Bad mpg
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
Bad mpg
Just bought my truck a couple weeks ago it's a 2011 6.2 f250 crew cab long bed with stock tires and stock lift with 172k miles. I average about 9.5 or 10 mpg which I understand these trucks don't get great gas mpg but I thought most people averaged closer to 15. Most of my miles are highway but it seems like no matter how I drive it I still get the same mpg. 4x4 hubs are not locked in I checked my air filter and it looked good although the housing for it does have a hole in it but all the air still goes through filter. Not sure what else to look for I know when I first start truck the fan kicks on for a second and revs up and then idles down real low and just yesterday I couldn't get truck to start right away and when I did it stalled out but then I started it and never had a problem again so any advice would be appreciated thanks
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,526
Likes: 926
From: Home Base Nebraska
The truck is new to you and you don't know it's service history so start with a good tuneup, plugs, boots and wires and a few good tanks of top tier gas. Check the idler and tension pulleys to make sure that's not the noise you are hearing. Check and make sure the brakes aren't draging, its also a good time to check the condition of the pads. Whenever I bought a new to me vehicle I change the fluids starting at the back and work forward, rearend grease, transfer case, transmission, power steering, motor oil to make sure it's 5W-20, antifreeze. If you have any more hard starts in the morning check fuel pump pressure.
Denny
Denny
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
If the plugs were not changed in the 172k miles of the truck you'd see the issues that you are describing. Incomplete combustion will also start having an adverse impact on the catalytic converters, whick might now be partially clogged.
My advice, replace all of the plugs and boots, check all of the COPs, run a can of Gumout One & Done through the fuel system to clean the injectors and valves, then evaluate the cats.
My advice, replace all of the plugs and boots, check all of the COPs, run a can of Gumout One & Done through the fuel system to clean the injectors and valves, then evaluate the cats.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
What’s the axle ratio?
what psi do you have in your tires?
i have a 2011 F350 6.2l with a 3.73 axle - about 105,000 miles. Get around 10.5 mpg with non-highway miles and maybe 15 mpg on the highway (65 to 70 mph). Stock suspension and tires (18 inch) - keep the tires at 72 psi
edit: to add to the maintenance items listed by the other posters, there are oem grease zerks in the two front wheel knuckles; should give those a good shot of grease. I grease mine when I swap my winter/summer tires
what psi do you have in your tires?
i have a 2011 F350 6.2l with a 3.73 axle - about 105,000 miles. Get around 10.5 mpg with non-highway miles and maybe 15 mpg on the highway (65 to 70 mph). Stock suspension and tires (18 inch) - keep the tires at 72 psi
edit: to add to the maintenance items listed by the other posters, there are oem grease zerks in the two front wheel knuckles; should give those a good shot of grease. I grease mine when I swap my winter/summer tires
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
Do you guys also suggest replaceing the spark plug coil packs. Also is it best to buy oem stuff or is there some better after market. Not sure what axle ratio it has. Is there an easy way to find this out and tires are at 70psi now. Also is there somewhere in manual that you can find all the grease zerks. Appreciate the quick response and suggestions
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 47
Do you guys also suggest replaceing the spark plug coil packs. Also is it best to buy oem stuff or is there some better after market. Not sure what axle ratio it has. Is there an easy way to find this out and tires are at 70psi now. Also is there somewhere in manual that you can find all the grease zerks. Appreciate the quick response and suggestions
think the driver door sticker will tell you about the axle
better to buy Motorcraft parts if you can, in my opinion, but it’s not a big deal if you don’t
Would probably wise to change out the coil packs based on the mileage; that way you know that they’re “fresh”
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,526
Likes: 926
From: Home Base Nebraska
Go to Rock Auto and get Motocraft parts for a good price, I even bought my Motocraft LV transmission fluid and filter from them.
Denny
Denny
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 382
Likes: 79
Just bought my truck a couple weeks ago it's a 2011 6.2 f250 crew cab long bed with stock tires and stock lift with 172k miles. I average about 9.5 or 10 mpg which I understand these trucks don't get great gas mpg but I thought most people averaged closer to 15. Most of my miles are highway but it seems like no matter how I drive it I still get the same mpg. 4x4 hubs are not locked in I checked my air filter and it looked good although the housing for it does have a hole in it but all the air still goes through filter. Not sure what else to look for I know when I first start truck the fan kicks on for a second and revs up and then idles down real low and just yesterday I couldn't get truck to start right away and when I did it stalled out but then I started it and never had a problem again so any advice would be appreciated thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 676
From: DeMotte, IN
With all the issues with breaking plugs, I would have the dealer do that. I plan on having the dealer change mine this spring even though I only have 65k on the truck. May have them bleed the brakes also just because I am getting lazy and there are more things I would rather pay someone to do. I have a good relationship with the local Ford service department so I do not worry about getting poor service.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,526
Likes: 926
From: Home Base Nebraska
With all the issues with breaking plugs, I would have the dealer do that. I plan on having the dealer change mine this spring even though I only have 65k on the truck. May have them bleed the brakes also just because I am getting lazy and there are more things I would rather pay someone to do. I have a good relationship with the local Ford service department so I do not worry about getting poor service.
Denny
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 676
From: DeMotte, IN
Because I have never bled them and wanted to do it at 50k when I changed all the rear end fluids and I do not want to wait till 75k. And, that's how many miles the truck has on it. I only use the truck for towing now and it bothers me that I have never bled them. 