Mpg dilemma?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
When I think in terms of mpg I don't think in terms of one tank or one time I drove 60 mph and coasted down a hill. I just get frustrated when people say I'm getting 22 mpg in my 4x4 auto. Sorry if I offended anybody but I guess I'm the only dumba$$ on here getting 16 mpg in my 7.3 Ford Powerstroke!😉
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 28
From: Mesa AZ
My MPG calculated over the last 315k miles is 15.3805 mpg. Obviously that includes everything...idle time, towing, hauling etc. Normal empty mileage is in the 16.5-16.7 range most of the time. CC4x4SB4R100
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
When I think in terms of mpg I don't think in terms of one tank or one time I drove 60 mph and coasted down a hill. I just get frustrated when people say I'm getting 22 mpg in my 4x4 auto. Sorry if I offended anybody but I guess I'm the only dumba$$ on here getting 16 mpg in my 7.3 Ford Powerstroke!😉
I too have many times stated what my normal average is, along with my personal best.
Stewart
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 52
From: Southern Colorado
Does any body here get a hand calculated 20+ mpgs from a short bed, crew cab, 4x4, 3.73 gears, 285 tires. I used to own an 02 same package that got 450 to 500 from a tank.
I have exactly this setup. My best has been 18, on 2 tanks, driving 50-60 mph back roads nice and easy. I most often see high 13s, low 14s in everyday driving. 20 mpg for me would be a fantasy or a math error ;-). In this case, YMMV is really true!
I have exactly this setup. My best has been 18, on 2 tanks, driving 50-60 mph back roads nice and easy. I most often see high 13s, low 14s in everyday driving. 20 mpg for me would be a fantasy or a math error ;-). In this case, YMMV is really true!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Extended Cab Long Box 4X4 at 65 MPH (close to what you're looking for).
Wide range of speed, elevation, and wind conditions (headwind while dropping in elevation)... including a little interstate driving at 75 MPH.
Wide range of speed, elevation, and wind conditions (headwind while dropping in elevation)... including a little interstate driving at 75 MPH.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
I use a program that sounds very similar...it's called AutoSlate and is a carry over from the days when I carried around a Palm Pilot. My data goes back to day one....1999. I have record of every drop of fuel poured into my truck. I think the odometer is creeping up on 316k miles now....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
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
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 28
From: Mesa AZ
When I think in terms of mpg I don't think in terms of one tank or one time I drove 60 mph and coasted down a hill. I just get frustrated when people say I'm getting 22 mpg in my 4x4 auto. Sorry if I offended anybody but I guess I'm the only dumba$$ on here getting 16 mpg in my 7.3 Ford Powerstroke!��
I once made a few runs from Tucson to El Paso and I hand calculated mileage after refilling the tank and ended up with something like 21 mpg over 450 miles traveled....I was never able to duplicate that figure again. I am certain I made an error in determining how much fuel was consumed during those trips.
Unless you fill the tank up with fuel so it's right at the top of the filler neck, burn the tank down over several hundred miles and then refill all the way up to the same spot then any calculated mpg figure should be taken with a grain of salt.
A few moments ago a co-worker returned from a business trip to Flagstaff driving a 2005 Dodge Cummins quad cab 4x4. He claims to average 24 mpg. I made the same trip last week. We both filled at the same fleet station before departure and both refueled immediately upon return. Both trucks traveled 365 miles round trip. My truck used almost 23 gallons of fuel...his truck used a little over 22 gallons. Hmmmm???? 24 mpg? I don't think so....
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Belgrade, MT
16 mpg member
I get 16 pretty consistantly running empty, add on the 22 foot goose neck and 6 horses, 10 - 12 depending on the mountain passes here in MT. The only time I got over 20mpg was touring through Yellowstone NP one summer, speed limit is 45 through most of the park, and the route back is 60 and 55 for 80 miles. 21.2 was the average on that one tank, have never seen it since.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 768
Likes: 1
From: Live VT, Work MA
I have a friend with three 7.3Ls......with about a million miles on them all totaled and claims like 18+ to anyone that asks......and I just shake my head and ask how many 450+ mile tanks he gets and his answer is always "none, I fill up just before empty at like 380 or so......
We all know the tank foams up like a mother unless you do in tank mods, so some of the hand calculated figures are also "fuzzy" seeing as how I have put in another 3-6 gallons after the pump thinks I'm full.....all I know is a change in your denominator of 3-6 gallons changes your situation real quick.
I would say I'm getting an honest 15.5-16.5 depending on the day.....best I can get is maybe high 17s highway at 65mph cruise set......
At the end of the day......it's an 8000lb rig as aerodynamic as a dumpster.....if people want good mpgs buy a Prius too....
We all know the tank foams up like a mother unless you do in tank mods, so some of the hand calculated figures are also "fuzzy" seeing as how I have put in another 3-6 gallons after the pump thinks I'm full.....all I know is a change in your denominator of 3-6 gallons changes your situation real quick.
I would say I'm getting an honest 15.5-16.5 depending on the day.....best I can get is maybe high 17s highway at 65mph cruise set......
At the end of the day......it's an 8000lb rig as aerodynamic as a dumpster.....if people want good mpgs buy a Prius too....
Last edited by Stewart_H; Oct 2, 2013 at 10:39 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=River19;13587442]I have a friend with three 7.3Ls......with about a million miles on them all totaled and claims like 18+ to anyone that asks......and I just shake my head and ask how many 450+ mile tanks he gets and his answer is always "none, I fill up just before empty at like 380 or so......
We all know the tank foams up like a mother unless you do in tank mods, so some of the hand calculated figures are also "fuzzy" seeing as how I have put in another 3-6 gallons after the pump thinks I'm full.....all I know is a change in your denominator of 3-6 gallons changes your situation real quick.
I would say I'm getting an honest 15.5-16.5 depending on the day.....best I can get is maybe high 17s highway at 65mph cruise set......
At the end of the day......it's an 8000lb rig as aerodynamic as a dumpster.....if people want good mpgs buy a Prius too....[/QUOTE
EXACTLY!
We all know the tank foams up like a mother unless you do in tank mods, so some of the hand calculated figures are also "fuzzy" seeing as how I have put in another 3-6 gallons after the pump thinks I'm full.....all I know is a change in your denominator of 3-6 gallons changes your situation real quick.
I would say I'm getting an honest 15.5-16.5 depending on the day.....best I can get is maybe high 17s highway at 65mph cruise set......
At the end of the day......it's an 8000lb rig as aerodynamic as a dumpster.....if people want good mpgs buy a Prius too....[/QUOTE
EXACTLY!
Last edited by Stewart_H; Oct 2, 2013 at 10:39 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
A lot of people wonder how I get such good economy, so they can duplicate it. My situation is not mainstream, but it's not unusual - I live 45 miles from work and it's mostly highway driving. I'd guess about 80% highway to 20% town. Go easy on the acceleration in town, anticipate your stops, coast as much as you can without doing the Hypermile Holdup, and use the cruise for highway... keeping below 2000 RPM.
With that, I average 17.5 MPG (450 to 500 miles at 3/4 tank). If I puff up my chest and take the big sticks out for a run, 17.5 ain't gunna happen.
With that, I average 17.5 MPG (450 to 500 miles at 3/4 tank). If I puff up my chest and take the big sticks out for a run, 17.5 ain't gunna happen.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 374
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
The thing is the speedometers/odometers on just about every Ford I have checked over the last ten years has been off to the high side by 7% or more. That will click on the miles and make you feel like you are getting better mileage. Just saying.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound