Another Fuel Mileage Question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Mount Airy, Md
Another Fuel Mileage Question
I am new to diesels and have had mine for about 2 weeks.
99', F-350, PSD, 39,800 miles, 4x4, Auto, DRW, 4:10 rear. According to my avg. mileage indicator in the upper console, I am only getting 11.9 mpg. I have driven mostly short trips, 5-10 miles with one long drive of 100 miles. Started with a full tank and it is now just below 3/4. According to other posts i've seen this sucks !!
Am I overreacting or is this about right for cold weather short trip driving. I just want to know so I can take it back to the dealer while it is still under their short 30 day warranty.
Thanks in advance.
99', F-350, PSD, 39,800 miles, 4x4, Auto, DRW, 4:10 rear. According to my avg. mileage indicator in the upper console, I am only getting 11.9 mpg. I have driven mostly short trips, 5-10 miles with one long drive of 100 miles. Started with a full tank and it is now just below 3/4. According to other posts i've seen this sucks !!
Am I overreacting or is this about right for cold weather short trip driving. I just want to know so I can take it back to the dealer while it is still under their short 30 day warranty.
Thanks in advance.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: ILLINOIS
I AM NEW TO DIESELS TOO. BUT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I TALKED TO A GUY WITH A F350 DIESEL SRW AND HE SAID HE GOT 19-24 MPG..........BUT I DONT' KNOW HOW HE DRIVES IT.......PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT BACK THO WAIT TILL U GET MORE ADVICE......BECAUSE I'M NEW AND THATS WHAT HE SAID~!~!~!sorry
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 12
From: Marysville, Wa
From my expierence with my moms 99 that little computer is a liar. If you want to know you gas mileage, fill you truck up, divided the miles by gallons and there ya go. I would expect 15-18 mpg. especially since it is cold you dont do much freeway driving. but that is imho
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 16
From: Round Mountain, NV
Don't trust the computer right off the bat. It's fairly accurate on mine if I let it go quite a long time without resetting it. Use a calculator. I get anywhere between 14.5 & 21 depending on type of driving and speed. I get up to 21 with highway driving at a constant 65mph. Also in the winter I use a fuel additive like CRC Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaner Plus or Diesel Kleen which raises the cetane rating of the fuel and makes it burn better.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Lamar, SC
Yeah, I have found that the puter in mine has been off by 2mpg on average. I am not sure why, I went to bigger tires and if anyone has a theory on that I would like to hear it. My theory is the tires threw the hole thing out of order. I usually get 15-16 on average. I do use Diesel Kleen every fill up..
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks Alaska
Well I get extremely low mileage this time of year. Burning #1, high ideled to warm up at -40f for long periods. I only have to drive 1 mile to get to work and about 4 miles to the store. About 10mpg.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 12
From: Marysville, Wa
of course your tires are going the throw it off. A larger tire will take les rotations to go the same distance. Your internal computer doesnt know they are bigger, so they think it is using more fuel to go the same distance.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Middle Geogia
Plus you are not going to get very good gas mileage because of your rear diff, you have a 4.10. Most of the F250s have a 3.73.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Northeast,PA
Calculate the mpg the old fashion way, average is usually 15.8 to around 20.5 on the highway. Keep in mind the variables which will affect it- COLD weather, periods of idiling, cetane rating of fuel, towing or loaded and last but not least, heavy right foot! Foregot one, rear axle ratio.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Mount Airy, Md
Thanks for all the replies. We got a good deal on this truck and with the LOW mioles we couldn't passit up. It will only be used on weekends to tow my Street rods and antique tractors to shows, and the occasional piece of farm equipment.
Now I have another question.
According to the owners manual, you can't reset this. Do you guys know something I don't or is the owners manual wrong?
Now I have another question.
According to the owners manual, you can't reset this. Do you guys know something I don't or is the owners manual wrong?