Steve here... newbee to the forum... Looking at buying an 06 F250 or F350 4X4. Can you guys tell me what kind of mileage to expect from the 5.4 3valve. I drive mostly highway. The trucks I have looked at have the 373 rear.
Thank you,
Steven

 

Steve, I have had the 5.4 and the 3.73 in the F250 for 3K miles now and I can tell you I am not happy with the gas mileage. I am getting around 10.5 mpg with various types of driving, none with a load though. I am assuming it is because it is a new engine and things are still breaking in. I would think at about the 8-10K mile mark the engine should be nice and free.

 

Well I know this has been said a million times but it still holds true - skip the 5.4 if your buying new and drop the extra 600 bucks on the V-10 option. The power is great, and the mileage is as good as the 5.4 and better under some applications. I have owned a 99 V-8, 2002 V-10, 2003 V-10, and now a 2005 PSD and if I ever went back to gas it would be the V-10 based on my experiences. The SD is a big truck for the 5.4 and while most are happy with it, I'd drive the V-10 first for comparison.

Mike

 

...Welcome Steven to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

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Welcome
You have to factor in if its cold where you are or if you are running winter mix fuel. These things can knock off 3-4 mpg.


Dick

 

mike i have to back you up here 100%, if your are going with a gas motor in a super duty dropping the extra $600.00 at msrp for the v10 is the way to fly.
i have have had both motors and my mpg's on the 3 valve v10 match and are better then the smaller motor . when weighed on a hp to pounds ratio the v10 works a lot easier. and tows like a bandit when i need to.
now if you really want the best mpgs out of a super duty it means going with the psd .
as to how i like mine. i have owned both fueled motors and will admit i'm a old fart who just preferes a gas motor and easy "LAZY" serviceing. i do get 12 city and about 14.6 highway out the big beast. but one word they do have better preformance with the 4:30 gears sets. i got mine with the standard 4:10's, "mistake $50.00 more for the 30's" and have regeared to 4:56's "1200.00" what a difference. and 1 mpg better.

 

Welcome to FTE, Steve

I know a few guys that have the 5.4 setup in an F250 4x4. They use their trucks mostly for hunting, hauling firewood, light loads (under 7K), up to 4-horse trailers and the like. They are very pleased with their setup. Some even get 14.5 to 15 MPG empty highway. Of those eight, six have lift kits and oversized tires.

It all depends on what you're going to be doing with the truck.

 

If you wanted my opinion I would have to say go V10, also...

 

Steve here... Why would the truck get better mileage with more gear(4:30,4:56)...Isn't the engine spinning more rpm on the highway. I would have thought a 4:10 or even a 3:73 gear would give better mileage???
Steve

 

I have the v10 and mixed now I am getting about 10.5 but that is letting her warm up in the morning and and not driving like a little old lady!

 

Steve
for some reason the lower gear ratio puts the motor a bit more into the torqe band on the highway and mixed driving. at 70 im only turning 2500 to 2600 can't say for sure with a factory tach near there. gearing into the range just helps with performace. the 4:30's the from the factory do work the motor better, while the 4;10's do the job very well many guys down in the v10 area also say thier trucks run better with 30's . personally i love the way mine is right now with the 56 sets .
bagger
for some unknown reason watch your hour meter around 150 hours you will feel a diference in the motor and start to see a little better fuel milage. when mine was new i did match you on mpg's . but at the same time i started to loose my lead it's brand new right foot. and knew how to drive for the better mileage.
but not one of the v10 guys can figure out why they seem to be broken in at the 150 hour mark. thats also about 7.5k in miles. they are a tight built motor when new. no i don't let it warm up. thats your personal call there.

but again if you really want milage out of a super duty you need to buy a PSD.if you can't afford the diesel the v10 is the way. yes a 5.4 will do the job also. i will not put it down. we are all driving a truck. it's not going to get mpg's of a focus or something of the like.
and again i'm a retired old fart. so what is grand in my head may not be in someone elses. i just love my super duty for what it is . my truck.

 

Steve here... Guys thanks for all the great info.
Before i came to this forum i had my heart set on a new PSD, but after trolling thru some of the many posts of the issues the PSD 6.0 has, it kinda scared me... rear main oil leaks... computer reprogramming issues..etc. The V10 sounds like the way to go, but it would definetly not be a daily driver for me. I could easily justify the PSD as a daily driver with the increased mileage though. My friend up the road has an 06 F350 4X4 4door PSD, that I drove last week. He claims he gets 18ish on the highway!!
Thanks again,
Steven

 

true input guys? please.

 

Steve, i have a 250 cc with 5.4l & 3.73 gear and get 11-12 city & 14-15 on hwy.

 

I could live with 14 to 15 highway
Thanks Steve

Is that non reformulated gas? (with or without alcohol)
In the counties near Lake Michigan we have gas with up to 10% alcohol in it, the counties away from lake don't have any alcohol in the gas. I have gotten 1 to 2 miles per gallon better on the non alcohol gasoline