I just got back from the dealership, complaining about getting low MPG on my 6.0 Liter diesel. The Service Manager and the mechanics all told me that, on average, the 7.3 liter engines get better mpg fuel economy. I get about 9.8 mpg with my 6.0 Liter. Love the truck. Hate the fuel economy. The dealer said it is because of the bigger tires. Bull-hockey!! I know it is not ... I only lost 1.2 MPG from 11.0 to 9.8 MPG by adding the bigger tires. Consider yourself very lucky if you have 14 mpg and above.

All of you guys getting good fuel economy are sooooo lucky. Pertaining to fuel economy, I guess I got a lemon. Ford will not do anything since my only complaint is 'bad fuel economy.' My 6.0 Liter REALLY SUCKS BIG-TIME at 9.8 mpg. The only modification is 35" (315-75R-16) tires with an extra leaf spring in all four corners which raises it about 3 inches. My speedo/odometer has been re-calibrated at the Ford dealer to match the tire-size, however, the fuel economy sucks terribly. It sucked before I put the big tires on at 11 MPG. Now it is at 9.8 MPG.

 

I can't really vote since I don't have a 6.0, but I can add that I get about 18 hwy & 14 city consistently with my 7.3. All stock and 265/75 tires.

On another subject, I viewed your gallery and your truck looks great!!! I have been looking for a front bumper guard or grille guard. What made you choose that type of guard (looks nice)? Also, can't really tell from the photos, but do your tow hooks stay intact? I was looking at the same guard from Smittybilt. Just curious on your thoughts about guard choices.

Good luck with your mpgs!

Mike

 

A guy I work with has a new 6.0, and he says he only gets between 15-17 highway most times...we get AT LEAST 18 with the 7.3

 

I don't have a 6.0L(yet), but my '96 7.3L got 17-18 mpg or even better on the highway. I'm lucky to get over 12 mpg with my '02 7.3L. Ticks me off too. You would think technology would improve mileage. It seems to me to be getting worse.

 

Because of the crappy fuel economy of the 6.0 Liter, at least mine anyways, I would sell this back to FORD immediately if only they would let me.

9.8 MPG ... 6.0 Liter PSD ... Don't buy one until Ford starts getting consistent with their fuel economy. A buddy of mine has already traded his off. He was getting 9.6 MPG.

You ever wonder why some guys get the crap and others don't?

FORD ... YOU LISTENING ??? 9.8 mpg for a 6.0 Liter ... not good.

 

I have a 7.3 and on average I get 18 on the hwy.. and my father In Law only gets 15 in his 6.0....

 

I would hazard a guess that all the 6.0 oil burners are suffering from a power to weight problem. Smaller engine, less tork same weight truck except for a few lbs less under the hood. Smaller engine also takes more fuel to make more HP. They turned up the boost a little or re-regulated the curve and you get more HP for advertising purposes and they don't say a word about fuel economy. What say you guys who turn the wrenches?

 

I wondered what the problem was with the 6.0lt. I have seen an awful lot of used ones for sale, for a long time. They are ending up on auctions, and that is most unusual for so new a truck.

theo

 

I have a '90 7.3L with 250,000 on it and I get about 15mpg on the highway going 60-65mph, considerably less in the city. The weight-displacment ratio theory sounds possible I guess.

 

My 97 gets 19-20 on most commuting trips. The 410 rear is holding me down a bit I figure.
I got 9.7-12.? mpg weighing in at 18000 crossing the country last winter pulling a 20 foot trailer. 9.7 was when we were going through mountain passes and ocassionally pushing 75 mph or more on the flats.
Under 15 empty, and not hot *******? Wow, Ford should try to fix their problem. Here is one driver who will not buy a 6.0!
What a disapointment!
A dealer who is intrested in your loyalty should at least prove to you that corperate is unwilling to adress the problem. Are there any other Ford dealers around? How about International dealers?

 

JP2002, I've got a 02 CC and getting 18 empty easy on the highway. Last saturday I went to Ocala, FL which is 300 miles away and picked up a 40 Navy HSB on a 50 foot trailer that was suppose to weigh 10,000 and pulled it back and got 9.2 on the interstate. Once I got back to the shop I got to checking the inspection tags on the boat and found out it was 10 tons, not 10 thousand pounds. The guy that towed it up to Ocala was driving a lifted 03 CC with 7.3 and I had asked how it towed before hooking up to it. I quote " couldn't tell it was behind me" he said. Believe me, once I tied into it, I knew he was lieing.

 

CaptnKen, the BEST my '02 7.3L PSD has gotten was 13.8 on a 600 mile trip, WV to IL. I don't track MPG all the time but I know it's fairly consistent 12.X. The '96 was 150% that number, same load(toolboxes and stuff). Go figure.

I hope to get my Diablo chip programmed soon and pick the normal MPG up a notch or two after I learn to keep my foot out of it.

 

I've watched my mileage semi-religiously since I bought the truck. I have never gotten better than 18.5 on the highway, I average 16.5 around town on the freeway, and I usually get 14.5 on the interstate. Sounds weird, but it seems all of the NASCAR drafting techinques work to improve mileage in town at 70mph - its more like pushing a brick on the open road I guess.

Sorry to hear the 6.0 is getting weak mileage, I was thinking about trading in on one for the higher stock hp. Going back to gas (I don't know if the analogy holds with a turbo diesel) I would think a small block pushing 300hp would tend to be less efficient than a big block only making 200 - motor has to wind up more to push a lot more fuel/air to make power.

Less than 10mpg would really cheese me off, for sure... too much time spent getting fuel with a puny single stock tank..

 

I think this may work out in a couple of years. There is always growing pains with a new engine such as the 6.0. But it appears the newer design offers a lot of potential. The changes in turbo design, more valves per cylinder, bigger, beefier automatic tranny, etc.

I personally would want to wait about 3 years after the introduction of a new engine to buy a new truck. The 7.3 has been around several years to examine changes and give the R&D boys a chance to tinker.

 

I have a 2003 and I dodged the 6.0. The salesman was sure pimping it out for all it was worth. His word of mouth was 14% more fuel economy. My 03 7.3 made 9.5-13.5 with a average of 12.6 for the trip. Thats a 4000 miles trip to yellowstone pulling a 20 ft camper and bed loaded and 4 adults two children. Empty its making 14-15 on the overall city highway mix. I thought I made 20 once empty but you can shake a lot of fuel in after it clicks off so who really knows. I pitty your 6.0 story. Ford should have there *** removed for pawning that lemon off on the public before the bugs were worked out of it. I hope they take care of you. To bad that tattle tail comp would nark you out for helping it die sooner. My uncle unloaded a dud 428cj back to ford back in the day by driving it a little more aggressive than there engineers planned on. Good luck.