MPG question
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From: Colorado
MPG question
Well, it looks like we will be buying a 98 E150 Club Wagon van with the 4.6l engine, auto, dual A/C. Rear end code is 17. I am just looking to see what kind of mileage we should expect to get, mostly around town, stop and go driving. This van will be used primarily in delivery type service. Seems to be in very good condition, only 70K miles. The driver that will use this is generally pretty light footed, easy driving style.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Thanks in advance for any input!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
WIth a full load of carpentry tools our '04 with the 4.6 (not sure which rear) gets 16 to 18 mpg at 65~70mph... With the trailer (14 foot enclosed box trailer), out of overdrive it gets about 12 to 14... Given it'll see mostly in town work, expect 10 to 12.
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From: Georgia
Wish I could get that empty with my 04 E350 wagon with 5.4. I keep hearing about people getting better mileage thatn me but I haven't found a problem yet. It has 18k on it and the tires are inflated to spec 60/80. I just did my first oil change since buying it and put in 5w20 synthetic. I don't know what was in there before but I sure hope the new oil helps.
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From: Colorado
I was hoping to hear 12-14, but not surprised either at 10-12. Vast majority of driving will be town driving, lots of stop and go stuff. Our trucks call on an average of 20 businesses each day, then add all the stop signs/traffic lights into the equation. Only real highway driving will be every other week, 220 mile round trip to pick up new stock.
I just hope Brother in law will take better care of this van than he did the Windstar, like occasionally checking the oil and keeping tires somewhat inflated........DUH!
I just hope Brother in law will take better care of this van than he did the Windstar, like occasionally checking the oil and keeping tires somewhat inflated........DUH!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Gator, what are the speed limits in yuor area, and how fast do you normally drive? The 5.4 should be able to muster at least 14 I'd think. I had a 1992 E150 with a 351HD that got 17 empty at 70mph....
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I get 10-11 mph around town, lots of traffic and sitting, have gotten as much as 20 on a road trip, without using AC, consistently get 18-19 with AC. I guess there is just too much weight to start and stop to get better. 5.0 litre with 3.55 rear.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Georgia
I drive conservatively in town and get about 11. I drive 70-75 in the highway and get 14. I don't get on it or have a lead foot when driving the van. My mileage doesn't change regardless of load. I have mentioned poor fuel economy to the dealer and all I get is blank looks and the comment "it's a van". I wouldn't mind so much but I have heard reports that others get 14/17 wiht the same engine/suspension/rear end setup I have. I just put in Castrol syntec 5w20 and it may be my imagination but it actually feels like the engine is revving better. I have a 500 mile trip this weekend, hopefully I'll have some good news when I fill up again afterwards.
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I get 10MPG with my E350 V10. Anybody who says they get more in city driving is driving around in some very flat areas. It's a van, a very BIG van. Don't expect anything more.
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From: Colorado
Well, thanks to everyone for their responses. We ended up bying a 04 E150, 5.4ltr., 8 passenger van, XL trim package, power windows and locks, and what appears to be a factory tow package. Biggest issue is the 57k miles on a one year old van. Other than high miles, the van is in excellent condition. According to Carfax it was a one owner, commercially licensed van from Overland Park, Ks.
We'll just have to see what kind of mpg we'll get.
We'll just have to see what kind of mpg we'll get.
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I just picked up a '95 E-350 w/460, E4OD, 3.55 LS, 62K miles and an extremely high raised roof (Like a wheelchair van!). My first 200 miles was mixed highway and city driving and averaged 9.2 MPG. I was hoping for 11 - 12 on the highway and 9 - 10 pulling a 7,000 lb, travel trailer. We'll see!
I have an '88 E-250 12 passenger set up from the factory for towing w/460, C6, 4:10 and 155K that gets about 10 on the highway and 7 pulling the trailer. BTW, the '88 is now for sale, if anyone is interested. 2 years off the west coast w/NO rust.
I have an '88 E-250 12 passenger set up from the factory for towing w/460, C6, 4:10 and 155K that gets about 10 on the highway and 7 pulling the trailer. BTW, the '88 is now for sale, if anyone is interested. 2 years off the west coast w/NO rust.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Georgia
Well, I just got back from my 500 mile round trip and mileage is up to 16 mpg. The trip was all US highway 2 and 4 lane blacktop, not interstate. Some of that was stop and go and driving <35 mph so actual highway mileage may be higher. Looks like the oil change helped. Really makes me wonder what oil was in it when I bought it. According to the sticker the last oil change was done by the dealer so you'd think they used the right oil. Anyway, if the mileage improvement keeps up that will resolve my only big issue with the van.