2024 Ford F-150 Endured 100-Degree Torture Testing To Prove Its Reliability

Aug. 22, 2023 6:00 AM ET byKarl Furlong Trucks /6 Comments

The heat management system was tested in conditions that most F-150s will never experience.

Ford has taken advantage of scorching Arizona summer temperatures to send the updatedFord F-150for torture testing, pushing its heat management system to the limit. The automaker also shared some new images of the popular pickup sporting some light camo on the front and rear of its body, indicating that this mid-life facelift will introduce some styling enhancements, although it clearly looks a lot like the current truck you can buy other than a few tweaks to the grille, bumpers, and lights.

The fact that Ford is evaluating the F-150's heat management system supports news from July that the pickup will receive new and/or upgraded powertrains. Specifically, anew hybrid powertrain seems likely, possibly below the existing 430-horsepower PowerBoost hybrid model. For its testing, the vehicle heat management team headed to Ford's Arizona Proving Grounds.

The most challenging test involved a simulation of the Davis Dam in Arizona, with a grade of around 6% and a distance of 16.7 miles. In the first phase, the pickup is loaded to its full Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) while also towing a trailer. To warm it up, the truck is initially run for around 12 miles at 47 mph. The second phase is the truly demanding one where the climb up the Davis Damn is simulated. At an ambient temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it's a stern test of the cooling system. The engine coolant, engine oil, and transmission oil are closely monitored.

Once this phase is completed, the truck is stopped and idled in both Drive and Park for 20 minutes. During this time, the cooling fans must dissipate the thermal energy collected from under the truck and within the engine compartment. Only if the pickup meets these requirements does it earn the "Built Ford Tough" stamp of approval.

"If they don't notice us, we did our job correctly," said Kent Montgomery when referring to Ford customers who never have to experience the inconvenience of an overheating vehicle thanks to the work his team does. Montgomery is from Ford's Large Pickup, SUV, & Commercial Thermal Systems Engineering team.

福特一直on a mission to improve quality in recent months, with the Blue Oval sharing its meticulousquality control measures for the new Super Dutyrange earlier this year. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped the company fromracking up more recalls than any other brandin the first half of the year. At least we can be quite certain that the facelifted F-150 won't falter in some of the country's hottest regions.

The 2024 Ford F-150 is set to berevealed next month in Detroit, overlapping with the North American International Auto Show.