Hey everyone. I know this is a very common question asked but here goes. I have a 2007 f150 4.6 2v. It gets awful gas mileage as any full size truck does but looking at what other people are getting verses me I still feel there’s something I could do to improve it. Most of my driving is in city a little on highway. On average I get 11 mpg. I installed a cold air intake in hopes it would help a little and so far has done nothing other than give me more power. I know there are other thing like programmers or exhaust I could do but so far looks like those would be a waste of money too. I heard something though about maybe I need a new fuel filter or fuel pump might help. Looking for any suggestions here. Just seems lower than what I’ve seen other guys with my truck get.

 

Well 11mpg is spot on in the city, remember this is 1990 technology. Not much you can do.

 

My '06 Super Crew with the 5.4 gets about the same. In the summer I was able to get 12.8 driving very gently, but that was mind numbingly boring. With winter fuel I'm getting about 10.5 mpg driving normally. You're not going to get anywhere near the new 5.0's or the ecoboost's mpgs.

Accept it and forget about it.

 

The nature of the beast. My 04 5.4l typically averages in the 12mog range. Best I ever got was a long interstate trip the showed just over 15. When you read or talk to guys stating theirs is getting 16+ from that year range, they are lying to you.

 

Lighter, narrower tires inflated to the proper pressure [less rolling resistance]
A clean air filter
Get everything out of the truck that you don't need [less weight]
New plugs if they are over 75k miles
The Gott's mod is cheap to do, and may give you a small increase. It seems to have done so for my 5.4. $15 mod.

 

Higher tire pressure, lighter foot on the throttle and less time in the lower gears.
Don't use heavy weight oil as some try to do.
Only other checks is to look at the long term fuel tables for how far they are shifted Rich. Use a Scanner tool.
If more than +10%, that will have a noticeable effect on fuel mileage.
Also a thermostat running the engine too cool or well below 195-200 degree range will use more fuel. Use a Scanner tool.
The cylinder head temp sensor detects this and cause added fuel to the tables.
It also tends to increase low end engine torque but you pay for the extra torque.
Lazy Oz sensors can add to fuel consumption. A test and judgement call. Use Scanner tool.
Cats getting restrictive. Back pressure check.
Good luck.
.
The overall system has to have flexibility (self adjustment) built in to account for long term wear and driving conditions.
There are limits in program that set codes when reached.
If there was no flexibility in the program, everything that shifted, even a small amount would have the CEL lit up.
All the systems are capable of it but that's not what you would put up with all the time, hence the limits in the program before any warning is signaled besides perceived drivability issue..
To improve what you have would take some effort and cost for some small improvement to a 13 year old truck that weighs in the order of 5500 pounds to move around.
Good luck.

 

Picked up a 2008 F-150 SuperCab 4x4 with 5.4L a week ago Friday. Took a 4 hour highway run to get home - just me in truck (270lbs). Mostly 65 MPH and I was able to get 17.44 hand calculated. Drove it 90% local this week and it was about what you were getting - in the 11 mpg range. Small sample but I think that is what you and I are going to see.