12mpg
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12mpg
Well first,, I have a 97 F150 4.6 single cab long bed. I filled the tank up to see what kind of gas milage I get and it averages 12mpg! I had expected it to be a little better than that! The truck runs good, could my cats be the problem or is that mpg about right? Oh,,the truck has 104k on the OD.
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From: Alabama/Florida
What are your gears? 4.56?
My truck is just like yours but is a 2000 short bed with the 4.6 and auto and I get 18mpg in town and anywhere from 21-24 mpg on the interstate with my 3.08 gears. If you are running anything over 3.55 and don't tow very often get a higher gear ratio. You would be surprised how well it saves gas. I still want a f250 v10 scab short bed 4x4 with some 3.08's or maybe even in the two's. I like the 4x4 and a big truck but I don't tow often and I bet that v10 would get at least 17mpg or more that way if the engine is stout enough to turn the stock tires.
My truck is just like yours but is a 2000 short bed with the 4.6 and auto and I get 18mpg in town and anywhere from 21-24 mpg on the interstate with my 3.08 gears. If you are running anything over 3.55 and don't tow very often get a higher gear ratio. You would be surprised how well it saves gas. I still want a f250 v10 scab short bed 4x4 with some 3.08's or maybe even in the two's. I like the 4x4 and a big truck but I don't tow often and I bet that v10 would get at least 17mpg or more that way if the engine is stout enough to turn the stock tires.
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I think its got the 3.08 gear cuz I remember being disapointed when I found out!
I just recently bought the truck so I dont know when it had a tune up but the oil change sticker still has miles on it and we managed to get a spark plug out and it looks new? I put a new cold air kit on it so I know thats not the problem. The truck has a slow take off then around 3000rpm or so it picks up. I did notice that the truck vibrates a little bit but I blamed that on the one front tire that they didnt replace! i hope its not a misfire!
thanks
I just recently bought the truck so I dont know when it had a tune up but the oil change sticker still has miles on it and we managed to get a spark plug out and it looks new? I put a new cold air kit on it so I know thats not the problem. The truck has a slow take off then around 3000rpm or so it picks up. I did notice that the truck vibrates a little bit but I blamed that on the one front tire that they didnt replace! i hope its not a misfire!
thanks
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From: Alabama/Florida
Well, if you have 3.08 gears you have the exact truck I do except your bed is a foot longer. If your airfilter is clean change all the plugs, pcv valve, or anything else people recommend on this board because that mpg isn't anywhere near what it should be.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Replace the plug wires, plugs, PCV valve, and clean the MAF. This should help some.
Only use Motorcraft Double Platinum plugs and Motorcraft wires. Others can cause problems.
Only use Motorcraft Double Platinum plugs and Motorcraft wires. Others can cause problems.
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I checked up on what ALL the tune up stuff would cost me,,WOW not cheep!
I was looking at boach or MSD for wires, or should I just go for the Motorcraft? I guess cost isnt a problem with my truck, more people look at it than they do when Im in my cougar and I bought the truck to tow the car around!
I also priced coil packs, how many miles till they need to be replaced? My engine has 104k but the truck has 205k and I dont know if they were replaced with the engine or not.
Im still thinking the exaust is going to need to be replaced, the cats are probly cloged. My air filter is clean (k&n) and my Mass air is to,we already had that apart. Anymore ideas? Im spending almost $200 a month in gas alone, its bad when you need to fit gas into your budget!!!!
I was looking at boach or MSD for wires, or should I just go for the Motorcraft? I guess cost isnt a problem with my truck, more people look at it than they do when Im in my cougar and I bought the truck to tow the car around!
I also priced coil packs, how many miles till they need to be replaced? My engine has 104k but the truck has 205k and I dont know if they were replaced with the engine or not.
Im still thinking the exaust is going to need to be replaced, the cats are probly cloged. My air filter is clean (k&n) and my Mass air is to,we already had that apart. Anymore ideas? Im spending almost $200 a month in gas alone, its bad when you need to fit gas into your budget!!!!
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From: Brisbane Australia
Try running a can or two of Seafoam through it before you spend up too big.
It won't cost much and will probably do the engine some good even if that isn't the specific problem.
Are the cats getting hotter than normal indicating a blockage?
It won't cost much and will probably do the engine some good even if that isn't the specific problem.
Are the cats getting hotter than normal indicating a blockage?
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well in my 98 nascar with 4.6 automatic and 373 gears I get low to mid 20's all day long, my best was like 27 on the freeway with the cruise on.
Mine is stock except it has 40k miles on it and i installed some copper motorcraft plugs AGSF32c.
Stick with the motorcraft tuneup parts on these motors, the bosch and the rest of the stuff it won't run as well. Its worth the money. I have been getting my ford parts from dan newman at fordpartshq.com, he offers a discount on all the oem parts, going to the local dealer without a discount is a big ripoff I agree.
I agree with what the others say, clean the mass air flow sensor with some electrical cleaner.
Also I just had a tuner tune me a mail order diablo black chip for the truck, I'll report back and see if I get 30mpg after I get the chip installed.
Mine is stock except it has 40k miles on it and i installed some copper motorcraft plugs AGSF32c.
Stick with the motorcraft tuneup parts on these motors, the bosch and the rest of the stuff it won't run as well. Its worth the money. I have been getting my ford parts from dan newman at fordpartshq.com, he offers a discount on all the oem parts, going to the local dealer without a discount is a big ripoff I agree.
I agree with what the others say, clean the mass air flow sensor with some electrical cleaner.
Also I just had a tuner tune me a mail order diablo black chip for the truck, I'll report back and see if I get 30mpg after I get the chip installed.
Last edited by JH6; Aug 9, 2004 at 04:25 PM.
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I have a 98 4.6 auto 3.55 4x4 extended cab and average 12.3. It's mostly low cause winter with the 4x4. During these warmer months I see around 13.3. It is a fairly heavy truck and all my travel is city with plenty of hills so I don't think the mileage is too horrible. Isn't EPA specs something like 14 anyway? I stuck a K&N filter in today, I doub't it will help gas mileage any but I have noted a slight improvement on available power up hills. My plugs and wires are new and I did use the motorcraft double platinum, new PCV, cleaned MAS, new fuel filter, use 93 octane gas and none of that has made a significant difference in mileage. I drive like it's a go-kart so that likely doesn't help much either, lol. As for Seafoam, I bought a can with the intent of using it but instead I use it with the lawn mower gas. I came across a couple forums where people had issues with it either hydro locking the engine or partially hydro locking and causing the starter to sheer teeth off the flywheel. Granted at least some of those people probably fed it too much too fast I'll stick with 93 octane and X1-R fuel system treatment every now and then rather than take my chances.
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