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**Schiefswret** · 04-10-2022, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by DarnDave View Post

Everyone knows its downhill all the way from Florida to Ontario. Seriously, though, I use tow/haul for acceleration, I usually tow at 62 or 63 mph with cruise control on level or mostly level interstates. At that speed, I disengage tow/haul to enable an upshift to 6th gear, which otherwise wouldn't happen until 66 mph. I never use cruise on hilly terrain, and if I need to cancel the cruise I re-engage tow/haul. I also use the manual mode of the transmission when descending steep grades, and shift proactively as needed (truck driver in previous life). I feel the cruise + exhaust brake over revs the engine on some downgrades. Selecting the manual mode prevents this. Fuel economy can dip under 8 in mountainous areas, can be as good as near 11 if it is all flat. On a long trip, I use the trip B for fuel economy number from when we leave home to when we return. Trip A I reset at each full fillup. Last year's Bakersfield to Minnesota round trip of 5600 miles, we got 10.7 for the trip.

Great tips, I'll try some of these, much thanks.

**Schiefswret** · 04-10-2022, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by Dave27 View Post

I started towing on a regular basis not using Tow/Haul. It does seem to increase the mpg. When in Tow/haul mode, it takes longer to shift, and the rpms are higher when cruising at highway speeds. These seem to cause the lower mpg. I use the Tow/haul in steeper terrain, in stop and go traffic, and when maneuvering in a campground.
Dave

Excellent points, I'll try some out. Much thanks Dave.

**Jlawles2** · 04-10-2022, 09:56 AM

Cate&Rob Rob let's not forget winter blend fuel is not as efficient as summer blend. When you left Ontario, most likely it was winter blend (and probably the worst mileage) and as you got farther south the blend changed. Then when heading back up, the fuel blend was starting to change to summer blend. From what I understand, different regions and weather temps have different blends to account for the cloud point of the diesel. The colder the weather the less efficient the blend.

Have you seen the Fully App? I especially like it for tracking mileage not to mention it makes me look a the odometer for input so the maintenance gets done. I typically keep the center display on audio and this does not show the odometer.

**Guest** · 04-10-2022, 05:48 PM

If the transmission is busy or if the transmission is running with an open converter, it would be best to use tow haul. I put my truck in D and it does not hunt, will mostly stay in 5th (6 speed) except for downhill where it will upshift and may even activate AFM. Seems they got it right most of the time.

Jim

**Yoda** · 04-10-2022, 06:49 PM

I'm following this as I am hoping to have my 2022 in a few weeks. I know the tow/haul will be different than the 04 I had. I rarely used it except for steep grades to get the engine breaking. I think it locked the TQ converter and down shifted early during braking. Is the principle still the same in tow/haul? The 04 F350 did not have an exhaust brake on the 6.0.

One question does the tow/haul mode automatically engage the exhaust break, or is there another button to push? The 04 F350 did not have an exhaust brake on the 6.0. so this will be new. Its going to be interesting having a "Smart Truck" with a techno challenged old guy driving.

Thanks

Keith

**Guest** · 04-10-2022, 07:47 PM

Keith,

With a smaller and lighter fifth wheel, you may find you will not need to hold shifts longer so you may end up using regular drive mode. Leave the trans in D unless you experience trans hunting. Tow haul is used to do decel braking so this will be more aggressive in slowing down the rig and saving you on brake replacement. Your converter will lock in both modes but if your mostly running unlocked in regular drive mode, tow haul would be better. Transmission hunting drives additional heat where an unlocked converter will run a bit hotter than a locked converter.

I'm uncertain if your exh brake is build in or has a dedicated button.

Jim

**Jlawles2** · 04-10-2022, 09:06 PM

Cate&Rob Rob, can you answer Keith's question on the engine braking? I think you just got into a new Ford Diesel.

**Cate&Rob** · 04-10-2022, 09:40 PM

Yoda Jlawles2

The diesel engine brake is engaged with a separate switch in the center IP. When switched on, engine braking responds to either maintaining speed on cruise control or application of the regular brakes. Light braking brings in light engine braking. Heavy braking brings in strong engine braking. This function is independent of whether Tow/Haul is selected or not.

In actual function, it is amazingly similar to engine braking by the turbocharged gasoline Ecoboost in my previous F150. The more I drive this admittedly powerful diesel . . . the more impressed I am with what that 3.5L Ecoboost could accomplish, towing the same 5th wheel. There was no separate switch, but engine braking (by way of downshifting and closed throttle) engaged in the same way to maintain cruise control speed or in conjunction with application of the regular brakes. Sometimes we forget that all gasoline engines have "engine braking" when the throttle blades are closed. But, I digress . . . . .

