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Dec 15, 2012 | 07:02 PM

baraptor

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Joined: Dec 2012

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MPG

I get 12 MPG with regular unleaded and want to improve my MPG. Whats the best way to improve for regular driving and also when I haul my 35' fifth wheel toy hauler? (6 MPG when haulin)

Dec 15, 2012 | 07:33 PM

Hotpocket

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Joined: Nov 2010

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From: Needville, TX

slow down and never rev over 2500 rpms

Dec 15, 2012 | 10:22 PM

davidzog

Mountain Pass

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 127

Likes: 3

I get 12-13.8 avg and 16-17 straight hiway. Seldom go over 65-70 hiway to keep rpms under 2000...

There really is not much you can do to increase mpg....exhaust systems make it sound cool, air intake systems look good under the hood, but neither do anything for performance or mpg...all the ads show pwer increases at 4,000 rpms or higher....I choose not to drive in that range..ha

I paid over $400 for a programmer on a chevy 6 liter truck, and got less than 1/2 a mpg increase....real waste of money.

You have a 6,500 pound truck...it will pull and toe and haul, but it does it all at 12-13 mpg....no way around it.

Dec 15, 2012 | 10:35 PM

Fordfanatic4life

Postmaster

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,924

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From: Richmond BC

12MPG in a SD is dam good..

your not gunna see any serious +s to MPG regardless of what you do.

Dec 15, 2012 | 10:39 PM

jerem0621

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 445

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I'd feel like I hit the lottery with your MPG. Thats a 10-20% increase in fuel economy for me. I get 10-11 mpg on a good day....

Ok, basics here they are.

1) make sure your maintenance is completely up to date
2) make sure you get a good alignment
3) Keep your tires aired up (less rolling resistance)
4) Drive like a little old man.
5) Don't Idle if possible
6) Drive slow

Now to improve your towing MPG you could change your axle ratio to 4:56. But that would not help you running around.

IMHO.. You have decent MPG numbers now.

Thanks!

Dec 16, 2012 | 04:39 AM

CPaulsen

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 447

Likes: 1

From: Southern Oregon

My 01 F350 with a V-10 gets about 8-9 mpg towing my 5th wheel and around 14-15 highway. Truck weighs 7400K empty and with the 5ver its approx. 18K.
I do have an SCT/5 Star tuner and it helps towing...not much for mileage.

Dec 16, 2012 | 08:57 AM

Slowpoke Slim

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 1,169

Likes: 29

From: Bismarck, ND

As was said, the way you drive makes the biggest impact on your mpg. The faster you drive, the more air you have to shove out of the way with the front of your truck. Lets face it, these things are as aerodynamic as a barn.

My truck gets 14 mpg on the hwy if I'm driving it at 60 mph. Same truck gets 13 mpg at 75 mph. That is unloaded hwy driving. If you can find a semi truck or big RV to draft on hwy, you'll get much better mpg. You don't have to be right up on their butt to gain benefit either.

For in town driving, you have to lightly use the gas pedal. With 300+ hp under your right foot, you can suck your gas tank dry pretty fast if you try. Driving habits have a much bigger impact on larger displacement engines. If you're driving a 4cyl Honda civic, you can thrash the crap out of it and still get decent mileage. Not so on a large displacement engine.