Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

4-5 mpg increase overnight???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:18 AM
  #1  
chaser1602's Avatar
chaser1602
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: sanford
4-5 mpg increase overnight???

Bought my 04 2yrs ago with 53000mi on it. 6.0 auto fx4pkg 4dr cc lariat.
The day I got it the mpg lie-o-meter on the overhead display said 18.7mpg. I reset it on the way home. Since then it had gone to around 14. Did a mrficm and 4in turbo back exhaust last summer and got a hi of 15.5mpg.
Sooo, I took it to the outer banks last week and took it out on the sand. Had to get on it a couple of times to get thru the sand. On the way home just happened to look at the lie-o-meter and it was reading 19 mpg and climbing. It went all the way 20.2.
I considered the gauge being wrong but figure it would be way out of line on the readings.
Other than the gauge being fubared can you come up with any other ideas? I was thinking the turbo could have been stuck and working it on the sand got it loosened up??? About all I can come up with.


Your ideas or thouights
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:24 AM
  #2  
mustang_309's Avatar
mustang_309
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Originally Posted by chaser1602
Bought my 04 2yrs ago with 53000mi on it. 6.0 auto fx4pkg 4dr cc lariat.
The day I got it the mpg lie-o-meter on the overhead display said 18.7mpg. I reset it on the way home. Since then it had gone to around 14. Did a mrficm and 4in turbo back exhaust last summer and got a hi of 15.5mpg.
Sooo, I took it to the outer banks last week and took it out on the sand. Had to get on it a couple of times to get thru the sand. On the way home just happened to look at the lie-o-meter and it was reading 19 mpg and climbing. It went all the way 20.2.
I considered the gauge being wrong but figure it would be way out of line on the readings.
Other than the gauge being fubared can you come up with any other ideas? I was thinking the turbo could have been stuck and working it on the sand got it loosened up??? About all I can come up with.


Your ideas or thouights
Perhaps its a fluke or a sticking fuel tank level sender or maybe you got some better fuel. I always hand calculate MPG when I fill up.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:51 AM
  #3  
chaser1602's Avatar
chaser1602
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: sanford
The sticking fuel sender syndrome. I have had the fuel gauge take a while to read after putting fuel in it. But only once that I can think of.
I did run done to ga in july to pick up a trailer and the mileage was right with the display. It was the only time I could afford to fill it up and check it on paper
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 05:48 PM
  #4  
F357's Avatar
F357
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by mustang_309
Perhaps its a fluke or a sticking fuel tank level sender or maybe you got some better fuel. I always hand calculate MPG when I fill up.
The fuel level sender has nothing to do with the MPG computer, that is not where it gets it's information. It calculates based on how fast you are moving and how much fuel it is spraying into the engine.

As for the computer, I'd just reset it and see if it does the same thing again. Probably just an error. The overhead computers in these things are notorious for having weird problems. When I took mine apart several of the components soldered to the board were just flapping lose inside.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 09:55 PM
  #5  
mustang_309's Avatar
mustang_309
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Originally Posted by F357
The fuel level sender has nothing to do with the MPG computer, that is not where it gets it's information. It calculates based on how fast you are moving and how much fuel it is spraying into the engine.

As for the computer, I'd just reset it and see if it does the same thing again. Probably just an error. The overhead computers in these things are notorious for having weird problems. When I took mine apart several of the components soldered to the board were just flapping lose inside.
Interesting, how does the same trip computer know the distance to empty and how does it know when I filled my tank and report that I now have 4XX miles to empty after I fill the tank?
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 09:59 PM
  #6  
F357's Avatar
F357
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by mustang_309
Interesting, how does the same trip computer know the distance to empty and how does it know when I filled my tank and report that I now have 4XX miles to empty after I fill the tank?
It uses the fuel level sensor for that but that is not where the MPG information comes from.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 10:18 PM
  #7  
Don Naslund's Avatar
Don Naslund
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 830
Likes: 39
From: Whittier
I get high readings when I go downhill for a long time. or have a tailwind. I also get low readings with driving in city traffic. My average flat highway driving is about 18 mpg. according to the overhead meter.
 
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2015 | 04:02 PM
  #8  
chaser1602's Avatar
chaser1602
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: sanford
I reset the meter 2 weeks ago. Mileage is staying @17mpg with cjty and hwy. I think if I get out on the highway for a longer time It should pick up more. I filled up yesterday. I don't remember if I reset my tripometer the same time I refilled 2 weeks ago but if I did the mileage was over 18.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bobjones294
Aftermarket Products
4
Jul 5, 2011 06:30 AM
rhino_160
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
7
Apr 1, 2008 07:59 AM
sferree830
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Mar 6, 2008 09:48 AM
05f250fx4
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
May 10, 2006 11:41 PM
Paso1
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Aug 29, 2004 10:33 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:39 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE