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Common Myths about the Ecoboost

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Old 08-01-2012, 11:51 PM
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Default Common Myths about the Ecoboost

I figured after about a couple years that the misinformation about the Ecoboost would die down as people gain knowledge. It has for the most part in the forums, but I realized when talking to customer today on how many myths are still out there in the real world. His Dodge friends fed him so much ignorant BS. Luckily I was there to set him straight. Here are some of the myths that he was told and a few that I am still hearing from others.


Myth 1: You have to use premium fuel at all times in the Ecoboost.

False! The newest F-150 owners manual states.
3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.

Myth 2: The Ecoboost has to work harder in the higher rpms to do the same job as a V8 which will make the engine fail sooner.

This could not be further from the truth. Actually it is the exact opposite. Due to it's forced induction, the EB has huge amounts of torque at and below 2,500rpms compared to other N/A V8s. The Tundra I-Force 5.7L V8 has around 350ft-lb of torque at 2,500rpm while the EB has 420ft-lb at the same rpm and keeps it's torque above the Tundra's the rest of the way through the power band. That is around a 70ft-lb difference right where you need it the most, and the difference is even greater with some of the other competitor's V8s. It is torque that gets your truck up and moving, and with that much torque down low, you do not need much rpm to do the same job as the N/A V8s would. It is the exact same concept as a diesel.

Myth 3: It takes a while before the turbos get into the boost, and you are a regular 3.5L until then.

With the turbo's being so small, it does not take much at all for them to spool up. Besides the brief moment for the truck to downshift under heavy throttle like all other trucks do, the power is always their compared to N/A engines that have to get into the higher rpms to get their power. It will take you way more time and throttle to get a N/A V8 to it's power "sweet spot" then for the EB's turbos to spool up and give you the same amount of power to the point that it is instant in comparison.

Myth 4: You have to let the truck idle for 30 seconds before turning it off or you will "coke" your turbo's.

While this was true of turbo's of the past, it is not true for the EB. The EB uses liquid/oil cooled turbos that do not require a turbo timer or idle for 30 seconds to get the turbo's cooled down. If you want more information on this subject the try this Garrett website on liquid cooled turbos.


I know there are probably many more myths out there and if any of you EB owners have run across some then post up. Hopefully Google might lead someone here to debunk some of the myths out there so they can make an informed buying decision. I would hate to see someone have to buy a Dodge, or even worse a Chevy because of misinformation.

Last edited by Al Kohalic; 08-05-2012 at 10:17 PM.
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Old 08-02-2012, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Al Kohalic
I figured after about a couple years that the misinformation about the Ecoboost would die down as people gain knowledge. It has for the most part in the forums, but I realized when talking to customer today on how many myths are still out there in the real world. His Dodge friends fed him so much ignorant BS. Luckily I was there to set him straight. Here are some of the myths that he was told and a few that I am still hearing from others.


Myth 1: You have to use premium fuel at all times in the Ecoboost.

False! The newest F-150 owners manual states.
3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.

Myth 2: The Ecoboost has to work harder in the higher rpms to do the same job as a V8 which will make the engine fail sooner.

This could not be further from the truth. Actually it is the exact opposite. Due to it's forced induction, the EB has huge amounts of torque at and below 2,500rpms compared to other N/A V8s. The Tundra I-Force 5.7L V8 has around 350ft-lb of torque at 2,500rpm while the EB has 420ft-lb at the same rpm and keeps it's torque above the Tundra's the rest of the way through the power band. That is around a 70ft-lb difference right where you need it the most, and the difference is even greater with some of the other competitor's V8s. It is torque that gets your truck up and moving, and with that much torque down low, you do not need much rpm to do the same job as the N/A V8s would. It is the exact same concept as a diesel.

Myth 3: It takes a while before the turbos get into the boost, and you are a regular 3.5L until then.

With the turbo's being so small, it does not take much at all for them to spool up. Besides the brief moment for the truck to downshift under heavy throttle like all other trucks do, the power is always their compared to N/A engines that have to get into the higher rpms to get their power. It will take you way more time and throttle to get a N/A V8 to it's power "sweet spot" then for the EB's turbos to spool up and give you the same amount of power to the point that it is instant in comparison.

Myth 4: You have to let the truck idle for 30 seconds before turning it off or you will "coke" your turbo's.

While this was true of turbo's of the past, it is not true for the EB. The EB uses liquid/oil cooled turbos that do no require a turbo timer or idle for 30 seconds to get the turbo's cooled down. If you want more information on this subject the try this Garrett website on liquid cooled turbos.


I know there are probably many more myths out there and if any of you EB owners have run across some the post up. Hopefully Google might lead someone here to debunk some of the myths out there so they can make an informed buying decision. I would hate to see someone have to buy a Dodge, or even worse a Chevy because of misinformation.
Nothing new here guy. All of this info has been all over the internet on multiple forums since the eco first came out in the F-150 in January or Feb 2011
Old 08-02-2012, 07:14 AM
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Myth #5. The Eco is the fastest stock 1/2 ton truck.
Old 08-02-2012, 08:03 AM
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I agree this is not new info to anyone who takes the time to do the research. But I do agree with the OP that this is info that the competitors like to try and pass off on customers sometimes. I heard similar things from a GMC dealer when I was truck hunting.
Old 08-02-2012, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by truckerdude

Nothing new here guy. All of this info has been all over the internet on multiple forums since the eco first came out in the F-150 in January or Feb 2011
I know that but Google " myths about the ecoboost" which I commonly due when researching things and see what pops up. I would rather people hear it from us then some review site that don't even mention all of these common ones . Plus some of these I didn't even know to even look for as a myth when researching my truck. That is why I started the thread and I am sure others have even more myths they have heard. A few of these myths I have heard on this forum just this week that people still believed.

Last edited by Al Kohalic; 08-02-2012 at 08:31 AM.
Old 08-02-2012, 09:58 AM
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Great topic (different is good)
Old 08-02-2012, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by hardhat
Myth #5. The Eco is the fastest stock 1/2 ton truck.
you can't just tell us it's a myth without busting it... what's faster and what do I have to do to beat it lol
ok ok it might not be the fastest but man does it tow!!
Old 08-02-2012, 10:49 AM
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Myth: A turbo charged engine takes more abuse to do the same job therefore it will not last as long

WRONG! Forced induction with reduced timing actually produces LESS pressure in the cylinder than a naturally aspirated motor with more timing.
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Old 08-02-2012, 10:58 AM
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My gf's parents refused to get the Eco because they absolutely refused to believe a V6 could be capable of towing their 5500lb camper. I pulled it with my 3.7L V6 like a champ and now they're even considering just getting the 3.7L.
Old 08-02-2012, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by schizbomb
My gf's parents refused to get the Eco because they absolutely refused to believe a V6 could be capable of towing their 5500lb camper. I pulled it with my 3.7L V6 like a champ and now they're even considering just getting the 3.7L.
I'm pulling 35ft 7200lbs with my Eco... hardly feel it... my 08 5.4 would not be able to keep up..


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