Miles Per Gallon
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas
Miles Per Gallon
Needless to say, I'm unhappy at the gas pump. I have been looking in to ways to increase the fuel milage on the V-10. Since I am no longer pulling heavy loads or hauling a bunch of weight, I thought possibly there are some devices or add ons out there that bear looking into. Has anyone had any experience with some of the items that are supposed to save gas. I'm talking about everything from a Gear Vendors overdrive down to the little chips that stick to the gas tank.
Has anyone tried some of the differant items? What was your experience with them. How much milage did you gain and what did you have to give up to get it? What was the cost vs. return?
Gordo
Has anyone tried some of the differant items? What was your experience with them. How much milage did you gain and what did you have to give up to get it? What was the cost vs. return?
Gordo
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
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From: On the road in Ohio
The webmaster of this site does chips, look here for more info on them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=46
He also has ones thatyou can switch differant set-ups on them, like one for tow, stock, econ, performance , well worth the money .
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=46
He also has ones thatyou can switch differant set-ups on them, like one for tow, stock, econ, performance , well worth the money .
Last edited by F2504x4; Aug 29, 2005 at 02:38 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Fordboy, your auction listing doesn't show up on ebay.
Gordo, how much of an improvement are you looking for? The last issue of Popular Mechanics had a great articule on items that save gas. None of them worked and several actually hurt mileage.
Gordo, how much of an improvement are you looking for? The last issue of Popular Mechanics had a great articule on items that save gas. None of them worked and several actually hurt mileage.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
Likes: 2
From: Northwest, Arkansas
Gordo, there isn't a whole lot to do that will improve the mileage. A chip might improve a little it did mine by about 2 mpg. Free flow exhaust and intake will also help a little. Most of the gimmicks out there will just take your money and not help at best and might even hurt. You might try sending an email to Ken (webmaster) about what type of programs he can put in a chip for you. He could probably help with that part more then anyone else.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
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From: Abilene Kansas
ok it wont let me edit my post, i was trying to be a smart allec... nm my post
Matt
Took care of it MAtt
(edited by fordborn)
Matt
Took care of it MAtt
(edited by fordborn)
Last edited by fordborn; Aug 29, 2005 at 11:00 PM. Reason: update
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Wichita KS.
There are things that you can do. Look into electric fans. They are supposed to give you a good deal of horsepower or mpg (not both). I did a cold air intake and a catback flowmaster exhaust and hit almost 20 mpg from Lawrence to Wichita. Also, I spoke to the superchip guys at the Rally and asked them about a gas mileage tune. They said that they can do it, but you wouldn't want to drive it anywhere except on the highway. A lot can be accomplished just by watching your driving habits, try to roll up to the stop light instead of coming to a complete stop, it takes a lot of power to get our trucks moving from a dead stop. Use your cruise control when you are on a highway.
Underdrive pulleys have been known to help, but watch how much you drop in size, you don't want to rob the engine of needed things like cooling (water pump). You could change the rear end gears, but that would create a lack of power all the way around and no one wants that. BTW, all this is just my 0.02.
Tony
Underdrive pulleys have been known to help, but watch how much you drop in size, you don't want to rob the engine of needed things like cooling (water pump). You could change the rear end gears, but that would create a lack of power all the way around and no one wants that. BTW, all this is just my 0.02.
Tony
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
Tony, electric fans will help a little on fuel mileage for there is less engine drag, they will not add horsepower though just free up some that is being used for turning the fan. All good ideas though. The main thing like Tony said is driving habits. Some of us put things on the trucks that can help but then just can't seem to keep the foot from trying them out for power. LOL
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
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From: On the road in Ohio
when I was talking to tuner guy's at the rally , we discuss the milage improvement the could get out of my wifes van , she drives about 70-80 thousand a year in a E-250 cargo van with a 5.4 , they said the most they could offer was 1 1/2 to 2 mpg increase, we then did a chart on the savings figuring xxx amount of miles , MPG, average cost per gallon and it came up to about $700 plus a year at $2.50 a gallon yeow that means the tuner will pay for itself in less then 9 months or so...
Point being that even a 2 mile to the gallon increase is well worth doing even if you spend 3-500 up front, because you get it back within a year depending on how much you drive.
