Ok I know its an old thing but ive reached the point of action with this gas mileage thing. I went out and bought a FIPK K&N Filter kit but then after reading some reviews on here ive decided im not keeping it. I just need some good ideas on what things are scams and gimmicks and what is the real deal. Anything I can do to even gain a couple miles per gallon will make me feel victorious!

What about these supposed magenets you can buy? Do they work for real or is that bull****? What about an AEM foam air intake? I dont want to do anything that could ruin the longterm life of my engine.

Any help you can give what be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

First off.... what is your mileage looking like? If you have a 5.4 and driveit conservatively you should be seeing about 15-18or 19 MPG. Thats about it. If your seeing really low MPG then you have to evaluate how you drive. Do you hammer it off the line? Do you drive 85 MPH everywhere you go? Do you wait until the last possible second to apply the brakes? Is your motor broken in yet?
Ther are many items on ther market that claim to increase MPG. Unfortunately none of them work that well. The best thing for you to do is to get a K&N drop in filter and change out your Exhaust. Thes will give you some gains. They will be minimal though. By the time they actually pay for them selves it won't really be worth it. These motors react very well to moderation. That is, drive like you got an eggcrate under the gas pedal. Slow easy starts and moderate speeds greatly affect you MPG. If you are still having issues go to your dealer and tell him your having driveability issues. Ask them to check for a computer update and have them reflash it. Thes truck get good fuel mileage for the weight that you are pushing. If thats not good enough MPG then you need to get a smaller vehicle. The numbers posted are obtainable and not few and far between..... see Fuel mileage revisited post.

 

Thanks for the reply. Depending on how I drive I get between 14.2 - 15.7. 15.7 is the highest I have had it up then ill end up running late for a meeting and have to throw the hammer down and let her eat. If I maintain a serious driving patter I can really expect 18 in the city? I have a Flow Master on it already and I had the K&N FIPK air intake kit on order but ive read alot of reviews about it not giving any gains and potentially damaging your engine so im not gonna use it. The magnents dont work at all?

 

You will never see 18 in the city. This is a heavy truck. At take off you get about 6-8 mpg depending on how you drive. The faster you can get the trans to shift the better your fuel mileage will be. 18-19 is not unobtainable on the highway providing you are doing the speed limit and not putting the hammer down to pass everyone. Use you cruise control whenever possible and be easy on the gas. It will pay off in decent fuel mileage. I have the Edge tuner in mine..... While I have not seen any MPG increase it is much more driveable.

 

If they didn't work as advertised, every automotive magazine around would say exactly that. I had been using K&Ns in everything I own since they came out...an 87 454 motorhome, both my TRX250r 2 stroke modified quads (used in the Imperial sand dunes) my old 95 T-bird and 96 Ranger 4X4, my present Motorhome (460) and my 04 FX4 ( well, it has an Airaid, but it's the same basic design). In every case, performance increased as advertised. Forget the filtration test some guys love to refer to. Is it accurate? Maybe...but it has no bearing on what happens in the real world, or otherwise all the diesels everywhere (what the test referred to) would be worn out. Tell that to the diesel guys with 300,000 miles on a K&N, or any other CAI for that matter.

Put it on. You'll like it.

 

About the only way to get higher gas mileage is to keep the tach under 2 grand. Slow and easy starts and keep your foot out of it.

My best was 19.4, all highway a/c off, cruise set at 70. My average in town with the a/c on is 16.6

These trucks are not known for their mileage. They're made to haul and tow...

 

I just filled up (topped off tank) and calculated I am getting about 13.1mpg with the air on. Truck is brand new, not broken in yet, so I assume I might pickup a couple here or there when it does. I found with the gearing its very easy to drive it normally and never break 2k rpms.

