Tips to Maximize Your F-150 Lightning Electric Range (Preconditioning, Hauling/Towing, Driving Tools)

Administrator · May 1, 2023

Ford just released this brochure on power and productivity for your F-150 Lightning with tips and tools to maximize range/performance.

[DOWNLOAD PDF]

Ford F-150 Lightning Tips to Maximize Your F-150 Lightning Electric Range (Preconditioning, Hauling/Towing, Driving Tools) Ford_Pro_F150_Lightning_Guide

Zprime29 · May 1, 2023

The heat + climate control is noticeable here. I crack the windows in the morning (65-75F) no climate control, 500ft drop in elevation to work, avg 2.9-3.0 m/kWh. On the way home, climate control on (90-100F), 500ft gain, slower traffic, avg 2.4-2.5 m/kWh.

RickLightning · May 1, 2023

Great brochure. Should have been sent electronically to every Ford EV owner.

PV2EV · May 1, 2023

I still can't believe how cumbersome it is to setup for a one off long range trip! @Ford, please give us a "Next Departure" button on Fordpass and the truck screen so I can setup a one time 100% charge and departure time, instead of having to delete a recurring one!

BennyTheBeaver · May 1, 2023

"Use “Normal” drive mode with One-Pedal Driving Mode to increase regenerative braking to help recover more energy to the battery"

That should solve some debates on the forum.

Good information! Thank you. Things that stood out to me were a 19% loss when driving at 75mph vs 65mph and Normal with 1PD is best for efficiency due to regenerative braking.

Simpso57 · May 1, 2023

For most drivers, “Normal” drive mode with One-Pedal Driving Mode is best. If you have driven EVs a long time and understand how to feather the brake pedal and other tricks, one-pedal is not ideal. To each his own.

Skidrowe · May 1, 2023

BennyTheBeaver said:
That should solve some debates on the forum.

Them are fighting words!

Skidrowe · May 1, 2023

Simpso57 said:
For most drivers, “Normal” drive mode with One-Pedal Driving Mode is best. If you have driven EVs a long time and understand how to feather the brake pedal and other tricks, one-pedal is not ideal. To each his own.

I just assume that it's targeted at the segment of drivers who drive with their phone in their hand in heavy traffic and constantly smash the brakes to keep from hitting the vehicle in front of them.

Amps · May 1, 2023

A 'Precondition Battery For DC Fast Charging' button or setting in the display would really be nice. They could even include a little info blob to let you know what it does. It's hard to assume the truck is going to do it on its own through the nav system.

Amps · May 1, 2023

BennyTheBeaver said:
"Use “Normal” drive mode with One-Pedal Driving Mode to increase regenerative braking to help recover more energy to the battery"

That should solve some debates on the forum.

It also says to use the recirculate feature to save energy during heating season. I wonder if they know it automatically reverts to bringing in ambient temperature air all by itself?

Their credibility is weakened! Highway coasting forever!

BennyTheBeaver · May 1, 2023

Simpso57 said:
For most drivers, “Normal” drive mode with One-Pedal Driving Mode is best. If you have driven EVs a long time and understand how to feather the brake pedal and other tricks, one-pedal is not ideal. To each his own.

This seems to be assuming all EVs have the same motors, same friction brake regen systems, and same electronics.

I would assume that regen in a Tesla or a Bolt is not the same as regen in a Lightning.

An example, is early on Ford made some adjustments to the sensitivity of 1PD mode in both the Mach-E and Lightning. Those adjustments would affect regen.

I will say, it would be nice to have some numbers to back up what Ford is saying.

BennyTheBeaver · May 1, 2023

Amps said:
I wonder if they know it automatically reverts to bringing in ambient temperature air all by itself?

Yeah, this is frustrating.

I read somewhere it had to do with how quickly the vehicle fogs up. If that is the case it would be nice if reverting to ambient air could be tied to a defrost setting.

CdnCGM23 · May 1, 2023

Yup, using my heated seats for warmth will work wonders for keeping the windshield frost free!

Simpso57 · May 1, 2023

BennyTheBeaver said:
This seems to be assuming all EVs have the same motors, same friction brake regen systems, and same electronics.

I would assume that regen in a Tesla or a Bolt is not the same as regen in a Lightning.

An example, is early on Ford made some adjustments to the sensitivity of 1PD mode in both the Mach-E and Lightning. Those adjustments would affect regen.

I will say, it would be nice to have some numbers to back up what Ford is saying.

All fair points. Could be wrong.

The argument is essentially that one-pedal driving involves energy losses both when decelerating and accelerating. So it's better to allow the car to continue coasting after the driver removes their foot from the accelerator pedal, and add regenerative braking only when it's actually time to decelerate.

I have read it is about a 15% energy loss between coasting v. regen. But most people brake too much, so they don't get the full benefits of coasting. That is why it probably comes down to how you drive. It can also be annoying to other drivers if you are trying to coast everywhere.

BoomerRocco · May 1, 2023

This is great info and better late than never.

While this is targeted at commercial customers, it seems like something that would have been useful prior to ordering especially for us EV newbies. It wouldn't have changed my mind, but more detailed estimates like the towing, speed, and weather impact would be good to have as a heads up rather than Ford's generic notice like "towing will impact range".

I also didn't realize that warm weather would have an impact. All the early reviews seemed to focus on cold weather. I figured no big deal since it doesn't usually freeze here. But even at a mild 85 degrees kicks on some fan before leaving.

Tips to Maximize Your F-150 Lightning Electric Range (Preconditioning, Hauling/Towing, Driving Tools)

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