Why did you bump a 6 1/2 year old thread?

I applaud you for using the search, but come on.

 

surprised no one mentioned... Taller tires should give you better MPG as long as you don't get them wider with more resistance.. that's physics.. Now if you can notice or not, is the question.. but still.. if you've got to replace your tires anyway and they cost the same.. why not do it?

watch your RPMS and find your optimal cruising speed. it's usually around 49 to 53 mph where you're in the highest gear and the lowest rpm that is enough to keep you moving along...

and like someone else said, anticipate your stops.. and the lights that will turn green.. and the traffic.. see brake lights ahead? stop accelerating duh

and you might want to get a cheap ebay OBDII reader bluetooth and run an ap. last i checked they were $7 last year? might be even cheaper now.

 

I've done it all. Intake. Exhaust. Spacer. Tonneau cover. Chip. Nothing made a difference. Driving habits is the only thing that does. I've owned mine since 99 so I have some experience at this.

 

Yo Danny...Unless the vehicle is geared too tight (like a 4.10 with no OD), larger diameter tires will reduce gas mileage because the engine will lug. And larger diameter tires, IF you can find narrow ones, weigh more and will reduce gas mileage because the engine needs to accelerate more rolling weight.

The concept of physics does not apply in a complex case like this. A lugging engine is not efficient.

Keep the engine tuned and drive for mileage. The 4.6 is an excellent engine for gas mileage IF it's not lugging. I know this from experience.

 

I disagree. The weight of the tire is negligible.
A body in motion tends to stay in motion.
Physics always applies. LOL
With taller tires you're covering more distance per axle revolution.
As far as "lugging engine" that might only apply at accelleration,
where MPG comes is at top gear cruising speed at the lowest possible RPMs.
with taller tires, you get better MPG wether you are capable of noticing or not,
assuming your'e doing highway driving, which you'd want to do for better MPG anyway.

 

BTW i just picked up a 99 F150 with a LEER hi top shell..

but i also scored a folding tonnea cover..

I'm wondering which one is best aerodynamically.. and i'm not sure why though, i want to get rid of the hi top and use the cover regardless. looks cooler IMO LOL

 

If the topper is level with the top of the cab, tests have shown that it gives better aerodynamics and can improve gas mileage, but the weight of the topper can reduce mileage, so it is a wash.
A tonneau cover does not really improve mileage vs no tonneau, but if you like it, then go for it, and sell the topper for a few hundred.
I like toppers, but they can be a pain when you want to load something tall or just throw stuff in the bed.

 

Not gonna argue with you. You are wrong. I've gone to larger diameter tires with a 4.6 and lost mileage.

I will assume you were not driving in the 1970's and early 80's when cars had stupid long gearing for EPA mileage purposes but real life mileage and performance stunk. Even at cruising speeds.

In my world, driving involves acceleration.

George

 

YOU WILL NEVER be happy driving 80 miles a day in a 15 mpg truck, at best 17 mpg, if your spending too much $$$ on gas now
there is nothing you can do to improve the mileage enough to matter to your wallet

my son has an 03 screw, he recently bought a 06 Mazda 3, it gets 30 mpg
he does most of his long distance driving in the car and
hops in the truck on the weekends
the 30 mpg car will pay for itself in 2 years.