Some mileage numbers...
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I agree with you guys about cruise control possibly hurting MPGs, but that's only under certain circumstances.
If you don't have to downshift to maintain your speed, cruise control won't hurt you. My 6.4L moved 11,000 lbs from OH to WI last April and only had to downshift a couple times over the entire 750 mile trip.
The engine braking while going down hill is obnoxious at best. This wastes valuable energy you bought and paid for with fuel going up the other side. Many probably consider it a safety thing, but I don't like it. Far better to let off the fuel before cresting the hill so the downslope carries you back to your original speed without braking.
I used to drive tractor-trailers, and there is a noticeable increase in fuel economy if you drive for MPGs, even on the highway.
You did really well for that speed. The faster you go the less efficient everything becomes, as wind resistance increases by the square as speed increases linearly. You can't complain about MPGs if you go over 70!
If you don't have to downshift to maintain your speed, cruise control won't hurt you. My 6.4L moved 11,000 lbs from OH to WI last April and only had to downshift a couple times over the entire 750 mile trip.
The engine braking while going down hill is obnoxious at best. This wastes valuable energy you bought and paid for with fuel going up the other side. Many probably consider it a safety thing, but I don't like it. Far better to let off the fuel before cresting the hill so the downslope carries you back to your original speed without braking.
I used to drive tractor-trailers, and there is a noticeable increase in fuel economy if you drive for MPGs, even on the highway.
Originally Posted by Great Danes
Now I realize that travelling at that speed is bound to impact mileage, but still I expected a little bit better than this? Say 12-14 MPG.
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 677
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
The cruise control issue makes sense to me now too, although I didn't think about it while driving... I have always used cruise in other vehicles (not towing) and gotten better MPG. This towing thing is new to me so I will have to make adjustments... Thanks everybody for your replies.
BTW... I love this truck!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Only thing I can offer here is that if you choose the "M" manual mode and keep it in 6th gear, you can use cruise and it won't downshift when climbing a hill and it also is less of an issue with downhill engine braking/up shifting. I do this a lot to try to use cruise so I don't speed in 55mph two lane highways and also to get the best economy I can while towing trailers. Tow/Haul is not active in manual transmission mode.
Try it, if you need more climbing speed just flip it down to 5th gear, cruise is still active. It's kinda fun to be in control and watch the MPG meter and work on your driving style with a trailer.
If the 6.4 had the nice fuel economy window like we have on that LCD display I bet I would have gotten better economy simply by virtue of being able to watch the real time fuel usage.
Try it, if you need more climbing speed just flip it down to 5th gear, cruise is still active. It's kinda fun to be in control and watch the MPG meter and work on your driving style with a trailer.
If the 6.4 had the nice fuel economy window like we have on that LCD display I bet I would have gotten better economy simply by virtue of being able to watch the real time fuel usage.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 181
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From: Tampa
Im a long time GM guy. I made the switch to Ford on this trucks style and Performance. My son and I hooked up our 303tg Laredo saturday just to see how it pulled. We took a 60 mile trip just for fun averaging 13.5 mpg at 65 mph.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 421
Likes: 1
From: League City, TX
For the first 2000 miles I'm getting 18.3 - 18.7 MPG. 75% city / 25% highway. 6.7L, 3.55, 275/65/20. 85 hours run time 14 hours idle time.
12% better MPG than 2005 F-150, 5.4L, 3.73, 275/55/20.
12% better MPG than 2005 F-150, 5.4L, 3.73, 275/55/20.
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