sensible ways to improve MPG
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Senior User
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From: Sussex
sensible ways to improve MPG
Ihave a 92 F250 extended cab, 351W, E4OD, 3.55 gears, 8800 gvw, and 2 wheel drive. The best I've gotten out of it for all highway miles is 13.5 mpg. I was wondering what people have tried and had work to get a few more MPG out of their truck. I'm not looking for 30 MPG or anything like that. I was thinking of trying to boost it another 2-3 mpg. I'd be ecstatic with 15-16 mpg.
I was thinking of trying a K&N air filter, maybe new exhaust with out a cat and flowmaster, and perhaps a new computer chip. Anybody have an recomendations on what chips are best. Would a shift kit in the tranny help to firm things up some more?
Thanks for your opinions.
I was thinking of trying a K&N air filter, maybe new exhaust with out a cat and flowmaster, and perhaps a new computer chip. Anybody have an recomendations on what chips are best. Would a shift kit in the tranny help to firm things up some more?
Thanks for your opinions.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Bryan, OH
You can try some fuel injection cleaner or fuel treatment. A K&N cool air intake can also help. Also a Tornado Fuel Saver or CycloneFuelSaver. The Tornado and the K&N will increase the fuel mileage and performance both. With having both of these it might get you two or three MPG.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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SLOW DOWN!!!
How fast do you drive? Seriously, I slowed to 55 mph everywhere, and found that I never needed to go any faster in the first place. I just get home a little later, and up a little earlier in the morning.
How fast do you drive? Seriously, I slowed to 55 mph everywhere, and found that I never needed to go any faster in the first place. I just get home a little later, and up a little earlier in the morning.
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Senior User
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From: Sussex
Driving back from Indiana to Wisconsin, I did anywhere from 60-70 mph. Not over that for sure. My mpg ranged from 9.5 climbing hills and a headwind to 13.5. I think it can do better. I am starting to wonder if I really have 3.55 gears.
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From: Florida
The "Tornado Fuel Saver or CycloneFuelSaver" are junk and a waste of money.
Exhaust upgrade, a K&N filter, grease all bearings, UV joints, complete fluid change (tranny, diff's, etc.) and a complete tune up would help. But if you want even more you can run electric engine fans, and under drive pulleys.
One thing over looked by many is the proper tire pressure.
Exhaust upgrade, a K&N filter, grease all bearings, UV joints, complete fluid change (tranny, diff's, etc.) and a complete tune up would help. But if you want even more you can run electric engine fans, and under drive pulleys.
One thing over looked by many is the proper tire pressure.
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Anyone have any idea how much of a benifit synthetic lubricants in the tranny, t-case, and axles would help? I've seen some dyno tests where they've picked up a few horsepower at the wheels doing this. It should also improve mileage. And yes, tire pressure and a good tune are #1!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
I'd say these guys have pretty much said it. Complete tune up, including plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, some fuel injector cleaner, you could even search around on this forum for stuff about Seafoam engine treatment. I picked up 1 MPG using that stuff. I'd go into detail about it but I dont have time.
Also you might want to swap out the O2 Sensor. Just because it's not throwing any computer codes doesn't mean its not bad, remember that.
Also you might want to swap out the O2 Sensor. Just because it's not throwing any computer codes doesn't mean its not bad, remember that.
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From: British Columbia
I agree, good wires and plugs, injector cleaner, K&n filter, tire pressures and alignment and lose the engine driven fan. Also check out some threads for toneau covers or flow-through tailgates, airdams etc etc, I'm sure there is something to be gained there too.
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From: Vidor Texas
I don't know if anyone else saw it but mythbuster did a a test on the old tialgate down improves gas mileage idea. The results were that the truck got worse mileage with the tailgate down. Their reasoning was that with the tailgate up the truck builds an air bubble in the bed of the truck and this helps the air flow over the truck.
I don't know how a bed cover would differ, but who knows.
