updated 7.3 mpg
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 3
Just got back from a 300 mile, all-highway trip (reset the trip meter as I was getting on the highway). About half with the cruise set at 75, and about half with the cruise set at 62. Averaged 15.0 MPG.
2021 F-350 CCSB, 7.3 w/ 3.73
Truck just tipped over 1000 miles on the odometer at the end of the trip.
Coming from a Titan XD Cummins where I probably would have gotten 18 MPG on the same trip. So, I’m pretty pleased.
2021 F-350 CCSB, 7.3 w/ 3.73
Truck just tipped over 1000 miles on the odometer at the end of the trip.
Coming from a Titan XD Cummins where I probably would have gotten 18 MPG on the same trip. So, I’m pretty pleased.
8th Gear
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Long way to drive for dinner, but I have done it. I could live with those #s.
waiting on my special order SD250 w/ 4:30, that makes me happy.
I think many SD fans will order the 7.3
waiting on my special order SD250 w/ 4:30, that makes me happy.
I think many SD fans will order the 7.3
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 715
Likes: 337
From: Texas Hill Country
My truck, 7.3/3.55, will lope along on a flat stretch of highway doing 80 MPH at only 1800 RPMs. This really surprised me as that seems awfully low and easy for that speed. By contrast, my 2.5L Subaru Outback runs almost 2500 RPMs at that speed. I've been very impressed with this engine so far. I haven't towed yet. The transmission does downshift on steep hills when keeping high speed, but its not even noticeable unless you watch the gear display. The 7.3 seems to work very well at low RPMs, just as Ford designed it to!
By contrast, my two previous diesels broke 2000 RPMs at around 65 MPH. Above that and their MPG went down fast.
By contrast, my two previous diesels broke 2000 RPMs at around 65 MPH. Above that and their MPG went down fast.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 605
Likes: 61
It really is hard too comprehend, but if we can believe the numbers being posted the 7.3 is getting at least as good, and maybe better mpg than the 6.2.
A larger displacement, higher power engine SHOULD use more fuel. It defies logic.
I would not have expected this and do not understand it.
All of my trips over the summer and fall were loaded up but recently have done a couple of 500 mi round trips unladen up to our cabin and our 6.2 ten speed barely gets 15 mpg.
I am very happy with the 6.2 and it pulls everything we have, so I am not complaining. When we purchased in spring of 2020, just as Covid was hitting and plants were closed, there we hardly any 7.3 around. Inventory was low on SD’s and we needed a new truck.
Would i have purchased a 7.3 if they were available? You betcha!
Am I disappointed with our 6.2-no not at all. Just very surprised with the mpg numbers of the 7.3. Now that there is good amount of data on the 7.3 it is starting to look real!
A larger displacement, higher power engine SHOULD use more fuel. It defies logic.
I would not have expected this and do not understand it.
All of my trips over the summer and fall were loaded up but recently have done a couple of 500 mi round trips unladen up to our cabin and our 6.2 ten speed barely gets 15 mpg.
I am very happy with the 6.2 and it pulls everything we have, so I am not complaining. When we purchased in spring of 2020, just as Covid was hitting and plants were closed, there we hardly any 7.3 around. Inventory was low on SD’s and we needed a new truck.
Would i have purchased a 7.3 if they were available? You betcha!
Am I disappointed with our 6.2-no not at all. Just very surprised with the mpg numbers of the 7.3. Now that there is good amount of data on the 7.3 it is starting to look real!
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 667
Likes: 156
What I'm finding in comparison to my 5.7 Hemi is my 7.3 is making much more use of low end Torque.......Torque at lower RPMS, simply because it produces it.
I have a mountain to climb on the way home and my Hemi needed 2500 RPMS to tackle this long grade at 50 mph where as the 7.3 comfortably holds 50 mph at 1800 RPMS.
I realize, not apples to apples but just something to note.
I have a mountain to climb on the way home and my Hemi needed 2500 RPMS to tackle this long grade at 50 mph where as the 7.3 comfortably holds 50 mph at 1800 RPMS.
