Gas mileage thread
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
My '09 F250 SC 4x4 is getting 9.5-10mpg! I have zero mods, other than 285/70/17 tires (which shouldn't kill my mileage THIS bad!). I have the 5.4L with 3.73s I believe. Any thoughts on ways to improve mileage? At +/-$3.21 a gallon this is getting ridiculous! This is my 4th SD with the 5.4L, and I have NEVER had fuel mileage this bad. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Onondaga, NY
I actually traded in my 2010 F150 5.4L for the 06 diesel. I was getting 19 on the freeway until I put some 33" All terrains on it. I watched the mileage drop into the low teens, so your tires may actually be eating more than you think. Both of my other trucks lost almost 30%mpg when I put on mudders.
New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
I don't feel so bad now! My '04 CC FX4 with the 6.0L gets 14.5-15 in the city, but only got about 15.5 on I-20 from DFW to MS. I've only had the truck a few months, and I really thought that was pretty crappy. No mods; all stock.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Quantico, VA
What is up with all the low mpg!! 2wd saves a bit, but damn, you guys should be getting better. I am doing an experiment right now, I get on it at every light, and per the "lieometer" I am still getting 14.4. Haven't filled up yet, so I can't give you an exact number yet, I would guess 11ish.
On a happy note, I did destroy a little riced out civic last night
On a happy note, I did destroy a little riced out civic last night
*** would pay good [gas] money to have seen the rice stompin'...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
Same here this year. I'm off about 3-3.5 mpg over the last 6 weeks or so. Oil fresh, new fuel/air filters. 5.4 with just about 50k, starting to think its time for a plug change?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
My '09 F250 SC 4x4 is getting 9.5-10mpg! I have zero mods, other than 285/70/17 tires (which shouldn't kill my mileage THIS bad!). I have the 5.4L with 3.73s I believe. Any thoughts on ways to improve mileage? At +/-$3.21 a gallon this is getting ridiculous! This is my 4th SD with the 5.4L, and I have NEVER had fuel mileage this bad. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.
I dont have any modifications(besides diamondback truck cover) and I mainly see 11-11.75 (rarely see 12) with 50/50 mixed driving to and from work. I still have the stock 265 BFG's. I've seen better on highway trips but nothing more that maybe high 13's. Some of the high numbers with the 3/4, 1 ton 5.4's may be either 2wd or reg cabs. I don't mash the pedal and rpms generally stay below 2500 when accelerating, unless I gotta get out of there!! Towing 5000lbs+......8.5 or less but this is mainly stop and go and I'm sure highway trips could be a littel better but not much. 05 F150 ext cab, swb, 4x4, 5.4 got around 14-15 with the same type of driving. I miss the ride of that truck but not the limited capacities.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: mt.prospect
Guys it's the gas! I've beating my head against the wall trying to figure out how I lost 3mpg since october. Do a search and you'll see every day someone is complaining of a lose of mileage. Oxyegenated(spelling?)fuel mixed butane=**** gas mileage.Post back in May with your mpg bet you pick up 3mpg.
I drive the same route to work every day at the same speed with the cruise on and in the summer I averaged 17mpg at 70mph.Now I can't get 15 unless I draft semi's.
I drive the same route to work every day at the same speed with the cruise on and in the summer I averaged 17mpg at 70mph.Now I can't get 15 unless I draft semi's.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
Some more ideas on better mpg. Another problem I had when I got the truck, I was close to 10lbs of boost at 1500ish rpms. Took it into Ford for warranty(turbo cleaning is not covered under warranty BTW), he said the vanes were probably gummed up. He recommended running some cetane booster, and once the truck was warmed up, stomp on it at least once a day until it stopped smoking. I did this for a few weeks, now the turbo doesn't stick, I get ZERO smoke when I stomp on it. For those that city drive a lot, this might not be a bad idea to try. I also recall someone saying they rarely get over 2200 rpms when they drive, I hardly ever break 1800, except the daily 'stomp' routine. Hope it helps someone...
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 13
From: California High Desert
My truck is a '99 F350 V10 CC AUTO 4x4 3.73. I've been keeping fuel logs since I bought it back in July and I've averaged 10.9 MPG. The best I've seen is 11.9 and the worst is 10.4, all empty since the most I've hauled is a little lumber for a project. Filling it up definitly hurts, but it's worth it. I've been wondering how to improve my mileage (other than moving out of California, but you have to live where the work is), but other than staying off the throttle, I doubt anything will make that big of a difference.