Just joined, and first post here. Yesterday I bought a 2003 Escursion limited V-10. Just let me say that I love this truck, it was a huge step up from the 98 f-150 4.6. So far the only down side is the gas mileage which I knew going into it. Well sort of expected alittle better than 10 mpg. I think it has a like a 40 something gallon tank in it. When I bought it there was 1/4 tank so I stopped to fill and to top off was 67.00 with 87 octane at about 2.20 a gallon WOW. Anyhow looking for advice to hopefully improve the gas mileage if possable, and of course HP/TQ. I just started to read the site and have been learning alot, but would appreciate any of the obvious stuff. Was thinking on the lines of single in dual out exhaust, K&N air filter, and maybe a superchip? I am sure this will help on the power end, but will these items make the gas mileage worse? Please let me know what you guys recommend or dont recommend, and if you need more info on my truck please post and I will respond. Thanks
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How many miles are on the truck?

The tank is 44 gallons.

I would drive it for about 3-4 tankfuls to determine a good baseline MPG for your style and type of driving before I would delve into mods that increase anything. I would make sure it is a perfect state of STOCK tune first also.

I regularly got 13.2 out of my 2000 V10 Excursion with 55F/65R tire pressure (E-rated Firestone R4SIIs) and some minor mods to the exhaust and intake.

 

should get about 13mpg, untill you start modding it

 

10 mpg is fairly low, and not in the normal range. But, there's a Ford V-10 phenom that every new V-10 Triton owner gets afflicted with. It's called the BSEG phenom, and it negatively affects gas mileage at first. After the wonder and awe of how responsive and powerful your huge truck is starts to wear off a little, your mileage will go up. There are a couple tricks that will help a bit for mods, but nothing substantial. Your best bet is to make sure it's in good tune, and get over your BSEG period. Welcome ! Congrats ! Ken

 

Thats a good one, get over your BSEG, lol. I've had mine for 9 months now and still have a lead foot problem. This helps me keep it off the floor - My wife reminds me that tires are $200 a piece and that usually keeps it down under 3/4 throttle untill I get moving but still hasn't cured the problem, just makes for less smoke! As far as mileage goes, run a few tanks through and watch the mileage closely along with your driving style. I can make mine as low as 10 and as high as 14 depending on how I drive and the weather outside (colder days tend to get more Idle time and use a lot more gas, dang 4wheel drive in the snow also eats plenty). After determining a base line then start looking into aftermarket goodies, I don't know that any of them will make more than a single mile per gallon difference though. If you try to recoupe you cost through fuel savings it will probably never happen but on the other hand the extra power that comes with the aftermarket stuff is always nice.

 

Thanks for all the replies. the truck has 49,322 miles on it. I just hit my first 100 miles on it pulling in to the driveway. I have only had the truck for a couple days so I am not actually sure of the mileage, I just know that monitor after evening out said 10.4-10.6. Something is not adding up though. When I filled up and check the monitor I think it said something like 466 miles to empty, which would make sence I guess. The part that makes no sence is the needle on the gauge is just about center between 1/2 and 3/4. So if it was at 3/4 and as I said I have gone 100 miles then I am thinking that I am only going to get 400 miles out of a full tank, and since it is actually past 3/4 on its way to 1/2 I would be getting even less right? Someone please tell the needle goes slower as it gets closer to empty. Is the moinitor in the headliner accurate? I would hope I would get aleast 400 miles out of a tank that cost me almost 100.00. How many miles do you guys get out of a full tank for those of you that have the 44 gallon tanks. I can imagine anything is wrong the truck runs great and very smooth, although could proabaly use a tuneup I am just under 50,000 and not 100% on the maintaince it has received. Sorry if these question sound dumb. Appreciate everyones help.Thanks

 

tire pressure, tire size, brakes out of adjustment, dirty air filter, too heavy a weight oil, lots of mountains, too heavy a right foot, slipping transmission, 3 tons of illegal contraband hidden in between the frame rails, all these things can affect gas mileage. The gas gauges typical move slower at the top half, and faster through the bottom half because of the arc the float swings in the tank. But you can't look at the gauge, and your odometer and predict mileage. I also have seen posters say the computer is inaccurate at times. The best bet is to fill it, zero your odometer (make sure your speedo is right, you know how to do that) and drive most of your tank out. Then when you refill you will have actual MPG. Good luck, you have a heck of a nice rig, Ken

 

The only way to truly check your mileage is the good old hand calculating method. No two gas guages work the same. My 04 SD would not move off Full for almost a 100 miles then it fell pretty quick. The computer on the 04 was not as good as my 05s which is fairly acurate but I still do a hand calculation when I want the truth. Good luck with your big Ex. They are the king of SUVs. Wrench

 

Thanks for the advice all. If the gauge is going to move faster on the lower end then something must be wrong. I figure just on a rough estimate at this rate I might get 350 miles out of this tank thats obviously not good or right. i am going to check the tire pressure. I can eliminate a few of the above mountains, heavy right foot (been babying her), slipping tranny, and the contraband. I will change oil/air filter this weekend (any recommendations on oild/air filter?) Then lastly if all else fails I will try the brake thing. Thanks again let me know if there is anything else I can check. Someone please let me know what to expect out a normal driven tank (44 gallon). I was thinking in the 450 range.

 

Motorcraft 5W-20, Motorcraft oil filter, both cheap at Wally World, air filter=cheap, paper, replace it often. 44 gallons if that how much it really holds should give you 525 miles give or take at minimum 12 mpg. Good luck, Ken