Rob

**TedS** · 04-10-2022, 10:26 PM

Ford has a button euphemistically called the fart button based on the image, icon.

**Yoda** · 04-11-2022, 12:05 AM

Originally posted by TedS View Post

Ford has a button euphemistically called the fart button based on the image, icon.

Only an engineer would come up with a button that looks like that!

I could just see the boardroom discussion an laughter when the nick name stuck.

Reminds me of a funny past event. Every year CDOT changed the color of the construction specifications book. Brown, green, blue...etc. Then Denver got the Rockys and the team color was purple, so CDOT came out with the purple book. I was at the unveiling as they were passed out to us engineers at a huge meeting (annual round table). It was supposed to be called the Rockys book, but I muttered (I thought softly) Barney (the dinosaur kids show)..My kids were stuck on it at the time. The big bosses weren't to happy about it until someone pointed out the purple chosen was not the Rockys color but an exact match to Barney. The second printing had the correct color, but the name still stuck.

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG - now I have that stupid song going through my head.

Now back on topic - thanks for the information on the tow/haul and the exhaust brake.
Keith

**Guest** · 04-11-2022, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

Yoda Jlawles2

The diesel engine brake is engaged with a separate switch in the center IP. When switched on, engine braking responds to either maintaining speed on cruise control or application of the regular brakes. Light braking brings in light engine braking. Heavy braking brings in strong engine braking. This function is independent of whether Tow/Haul is selected or not.

In actual function, it is amazingly similar to engine braking by the turbocharged gasoline Ecoboost in my previous F150. The more I drive this admittedly powerful diesel . . . the more impressed I am with what that 3.5L Ecoboost could accomplish, towing the same 5th wheel. There was no separate switch, but engine braking (by way of downshifting and closed throttle) engaged in the same way to maintain cruise control speed or in conjunction with application of the regular brakes. Sometimes we forget that all gasoline engines have "engine braking" when the throttle blades are closed. But, I digress . . . . .

Rob

Rob,

In addition to a closed throttle, your gas engine would also time the cams to produce maximum pumping losses to further increase vacuum which aids in engine braking. So with downshifting, closed throttle, cam timing, and fuel cutoff, modern gas engines have very effective engine braking. Some vehicles can also apply brakes to maintain the cruise control setpoint while towing down hill.

Jim

**familytruckster4** · 04-11-2022, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by TedS View Post

Ford has a button euphemistically called the fart button based on the image, icon.

My Silverado has a button that lowers all 4 windows simultaneously in the truck, we call that the fart button also.

**KSC_Travels** · 04-11-2022, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

Yoda Jlawles2

The diesel engine brake is engaged with a separate switch in the center IP. When switched on, engine braking responds to either maintaining speed on cruise control or application of the regular brakes. Light braking brings in light engine braking. Heavy braking brings in strong engine braking. This function is independent of whether Tow/Haul is selected or not.

In actual function, it is amazingly similar to engine braking by the turbocharged gasoline Ecoboost in my previous F150. The more I drive this admittedly powerful diesel . . . the more impressed I am with what that 3.5L Ecoboost could accomplish, towing the same 5th wheel. There was no separate switch, but engine braking (by way of downshifting and closed throttle) engaged in the same way to maintain cruise control speed or in conjunction with application of the regular brakes. Sometimes we forget that all gasoline engines have "engine braking" when the throttle blades are closed. But, I digress . . . . .

Rob

You may already know this if yours is the same on the 2022. On mine (2020 Lariat 6.7), there are two settings for the exhaust brake... Press the fart button (LOL) once for "manual" - does what Rob says above. Press it twice for "automatic" and then in addition to the above, when you release the accelerator (or brake) pedal it remembers your speed (cruise control not required) AND it will also downshift the transmission if necessary to maintain speed. I find it very handy in the mountains. Different icon in the instrument cluster when on auto - it has a little superscript "A" on the icon.

I have found that it does seem to take a long time to upshift again when the descent is done and braking no longer required - even when re-applying the accelerator.

One other note - if in the manual setting, remember to push the button twice to fully turn off engine braking. The first press (after manual) only puts it into automatic - learned that one through experience!

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Standard/Regular mode vrs Tow/Haul mode, is this crazy?

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