MPG expectations?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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MPG expectations?
Hey I have a 2002 FX4 ex. cab with the 5.4L. I just bought it this weekend and I am wanting to know what mpg I should expect? It is bone stock right now. I plan on putting a MAC CAI and running duls from the cat-back without a muffler. I read on here somewhere that a guy with this setup is getting 18-19mpg. Is that true for anyone else?
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
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I have a 2003 F150 Supercrew, 5.4L, 4WD. I average about 15.5 MPG on my daily commute which is 33 miles one way. Half highway, half secondary roads. When I take it on a trip and do nothing but highway, I get better than 18 with the cruise set at about 68 mph. I have done nothing to the truck but oil changes and a new air filter every 8000 miles. 31K on it now.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
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From: South Texas
I get a pretty consistent 15 mpg with about 75% city/25% highway driving. I haven't gone on any long trips yet, but I'm sure it would be better on the highway. It's a 02 supercab 4X2 with the 5.4. Only have a few mods: Airraid intake, throttle body spacer, and Borla muffler.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 379
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From: irwin,pa
i have 03 5.4 3.55 supercab 4x4- cruise at 65 on a 2600 mile roundtrip to fla - no less than 18 to a best of 19.5
mods-
superchips 9100 custom tuner
mac cold air intake
magnaflow 3" catback #15609
amsoil lubricants front to rear
engine ice coolant-
as far as th mac goes-i f ya buy it get the inside ceramic coated as it rusts out which = bad news for motor- other than that its a great cai for th money per hp ratio- when i called mac up the owner told me to clean the rust out- VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!
mods-
superchips 9100 custom tuner
mac cold air intake
magnaflow 3" catback #15609
amsoil lubricants front to rear
engine ice coolant-
as far as th mac goes-i f ya buy it get the inside ceramic coated as it rusts out which = bad news for motor- other than that its a great cai for th money per hp ratio- when i called mac up the owner told me to clean the rust out- VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Last edited by Racerguy; Jun 7, 2004 at 08:19 PM. Reason: langauge
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 221
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From: East haven ct
ihave 2001 5.4 4x4 scab lariat stock got 15.5 with mostly highway
added k+n removed silencer tube +.75mpg
5w20 synthetic +.5mpg
tonnue cover +1.75mpg
underdrive pulleys +1.25mpg
about 25% increase
added k+n removed silencer tube +.75mpg
5w20 synthetic +.5mpg
tonnue cover +1.75mpg
underdrive pulleys +1.25mpg
about 25% increase
New User
Joined: May 2004
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Wow, a toneau cover got you almost 2 mpg. I knew it helped, but I didn't know it would be that much. I have a 2000 F150 4x4 off road sc with 3.55. 36,000 miles and average about 15.5 mpg. About how much help would a K&N FIPK help me? I'm in need of some cold hard evidence to convince my wife.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 221
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From: East haven ct
dont know about the fipk looks good though would spend the money and time on bbk pulleys first, then cover i just alwase do synthetics stick to 5w20 , 5w30 actually will hurt milage i wish some one would get the fipk and tell of its mpg gain i am always looking for better milage , try a tank of 91 and then see if it helps cover doesnt help much around town but pulleys work for all driving
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Man, my 01 5.4L OffRoad 4x4 SuperCab 3.55LS only averages about 11 or 12 in town. I drive it easy too. I gotta get it checked out for the fuel trim. It has a K&N filter and Flowmaster cat back exhaust.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Homer, Alaska
I have a 2003 F150 Supercrew (so like 200 lbs heavier than a Supercab) with the 5.4L and 3.73 gears with 265/70/17's. That is pretty similar to the final drive ratio you get with 3.55 gears and 245/75/16's.
Anyway, I get 19.5mpg on the highway. I only get about 14 in town though. When I'm on the highway, I stick the cruise control at somewhere a little above 65 and just cruise along. I've got a K&N FIPK, Borla cat back exhaust, Gibson shorty headers.
Well, that's kind of lying
That is what I USED to have and recommend to people for improving mileage cheaply. Now I've got a 6 inch lift, 35x12.50x16 BFG Mud Terrains and a lead foot, I tend to get around 11 mpg in town and about 14-15 on the highway 
Anyway, I get 19.5mpg on the highway. I only get about 14 in town though. When I'm on the highway, I stick the cruise control at somewhere a little above 65 and just cruise along. I've got a K&N FIPK, Borla cat back exhaust, Gibson shorty headers.
Well, that's kind of lying
That is what I USED to have and recommend to people for improving mileage cheaply. Now I've got a 6 inch lift, 35x12.50x16 BFG Mud Terrains and a lead foot, I tend to get around 11 mpg in town and about 14-15 on the highway
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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If I may, how much money are people willing to spend to gain 2-3mpg? and if penciled out, does it pay? I get 17 down the highway and 14-15 around town. All I added was an access tonneau cover. Sorry I don't see the benefit of all the aftermarket crap. K&N filters, aren't worth the money as far as I'm concerned, as long as the filter stays clean is all you need. Power gain is psycological at best from it you would never be able to feel 1 hp gain, those that claim to feel it want to. Simple fact is, if all you want is a mileage gain, is it worth the money spent? Are you going to get back what you spent on the accessories? If your doing it for more than mileage reasons, then do it.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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Bottom line is, and I think I speak for most of us, if you were concerned about gas mileage, then you should have bought a Yugo. When I owned my 82 GMC pickup, if I was getting 8 miles to the gallon, I was doing good. Back then it was unheard of for a full size truck to get 15 to 18 miles to the gallon. Fuel injection systems and modern technology have played an important role in fuel mileage improvements. My last truck was a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab with a 5-sp, 4WD, 4.7L engine and I was only getting 17MPG with that Lemon!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
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From: South Dakota
For what its worth, I tend to get 13-15 in town and about 15-16 @75mph, and about 16-19 @ 65mph.
Last weekend I got about 13 mpg pulling a empty 6x12 double axel utility trailer down the interstate at 75 mph...too bad on the return trip loaded down(3k lbs), and into 35-40 mph winds the best I could muster was 7.5 mpg @ 65mph (had to run with od off, wind was way too strong).
My truck has 3.55 gears with 265/70r17's.
Last weekend I got about 13 mpg pulling a empty 6x12 double axel utility trailer down the interstate at 75 mph...too bad on the return trip loaded down(3k lbs), and into 35-40 mph winds the best I could muster was 7.5 mpg @ 65mph (had to run with od off, wind was way too strong).
My truck has 3.55 gears with 265/70r17's.