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I don't know about anyone else but the 7.3 was purchased for the hp/ tq not the mileage
I remember when NOL was over $4/gal a few years ago... everyone is freaking out about how much it costs to fill their 12gal sensible family sedan's tank, and here I am pumping 32gal of PRM into the V-10. They are selling their trucks and SUV's and paying a premium for hybrids... when the difference in cost for a typical commuter is about $1000/yr or less. It's like buying a $60K or $80K truck with fancy wheels... then throwing a fit when it comes time to replace the tires.
I just bought a 2023 f550 with 4.88 gears and the 7.3 Godzilla.
The first 500 miles was terrible as far as gas mileage. It was only getting about 9 mi per gallon. Now that I have over 1,800 miles the gas mileage has improved significantly. Between 11and 13 miles per gallon depending on the use and terrain.
Keep in mind this is a big heavy truck. If it improves further I will let you know.
I'd have to honestly say that my 2018 6.2 six speed did slightly better in town and on highway than my 2021 7.3 10 speed. Both 4.30's. The 7.3 does NOT like in town.
I'd have to honestly say that my 2018 6.2 six speed did slightly better in town and on highway than my 2021 7.3 10 speed. Both 4.30's. The 7.3 does NOT like in town.
While having deep gears for towing are great, galavanting can suffer a little especially with Clydesdales under the hood.
Just did a 400 mile trip empty. Very little wind. Driving 65-75 (2 lane and interstate) Have 9800 miles on the truck now. 13.7 mpg per the lie-o-meter. I think it will do better with more miles on it. Not terrible at $2.80/gallon. Will double check the lie-o-meter on the next fill up....
I got this truck to tow our 32' 5er and it does not disappoint. Easy towing with plenty of power thanks to the 10 speed trans. Towing through the hills and mountains gets me about 9.5mpg. Around town, empty, about 9mpg. I try not to use it around town as every few hundred yards is a stop light or sign. Freeway gets me about 15. A recent trip from Sacramento to Reno and back, lots of elevation change, got me 14.6. I can live with those numbers and it seems pretty much in line with what others are getting.
I got a new personal low driving across west Texas into a strong headwind. I was maintaining 70mph and turning about 2700rpm the whole time in 8th gear but my dash said 4.7mpg. I could have slowed down but I was trying to get to my destination before dark. I just made it. I turned at a junction in the highway and then had a tailwind and my dash was saying 9mpg on the instant going 70mph BUT that only lasted about 10 miles before I got to my destination. The day before I drove 451 miles and averaged 7.3mpg going 68-70mph the whole time. Normally, I'm in 10th gear turning 2100rpm at 70mph while towing and that's what it was doing when I got 7.3mpg. This is all with 91 octane at around 4,000ft elevation.
Reading your post brought back memories of my V10 towing and a few trips in the 3-4 mpg range. Amazing watching the fuel gauge drop so fast. I use to carry 2 5 gallon jugs for that reason and had to use them more than once between fueling stops.
I had a 5 gallon can filled just in case but I knew I wasn't going to be able to go my usual 250 miles before stopping for gas. My 50 miles to E warning popped up 10 miles before the gas station I was stopping at but the truck only took 37 gallons. Running 2700rpm for basically 8 hours with 3 stops. Two for the bathroom and 1 for gas. My truck hasn't ever towed when its been in the 30s outside.
I'm going to go butter up the small town Ford dealer while I'm here so I can get my list of Warranty stuff fixed before my 36k bumper to bumper wears out. I was idling yesterday and I heard a rattle I've heard before from the firewall/under hood area. Popped the hood and it turned out to be the hood strut. It is leaking and it's shot already at 33k miles. When I idle now it just rattles away.
I'm heading to my wife's family farm because it's right in the path of the eclipse April 8th. The weather in Texas definitely fluctuates more than southern Arizona. 28F was the low last night where I'm at.
2022 F350 4WD chassis cab with 9' enclosed bed, 7.3 and 4.30s, GVW around 12k lbs
Got around 8.7 MPG when new, now averaging 9.2 MPG at 104k miles, according to Fuelly. About the same as my old '16 F350 (6.2/4.30s), but way more enjoyable to drive due to the additional torque.
The best I ever got with my 19 F350 SRW FX4 with the 6.2 was 19mpg empty on a trip from Idaho to Oklahoma. Hand calculated. Best so far with the 23 dually 7.3 FX4 has been 14.5, hand calculated. Both the 6.2 and 7.3 get a solid 10 mpg with the camper on.
We picked up our 24 F350 7.3 with 4.30 gears last week. Driving back from Iowa to So. Cal. The truck meter showed 14.4 for the first leg (Granger to Oklahoma City), The second leg (Oklahoma City to Albuquerque) mileage went up to a high of 15.5, at the end of our trip it read 15.0.
Just did a 2500 mile trip from western SD to Granbury TX. Liometer says 13.1 average the whole way. Had some wind coming home and did 200 miles at 84mph when we hit I90 in SD. Also stuck in a traffic jam on 35W just south of Oklahoma City for 2 hours. Not terrible. I know other folks are doing better. Truck has 13,000 miles on it now.
I use to carry 2 5 gallon jugs for that reason and had to use them more than once between fueling stops.
