Mileage issues
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Mileage issues
I got a 2002 F250 4x4 crewcab short bed with 225k miles. Its only geting about 16mpg on the highway going about 68 mph, theres no lift kit and its got 265/75/16 tires on it. the air filters been cleaned out (k&n) and i've also tried a new paper filter as well both have the same mileage results, I've ran diesel kleen through the tank, that really hasnt helped much. I got the truck 2 weeks ago and I read that people are getting 20 mpg out of their f250s, so whats up with mine? Theres no check engine lights on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
I got a 2002 F250 4x4 crewcab short bed with 225k miles. Its only geting about 16mpg on the highway going about 68 mph, theres no lift kit and its got 265/75/16 tires on it. the air filters been cleaned out (k&n) and i've also tried a new paper filter as well both have the same mileage results, I've ran diesel kleen through the tank, that really hasnt helped much. I got the truck 2 weeks ago and I read that people are getting 20 mpg out of their f250s, so whats up with mine? Theres no check engine lights on.
My average mileage over the last 200k miles is 15.279 mpg. (includes towing)
I personally don't know anyone with a 4x4 crew cab and stock engine that is averaging over 20 mpg. Restricted injector nozzles will reduce mileage, but it doesn't look like you have that problem if you are averaging over 16 mpg.
Last edited by Shake-N-Bake; Sep 30, 2011 at 12:51 PM. Reason: added own mileage info...
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: So Cal Highland
Lots of talk here about mpg. But the first thing to consider is how you drive the truck to begin with. Your right foot is the first place to look. I believe that speed on stock tires puts you over 2000 rpms. The general consensus is to keep rpms under 2000 (1700 - 1900 being the target range). Also, even though you don't have a lift kit, these trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick. The faster you go, the worse the resistance is. Also, how are you calculating mpg? Are you doing it by hand with calculator and gps (more accurate)? Or if you are using your odometer, have you checked it for accuracy? It can also be difficult to consistently fill these tanks to the same level (might want to search for Harpoon mod ....) which would affect your accuracy too.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 687
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From: Lake Charles, LA
What Terry said. I may not average 20+, but Im damn close. While I have gotten 20.8 on a few occasions I average right about 19.5-19.8 in 80E with the mods listed in my sig, stock ride height with no lift. The best mod you can do for mileage is to lighten up on the right foot. But I also live along the coast in the land of the flat ground everywhere I go, im sure if i lived in the hills this would be different.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Dalton,Ga
the only time i see close to 20 is in my wifes car
sorry just had to say it....honestly, i see 15 driving normal..have seen 17 on a trip once...the funny thing is 15 is all i got before the lift....that is what started my PMS, trying to get better fuel milage....didnt work out so well, so now she is my project truck/daily driver
sorry just had to say it....honestly, i see 15 driving normal..have seen 17 on a trip once...the funny thing is 15 is all i got before the lift....that is what started my PMS, trying to get better fuel milage....didnt work out so well, so now she is my project truck/daily driver
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i use a scanguage II to track my mileage and I update it every fillup and drive about 68mph (anymore and it drops bigtime) i got 17.1 mpg average on the way home from school today.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
That's respectable mileage. Not lighting the world on fire, but not low enough to be a major concern.
If you change out your tranny fluid / filter and your rear differential fluid too, you may see a slight increase if they haven't been changed in a long time. Better lubrication always helps a tad. A tonneau cover over the bed would help too. But it IS the driver's habits that ultimately have the greatest effect on MPG once everything else is "normal."
Maybe check to see if you have some boost leaks around your IC boots, like pin holes or something. But seriously, your mileage isn't horrible.
OH...and if this is on a purely stock truck...that's pretty danged good. If you open the exhaust and intake, and then chip your truck, you'll see MPG gains.
If you change out your tranny fluid / filter and your rear differential fluid too, you may see a slight increase if they haven't been changed in a long time. Better lubrication always helps a tad. A tonneau cover over the bed would help too. But it IS the driver's habits that ultimately have the greatest effect on MPG once everything else is "normal."