 

2004 fx4x4 5.4 15,000 miles stock everything. cruise set at 62 mph drove 400 miles up and down hills.Truck empty extended cab with low profile cap averaged 20mpg air off.600 mile trip same as above but carrying 300lbs more 19.7 mpg. around home town traffic with lots of hills 16mpg. better than my 2002 4.6 4x4 extended cab at 19mpg highway 14.5 around town. I do light foot the gas except when needed.

 

I've got an 05 Screw 5.4l 2X4 with Gibson dual split exhast and K&N series 77 metal intake. I took a trip to Dallas from Huntsville and averaged 18.5 mpg - that was cruise at 9 mph over the speed limit the whole way (before I installed the CAI), and the truck was loaded with a PA and some musical instruments (and a 225 lbs brother-in-law/drummer). My last tank of gas around town I averaged 14.54 mpg -- I've been stomping it a bit because the CAI is brand new. I'm certain I could get much better if I eased off because I've been hammering it. I also put a tonneau cover on, which helps the drag (and thus the gas). I plan on adding an Air Raid TBS for Fathers' Day to see what that does. New to the forum, hope this helps.

 

Forget all of the advertizing hype about all of the toys you can buy for performance- they don't work for fuel mileage. If Ford thought that they would get their CAFE ( corporate average fuel economy) up any points at all by using these all but worthless toys, they would be on your truck. It is worth BILLIONS to Ford to get better CAFE so an air intake that replaces the stock cold air intake isn't buying you anything. To get better fuel economy you will have to change your driving habits. As stated above, you have to keep the tach below 2000 rpms. I keep my 4.6 at or below 1800 and I get over 20 mpgs town driving. Things that you can do. Look on the side of the tire for the maximum air pressure cold- fill the tire to max air pressure. When driving- remember that these things are heavy and will COAST a long ways. See a traffic light changing in the distance- get off of the gas- COAST. See a stop sign coming up- get off the gas and COAST. Slower traffic ahead- you get the picture. No sudden stops unless an emergency. When possible- coast. If you are going downhill, let it coast. It's just simple, easy driving habits. And learn to be ahead of schedule OR learn to live with your bad driving habits.

 

I try to keep mine around 2000 and I also get very close to 20 mpg with mine.

I also find that I'm getting 17+ no matter how or where I drive it.

 

I would say that 14.2-15.7 is pretty good for your truck and likely above average.

Keeping the rpms down is the only way it's got a chance to improve. I'd have to say that you're maxed out and you're getting as good as you're ever going to.

Good luck.

 

Leave it stock...the factory knows best...

Consider this...

When the factory starts blueprinting engines and using the technology that the aftermarket has developed, the CAFE numbers will plummet...

But no one will be able to afford to buy them.

It's all about the bottom line.

 

what the hell? I get like 12 to 13mpg. thats city slash highway. i dont stomp on it and i take easy from a stop. Set the cruise at 70 on the highway. I even have a bed cover. I have about 12000 miles on it, so its broke in. You guys are getting awsome mileage compared to me!!???!! help???

 

I have a 2005 150 supercab 4x4 Lariet with the 37 1/2 gal. tank with skid plates, 18" all terrain tires. 3.73 rearend with the 5.4 3 valve per cylinder engine. It has a 6.5 ft. box with a fiberglass ARE cover. It has the heavyduty towing package. Full of fuel with me and the gear I travel with it weighs about 6,000 lbs.

I just returned from a trip of a thousand miles each way. This included flat, hilly, lots of curves and mountins in West Virgina and Virginia. Mostly 4 lane controlled acess but some 2 to300 miles of two lane, slow down for small towns etc.

I drove with the cruise on when ever possible set on 65mph. My average mpg for each thousand miles was 18.6 and 18.5 respectivly.

I drive defensivly, always watching traffic ahead and behind me anticipating for slowdowns, braking etc. I donot touch my brakes unless I am going to stop. Thats why they put gears in transmissions. I drive by my tachometer city or highway. Not exceeding 2000 rpm unless you have is the best way to get the maximum mpg.

My truck has about 12,000 miles on it and I have enjoyed every mile of it.

Gary