Big Bend, Can this MPG be true?

Plotus
Dec 10, 2023

Plotus

Dec 10, 2023

October 7th I got my new Bronco Big Bend with three miles on the clock. I drove it to about 700 miles in Normal mode. And at normal speeds. By driving 'normal' I mean almost always at the speed limit or slightly less if traffic permitted. Acceleration from stop was never brisk, just normal, mind you I never lagged with people behind me. I did always choose the slow lane if it was in decent repair, but would use the left lane if the right was worn and pot holed out. Fortunately North Carolina has some pretty nice roads and they are usually pretty well mantained. I suppose you would gather I drove like an old Boomer that has seen 72 Winters come and go. And you would be 99% right 99% of the time. At the odometers reading at around 700 miles and on I have been driving exclusively in Eco mode. From start-up till shut-down. I watch my guages regularly and monitor the MPG portion multiple times a day. Much of my driving is rural highway with no stops from my house all the way to town which is nine miles. And not much driving in town is 'stop and go'. On the highway or freeway I'm usually at 57-58 and on the freeways about 65-68 or so with an occasional 70 mph for a few miles.

My Big Bend has stock tires and no modifications beyond the bug deflector and side window vents...... stock Contental 225 17's and a vanity plate.... that's it. For a time at about new to 500 or so miles I maintained a 28.3 to 28.7 mpg My last driving has been chasing parts for the Ford dealership I part time for and have been mostly highway with three towns I pass through with speed limits down to 35, so what I'm saying is that highway is the lions share in those circumstances. Since yesterday, two months and two days old, my Big Bend is reading 33.2 and as high as 33.8 mpg. I'm stoked........... or being fooled ? ...at 1,239 miles, I'm hoping it is accurate, and the fuel stops would seem to reflect the increase of miles and decrease of fuel used.
To me 'High Performance' comes in the guise of MPG and not tires or wheel mods. While those things have their place and I encourage members to do what suits you with these cool litle Bronco Sports, I am content to be incogneto as a stock mostly 'Big Bend'.

ps, I use Shell regular and usually have heat or AC going.
Laura, Jakob1972

Rank V

Dec 10, 2023

#1
You don't drink and drive do you? :0)

Plotus

Dec 10, 2023

#2
mmmmm only Mc D's medium Sprites..
Laura

Rank 0

Dec 11, 2023

#3
I'm assuming your Big Bend has a 2.3L In Line Four? That could account for the good gas mileage. My 2.7L V6 gets around 18 MPG around town and 21-24 on the Interstate. And don't bash the Boomers because some of us get around the highway at pretty good rate of speed, especially me when I'm driving my Mustang...lol😎

Plotus

Dec 11, 2023

#4
Surprisingly the motor is the 1.5 Three cylinder.

Rank VI

Dec 11, 2023

#5
I've heard of the Sports getting around 30 MPG or slightly better. So yes, your mileage is conceivable for sure. Especially for how you describe your driving style.

Now if you had the big Bronco, you'd be in that 17-20 MPG range on a 4 cyl. Big Bend. For me, I'm rocking a 2.7l BaseSquatch. Traveling mostly 80+. So I'm lucky to be pulling 17.9 (winter gas blend) up to around 18.4 (summer gas blend). Big difference.
2021 Broncos - BaseSquatch 4dr. Rapid Red V6 Soft Top
Big Bed 4dr. AMB V6 Soft Top Tow (BIL's)
Nitto tires SUCK! You've been warned.
Laura, TK1215

Plotus

Dec 22, 2023

#6
Ok.... for the last week I'v been at 30.8..... Maybe a couple times forgetting 'ecomode' and a bit faster driving...... but this week is 30.8 I have 1600 miles on the Bronco from new. Break-in oil still intact. Thinking it might just change early, though the dash reads 85% life left. I want to get the bits and peices out as soon as possible. Thinking of Mobil1 or just the Ford type synthetic... Might inprove mpg.......................... or not. Hay I can live with nearly 31 mpg. @ 30.8....!

Plotus

Dec 28, 2023

#7
Well friends, it's setteled down to 31.8 and that is highway and freeway primarily. I think I could coax out one more MPG with just freeway driving, but this makes me happy enough.
myarley, Laura

Rank 0

Dec 29, 2023

#8
Mine is sitting steady at 31MPG and that is half hwy half city. Looking forward to going on a trip to get above 31.
Laura, Plotus

Plotus

Jan 01, 2024

#9
More on my Big Bend 1.5 motor and mpg. For a while I was driving exclusively in eco mode and dealing with the associated slugish nature it posessed. Today on my way to town, just out of the driveway when I usually remember to select something on the goat wheel, I chose Sport. I believe with temperance of driving fashion, I might rival the eco mode. I feel like I have more conttrol of my ambitions of driving light and easy. And I believe sport mode allows me to compete against an AI apparatus....... 'Feel' the ability to feel bogging or too high a gear and having to push more to still remain static in speed. Or actually only lose the slightest amount of forward momentum/speed/petal feel....
In sport. I feel I am stressing the motor less, believe it or not. NC is a landscape of HIGHLY erroded hills dating back to dinosaur days........ all covered with forest. And then it is covered with roads and places to live, shop and work. All carved out from that. I mention the 'hills' and though some are inperceptable, it still makes for a great deal of uphill or downhill driving by degree, though ever so slight. Although we do infact have some more energy consuming and decelerating stretches in the mix, it does usually even out.
I will be using 'Sport mode' now to get some feedback and test if my feelings hold water..
*************************************************************************
edit:
Well I don't like driving in 'Sport' mode, way to jerky....