Maybe check to see if you have some boost leaks around your IC boots, like pin holes or something. But seriously, your mileage isn't horrible.
OH...and if this is on a purely stock truck...that's pretty danged good. If you open the exhaust and intake, and then chip your truck, you'll see MPG gains.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Payson, AZ
Driving conditions can make a huge difference.
US40 Santa Rosa, NM to Clinton, OK. Cruise set at 72. Averaged 21.1 (hand calculated). Clinton, OK back to Santa Rosa. Same speed. Average was 16.9. Headed east was basically downhill but going back west there was a steady headwind most of the way and, of course, uphill. Elevation in Santa Rosa is 4500+ and Clinton about 1500. But average for the round trip was still 19 MPG.
US40 Santa Rosa, NM to Clinton, OK. Cruise set at 72. Averaged 21.1 (hand calculated). Clinton, OK back to Santa Rosa. Same speed. Average was 16.9. Headed east was basically downhill but going back west there was a steady headwind most of the way and, of course, uphill. Elevation in Santa Rosa is 4500+ and Clinton about 1500. But average for the round trip was still 19 MPG.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Mesa AZ
Driving conditions can make a huge difference.
US40 Santa Rosa, NM to some small town in OK. Cruise set at 72. Averaged 21.4 (hand calculated). Same town in OK back to Santa Rosa. Same speed. Average was 16.9. Headed east was basically downhill but going back west there was a steady headwind most of the way and, of course, uphill. Elevation in Santa Rosa is 4500+. But average for the round trip was still about 19 MPG.
US40 Santa Rosa, NM to some small town in OK. Cruise set at 72. Averaged 21.4 (hand calculated). Same town in OK back to Santa Rosa. Same speed. Average was 16.9. Headed east was basically downhill but going back west there was a steady headwind most of the way and, of course, uphill. Elevation in Santa Rosa is 4500+. But average for the round trip was still about 19 MPG.
Definitely has plenty of performance.On the flip side, single shots, live tuning, 285 series tires and a bed cover are ideal components for great mileage so your combination seems to work nicely. Having an extra cab doesn't hurt either...
I'm told our 4.5 liter Power Strokes are getting almost 20 mpg. Impressive if it turns out to be true because the LCF trucks couldn't be any less aerodynamic. Another reason why I'd like to get my hands on one of the 4.5 liter power trains. Pair that with an early 70's Bronco and come custom tunes with the DashDaq interface and it could make for a nice daily driver with great economy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
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From: Payson, AZ
Personally, I think your truck is a great example of a heavily modified vehicle that has great balance. Low ET at RRE doesn't happen by accident. Definitely has plenty of performance.
On the flip side, single shots, live tuning, 285 series tires and a bed cover are ideal components for great mileage so your combination seems to work nicely. Having an extra cab doesn't hurt either...
I'm told our 4.5 liter Power Strokes are getting almost 20 mpg. Impressive if it turns out to be true because the LCF trucks couldn't be any less aerodynamic. Another reason why I'd like to get my hands on one of the 4.5 liter power trains. Pair that with an early 70's Bronco and come custom tunes with the DashDaq interface and it could make for a nice daily driver with great economy.
Definitely has plenty of performance.On the flip side, single shots, live tuning, 285 series tires and a bed cover are ideal components for great mileage so your combination seems to work nicely. Having an extra cab doesn't hurt either...
I'm told our 4.5 liter Power Strokes are getting almost 20 mpg. Impressive if it turns out to be true because the LCF trucks couldn't be any less aerodynamic. Another reason why I'd like to get my hands on one of the 4.5 liter power trains. Pair that with an early 70's Bronco and come custom tunes with the DashDaq interface and it could make for a nice daily driver with great economy.
I wonder what kind of mileage it was getting when you took it for a test drive.
No lift kits or big tires for my truck. Those mods are for the Jeep.
You find a 4.5, I'll find an early Bronco. I like "early", or should I say "Not So Early". To bad my Jeep only has 14K or it would be a good place to put a 4.5.
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Newblue150
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Jul 11, 2003 02:25 PM
