For the first time since 1955, V6 engines are outselling V8s in the Ford F-150, a testament to how far the six-cylinder has come.

The F-150 is the best-selling model in America, and for the third-straight month in a row, the V6 is the best-selling engine in it. The 2012 F-150 comes with a choice between two V6s or two V8s, and consumers are voting with their wallets: it's V6 all the way. Once seen as a weaker brother to the big-boy V8s, the V6's excellent fuel economy and comparable performance has won over many fans.

Ford doesn't pull any punches when talking up this year's V6 engines.

"Both of our new V6 powerplants are changing the way customers think about truck engines," said Doug Scott, Ford's truck group marketing manager. "The 3.7-liter has more horsepower than two of the three V8 engines we offered in last year's F-150. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, at 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. torque, is in a class of its own – no one has anything even remotely close to this engine, which can tow as much as 11,300 pounds and deliver 22 mpg."

A brand new F-150 with a V6 is a beautiful thing, but it's worthless if drivers don't keep up with their maintenance. Paying attention to things like regular tune-ups and vehicle inspections can go a long way in ensuring these V6s keep on ticking for years.