I just bought a 2003 F250 SC 4x4 with an automatic. I sold my 2006 Dodge ram with a 5.9 and 6spd. The Dodge left me stranded one too many times otherwise I would still be driving it.

I am going through an adjustment period.

My fuel mileage is 13.8 with mixed city and highway

The power is way less than what I am used to.

What can I do to improve mileage and power safely? I tow a 3 horse trailer.

 

More complex answers to come from those more learned than I.........

I was getting a little over what you get when I got mine (2002 F250 Lariat CC 4x4 auto). The tires were about shot when I got it and were 285's. I bought some Michelin LTX M/S 245's and put on it and got a 6 position switchable chip with the horsepowers around the "economy" rating. I played with it some on the various settings and finally settled on the economy setting. I also run Mobil Delvac 1 synthetic oil.

That's all I have done to this point, and my mileage went up considerably. Now, driving in the country ~ 55mph to and from work approx. 40 miles, I can get almost 23mpg, but that is driving with two eggs under the accel. pedal, unloaded. Driving for extended periods on the interstate (75-85 mph) that drops to around 18 mpg, dragging a 16' double axle trailer lightly loaded.

The sweet spot on my truck appears to be around 50-55 mph for maximum endurance.

 

Put some good tunes on it, but get a set of gauges first. Cut the muffler out & put a Walker big truck muffler or straight pipe. A lot just depends on how you want to go, you'll get a bunch of suggestions

 

The muffler is missing. It is all straight pipe. What does the walker muffler sound lime or do?

 

Meant to say "like", not lime ( I replied with my phone)

 

Hardknox,

What chip are you running?

 

I run a SuperChip, many here like the DPTuners. I can get 26mpg on High pro mode and 16mpg on Pull Mode. Keep your rpms just under 2,000 will stretch your mileage.

For the 'Power' the Chip does help.

Also make sure that you have no 'boot' leaks.

Look into a good flow air filter.

Look at your tire pressure. Mine drives fine like a car at 45psi.... but the tires say 80psi and now drive like a semi... this will increase your mileage by getting the air up where it should be.

Welcome to the Forum.
If your have any questions at all feel free to ask away, there are many super super guys and gals around here.

 

Was the Dodge a 2wd and now the Ford is a 4wd?
Big difference in mileage right there.
A lot of the 2wd guys easily get better than 20.
Rear axle ratio? 3.73s do better than 4.01s.

 

The Dodge was 4wd as well. Both trucks had 3.73's

 

The 5.9 typically gets better mpg's than the 7.3. It also tends to spend more time on the back of a tow truck when wrapped in a Dodge package.

Is your mileage of 13.8 based on running empty or towing? Depending on your driving habits, it may be normal or could be low. If you're stomping on the skinny pedal all the time because it feels like the truck isn't moving, try driving like a grandpa and see if MPG's go up.

For chips, stick with a custom chip that offers switch on the fly capability. DP-Tuner a site sponsor is a favorite. Others use Total Diesel Performance, Power Hungry Performance, and lately Gearhead has been making a push. They offer much better power than the off the shelf stuff.

In the mean time, check for boost leaks. There are 6 rubber boots on the CAC plumbing, the orange boot at the intake manifold seems to be the one that loosens up on it's own. Keep in mind the intake plenums are thin metal and can be crushed with the hose clamp. Check the clamps to make sure they are snug, but don't overtighten. Also check the up pipes coming off the exhaust manifolds where they connect to the Y collector behind the turbo. Any signs of soot staining below the collector or on the firewall is a leak that will cause worse MPG's and lower power.

Welcome back.

 

Plus you are feeding 2 extra cylinders and 1.4 more liters of volume. What size of tires are you running?

 

I am running stock tires, driving empty and I am driving it a little harder than the Dodge due to the fact that it is slow on the go.

Thanks for all the info! I will look for leaks.

 

Just recorded 16.8 mpg. I drove as easy as any person could keeping rpm's below 2000. It is painful to drive that way but the truck is capable of better mileage.

 

You may want to also look at a transmission oil and filter change.

 

I don't get much better than 16 and some change mpg's. I am running 285-75's and don't really baby it. It's a big truck. I expect bad milage. With that said, 16 mpg isnt bad for a crew cab, long bed 7.3 litter. Try that in a gasser and see what kinda milage, maybe 10 but probibly 7.