Instead I spent the last day in 'Normal'... I like the smoothness in accelaration and shifting. Frankly I don't know where exactly I would engage 'Sport' to use...?
Sven, TK1215

Rank 0

Jan 13, 2024

#10
Ok.... for the last week I'v been at 30.8..... Maybe a couple times forgetting 'ecomode' and a bit faster driving...... but this week is 30.8 I have 1600 miles on the Bronco from new. Break-in oil still intact. Thinking it might just change early, though the dash reads 85% life left. I want to get the bits and peices out as soon as possible. Thinking of Mobil1 or just the Ford type synthetic... Might inprove mpg.......................... or not. Hay I can live with nearly 31 mpg. @ 30.8....!


October 7th I got my new Bronco Big Bend with three miles on the clock. I drove it to about 700 miles in Normal mode. And at normal speeds. By driving 'normal' I mean almost always at the speed limit or slightly less if traffic permitted. Acceleration from stop was never brisk, just normal, mind you I never lagged with people behind me. I did always choose the slow lane if it was in decent repair, but would use the left lane if the right was worn and pot holed out. Fortunately North Carolina has some pretty nice roads and they are usually pretty well mantained. I suppose you would gather I drove like an old Boomer that has seen 72 Winters come and go. And you would be 99% right 99% of the time. At the odometers reading at around 700 miles and on I have been driving exclusively in Eco mode. From start-up till shut-down. I watch my guages regularly and monitor the MPG portion multiple times a day. Much of my driving is rural highway with no stops from my house all the way to town which is nine miles. And not much driving in town is 'stop and go'. On the highway or freeway I'm usually at 57-58 and on the freeways about 65-68 or so with an occasional 70 mph for a few miles.

My Big Bend has stock tires and no modifications beyond the bug deflector and side window vents...... stock Contental 225 17's and a vanity plate.... that's it. For a time at about new to 500 or so miles I maintained a 28.3 to 28.7 mpg My last driving has been chasing parts for the Ford dealership I part time for and have been mostly highway with three towns I pass through with speed limits down to 35, so what I'm saying is that highway is the lions share in those circumstances. Since yesterday, two months and two days old, my Big Bend is reading 33.2 and as high as 33.8 mpg. I'm stoked........... or being fooled ? ...at 1,239 miles, I'm hoping it is accurate, and the fuel stops would seem to reflect the increase of miles and decrease of fuel used.
To me 'High Performance' comes in the guise of MPG and not tires or wheel mods. While those things have their place and I encourage members to do what suits you with these cool litle Bronco Sports, I am content to be incogneto as a stock mostly 'Big Bend'.

ps, I use Shell regular and usually have heat or AC going.

Sounds right to me! If you’re running stock on that 3 cylinder, I feel like they’re setting it up for MPG. In eco mode, heck yes! My BSBL gets 27 at best, usually more like 26 or worse if it’s mixed driving. I also think all trims other than badlands are configured primarily for on road performance + off road looks! Makes them awesome to see out on the road, but also primed for on the road and not off.
Plotus

Plotus

Jan 27, 2024

#11
As time passes, I find 'eco' mode not needed. I end up with almost identical mpg in 'Normal' mode, and without the lugging sluggishness. I dn't know if I will ever use the other modes. I'v yet to even travel on a double-track or even grass field.

Plotus

Apr 26, 2024

#12
Well I have setteled down to 31.5 mpg and Normal mode. I changed to Mobil 1 for my first oil change @ 4,016 miles and have decided to run premium. The Premium make a difference you can feel, and at six months of ownership and only 4K, the cost does not matter much. My mileage driven is relatively low so the aditional cost will be over a couple visits a month to the Exon where I live.

Rank I

May 01, 2024

#13
K and N Filters on Sale 20% off!
I,ve been waiting for this since I purchased My BS BB in Nov 2023.

Attachments

Rank I

May 01, 2024

#14
Well I have setteled down to 31.5 mpg and Normal mode. I changed to Mobil 1 for my first oil change @ 4,016 miles and have decided to run premium. The Premium make a difference you can feel, and at six months of ownership and only 4K, the cost does not matter much. My mileage driven is relatively low so the aditional cost will be over a couple visits a month to the Exon where I live.
I,ve received similar results on my BSBB , up to 35 using Shell 93 octane!
I decided to check against 93 Costco and it dropped to 28 . Still good but I prefer the Shell.

Plotus

Thu at 5:04 pm

#15
Hay, check out the air cleaner 'reviews'.. I have seen somewhere on youtube where it didn't do much at all, but like you, I think there is advantage to it. Well if you do acuire it, let us know... I'v thought of it too..!

Rank 0

Sat at 5:13 pm

#16
I have a 21’ OBX with a lift and bigger tires and my MPG still sits between 27-31 weather depending!
Sammi
Plotus

Plotus

Sun at 10:07 am

#17
I like those numbers, bravo
Sammi14011

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