MPG Improvements
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MPG Improvements
Hi All, I am new to this forum.
I have an '05 F350 single rear-axle w/109k miles. I only recently bought the truck for towing, and haven't had much time to play with it.
It seems that I get about 10-11 mpg on average - I was thinking this was a bit low - anything I can check?
I am normally a pretty quick driver, but, have been taking it easy to get a good read on the mileage, so, the right foot has been "very light".
The truck has a "tick", and I intend on following some of the guides for that, but any ideas to improve the mileage would be greatly appreciated.
Brgds,
Kevin
I have an '05 F350 single rear-axle w/109k miles. I only recently bought the truck for towing, and haven't had much time to play with it.
It seems that I get about 10-11 mpg on average - I was thinking this was a bit low - anything I can check?
I am normally a pretty quick driver, but, have been taking it easy to get a good read on the mileage, so, the right foot has been "very light".
The truck has a "tick", and I intend on following some of the guides for that, but any ideas to improve the mileage would be greatly appreciated.
Brgds,
Kevin
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sorry for the delay (2 jobs) - yes, it's the 5.4L gas engine, automatic. The mileage was a combination of highway/in-town... not a lot of traffic, but, in-town is stop/go.
R Axle = 3L - 3.73 limited slip.
Any ideas would be helpful, truck look great - rides wonderful, feels good (little tick), and pulls like a dream...
Brgds,
K
R Axle = 3L - 3.73 limited slip.
Any ideas would be helpful, truck look great - rides wonderful, feels good (little tick), and pulls like a dream...
Brgds,
K
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From: Stephensville WI
10-11 MPG for that truck is normal for a combination of city/highway driving. My truck has the identical power train, I can get up to +/- 15 MPG on the highway, but normally it's 14 MPG +/-. Winter driving (and winter fuel) can drop that down into the 13 MPG range.
Want better? Get tires with lower rolling resistance, keep your foot off of the throttle, practice using your brakes as little as possible, check your tire pressure, make sure your air and fuel filters are in good shape, use fuel without added alcohol, install smaller side view mirrors, drive slower.
Want better? Get tires with lower rolling resistance, keep your foot off of the throttle, practice using your brakes as little as possible, check your tire pressure, make sure your air and fuel filters are in good shape, use fuel without added alcohol, install smaller side view mirrors, drive slower.
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
The tick is probably a manifold. I don't know how common that is for the 3v trucks but possible. Do you know the maintenance history of the truck at 109k the plugs are toast if they're factory and if you're not mechanically inclined the 2 piece plug design can be a nightmare to change. Are you running factory size tires?
As stated, filters, tire pressure and tire size, the the go pedal all affect your mileage. With 3.73s your truck is geared for highway, depending on how you use the truck and what percentage it will be towing 4.30s might be worth it.
As stated, filters, tire pressure and tire size, the the go pedal all affect your mileage. With 3.73s your truck is geared for highway, depending on how you use the truck and what percentage it will be towing 4.30s might be worth it.
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From: monroe ct
Manifold leaks are pretty common for the 3v. I did 2 sets in 80k miles. That tick will only get worse over time and is pretty expensive to have a mechanic fix. And if one is leaking I'd bet the other is it will be too very soon. I used to get 14 highway, and 11 city. Then I added an exhaust, intake and tuner and got 12/10. Then I added 35s and get about 10 with both.
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2005 5.4 with the same 10-11 mpg on average and really more on the 10 side. I added a bed cover which gained me about a thrid of a MPG.
in city driving
You can do things to increase your MPG marginally, but you might not like the trade offs.
most folks actually under inflate their tires to soften the ride and lost MPG their...so go with the max recommended tire pressure if you want the best MPG.
Check your air filter and other items to make sure they are serviceable.
Becareful about tweaks that change your AFR (air fuel ratio). for example, some folks put o2 sensor bung extensions in their system to lean out the AFR and gain a half of a MPG. But leaner AFR will increase heat and decrease power. no free lunch.
05 has efi injectors so the gadets that go between the throttle body and manifold to spin up the air won't work either.
If you come across a wonder drvice that will give more MPG with out loosing power, keep us posted...might want to look into it.
in city driving
You can do things to increase your MPG marginally, but you might not like the trade offs.
most folks actually under inflate their tires to soften the ride and lost MPG their...so go with the max recommended tire pressure if you want the best MPG.
Check your air filter and other items to make sure they are serviceable.
