CLASS ACTION
Junior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Like some say, I did not buy a pickup for mileage. Having said that, I still like getting the best MPG I can while having the capabilities I want. I have an 2018 SCREW Lariat FX4 with the 3.5I EB. I'm getting 14-15 in town and 20 on the Hwy at 75. OK, I don't get 21 but I'm happy with it. I get 9 to 13 towing a 6K lb trailer and that's pretty good in my book.
Last edited by EB-Larry; Jul 28, 2019 at 11:04 PM. Reason: spelling
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,050
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
MPG estimates are made using the lightest vehicle of the class equipped with the tallest gears. So, if one is truck shopping after having ingested a bottle testosterone tablets, one may purchase way more truck then they need.
This fight was at the forefront of most discussions in the 2009-2014 forum. Guys would buy a truck with the 3.5L, 3.73 axles, Screw loaded tot he hilt and bich because their mileage was low. They they'd call me a liar because I have a truck that is mid to lower trim level, Scab and 3.31 axles with the 3.5L. I've never not been well within the EPA estimates. I bought what I needed and not that tow monster that everyone thinks they should have.
This fight was at the forefront of most discussions in the 2009-2014 forum. Guys would buy a truck with the 3.5L, 3.73 axles, Screw loaded tot he hilt and bich because their mileage was low. They they'd call me a liar because I have a truck that is mid to lower trim level, Scab and 3.31 axles with the 3.5L. I've never not been well within the EPA estimates. I bought what I needed and not that tow monster that everyone thinks they should have.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
Something people forget is that the EPA cycle test is done under very specific conditions. The numbers on the sticker are the results of those tests.
Unless you are driving the EPA test cycle...you really shouldn't expect to get those exact numbers.
I can hit the EPA estimates (estimate....another word people forget is on the sticker...EPA fuel economy ESTIMATE) if I try...but I don't normally try.
I think lots of these class action lawsuits come from the lawyers. They find a weakness to try to extort money from large companies...then they try to have lots of people join....so the lawyers make $MM and the real bill for this goes to the company's customers.
So, the law firm will push for a $100 million lawsuit and then we all get stuck paying an extra $50 for every truck. The people they get to join the lawsuit will get a free oil change or less.....
That's how I see it. I would have a different view if my truck only got half the EPA, because it would be grossly inaccurate. However, in my opinion, it all comes down to where and how you drive.
Unless you are driving the EPA test cycle...you really shouldn't expect to get those exact numbers.
I can hit the EPA estimates (estimate....another word people forget is on the sticker...EPA fuel economy ESTIMATE) if I try...but I don't normally try.
I think lots of these class action lawsuits come from the lawyers. They find a weakness to try to extort money from large companies...then they try to have lots of people join....so the lawyers make $MM and the real bill for this goes to the company's customers.
So, the law firm will push for a $100 million lawsuit and then we all get stuck paying an extra $50 for every truck. The people they get to join the lawsuit will get a free oil change or less.....
That's how I see it. I would have a different view if my truck only got half the EPA, because it would be grossly inaccurate. However, in my opinion, it all comes down to where and how you drive.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 136
From: Burleson, Tx
Personally I have only come close to the highway claimed mpg once and that was following a school bus (drafting) while doing 60mph. And one thing I could see getting Ford in trouble is the fact the the lie-o-meter is programmed from the factory to read high.
Do I worry about the mpg on mine? Not really, it's a truck and I drive faster than the controlled environment tests were done at (even though the texts are a bunch of b.s.) and I use my air conditioner. Would I like to get 20mpg? Well, yeah!!
Do I worry about the mpg on mine? Not really, it's a truck and I drive faster than the controlled environment tests were done at (even though the texts are a bunch of b.s.) and I use my air conditioner. Would I like to get 20mpg? Well, yeah!!
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
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Northern MI
My numbers are just like yours. I live in a very rural part of my state. I think my brakes will last 150,000 miles. lol
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 183
Likes: 57
From: Middle of Nevada
And lest someone thinks I baby the truck, here's a screen shot of my Garmin GPS taken right after I returned from a 3745.5 mile trip a few days ago. Despite the traffic jams and construction (seems half the time I was driving through orange barrels) my moving average speed was 71 mpg.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,324
Likes: 5,136
From: 0,0,1
This all pretty much boils down to what one's needs or desires are. If you need a workhorse you buy a truck knowing full well your mileage will be on the low to medium side. If however you want mileage, then you buy a fuel efficient car. If you need both then buy both or find a vehicle that falls somewhere in-between.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
This all pretty much boils down to what one's needs or desires are. If you need a workhorse you buy a truck knowing full well your mileage will be on the low to medium side. If however you want mileage, then you buy a fuel efficient car. If you need both then buy both or find a vehicle that falls somewhere in-between.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 8
From: Lincoln, NE
I don't have a whole lot more to add to what has already been said. You can give the exact same vehicle to 3 different people, have them drive the same route under exact same conditions and still get 3 different results for MPG. People use their right foot differently than others. Some accelerate very quickly, others are mild, most are somewhere in the middle. The faster you accelerate, the more fuel you burn.
Also I am willing to bet some of those people don't fully comprehend what "Highway" truly means for fuel economy tests. Most of us that drive at "Freeway" speeds (over 70 mph) notice our mileage doesn't meet the printed HWY estimate. But if you drive at more traditional "Highway" speeds of 55-65 mph, you will see your fuel economy come a lot closer to the printed HWY estimates.
I get around 18-19mpg HWY (not freeway) with my 2010 5.4V8 and am quite happy with those results. The 2001 Ranger that my F150 replaced only got about 14-15 and it was a smaller engine, 4.0V6, moving a lighter truck.
Also I am willing to bet some of those people don't fully comprehend what "Highway" truly means for fuel economy tests. Most of us that drive at "Freeway" speeds (over 70 mph) notice our mileage doesn't meet the printed HWY estimate. But if you drive at more traditional "Highway" speeds of 55-65 mph, you will see your fuel economy come a lot closer to the printed HWY estimates.
I get around 18-19mpg HWY (not freeway) with my 2010 5.4V8 and am quite happy with those results. The 2001 Ranger that my F150 replaced only got about 14-15 and it was a smaller engine, 4.0V6, moving a lighter truck.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Drove an Excursion 7.3 for 14 years, followed by a 09 5.4 F-150... mileage is just something I wrote down in the log book. My new EB 3.5 SCREW 6.5' bed has 17/23 on the window sticker and mileage on the first tank (hand calculated) is 13.9. I was somewhat disappointed.
With 1/3 left on this tank, the dash mileage says 14.1 so here's to hoping it gets closer to 17 after a bit of break in.
With 1/3 left on this tank, the dash mileage says 14.1 so here's to hoping it gets closer to 17 after a bit of break in.