2011 Powerstroke big decrease in mileage
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
2011 Powerstroke big decrease in mileage
I bought a 2011 F250 Powerstroke last July and love it. I had easily been getting 22 mpg on the highway and around 17 mpg around town.
I don't drive it as much nowadays because of the price of fuel and because my car gets better mileage. However, when I do drive it, lately I have been struggling to get 14 mpg for HIGHWAY driving
.
I have been running straight number 2 with a few ounces of additive in each tank, and it has been anywhere from 20 F above zero to 10 F below zero lately.
Has anyone else noticed this dramatic of a decrease? Should I be running number 1 or a mix maybe? I managed to put my truck in a snow filled ditch in December. No damage, other than a bent running bar and the plastic piece below the bumper broke. Could that have caused some problems? Any ideas at all?
Thanks
I don't drive it as much nowadays because of the price of fuel and because my car gets better mileage. However, when I do drive it, lately I have been struggling to get 14 mpg for HIGHWAY driving
.I have been running straight number 2 with a few ounces of additive in each tank, and it has been anywhere from 20 F above zero to 10 F below zero lately.
Has anyone else noticed this dramatic of a decrease? Should I be running number 1 or a mix maybe? I managed to put my truck in a snow filled ditch in December. No damage, other than a bent running bar and the plastic piece below the bumper broke. Could that have caused some problems? Any ideas at all?
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
I'd say November I think. I just can't believe I'd see a drop of 8 mpg just because of a different mix of fuel.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
The low valance under the bumper is supposedly responsible for 1 to 2 MPG at highway speeds.
Any tire wear up front? Your toe in could be causing drag too. Front end is heavy (~3000 lbs.) Ditch could have caused this too.
Any tire wear up front? Your toe in could be causing drag too. Front end is heavy (~3000 lbs.) Ditch could have caused this too.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Thanks for the inputs!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: herriman utah
winter fuel, winter fuel, did I say winter fuel. it effects all diesel trucks, even the last 3 dodges I ran, including one with the old mechanical injection. I do find sometime my mileage sucks worse than others.
but I can say this truck without any doubt gets better mileage than my 06 cummins, which didn't have anywhere near the pollution controls the 2011 has or even '07 and up models.
but I can say this truck without any doubt gets better mileage than my 06 cummins, which didn't have anywhere near the pollution controls the 2011 has or even '07 and up models.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
Cumminscowboy brings up a good point. Even though all the winter fuel performs poorly, some places I have bought fuel are even worse. My truck likes good fuel. It tells me via the fuel computer when it is not happy. When does summer start.....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Got her realigned today. The front wheels were towed out a bit but not bad. Also melted a ton of snow out of the undercarriage; too many snow drifts.
Drove home and didn't notice any real difference in mileage. Went to the next town over and filled up with 50/50 blend and got just over 20 mpg for the trip home. Much better.
Must've been the blend, because I usually don't pay attention to where I get fuel, I just get it where it's cheapest, but I think this is the first time in awhile that I've filled at this particular station. The new valance came and is going on tomorrow, so we will see if that makes any more difference.
I guess my best hope for better mileage is to park it and wait until spring when winter fuel disappears.
Thanks for all the inputs.
Drove home and didn't notice any real difference in mileage. Went to the next town over and filled up with 50/50 blend and got just over 20 mpg for the trip home. Much better.
Must've been the blend, because I usually don't pay attention to where I get fuel, I just get it where it's cheapest, but I think this is the first time in awhile that I've filled at this particular station. The new valance came and is going on tomorrow, so we will see if that makes any more difference.
I guess my best hope for better mileage is to park it and wait until spring when winter fuel disappears.
Thanks for all the inputs.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Washington, IL
There can literally be an 8-12% in energy from #2 to #1 fuel (or winter blend). If you had been getting 20mph and lets say the fuel dropped 10% in energy you would literally lose 2mpg right there.
If you read the post on Cetane rating then the difference in fuel quality from one station/brand/refinery to the next and this may cause another significant drop from the lower cetane:
--> more ignition delay
--> less burn/expansion time
--> shorter period for pressure to push piston down for power (force X distance = work)
--> hence less power per given amount of fuel.
(now we are getting into physics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, vectors, ball bearings, how do thermos's know when to keep cold things cold and hot things hot...I need a beer)
If you read the post on Cetane rating then the difference in fuel quality from one station/brand/refinery to the next and this may cause another significant drop from the lower cetane:
--> more ignition delay
--> less burn/expansion time
--> shorter period for pressure to push piston down for power (force X distance = work)
--> hence less power per given amount of fuel.
(now we are getting into physics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, vectors, ball bearings, how do thermos's know when to keep cold things cold and hot things hot...I need a beer)
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
My truck has slowly crept up in mileage over the last 2000 miles(at 7100 now). I know of another person that his mileage jumped 20% at 15,000 miles. He was driving from New Mexico to Louisiana when it hit 15,000 miles in Amarillo, TX and he fueled up. The next stop for fuel was in Louisiana and he calculated 20.4 mpg. This is an F-350 CC DRW 4X4 with 3.73 gears.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Now I think the mid 12's I'm getting right now with southern fuel and no towing is a bit low.