New 36-gallon fuel tank gives Ford F-150 up to 756-mile range

(October 11, 2011) DALLAS — With its new standard 36-gallon fuel tank, the 2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost pickup can drive nearly the entire length of California — from Oregon to Mexico — on one tank of gas.

Responding to customer demand, F-150 EcoBoost now has a driving range of 756 miles between fill-ups. That long-distance highway cruising range is designed to save F-150 drivers time by reducing stops for fuel.

“We know the majority of our customers use their F-150s daily for work or play. It’s an essential tool that enhances their productivity,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing manager. “Reducing downtime for fuel stops can help them do their jobs more efficiently or get more out of their leisure time.”

The 2012 F-150 EcoBoost 4x4, for example, can be driven nonstop from Atlanta to Detroit or from Houston to El Paso on a single tank of gas. It can go from Sierra, Calif., to Ram Lake, Ore., with 355 miles to spare. With only one fill-up along the way, the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost can be driven from Silverado, Calif., to Tundra, Texas, at a distance of 1,496 miles.

The larger gas tank enables the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost to easily go farther on a tank of fuel than competitive full-sized V-6 pickups.

For instance, the V-6 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 has a 26-gallon tank and an 18 mpg EPA highway rating for a total driving range of 468 miles per tank — 288 miles fewer than the F-150. The Toyota Tundra V-6 4x2 pickup will run out of gas after just 528 highway miles.

The F-150’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which debuted earlier this year, has quickly become the industry’s top-selling V-6 engine in full-sized pickups.

Since April, the F-150 EcoBoost has accounted for more than 40 percent of all F-150 sales. The EcoBoost engine, which can tow an industry-leading 11,300 pounds, is a $750 upgrade over the 5.0-liter V-8.