Gas mileage
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 51
From: billings mt
best answer: buy a little car and park the truck.
11.8 is pretty decent for this time of year . i get 10. and if youre towing, expect 8.
keep your tires aired up, drive like a granny, and remove any unneeded weight in the truck ( heavy tools, anything in the box you dont need). on the highway, keep it under 65 mph.
nice looking truck!
11.8 is pretty decent for this time of year . i get 10. and if youre towing, expect 8.
keep your tires aired up, drive like a granny, and remove any unneeded weight in the truck ( heavy tools, anything in the box you dont need). on the highway, keep it under 65 mph.
nice looking truck!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 817
Likes: 298
From: KY
No offence but the 5.4 is not enough engine for that heavy of a Vehicle and works to hard to move it IMO. I base that thought off use of a fleet of 250/350's at a former employer. My 99/V10 gets just under 14 and even at that It sits unless I need a truck/tow to haul something. Our only option anymore is to buy a econo car for those trips to town 65 miles away. Depressing thought, but $500++ in gas a month is a waste. And yes, that truck looks showroom new 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 868
Likes: 84
From: Florida
It's funny we never bought that truck for gas mileage. I have a 2002 crew cab too, 4-wheel drive and I knew it was a pig then. It just looks impressive so I'll go with that. Easy on the gas pedal, it's no land rocket...
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,191
Likes: 8,082
From: Texas
Nice looking truck for being 15 yrs old. Congrats on the findf.
The only thing that will improve your fuel mileage is a good tune-up and less pressure on the skinny pedal. Everything else is a gimmick designed to separate you from your money.
As far as a CAI and exhaust go, they will mainly increase the noise level and cost more than they yield financially.
In the end…..your dollars and your truck.
The only thing that will improve your fuel mileage is a good tune-up and less pressure on the skinny pedal. Everything else is a gimmick designed to separate you from your money.
As far as a CAI and exhaust go, they will mainly increase the noise level and cost more than they yield financially.
In the end…..your dollars and your truck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Almost every vehicle made in the last 20+ years comes with a cold air intake from the factory that can support way more power than the vehicle came with. The stock air intake is capable of supporting 500hp easily. There's absolutely no reason to change it unless you plan on increasing HP dramatically. Same with exhaust, the only reasons to change would be to put on a SS system on for longevity if it didn't come with one , or swap the muffler out just for sound. You almost never recoup the cost of parts in fuel savings. CAI, exhaust and a tune will run you $1000+. easy. How long is it gonna take to get that $1000 back, if you only get a 1mpg increase..which is about what that will get you,maybe 2mpg, if the truck starts out with a really bad tune and running condition.
Start with a full tune up and full fluid changes to synthetic, correct tire air pressure, make sure the drive train is free( no tight u joints, wheel bearings, etc), make sure the brakes aren't dragging, make sure all the engine accessories and idlers spin free and aren't tight/seized. Other than that drive like a grandpa. 12-14mpg is what i see most people saying the get so you're in the range..it is what it is.
Start with a full tune up and full fluid changes to synthetic, correct tire air pressure, make sure the drive train is free( no tight u joints, wheel bearings, etc), make sure the brakes aren't dragging, make sure all the engine accessories and idlers spin free and aren't tight/seized. Other than that drive like a grandpa. 12-14mpg is what i see most people saying the get so you're in the range..it is what it is.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 1,663
The guys above pretty much have it nailed down. The 5.4 should NEVER have been offered in the SD trucks. It is a high-revving engine (its power band starts above 2k RPM), and works GREAT in lighter vehicles like the F150 or the Expedition. But for the low gearing of the SuperDuty, which was quite honestly designed for the Powerstroke engines, the 5.4 is a TERRIBLE match. To make power you've got to rev it high, which means lots of fuel used, which means low mileage numbers.
I would have to believe that's how you came across a 15 year old truck in such good shape - it was probably bought new, discovered the mileage was terrible, and was parked unless it was needed. That thing really does look showroom-new.
I would have to believe that's how you came across a 15 year old truck in such good shape - it was probably bought new, discovered the mileage was terrible, and was parked unless it was needed. That thing really does look showroom-new.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,679
From: Stephensville WI
My previous truck, an 07 F-250 Suoer Cab with a 5.4L and 3.73 gears, would get around 14 on the highway and around 11-12 around town.
Gas quality is important. The 5.4L didn't much like winter fuel blends or 10% ethanol blends. Higher octane fuels seemed to help while towing, but not so much unloaded.
Otherwise, slow down, accelerate slowly, and don't carry unnecessary weight.
Gas quality is important. The 5.4L didn't much like winter fuel blends or 10% ethanol blends. Higher octane fuels seemed to help while towing, but not so much unloaded.
Otherwise, slow down, accelerate slowly, and don't carry unnecessary weight.
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