I have an 04 F350 6.0, Torque Shift,... Over the past two months my MPG has dropped from 15.5-16 to 12.5-13 driving to and from work. I haven't had it on the highway at all the last few months, but this is lower MPG's than I have had when driving it in similar situations. I have also noticed white smoke upon start up when the temps are colder. It will smoke when it first starts. If I let it sit and warm up it won't smoke under acceleration, but if I get in and drive it, it will smoke for the first block or so. I have read many threads and the smoking seems to be considered normal by some and not by others. On our 03 that was bought back it was start of worse things to come. My main concern in the fuel milage decline. Could that indicate something else not working correctly? I also think that there has been a loss of power. It doesn't set you back in your seat like I thought it used to, or I just got used to it. Are those MPG numbers related to winter fuel, and if so why is my dads truck (same exact truck except for color) getting better mileage than I am? Guys (and gals) I always apprecaite any help. Thanks Levi

 

The MPG drop you have seen, are you driving the same as you were back then….i.e you stated you have not had it on the highway, did you back when you were getting higher MPG….what is different, less highway a bit colder, wife driving it more????

 

Could it be the winter fuel blend??

 

Does your dad live near you? Does he fill up at the same place? If the answer is yes and he still gets better mileage, then I would suspect the fuel is not the problem. If not, try the fuel additive and see if that makes the difference. If the symptoms persist see the dealer.

 

But only at cold start at altitude and below 25 degrees. That's normal in my book. Mayby a little puff when cold at sea level. Virtually no smoke if I've had the block heater plugged in.

Do you let your rig warm up before driving? (at least half way to normal operating temperature?)

You had an 03' that was bought back? Are you treating the new one the same as you did the 03'?

How many miles are on the 04'?

 

How many miles on the air filter? You might check it.

 

Driving conditions are the same. My drive to work is about 10 minutes (7miles). Three stoplights. I drive pretty easily and try to keep the RPM's below 2300. The temp guage indicates operating temp by the time I get to work. My dad's drive is longer than mine, and we both fill up at the Safeway. He is in the 15-16 range. This is a new 04 bought in June now at 8000 miles. The air filter has not been changed. If temps are going to be below 35 at night and I have to leave early I plug it in all night. I was letting it warm up, but now I drive it real easy until it has some temp built up. I can't say much about how the 03 was driven, it was my dads. I haven't had the problems he had or is having with his 04 incuding sudden engine shutdown, diesel in crank case, oil on underside of hood, etc. I have always been under the impression that MPG drops indicate something is not working quite right.

For anyone reading this thinking of buying a new truck, I love the Ford. Most automobiles will have their flaws, but these few I have had far out weigh the flaws I anticipated with the other 2 auto makers. I am simply curious as to what may cause this sudden drop in MPG's. And no, my fiance is not allowed to drive the truck LOL, I just bought her a 01 Imaula. I can't think of anything else. I have to go to my dealer in the next few weeks to get the ashtray cover replaced that broke in my CC. Thanks for all the input, let me know if there is other info that may help. Levi

 

With all of these trucks, even similarly equipped, the MPG seems to be all over the spectrum. Yes, you'd think they would all fall into a close range to one another. Of course driving styles will change that a bit. I've lost about 2 MPG once the winter blends starting pumping, about 3 MPG while towing.

This, along with you only driving 7 miles to work, probably is the culprit. Considering the truck is just getting to operating temps by the time you get there, my guess is it isn't operating at it's optimum level. My 2 bits anyways.

 

I agree with Hunter. That is a very short trip for this engine. Even though the temp gauge reads operating temp, the gauge is reading coolant temp. The engine is not thoroughly warmed up. I would take the long way to work or consider getting a drive to work vehicle.

 

Wow, I think that's a first.
And from a computer geek.

Here's a fuel related question. Is winter blended diesel pretty much the same across the states? Or does the north have a higher concentration than the south?

 

Good question. Seeing how I try to avoid cold snowy climates, I stay away from the north. I will see if I can dig up some information on diesel winter blend formulation/distribution. I read somewhere that diesel fuel production is only done in a few refineries. If that is true, then I suspect that the blends will tend to be fairly uniform.

If a trucker fills up in Houston and drives to Minneapolis, if the fuel wasn't the right blend, seems there would be problems unless the trucker added additive along the way.

 

there suposed to be the same everywhere, but in the south you normally can only get the winter blend if you fill up at the big rig pumps,they dont offer it at the pumps for trucks and rvs, at least not in my area. just treat it myself.