I realize, not apples to apples but just something to note.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
It really is hard too comprehend, but if we can believe the numbers being posted the 7.3 is getting at least as good, and maybe better mpg than the 6.2.
A larger displacement, higher power engine SHOULD use more fuel. It defies logic.
I would not have expected this and do not understand it.
All of my trips over the summer and fall were loaded up but recently have done a couple of 500 mi round trips unladen up to our cabin and our 6.2 ten speed barely gets 15 mpg.
I am very happy with the 6.2 and it pulls everything we have, so I am not complaining. When we purchased in spring of 2020, just as Covid was hitting and plants were closed, there we hardly any 7.3 around. Inventory was low on SD’s and we needed a new truck.
Would i have purchased a 7.3 if they were available? You betcha!
Am I disappointed with our 6.2-no not at all. Just very surprised with the mpg numbers of the 7.3. Now that there is good amount of data on the 7.3 it is starting to look real!
A larger displacement, higher power engine SHOULD use more fuel. It defies logic.
I would not have expected this and do not understand it.
All of my trips over the summer and fall were loaded up but recently have done a couple of 500 mi round trips unladen up to our cabin and our 6.2 ten speed barely gets 15 mpg.
I am very happy with the 6.2 and it pulls everything we have, so I am not complaining. When we purchased in spring of 2020, just as Covid was hitting and plants were closed, there we hardly any 7.3 around. Inventory was low on SD’s and we needed a new truck.
Would i have purchased a 7.3 if they were available? You betcha!
Am I disappointed with our 6.2-no not at all. Just very surprised with the mpg numbers of the 7.3. Now that there is good amount of data on the 7.3 it is starting to look real!
the 6.2 is a very good engine, but in the super duty, I think it barely has the proper displacement. I have an 03 super duty that has the 5.4l. It gets 10 to 11mpg. compare that to the 6.2l. if an engine can run a leaner hotter burn then it is more efficient. my wife has a 2018 f150 with the 5.0 that is leveled on 35's. she gets better fuel economy than my friends 3.5eb set up similarly. especially when towing.
The 7.3 seems to be a great engine. I look forward to getting my own in a couple years. I do kinda wish they would have went with a 460ci though instead of a 445ci lol.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
Yeah I was going to say the same. For YEARS engineers have told us that smaller engines are more efficient. That taller axle gears are more efficient. My experience in 26 years of driving every truck and SUV on the market is exactly the opposite. Tall gears require a lot of work. Small engines also have to do a lot of work. Work = fuel.
By contrast, a big, powerful engine with gobs of horsepower and torque mated to a 10-speed trans. and low axle gearing will work very little to push a truck down the road. It's a cake walk for a powertrain like that. Hence, less fuel used.
By contrast, a big, powerful engine with gobs of horsepower and torque mated to a 10-speed trans. and low axle gearing will work very little to push a truck down the road. It's a cake walk for a powertrain like that. Hence, less fuel used.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 104
From: Southern KS
I think a lot of it has to do with how well the 7.3 is matched to a heavy non aero truck. The 10 speed helps but a larger engine that isn't working hard can be more efficient than a smaller engine that has to work harder in the same platform.
If you remember during design the displacement of the 7.3 was a result of what they wanted it to do. They didn't start with a certain displacement and go from there like a lot of new designs.
If you remember during design the displacement of the 7.3 was a result of what they wanted it to do. They didn't start with a certain displacement and go from there like a lot of new designs.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 345
Likes: 92
Talking to a owner of a F250 with 3.55 rear axle ratio with the 10 speed and 7.3, he said it takes some time to loosen up the tranny to start getting higher mpg than from day new. Plus the 7.3 is purportedly getting better than the 6.2 due to the 10 speed I was told over the 6.2 6 speed tranny.
I am looking to pick mine up maybe tomorrow if I can work the deal up. It is the 7.3 with 3.55 rear also.
I am looking to pick mine up maybe tomorrow if I can work the deal up. It is the 7.3 with 3.55 rear also.