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Horrible efficiency on recent trip.

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sotek2345

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Does changing driving modes make any difference?
Not that I have noticed for highway driving. Once you are cruising at speed, it is all the same.
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If your lightning is 3 yrs old and your in a northern state it is possible that you need to service your brakes .

Next time you stop after driving a while do a walk around and feel the hubs temp all 4 .

It doesn’t matter what they as much as your looking for one that’s a lot warmer than the others

If so or you are in the salt Belt I’d pull the caliper and caliper brackets and cleanup the brake pad retaining grooves.

The brake pads tend to get tight in there over time esp when the vehicle sits , and esp only
Belt states , clean the brackets and clip, I use a sandblast cabinet it does the best job , but you can use a wire wheel or a file whatever you have, you want to grease the caliper slide pins w caliper slide grease not standard automotive grease .

This should be done on every vehicle every 2-3 years to keep the pads from dragging against the rotors even when released.

Another way to check is to pick up the axle with a floor jack and spin the wheels.

The tight one is your problem, but I service and clean all 4.
 
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If your lightning is 3 yrs old and your in a northern state it is possible that you need to service your brakes .

Next time you stop after driving a while do a walk around and feel the hubs temp all 4 .

It doesn’t matter what they as much as your looking for one that’s a lot warmer than the others

If so or you are in the salt Belt I’d pull the caliper and caliper brackets and cleanup the brake pad retaining grooves.

The brake pads tend to get tight in there over time esp when the vehicle sits , and esp only
Belt states , clean the brackets and clip, I use a sandblast cabinet it does the best job , but you can use a wire wheel or a file whatever you have, you want to grease the caliper slide pins w caliper slide grease not standard automotive grease .

This should be done on every vehicle every 2-3 years to keep the pads from dragging against the rotors even when released.

Another way to check is to pick up the axle with a floor jack and spin the wheels.

The tight one is your problem, but I service and clean all 4.
I hadn't even considered that! Thank you!
 

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Climate Settings?
 

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Ah yes, because when you're driving long distances, there are fast chargers conveniently located every 60miles, just a stones throw from the interstate so you don't lose any time at all exiting/getting back on the interstate.

Besides the range at different speeds that table is pretty dumb.
Obviously ymmv based on location. Here on the east coast, you could probably stop every 60 miles on I-95 and be close to the interstate but who would want to. Adding additional overhead rules out the 15min stops but still favors faster speeds. If it takes more than 15min to get to a charger and back, 45 min stops get the edge over 30. You just end up paying about 30% more going 85 v 70. Below is what I came up with when I was considering taking the Lightning to Florida back in May. Below efficiency rates are a guestimate from chatgpt based on my average efficiency on a good day at 70 and 60. Energy added for each time period came from @tommolog's most recent charge test from 10% after the 500 amp update.

Ford F-150 Lightning Horrible efficiency on recent trip. 1762198150963-3r
 

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Hello all,

Had my lighting for 3 years and many road trips now so I am used to all the things that impact efficiency, but this trip has me stumped. Relatively flat terrain, cruise set at 72 (with the some slowdowns), about 50 degrees out with minimal HVAC use, very light tail wind, and I am seeing 1.5 to 1.6 m/kWh. Usually in these conditions I am seeing 1.9 to 2.0.

I did a quick check of the aero elements up front and don't see anything obstructed and I am not getting any errors.

Any idea what else to check? I still have about 300 miles or so to go today!

IMG_20251102_110317.webp
The 50 degrees temperature is the threshold that is going to put you at the 1.9 to 2.0 mi/kWh.
 
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The 50 degrees temperature is the threshold that is going to put you at the 1.9 to 2.0 mi/kWh.
Right, which is what I expected and why 1.5 to 1.6 seemed so low
 

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I get 2.0-2.2 with a level and 34” tires up to 69.9 mph. At 70 mph I get 1.4-1.6

Kind of kidding but not really. That magic 70 mph really changes things.

I’ve also personally noticed for me 60-75 degrees is pretty optimal operating temp. Anything below that I have seen a dip in efficiency. My guess humidity also comes into play sometimes.
 

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Wind is the answer.
 

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I get 1.6 - 1.8 constantly. That is the normal for my truck.
Just new to the Lightning, noticed with heater off, my range increased due to lessened demand of the heater. It was quite a difference almost .4 or .5 Mile per KW net gain.
 

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Just new to the Lightning, noticed with heater off, my range increased due to lessened demand of the heater. It was quite a difference almost .4 or .5 Mile per KW net gain.
Not consistently it isn't. It pulls, gets to temp, and then only pulls to maintain temp.
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