Before I get into what’s going on, let me say I currently own a 2003 Ford Ranger Edge 2WD Regular cab 3.0L V6 with a 4:10 rear end and a 5-speed manual. And my commute to work is very very short. Less than a 5 minute highway drive there and back. That is the only place I am required to go. Honestly I would say in a 5 day work week I would be shocked if I drove more than 50 miles over the course of the 5 days ‘’only going to work and back’’ which leaves me plenty of extra gas to goof around with and go do other things.

So here's my thing, I am planning on buying a 2011 F-150 FX4 5.0 Extended Cab this coming summer. I've only recently learned about the possibility of gas shooting up to 4$ or 5$ per gallon this year. And at first I thought oh crap maybe I should re-consider getting this new truck as my Ranger is smaller and more efficient…Or so I thought. I personally never thought about calculating my Rangers average fuel economy until now. And the grand total for my Ranger is 18.6mpg mixed driving. I honestly expected it to be at least 20mpg as I previously owned a 1990 Ford F-150 with a 5.0L 3:55 rear end and an AOD 4-speed automatic and even that big truck with old technology could get between 14.0 and 16.5 mixed driving But I have done a little research on the Ranger 3.0L V6 and learned that it is not really much more than a less efficient version of the 2.3L I4. Just for the sake of knowing, My Ranger currently has about 110,000 miles on it and runs perfect. I’m very strict about changing filters and never running late on things like oil changes.

I know that no one has really owned a 2011 F-150 5.0L long enough to really put down some serious MPG numbers as these engines are all still low miles. But I have already heard of a few getting between 16 and 21mpg ‘’Hand Calculated’’ And not to say that I drive like a granny but I don’t drive in a manner that waste fuel. Do you guys think that I could expect ohh lets say 16 to 18mpg out of a 2011 FX4 Extended Cab with the standard 3:73 rear end and the 5.0 V8? Its seems as though it would be more than capable of achieving those numbers with mild driving habits and even more so after the engine gets 5,000 or 10,000 miles on it.

Also one more thing…Please don’t say, just get an Ecoboost. I have my heart set on the 5.0L I have driven the Ecoboost and it was very impressive. But the 5.0 is the engine for me, and I’ll gladly take a hit of a few mpg loss for it.

Sorry for the length of this thread, I appreciate it though guys.

 

While my truck is a different animal, I have a 2010 with 4.6L 3v Screw 4x4 with 3.55 rear end, I get close to 17 mixed driving (15 mile trip to work with 10 miles highway and over a bridge) your predicition or wish of 16 to 18, IMHO will be met or surpased by the 5.0. Just keep off the gas unless you needed it and you will be fine.

 

I agree, 16 to 18 mpg will be very possible from what I am seeing on mine.I filled up yesterday with a hand calculation of 18.1 mpg and computer calculation of 17.9 mpg and it was mixed driving. Mine is a reg cab 4X4 with 3.73 gears.Looks like the truck computer will be fairly close as it was on my 09. I think the 5.0 will see the same MPGs as the 4.6 3V but it does have more get up and go.Much more. Let me repeat that again, much more.

 

I also think you should be able to get 16-18. Just not at 1st, it'll be hard not to get on it with so much more power! At least that's my excuse!

 

So, you are getting around 18mpg average with the 5.0? By mixed driving, do you mean approximately 50/50 city/highway?

Trying to figure out what to expect with a 4x4 Screw w/3.55 gears under similar conditions, would perhaps expect in the 17-18 range.


JKG

 

Well guys that settles it. 2011 5.0 here I come! I'm so excited about it I'm gonna go place my order here in a few months. And honestly if I can get 18mpg out of it that will be amazing, My 150hp Ranger (Though a great problum free truck) is only getting 18.6, which is a little disapointing for its small size. If I can get the same fuel econmy or even just close to with a 5.0L and a 35gallon gas tank I should be able to alooooooonnnnnggg way without having to worry about filling up. My Ranger genrally needs a fill up every 280 to 300miles on a 15 gallon tank.

But once again thanks for anwsers guys! I'll be sure and post pictures up on the site when I do get the truck!

 

I drive about 80 miles round trip each day with some days even more. That's 40% city and the rest country roads, I get about 16 mpg with regular gas(E85 sucks). Now on the highway at 70 mph at 2000 +- RPMs, now it's 18-19 mpg depending on the wind/hills. And towing or hauling loads we are at 10 mpg. Chris

 

That's great, even more so for a 5.4L. I personally almost never tow or haul, and even on the rare occasion that I do its never a heavy load at all. Thanks for the anwser, It makes me feel even better about being able to achive 16-18 mixed with a 5.0L.

By the way thats nice truck in your picture. Rarely see any Regular cab 5.4L's.

 

Thanks that's my hunting/towing/hauling truck. Family all grown up, just me and sometimes Wendy (my deer killing spouse) in the truck. Chris

 

About 35% city 35% Highway and 30% rural two lane roads.City and highway over 70 mph use the most gas.If I could run rural roads at 60 to 65 mph most of the time I think I would be seeing 21 or 22 mpg easy.With the heavier Screw I would think you should be able to see close to 17 or 18 if you keep your foot out of it.City driving will bring in lower results because of getting the extra 600 or 700 lbs moving every time you move out froma stop light.

 

I presently own a 2006 Nissan Frontier 4x4 crew cab. The window sticker is 14/19, the same as the 5.0 in the F-150. I average 17-18mpg winter, 18-19mpg summer. I can hit 21-22 on the highway if I keep it under 70. Worst was a little over 16, mostly city, in the winter. The 5.0 F-150 sounds like it might produce very similar fuel economy results.

I, like many, am debating on whether the wait for the EcoBoost is worth it. I am perhaps expecting the extra weight of the Screw to pull the EcoBoost average a bit lower than perhaps some other body styles, but maybe the better highway economy will mitigate that. There is nothing wrong with the Nissan (other than my family is slightly outgrowing it), so I'm not backed into a corner, but the 5.0 sure is nice.


JKG