see those suicide doors getting annoying if you had kids. The sterio is good but not great, an upgrade might happen in a couple years. The Sync system is awesome (most of the time) I love the usb option for music. Not having to fumble with cd's anymore is amazing. However Sync can be temperamental at times, taking a couple minutes sometimes to activate after the truck is running, but other then that no issue. The instrument cluster is nice to look at and the truck is very quiet inside, all in all a very inviting interior design.
I am very pleased with my decision and look forward to seeing how the truck does in the up coming Canadian winter (I have snow tires for it).
I havn't had the chance to hook up a trailer to it yet but I will post something up when I do.
First I'll give a little history explaining why I bought what I did. I shopped for almost 2 months for the truck I wanted. I test drove f150's, silverado's, sierra's, and rams (was never a big tundra fan). I found the F150 was the best in terms technology, capability and interior comfort even though its not the cheapest truck out there.
I drove the 3.7L, the 5.0L and the ecoboost.
First off I'll say the ecoboost has a ton of power, very strong for a small engine. But it definitely feels more impressive then it sounds. I have read that turbo's eat up the exhaust note making the engine tone seem flat, this seemed to be true with the ecoboost.
The 3.7L is a nice engine, got the truck moving really well and was able to rev to 7000 rpm! Also its rated the best on fuel.
The 5.0L is a great middle of the road package, has lots more grunt then the 3.7L and sounded WAY better then the ecoboost.
But when all was said and done I wanted the 3.7L. It fit my budget and it seemed to be all I would need (only pull 5500 lbs on occaision, and I have a 120km daily commute to work, 80% highway). However when I started reading consumer reviews and doing more research it seemed to me that the 3.7L did not get as good gas mileage as it was supposed to unless you really drive it cautiously (which is true with any vehicle). With this in mind I went back and drove a 5.0L and a 3.7L back to back along the same route attemping to maximize fuel economy. I found that the 5.0L had to work a lot less hard when getting the truck up to speed (even though the 3.7L is no slouch), I felt much more confident behind the 5.0L. What also shocked me was the 5.0L returned 10.5 L / 100km (22.4 mpg) on my test drive and the 3.7L was only slightly better at 10 L/100km (23.5 mpg). Since these were only 20 minute test drives I had to trust the on board computer. I did not drive one truck harder or lighter then the other. The extra towing capacity (8k lbs with the 3.31) and that sweet 5.0L exhaust note coupled with simillar fuel economy was enough to change my mind about the 5.0L and I pulled the trigger on it three days later.
The truck has 5000km (roughly 3125 miles) on it right now. I love this engine, sounds amazing, has lots of power and I always feel like it has a ton more in reserve. Passing on the highway is effortless for this machine. My commute is along a highway with lots of hills and valleys and with the cruise set at 100kph (60mph) the truck never leaves sixth gear, lots of torque to get the job done and the engine is only spinning at 1500 rpm, thanks to its 3.31 rear end. This truck in a 4x2 config with the 3.31 was made for the highway. As far as gas mileage is concerned I am very impressed so far. The onboard computer states that I am using 11 average liters per 100 kilometers (21.4 mpg). I have calculated my usage over 4 tanks and have yeilded an average of 11.5 average liters per 100 kilometers (20.5 mpg), the onboard computer seems to be fairly accurate.... as a comparison my 2004 Taurus (2v 3.0L) was getting 10.5 average liters per 100 kilometers (22.4mpg) on the exact same drive and driving conditions. As long as I drive it nicely it returns very good fuel economy numbers for a vehicle its size.....although I really can't resist blowing the doors off the odd civic at a red light now and then
. The truck handles great and the traction control works really good in the snow, but its good that Ford gives you the option of turning it off if you want to have some more fun!The seats are extremely comfy, I'm 6'1" and driving the truck for 3 hours straight is no sweat for me. The rear room in the supercab is great, more then enough for most people I'd say, however I can see those suicide doors getting annoying if you had kids. The sterio is good but not great, an upgrade might happen in a couple years. The Sync system is awesome (most of the time) I love the usb option for music. Not having to fumble with cd's anymore is amazing. However Sync can be temperamental at times, taking a couple minutes sometimes to activate after the truck is running, but other then that no issue. The instrument cluster is nice to look at and the truck is very quiet inside, all in all a very inviting interior design.
I am very pleased with my decision and look forward to seeing how the truck does in the up coming Canadian winter (I have snow tires for it).
I havn't had the chance to hook up a trailer to it yet but I will post something up when I do.
Proudly Canadian
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,975
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From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
I was wondering how you got such good mileage, then you mentioned 3.31 and 2x4. No wonder mine with 3.73 and 4x4 is not nearly that good. Couldn't agree more about the power and exhaust note too! Love the sound of my truck when I step on it (which might be a little more often than I should, but oh well). Good write up!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 58
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From: Ontario
CDC5.0
I just recently purchased a 5.0 in September, and I love it, I just got back Saturday from a long drive from Southern Ontario to Florida approx 5600kms, my computer showed 14.4L/100kms/16.1mpg, I was told the mpg reading is incorrect, that you need to use a multiplier for true mpg’s, someone told me the 16.1mpg is more likely to be closer to 20mpg (does this make sense)
I have to say it was very comfortable ride for the 2 12hr days there and 2 12’s back; I used approx 800 litres of fuel, I know have 8600kms on the truck
Todd
I just recently purchased a 5.0 in September, and I love it, I just got back Saturday from a long drive from Southern Ontario to Florida approx 5600kms, my computer showed 14.4L/100kms/16.1mpg, I was told the mpg reading is incorrect, that you need to use a multiplier for true mpg’s, someone told me the 16.1mpg is more likely to be closer to 20mpg (does this make sense)
I have to say it was very comfortable ride for the 2 12hr days there and 2 12’s back; I used approx 800 litres of fuel, I know have 8600kms on the truck
Todd
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Oshawa, Ontario
I have the identical truck to you right down to the axle ratio only in Sterling Metallic. I agree with you on the write up and passed on the 3.7 for the exact same reason.
I average 11L/100km in normal 50/50 driving ~ approx 20mpg. On the highway with cruise control on at 60(100km/h) I average 25mpg all day long.
Beautiful truck, happy with the new traction control (no need for 4x4 for me now).
I average 11L/100km in normal 50/50 driving ~ approx 20mpg. On the highway with cruise control on at 60(100km/h) I average 25mpg all day long.
Beautiful truck, happy with the new traction control (no need for 4x4 for me now).
