Another MPG question
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: Clay Country, GA, NE MS
Speed on the highway is the biggest driver along with the amount of hills in your area. I have studied this for a while and if you notice, most of the people getting 19+ on the highway are not saying anything about running 75+ mph. I set the cruise on 74 on the interstate (some hills in north Alabama) and I get 18mpg average. But back road at 55 to 60 mph I can get as high as 20mpg if I try.
Your speed of 80+ is killing you.
2013 4x4 screw, 20" tires, 3.55 gear.
Your speed of 80+ is killing you.
2013 4x4 screw, 20" tires, 3.55 gear.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Lamar South Carolina
Quick update.
After getting reprogrammed I'm getting 16.8 mpg average while driving a little harder and NOT being a granny. So there was an improvement.
Its amazing how much those little numbers get into your head.
After getting reprogrammed I'm getting 16.8 mpg average while driving a little harder and NOT being a granny. So there was an improvement.
Its amazing how much those little numbers get into your head.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Archer, Idaho
The Ecoboost is a awesome LITTLE motor. At only 217 cu. inches, and when pushing these comparatively heavy trucks, it really sucks the fuel when any load is thrown at it, like head-winds, side-winds, incline in the road etc. BUT when you need the power it never disappoints!!! As most have said, once you start above 60-65 mph, it's mpg suffers. I stressed hard over the same thing as you, was thinking of trading it in for a 6.7, but then did a little calculating. Honest numbers for OVERALL mpg at maybe a 4 mpg increase between a 6.7 and an Ecoboost means barely $600 a year, meaning it would take 6 - 7 years to break even on the trade-in.
I came to the conclusion that it's such a GREAT truck, that now, the mpg is no big deal, and driving this wonderful little truck is such a joy (FX4 loaded) and when you NEED the power it's there and combined with it's classiness that I am content. When I feel the need to see the mpg that was advertised, I re-set the odometer, drive 60 - 65 mpg, and walla! 22- 24 mpg.
g
Enjoy your truck!
I came to the conclusion that it's such a GREAT truck, that now, the mpg is no big deal, and driving this wonderful little truck is such a joy (FX4 loaded) and when you NEED the power it's there and combined with it's classiness that I am content. When I feel the need to see the mpg that was advertised, I re-set the odometer, drive 60 - 65 mpg, and walla! 22- 24 mpg.
gEnjoy your truck!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
The cost differential would depend on how many miles you average annually. 4mpg is a huge difference for those who put high mileage number on their trucks. Also, around my area diesel is substantially more expensive than regular.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 184
get the truck warmed up then get on the highway. Get up to 60 mph. Set the cruise. Reset the fuel economy, drive about 20 miles. If you don't get 19 or better you have a problem.
My 2011 SCAB with max tow and 3.73 would get 20-21 mpg, my new 2013 King Ranch SCREW with max tow and 3.73's with the 6.5' bed (and it weighs nearly 900 lbs more than my old truck) will get 19-20mpg
If you are bucking a headwind take off from 1-3 mpg, if its pushing you add 1-3 mpg. If it's cold take off about 2 mpg, if it's really hot take off 1 mpg or so
My 2011 SCAB with max tow and 3.73 would get 20-21 mpg, my new 2013 King Ranch SCREW with max tow and 3.73's with the 6.5' bed (and it weighs nearly 900 lbs more than my old truck) will get 19-20mpg
If you are bucking a headwind take off from 1-3 mpg, if its pushing you add 1-3 mpg. If it's cold take off about 2 mpg, if it's really hot take off 1 mpg or so
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
My truck has been from Wyoming to Arizona to Kansas several times. I see pretty large differences in regional fuel MPGs. I think that this motor is pretty sensitive to what you're feeding it. Mine likes non-ethanol fuel best. Driving like a granny and staying out of boost nets 20 mpg easy. Driving like I want to with the turbos spooled up constantly drops me down to 15 easy. I always run 87 or 88 octane. Bottom line is, there isn't another gas truck out there that is capable of 20 mpg and can still hook up to my 11,000 lb. toy hauler when I want to go to the mountains. I'm not disappointed.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Lamar South Carolina
get the truck warmed up then get on the highway. Get up to 60 mph. Set the cruise. Reset the fuel economy, drive about 20 miles. If you don't get 19 or better you have a problem.
My 2011 SCAB with max tow and 3.73 would get 20-21 mpg, my new 2013 King Ranch SCREW with max tow and 3.73's with the 6.5' bed (and it weighs nearly 900 lbs more than my old truck) will get 19-20mpg
If you are bucking a headwind take off from 1-3 mpg, if its pushing you add 1-3 mpg. If it's cold take off about 2 mpg, if it's really hot take off 1 mpg or so
My 2011 SCAB with max tow and 3.73 would get 20-21 mpg, my new 2013 King Ranch SCREW with max tow and 3.73's with the 6.5' bed (and it weighs nearly 900 lbs more than my old truck) will get 19-20mpg
If you are bucking a headwind take off from 1-3 mpg, if its pushing you add 1-3 mpg. If it's cold take off about 2 mpg, if it's really hot take off 1 mpg or so
Don't take this thread as a complaint. I love my truck. Its the strongest and most luxurious vehicle I've ever been in.
I just wanted to compare and check to make sure there was not a problem with it that was causing the discrepancy.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 184
Doing that for about 7 miles nets me 21.5.
Don't take this thread as a complaint. I love my truck. Its the strongest and most luxurious vehicle I've ever been in.
I just wanted to compare and check to make sure there was not a problem with it that was causing the discrepancy.
Don't take this thread as a complaint. I love my truck. Its the strongest and most luxurious vehicle I've ever been in.
I just wanted to compare and check to make sure there was not a problem with it that was causing the discrepancy.
Short trips, starting and stopping, heavy foot, hills and the wind all lower it. As does driving with a cold engine. Take about 10 miles for them to warm up to maximum efficiency- unfortunately most of my driving is less than 10 miles.
Enjoy your truck
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
There are just TOO MANY factors involved with MPG in these trucks. I drive RELIGIOUSLY at 65 mph in cruise control every single day to work and back. Some days the mpg is around 18 to work and this past morning it was 20.8 coming back from work. I have 3.73 gearing and during the trip back and forth to work there are hills and one 6% grade. Coming home I hit the 6% grade early and then it is mostly downhill from there to home...and obviously it is going uphill for the most part going to work until I get over that grade.
At this point if I have the time to drive 65 I do it to save on some fuel, if I don't it's back up to about 75 to get there a bit sooner. I drive 34 miles one way to work.
If you are fixated on MPG you are going to give yourself too much stress...my truck is right there at the rated MPG and that's all you can ask for. They are big trucks and do what they are asked to do when towing.
If you are getting consistently 18 or less on the freeway AT 65 MPH then yes there is a problem.
At this point if I have the time to drive 65 I do it to save on some fuel, if I don't it's back up to about 75 to get there a bit sooner. I drive 34 miles one way to work.
If you are fixated on MPG you are going to give yourself too much stress...my truck is right there at the rated MPG and that's all you can ask for. They are big trucks and do what they are asked to do when towing.
If you are getting consistently 18 or less on the freeway AT 65 MPH then yes there is a problem.
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