2017 Ford F-150 With EcoBoost Engines To Get Standard Stop-Start Technology

DEARBORN, Michigan – Auto stop-start technology will be standard equipment on all 2017 Ford F-150 pickup trucks with turbocharged EcoBoost engines, Ford announced on Thursday.

The technology saves fuel by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is idling and also reduces tailpipe emissions.

The 2016 F-150 features standard auto stop-start when equipped with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. For 2017, Ford is expanding the offering to include trucks with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine.

The all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor will be offered with the technology as well.

The technology “is specially tuned for truck customers, shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop, except when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode,” Ford said.

The automaker expects more than 60 percent of F-150s will have the feature.

Ford did not offer an estimate on how the technology will affect the truck’s EPA fuel economy rating.

The EPA has not posted 2017 F-150 fuel economy numbers. The 2016 F-150 returns 19 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway.

Key F-150 competitors include the Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.

Auto stop-start also is being installed with all EcoBoost engines on the 2017 Ford Escape SUV. It is also available on the Ford Fusion with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine and the Ford Edge with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

The expansion of auto stop-start on Ford vehicles coincides with two trends: a drop in gas prices below $2 a gallon and the seemingly never-ending thirst on the part of consumers for trucks and SUVs.

Edmunds says: Truck buyers who are concerned about fuel economy and tailpipe emissions undoubtedly will put these 2017 F-150s high on their shopping lists.