Power Running Boards VS Fixed - Is kWh affected?

[csukoh78]

Never will understand the obsession with optimizing range when people also claim to driving 75 on the interstate.

Dropping to 70 will add more range than any of these other aesthetic tweaks

True! Wait till you tell people that driving slower will actually make a much faster total trip because you have to charge significantly less.

#math

Sponsored

 

[NCevGuyF150]

Background - I bought a slightly used 23 Platinum last year. It had the power retractable running boards. Drove it for 3 months before it was totaled in a head on collision. As soon as insurance paid me off, I bought another 23 Platinum, however it had the fixed running boards instead of the retractable ones. I have driven it for 3 months now and it appears it is getting less kWh that my old one. As soon as I had time to notice the change, I have been watching the "where my energy goes" screen closely. It appears that the driving portion is definitely less than the old Lightning I had. I live in Texas so there is some cold weather, however even on warm days, it still appears this Lightning is getting worse mileage. Do you think the power running boards on the old Lightning were hat much more efficient?

I have two lightnings. Both of them are lariats. One of them is a 22 and one of them is a 24. Both have the 131 kW battery pack. Or extended range. The 24 does not get the miles per kilowatt that the 22 does. I have no idea why. It actually should get better because it’s got a heat pump. It seems like these trucks have their own genetics, like Ford programs them all a little bit different in order to research them. After all they have connectivity through the modem of the truck.

 

[Grumpy2]

The 24 does not get the miles per kilowatt that the 22 does.

Can you provide more information on this?

 

[NCevGuyF150]

Can you provide more information on this?

Yes, what would you like to know. The trucks are almost identical except for the fact that one is a 22 and one is a 24. The 22 has more equipment like lighted running boards and 240 V outlet in the bed of the truck. Other than that, they’re pretty doggone similar. The 24 is iconic silver and the 22 is Atlas blue. I am the only driver of both vehicles. I drive them similarly. I drive them slowly and easily and use one pedal and try to coast to every stop.

 

[Grumpy2]

How much difference is there and how are your comparing, using the miles/kWh, or overall consumption? Does this cover all weather and seasons? Have you driven both outside of your NC area, I am thinking about climate?

 

[NCevGuyF150]

How much difference is there and how are your comparing, using the miles/kWh, or overall consumption? Does this cover all weather and seasons? Have you driven both outside of your NC area, I am thinking about climate?

This is all local driving, very similar trips. I actually have wondered if it is because one truck is definitely more broken than the other. The 22 has approximately 30,000 miles and the 24 has only 4000. The difference appears to be .4 to .5 miles per kilowatt.
I will say this. The 22 has been in the shop and has had two modules replaced in the battery. After that, I had trouble with the truck just dying in the middle of the road. Ford sent me to a different dealer who did a complete reprogram of all the computer systems and modules. Since then, I’ve had no mechanical issues. And the miles per kilowatt have increased. In the fall of 24 I actually was able to get more than 350 miles per charge.

 

[Grumpy2]

Ford sent me to a different dealer who did a complete reprogram of all the computer systems and modules. Since then, I’ve had no mechanical issues. And the miles per kilowatt have increased. In the fall of 24 I actually was able to get more than 350 miles per charge.

Wow! As the advertisement says: I will have what he is having!

 

[NCevGuyF150]

Wow! As the advertisement says: I will have what he is having!

I will say the service writer told me that the two modules that they replaced in my battery had a different part number than the originals.

 

[Ragman]

The only observable difference I’ve seen that you can control is tires and inflation. 5-10% swings winters/summers/35/45/AT/low resistance

Tonneau, flaps, boards are all so negligible that driving 1 mph less would eclipse benefit.

1-2 kw differences 0-100 on a pack, if that matters on your daily commute leave a minute earlier and slow down

 

[Firn]

True! Wait till you tell people that driving slower will actually make a much faster total trip because you have to charge significantly less.

#math

Except it doesn't work that way. Going faster will get you there faster, even with more charging.

A Better Route Planner is by far the bar when it comes to calculating how much time and charging a trip takes. In it you can set your offset speed, and you can also set a charging overhead (time lost setting up the charger, getting parked, etc).

Even setting overhead to ten addittional minutes PER CHARGE, going faster got you there faster. After about 130% of the speed limit the effects tapered off, but not many do over 90 in 70 zones for a whole trip.

I have tried this many times and going from 20% below the limit, to 30% above, faster gets you there faster.

 

[Voxx23]

I have to believe retractables help. I replace the fixed on my Platinum a few months after bought it. I installed AMPs and they store flush to the body of the cab no way they are not more aerodynamic than those fixed ones sticking out. And the Amps are far more friendly to occupants for ease of access and ingress. My wife had difficultly finding a point of contact since the fixed ones don't provide much foot space.

Would you say the AMP go lower down than the fixed running boards?
I know the AMP XL would, as the are more for a lifted truck.

 

[Old Aviator]

Absolutely at least 6 inches. And the fixed are against the body so you only have the width of the running board for your foot. You had to very precise about where you placed your foot.

 

[Voxx23]

Absolutely at least 6 inches. And the fixed are against the body so you only have the width of the running board for your foot. You had to very precise about where you placed your foot.

You installed just the regular AMP Powerstep correct? That's a big difference.

Sponsored