Going to 5 star monday morning. I tow 12.5k full time. Was told these are my options
Daily street
Performance
Tow
Economy

Looking at imrc disable.

My thoughts were 87 economy, 87 tow and torn on 87 daily street vs 87 performance

Most likely trying the 4th option of higher octane tow. Real world experience please.

Running a 6.2 with 4.3 gearing.

 

I had a 6.2 for quite awhile and looked into tunes a few times. Consensus from some that tuned seemed to be that they didn't do a lot for the 6.2. I never took the plunge but still curious.

 

I put on the 87 economy map 2 years ago and didn't even try the 87 tow map... Why not...??? Because I was more than happy with the performance and didn't/don't need more power and the 15.9% + increase in fuel mileage loaded and 8.9% + empty is great... Now if I was pulling 12.5K all the time I am certain the 87 tow map would be the one I would be using when towing, and the 87 economy map empty...

 

87 Tow. I had 5Star with my 3.5 Ecoboost and the 87 tow tune worked quite well. My only bit of advice on the tune though, make sure you don't accidentally put regular grade when in Colorado and pursuing a climb up the IKE. Trust me on this, its too hot a tune for 85 octane. HOT HOT HOT! So hot the cap for one of the unused ports on the TB popped.

 

Thanks. Curious if you use the tow/haul mode on the shifter?

 

Thanks for the feedback. If using the 87 tow tune and actually towing, do you or should you also use the tow haul mode? Big learning curve.

And you just stick with the 87 tow tune for your daily driving?

 

I did use T/H with the tune as it holds gears longer to prevent gear hunting. When not towing I used the 87 performance tune. I tried the 93 performance tune and found it just wasted gas, didn't really see any real performance gains.

What I failed to do and why I say don't use 85, I didn't look at the pump, just grabbed regular and pumped. Regular in Colorado is 85 octane, mid grade is 87 octane. I went up the IKE with T/H and the truck was geared 3.15. It had NO problem pulling at the speed limit up the grades, but because I was working it in 6th, and used 85 Octane, it overheated. I locked out 6th gear and let the engine run at the edge of its curve which kept it cooler. It was also triple digit temps.

T/H is good for maintaining engine RPM's where they need to be, increases downshifting as needed, and induces engine braking sooner and more effectively. I always use it when towing.

 

No, my truck is not loaded down enough to need T/H mode and I find it just wastes gas keeping it in a higher RPM gears then is actually needed to do the job... So eco mode works just fine for my type of use 99% of the time...

 

I cant find where to purchase a tune on 5 Stars website.........I emailed them, hope they answer soon as they are having a sale.

 

I called to make sure a couple days ago. If they see your email dated today they hopefully will offer the discount.

 

They sent me the direct link within a couple hours, great customer service!

 

I had 5* Tunes since 2016 on my now sold 2014 F150 Ecoboost and the truck was an absolute beast towing and or as a daily street driver. I now have a 2021 F250 6.7L and have a SCT Tuner with canned tunes, because 5* is in the process of developing tunes for the 6.7L. I will say that I am one of the first to inquire into tunes from 5* for the diesel. The company is AWESOME. They will develope whatever performance needs your looking for!
Can't wait for what they come up with!!

 

Getting 4 tunes.

87 econ
87 tow
And 93 tow

Not sure about the 4th. 87 perf vs daily

 

I would go for the 87 performance... as for the 93 tow... You really, and I mean really, NEED to be careful with that, and you would NEED to think ahead before using it, like one tank of gas ahead, depending on what octane you had in the tank BEFORE, switching to it... JMO having had tunes for the last 20 years on all of my vehicles... You can't/shouldn't, just switch to the 93 just because you filled the tank with 93, but had 87 in there with lets say 1/4 of a tank...

 

Great advise. Probably will run close to 2 tanks before switching. I am a snowbird and done towing till mid march.....plenty of time. Thanks.