1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Gas Mileage

  #1  
Old 09-01-2003 | 08:41 AM
zieg96's Avatar
zieg96
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Question Gas Mileage

Brand new to the site as of this date. I recently bought a 96 F-150 that appears like it has never seen a winter. I am from the north so things get rusty quickly. My question is what is the best gas mileage I can expect with this truck. It has 59K miles and a 4.9L 5sp. with a 3.55 Checked it one time and got a shocking 11.25 miles per gallon. Very disappointing for the way it runs. I used to get close to 20 in my 78 F-150 with the 4 sp. OD. Is this normal or is something wrong. I also have a minor exhaust manifold leak but I don't think that is the cause. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 09-01-2003 | 09:13 AM
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MustangGT221
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Gas Mileage

Driving like a normal person and not a lead foot, you should be getting 15-18 city/hwy ...approx give or take. I got 14.5 on a trip to maine with 32" tires and a 6" lift, I was getting 16 or so before that.
 
  #3  
Old 09-01-2003 | 09:22 AM
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zieg96
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Gas Mileage

I do not have a lead foot and take it easy. I live in the country so it is almost all highway type driving. I don't lug the engine and shift to soon nor I wind the gears either. I do have a cap but it is cab high and also it is 2wd. 8ft bed and a regular cab if it helps.
I rarely go over 60. The tailpipe is a light grey so it is not running to rich.
 
  #4  
Old 09-01-2003 | 03:21 PM
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fordmarshall111
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From: San Jose, CA
Gas Mileage

id do a complete tuneup, ignition coil, distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires. check your tire pressure. check your converter too to see if its plugged.
 
  #5  
Old 09-01-2003 | 03:51 PM
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zieg96
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Gas Mileage

A major tune-up was done by a Ford dealer less than 14K miles ago. It seems to run to good for needing a tune-up, do you really think that might be the problem? Does the computor store up codes if prior problems were sensed? I don't or haven't had a check engine light since I have had it. I have only had it for going on 3 months and have not put 1K on it yet.
One thing that occured to me is with the slight exhaust leak could a knock senser be retarding my timing?
 
  #6  
Old 09-01-2003 | 05:33 PM
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Gas Mileage

Airfilter dirty?
 
  #7  
Old 09-01-2003 | 06:29 PM
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zieg96
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Gas Mileage

Thanks for the reply. Checked air filter and it looks like it was just changed.
 
  #8  
Old 09-01-2003 | 08:02 PM
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Gas Mileage

check for PCM trouble codes. You can pick up a tester at Autozone for 20 bucks or so.
 
  #9  
Old 09-01-2003 | 08:35 PM
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From: Cloud USA
Gas Mileage

Your 96 has a mass air meter, which could be at fault. My dads 96 with a 351 went bad and was only getting 6-8mpg with no trouble codes, but black smoke on when on the gas pedel. I found that to be odd with a OBD-II computer.
 
  #10  
Old 09-01-2003 | 08:37 PM
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Gas Mileage

What does the inside of the tail pipe look like? If it is really sooty I would probably bet on it.
 
  #11  
Old 09-01-2003 | 09:01 PM
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Gas Mileage

I think if you look in your manual that Ford recommends changing the O2 sensor every 50K and since your entire engine performance revolves around it, might be worth $50 to try it.
 
  #12  
Old 09-02-2003 | 06:26 AM
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Gas Mileage

Tailpipe is a nice light grey in color. I will try the oxygen sensor route.
 
  #13  
Old 09-02-2003 | 07:59 AM
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larry derouin
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
Gas Mileage

Just got back from Crisfield Md. (Live near Baltimore). Truck has NEVER gotten over 14.5 before in any condition/load/speed.

Drove down Friday averaged 62mph/AC ON. 14.77 mpg

Drove back sunday evening, same roads....NO AC averaged 53mph....15.6mpg

Used the front tank for both ways.

Larry
 
  #14  
Old 09-02-2003 | 10:17 AM
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zieg96
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Gas Mileage

Do you mean it has never gotten less than 14.5mpg?
 
  #15  
Old 09-02-2003 | 11:02 AM
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Gas Mileage

carb 300's seem to be better on gas than the EFI's. My 460 gets better mileage then my 300.
 

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