Point being that even a 2 mile to the gallon increase is well worth doing even if you spend 3-500 up front, because you get it back within a year depending on how much you drive.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
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From: Wichita KS
The best thought I have had so far is to start riding a 4 wheeler to work rather than driving the sploder, i can't even dare to think about driving the beast once the 460 is in!!
As far as fuel milage some of the simplest things can add up to better miliage, tune ups, good fuel, proper tire pressure. Running the A/C will save over keeping the windows down as long as you are going over 50mph or so because of the drag of having the windows open. Also, don't carry any more than you have to in the bed, that fuel tank you have in the back Gordo may save some stops but at 8lbs per gallon it will add up to alot of wieght. The jury is still out on the whole dropping the tailgate thing, I gained about 1.5 in the beast when I went to an air net but some still say it don't help any?? Just my opinion
As far as fuel milage some of the simplest things can add up to better miliage, tune ups, good fuel, proper tire pressure. Running the A/C will save over keeping the windows down as long as you are going over 50mph or so because of the drag of having the windows open. Also, don't carry any more than you have to in the bed, that fuel tank you have in the back Gordo may save some stops but at 8lbs per gallon it will add up to alot of wieght. The jury is still out on the whole dropping the tailgate thing, I gained about 1.5 in the beast when I went to an air net but some still say it don't help any?? Just my opinion
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
Switch from all terrain to highway tires. Those meaty treads create a lot of resistance. My truck is parked quite a bit and my KLR is taking up the slack. 48 mpg is hard to beat.
6 gallons (KLR) at $3 a gallon vs 25 (F250) is a difference of $57. I figure I fill up 3 times a month = $170 I didn't spend on gas. Can't beat that with a stick.
6 gallons (KLR) at $3 a gallon vs 25 (F250) is a difference of $57. I figure I fill up 3 times a month = $170 I didn't spend on gas. Can't beat that with a stick.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Topeka, Ks.
HABITS HABITS HABITS!!!!!!That is all I really have to say!!!
The smoother you are with the pedal the better off you are. coasting down hills to gain momentum for the next. Try not to press the pedal harder to get up a hill but don't let it drop down out of overdrive. Aux. overdrive units will help too. Probably more than a chip but a lot more expensive. I hurt before I even pull the nozzle from the pump and my truck gets nearly 20 mpg.
Mark
The smoother you are with the pedal the better off you are. coasting down hills to gain momentum for the next. Try not to press the pedal harder to get up a hill but don't let it drop down out of overdrive. Aux. overdrive units will help too. Probably more than a chip but a lot more expensive. I hurt before I even pull the nozzle from the pump and my truck gets nearly 20 mpg.
Mark
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Kansas
OK guys, thanks for the input. As it stands now, I'm getting 13.2 MPG in mixed town and country driving. I've never had it on a road trip without the 5th wheel behind, so I really don't know what to expect on a trip. I have a fiberglass tonneau cover ordered, so that might help some. (the extra tank came out when I sold the 5th wheel) It isn't the worst mileage in the world. Compared to my old carbed 460, it is a definate improvement. At this point, it sounds like a milage chip may be the way to go. Now who do I talk to about it, since I no nothing from chips, etc.
Just for giggles, I checked with 8 Ford dealers about trading for an F-150, 4whl. drive, super cab XLT. The BEST offer I got was $6880 and my truck. That is to go up one year. I figured it out and I can buy 2260 gallons of gas at $3.00 a gallon for that.
I didn't even began to figure taxes, registrarion, property tax, etc. The pity is that that was the best offer; most were in the 7 to 9 range. I think I'll just drive it!!
Just for giggles, I checked with 8 Ford dealers about trading for an F-150, 4whl. drive, super cab XLT. The BEST offer I got was $6880 and my truck. That is to go up one year. I figured it out and I can buy 2260 gallons of gas at $3.00 a gallon for that.
I didn't even began to figure taxes, registrarion, property tax, etc. The pity is that that was the best offer; most were in the 7 to 9 range. I think I'll just drive it!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
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From: Northwest, Arkansas
Gordo, try and get ahold of Ken (webmaster) either send a pm, email or try calling motorhaven. He should be able to give you all the info you need on a chip as well as get the right one for you.