Becareful about tweaks that change your AFR (air fuel ratio). for example, some folks put o2 sensor bung extensions in their system to lean out the AFR and gain a half of a MPG. But leaner AFR will increase heat and decrease power. no free lunch.
05 has efi injectors so the gadets that go between the throttle body and manifold to spin up the air won't work either.
If you come across a wonder drvice that will give more MPG with out loosing power, keep us posted...might want to look into it.
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From: monroe ct
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Thanks for the support.
I will keep the tire pressure up, check the air/fuel filters, etc...
I have a couple of questions at the expense of sounding silly:
What is the "3v" - is the vius rating class 3?
Also for the manifold, you think the tick is an "exhaust" manifold leak?, can I merely remove and replace based on the other threads?
Also, I understand that there is a two piece plug on this truck (my first time owning such a vehicle) and is a requirement to have the lisle 65600 tool for removing a broken plug...
Any experiences with this? I am going out of town tomorrow for a couple weeks, but, when I return, I intend to give a tune-up, replacing plugs/wires/coil(?), oil (w/15/40), etc...
Thanks
K
I will keep the tire pressure up, check the air/fuel filters, etc...
I have a couple of questions at the expense of sounding silly:
What is the "3v" - is the vius rating class 3?
Also for the manifold, you think the tick is an "exhaust" manifold leak?, can I merely remove and replace based on the other threads?
Also, I understand that there is a two piece plug on this truck (my first time owning such a vehicle) and is a requirement to have the lisle 65600 tool for removing a broken plug...
Any experiences with this? I am going out of town tomorrow for a couple weeks, but, when I return, I intend to give a tune-up, replacing plugs/wires/coil(?), oil (w/15/40), etc...
Thanks
K
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From: monroe ct
The tick could be an exhaust manifold or just the normal ticking of the cam phasers that retard and advance the cam timing. 3v refers to the number of valves per cylinder. Each cylinder has 2 intake and 1 exhaust. 2v has one if each and 4v has 2 if each.
I would only use motorcraft plugs and synthetic 5w20 with a motorcraft FL820s oil filter.
I would only use motorcraft plugs and synthetic 5w20 with a motorcraft FL820s oil filter.
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From: ALPHA ,NJ
Thanks for the support.
I will keep the tire pressure up, check the air/fuel filters, etc...
I have a couple of questions at the expense of sounding silly:
What is the "3v" - is the vius rating class 3?
Also for the manifold, you think the tick is an "exhaust" manifold leak?, can I merely remove and replace based on the other threads?
Also, I understand that there is a two piece plug on this truck (my first time owning such a vehicle) and is a requirement to have the lisle 65600 tool for removing a broken plug...
Any experiences with this? I am going out of town tomorrow for a couple weeks, but, when I return, I intend to give a tune-up, replacing plugs/wires/coil(?), oil (w/15/40), etc...
Thanks
K
I will keep the tire pressure up, check the air/fuel filters, etc...
I have a couple of questions at the expense of sounding silly:
What is the "3v" - is the vius rating class 3?
Also for the manifold, you think the tick is an "exhaust" manifold leak?, can I merely remove and replace based on the other threads?
Also, I understand that there is a two piece plug on this truck (my first time owning such a vehicle) and is a requirement to have the lisle 65600 tool for removing a broken plug...
Any experiences with this? I am going out of town tomorrow for a couple weeks, but, when I return, I intend to give a tune-up, replacing plugs/wires/coil(?), oil (w/15/40), etc...
Thanks
K
3v means 3 valve verses the older 2 valve trucks.
Yes the manifold I was referring to was the exhaust. You can just replace it but it probably has broken studs which is why its leaking.
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From: Stephensville WI
Don't waste your time or money with any add on engine parts, intakes, exhausts, tunes, chips, fuel additives, magnets, or any other miracle MPG enhancing devices. They don't work.
The bottom line is you drive a 7-8000 pound truck with the aerodynamic properties of the Sears Tower. Fuel mileage was not high on the list of priorities when the truck was designed. Your truck can tow twice her gross weight, but it cannot tow that 14000-16000 pound load past very many fuel pumps.
The bottom line is you drive a 7-8000 pound truck with the aerodynamic properties of the Sears Tower. Fuel mileage was not high on the list of priorities when the truck was designed. Your truck can tow twice her gross weight, but it cannot tow that 14000-16000 pound load past very many fuel pumps.
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