One thing I will add is tires will also effect fuel mileage, we all know tire pressure is critical, but the size and type of tire also effects it. the Tire size that came on the truck is usually best for mileage. The first thing that go's on a new truck is a nice set of rims and over sized tires. Yes we like the look, but for the most part they have a higher rolling resistance and more air drag. It also changes the final rear end ratio.
I don't know how a bed cover would differ, but who knows.
One thing I will add is tires will also effect fuel mileage, we all know tire pressure is critical, but the size and type of tire also effects it. the Tire size that came on the truck is usually best for mileage. The first thing that go's on a new truck is a nice set of rims and over sized tires. Yes we like the look, but for the most part they have a higher rolling resistance and more air drag. It also changes the final rear end ratio.
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From: Florida
Originally Posted by mobileraptor
I don't know if anyone else saw it but mythbuster did a a test on the old tialgate down improves gas mileage idea. The results were that the truck got worse mileage with the tailgate down. Their reasoning was that with the tailgate up the truck builds an air bubble in the bed of the truck and this helps the air flow over the truck.
But alot of people will still argue that it helps to have the tailgate down.. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Central NY
It does help in city driving, but not on the highway. This is from personal tests done driving to work this past year. Also its been said that these trucks get thier best milage at about 1800 rpm's. You might want to see what speed that is in your truck.
Other city driving tips would be:
Learn to coast. These trucks coast decent. I've found its better to speed up over the speed limit and then coast to that light down the road. Once you learn your route, you'll know what speeds to hit.
Rolling stops. Don't blow right thru the stop signs, but slow down enough to see that its safe and then get moving again....Obviously not with a cop watching you. Of course I'm driving home at midnight and theres rarely anything on the roads in my neighborhood that late.
Overdrive is your friend. I've got plenty of long stretches of road where I can speed up to 45 and kick in OD and then coast/slow down to 37-39 and still keep OD. This works great on 35mph roads.
Tim
Also its been said that these trucks get thier best milage at about 1800 rpm's. You might want to see what speed that is in your truck.Other city driving tips would be:
Learn to coast. These trucks coast decent. I've found its better to speed up over the speed limit and then coast to that light down the road. Once you learn your route, you'll know what speeds to hit.
Rolling stops. Don't blow right thru the stop signs, but slow down enough to see that its safe and then get moving again....Obviously not with a cop watching you. Of course I'm driving home at midnight and theres rarely anything on the roads in my neighborhood that late.
Overdrive is your friend. I've got plenty of long stretches of road where I can speed up to 45 and kick in OD and then coast/slow down to 37-39 and still keep OD. This works great on 35mph roads.
Tim
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From: Sussex
i never put the tail gate down because i'm afraid of somebody rear ending me. What do you think of getting rid of the entire exhaust system INCLUDING the cat and putting a new system with a flowmaster. I was told that i need a cat for proper back pressure. I was told just get a cat that doesn't need the airpump so I can get rid of that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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The tailgate thing isn't a myth. Trucks have been wind tunnel tested and the tail gate up causes a dead pocket of air in the back of the truck that gives the truck a rounded profile that actually has less drag than a truck with tail gate down. You can find the article on Click and Clack's website cartalk.com.
Anyway, I wanted to add to the original question. A number of months back one guy posted on here that he purchased some aftermarket performance ignition parts and increased his mileage from 10-12 like I get to 22 in the city and his truck had a ton more power. I took that to mean that our trucks are super inefficient and waste fuel to be burnt in the catalytic converter and without the cc we'd be pumping tons of unburnt fuel into the atmosphere. I marked it and if I can find it I'll link it here. I think he spent around $400 for the parts.
Anyway, I wanted to add to the original question. A number of months back one guy posted on here that he purchased some aftermarket performance ignition parts and increased his mileage from 10-12 like I get to 22 in the city and his truck had a ton more power. I took that to mean that our trucks are super inefficient and waste fuel to be burnt in the catalytic converter and without the cc we'd be pumping tons of unburnt fuel into the atmosphere. I marked it and if I can find it I'll link it here. I think he spent around $400 for the parts.