Fuel Economy

98BIGBODY · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 12:04 AM

outsub · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2002, 10:34 PM

We purchased a New 02 Eddie Bauer (everything but the kitchen sink)XP in January and really love the truck, but we can't seem to ge any better than 12.5 MPG. Any ideas!

Rescue50 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2002, 12:41 AM

Same mileage on my 2000 5.4 4x4, 3.55 LS rear. Acceleration seems to be the largest fuel consumer because we can get 16 on level highway trips. I can't bring myself to accel that slow though, so I'll keep burning gas!

Boxter · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2002, 09:40 AM

There has been alot of discussion on this topic. There are a number of posts on this board that covers this. Long story short, we all have a heavy vehicle with a big motor (compared to all the other ford engines atleast). They are going to suck down some gas. As the prvious post mentions, it also has to do with how you drive. Heavy foot=crap mileage).

But you asked for some things to help. Biggest gas saver I have found, cruise control! Yeah it is stupid, but it does help. I usually get about 450 miles or so out of a tank. Thats an average of 16.07 mpg! On a truck this size, I'll take it. I live in Dallas. I drive in all sorts of traffic. On the highway (where I use cruise when I can) as well as in stop and go. The cruise did make a difference, but it takes some time to get into the habit.

Many may ask how I get the 16.07 mpg from 450 miles. Through alot of trial and error I have found out that the tank in my 2001 XLT Exy holds 28 Gals of gas (not the 26 quoted in the specs). It is a real pain in the a$$ as the pumps will click off at 20 gals or so. I usually let the tank get pretty low (get fuel light and then some) and then fill up. 28 gals. I wonder if ford fixed this on the new trucks.....

And then there is always the option on adding parts (both bolt on and major) that will add to the fuel economy. I am not a real gear head (although I would like to be), so I cannot tell you what the best bang for the buck would be. But as mentioned before there are many posts here that can go into further detail.

Hope it helps,

Boxter

deanjet · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2002, 06:34 PM

I have a 2000 EB Expy with the big engine and trailer package. I average 11.2 mpg in town and get 16 mpg on the highway. That's without any load in the truck. Towing my friends 25 foot boat sucked my milage to 8 mpg, still thats better than his boat, which gets about 1 to 2 mpg!

buzzard · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2002, 01:16 AM

>Through alot of trial and error I have found out that the
>tank in my 2001 XLT Exy holds 28 Gals of gas (not the 26
>quoted in the specs).

According to my service manual, only the "base" 4x2 has a 26-gal tank. Those with air suspension and 4x4 models have 30-gal tanks.

Rescue50 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2002, 01:48 AM

>According to my service manual, only the "base" 4x2 has a
>26-gal tank. Those with air suspension and 4x4 models have
>30-gal tanks.

I agree. It is a 26 or a 30. My 30 gallon has the fuel light come on at almost exactly 25 gallons used. I always have 5 more gallons to empty when the light comes on, even though the guage reads low.