MPG question
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
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MPG question
I have a '95 F250 5.8L V8 351. Its a 4x4 regular cab 8' bed. I get 9 to 9.7 MPG, normal and towing my trailer I get about 5-6. I was looking at getting a '99 or new F150 and was wondering if I should get the V6 or 8. Does anyone know what the MPG of a ext. cab 4x4 short bed 5.4L or 4.6L V8 f150 would be? Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
First, that seems like pretty crappy mileage from your '95. Something seems amiss there. While our Bronco is substantially lighter than a 250, we get 14-16 MPG with the 5.8, so less than 10 sounds like it has problems. My '00 SC 4x4 5.4 usually got around 14-15 MPG with highway around 16. I had the 7700 package with the 4.10 gears, so a 3.73 or 3.55 will get better mileage probably.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There's something seriously wrong with your truck it should do a lot better than 9.7mpg, 13 is about the minimum any of these rigs should get. Does it have dual tanks and if so does it get the same milage on both?(It should.. if not you have the fuel transfer problem). Are the tires stock size according to the decal on the drivers door pillar? If not has the speedo been recalibrated for the larger tires? Fuel pressure should be 40-45psi with vac removed from the FPR(engine idling), and of course there should be no codes in the computer(you don't need a check engine light to get codes).
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: KCMO
I get 11 with 5.8 in f150 crew cab, and 9 town...so I am not suprised by any means
FORD DID NOT EVEN TRY to hit MPG efforts with the 5.8, ever!
They could have done SO much better with it, instead they left us with $500 or more in bolt ons to try and help it out, not to mention a MAF swap that helps that doesn't really have a price tag.
but yes....just a reg cab 4x4 should be getting better than me for sure.
FORD DID NOT EVEN TRY to hit MPG efforts with the 5.8, ever!
They could have done SO much better with it, instead they left us with $500 or more in bolt ons to try and help it out, not to mention a MAF swap that helps that doesn't really have a price tag.
but yes....just a reg cab 4x4 should be getting better than me for sure.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
If it makes you guys feel any better I just saw the YouTube video about fuel milage down in the EcoBoost forum. Cruising on flat highways at 70mpg it hits about 16.6mpg but the overall average since the guy bought the truck is a staggering 9.9mpg!! That average will be similar to what you get by hand calculation and it really should not surprise anybody.. but I'm sure it does. Why people continue to think that a 6000lb truck would make an efficient daily driver is beyond me. 
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Der Postmeister
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,859
Likes: 560
From: Long Beach, Calimexiforia
One thing to keep in mind is, for short hop, in town stuff you're pooched. Locked into no ECU fuel trim/ over rich "warm up cycle" until the ETC tells the ECU you have reached norm op. temp.
Many times, about the time you reach norm op temp, you get to where your going. Then it drops below norm op temp again while parked. Although Closed loop function begins in the low 180F's for most of our engines, this is why 195F thermostats are used. To get you as quick as possible into & keep you in closed loop function where the best MPG can occur (based on overall health of your engine).
There are situations when a lower F thermostat might prove a benefit, like w/ a significant base timing bump, but for most folks, stick w/ the 195F.
So watch your temp gauge. For the majority of our 6's & 8's, below norm op. temp, 9-11 mpg is all you're gonna get until you've reached the magic temp!
Also, if ECT sensor is bad, the ECU will never know when it's time to begin fuel trim. The ACT sensor also comes into play secondarily, regarding fuel trim.
This is why it's important to run error code scans occasionally. Although these senors will present an error code when pooched, they will not give any indication of being bad w/ a CEL: Equus Innova 3145 OBD-I Ford Scan Tool
Here is a link discussing ECU strategies of operation. From the time you switch on the key, to WOT. A good read: http://www.fordfuelinjection.com/?p=64
Many times, about the time you reach norm op temp, you get to where your going. Then it drops below norm op temp again while parked. Although Closed loop function begins in the low 180F's for most of our engines, this is why 195F thermostats are used. To get you as quick as possible into & keep you in closed loop function where the best MPG can occur (based on overall health of your engine).
There are situations when a lower F thermostat might prove a benefit, like w/ a significant base timing bump, but for most folks, stick w/ the 195F.
So watch your temp gauge. For the majority of our 6's & 8's, below norm op. temp, 9-11 mpg is all you're gonna get until you've reached the magic temp!
Also, if ECT sensor is bad, the ECU will never know when it's time to begin fuel trim. The ACT sensor also comes into play secondarily, regarding fuel trim.
This is why it's important to run error code scans occasionally. Although these senors will present an error code when pooched, they will not give any indication of being bad w/ a CEL: Equus Innova 3145 OBD-I Ford Scan Tool
Here is a link discussing ECU strategies of operation. From the time you switch on the key, to WOT. A good read: http://www.fordfuelinjection.com/?p=64
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