Please stop with the MPG issue!!
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
A sticky is a good idea.
Depending on usage, these trucks vary mightily in fuel mileage. Claims on this site range from 10 - 20mpg, a difference of 100%.
I bought my 04 Scab a little over a month ago and haven't yet broken 13mpg using it mostly as a commuter. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it, but if I can improve it, I'd like to know how.
There's a thread elsewhere connecting oil weight with fuel mileage. I hadn't thought about the fact that I have no idea what the dealer had in it when I bought it. It's clean, but it may not meet spec. If I can gain 2-3 mpg as claimed simply by running the spec lube, I'm foolish not to try it.
I appreciate the helpful tips toward better economy, but I'm with you guys on the complaining and surveys.
Depending on usage, these trucks vary mightily in fuel mileage. Claims on this site range from 10 - 20mpg, a difference of 100%.
I bought my 04 Scab a little over a month ago and haven't yet broken 13mpg using it mostly as a commuter. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it, but if I can improve it, I'd like to know how.
There's a thread elsewhere connecting oil weight with fuel mileage. I hadn't thought about the fact that I have no idea what the dealer had in it when I bought it. It's clean, but it may not meet spec. If I can gain 2-3 mpg as claimed simply by running the spec lube, I'm foolish not to try it.
I appreciate the helpful tips toward better economy, but I'm with you guys on the complaining and surveys.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: eastern nc
I didn't buy my truck for the MPG, It was what the wife and I wanted. I really don't know what it gets, have never checked. I usually look at the first couple of posts of the MPG threads and then leave them be, they are usually the same as the other one(s) before them.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 167
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I'd be interested in learning how to maximize my truck's mpg.
Towards that end I picked up a bed cover after being convinced by folks on this forum that a bed cover would help increase mileage and now I've got an Edge tuner on order in the hopes that it too will increase mileage.
Towards that end I picked up a bed cover after being convinced by folks on this forum that a bed cover would help increase mileage and now I've got an Edge tuner on order in the hopes that it too will increase mileage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 1
I have to agree with the MPG issue. No one buys a 6,000 lbs. truck, 4 WD, with a V8 for the gas mileage. If you did, you're only fooling yourself. My '005 gets 16 mpg overall, which is a little better than I expected. But I didn't buy it for the mpg; I bought it because it is a great all-around truck. Enough with the mpg debate! Just enjoy the ride...........
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 361
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maxing out your MPG....
Other than modifying driving habits, checking tire pressure, etc., I'd be curious if anyone has installed an aftermarket product that has noticeably improved mileage....all of the claims can't be accurate.
The only gizmo I've tried (& only because it was a gift) is one of those vortex fittings you put in your air intake to create a cyclonic air pattern. The claims were pretty dramatic but I've not noticed any improvement at all.
The only gizmo I've tried (& only because it was a gift) is one of those vortex fittings you put in your air intake to create a cyclonic air pattern. The claims were pretty dramatic but I've not noticed any improvement at all.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 79
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I just took my truck and trailer to Ottawa Ontario from Toronto...approximately 500km..which would be...? about 312 miles and it cost me about 170 dollars for the trip and I have never been so proud of my truck...LMAO..i rolled the whole way at 140km/h or 90mph and never once did it downshift on a hill or have any trouble the whole way..sure it was an expesive ride..but I can afford it..and wouldn't trade it for the world...but i would trade it for a 2007 F250 Harley davidson 
maybe all the whiners should dig deeper in theior pocket and buy diesel trucks and then you can get your mileage and stop making us listen to your sorrows at the gas pump...if you can't afford the gas buy a honda...next time you need to haul something you will have the spare money to rent a real vehicle....but that is just my opinion..as right as I am ...I respect the fact that the whiners are wrong....
maybe all the whiners should dig deeper in theior pocket and buy diesel trucks and then you can get your mileage and stop making us listen to your sorrows at the gas pump...if you can't afford the gas buy a honda...next time you need to haul something you will have the spare money to rent a real vehicle....but that is just my opinion..as right as I am ...I respect the fact that the whiners are wrong....
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 4
From: Sunny tourist infested FL
Originally Posted by 02 LariatFX4
I just took my truck and trailer to Ottawa Ontario from Toronto...approximately 500km..which would be...? about 312 miles and it cost me about 170 dollars for the trip and I have never been so proud of my truck...LMAO..i rolled the whole way at 140km/h or 90mph and never once did it downshift on a hill or have any trouble the whole way..sure it was an expesive ride..but I can afford it..and wouldn't trade it for the world...but i would trade it for a 2007 F250 Harley davidson
maybe all the whiners should dig deeper in theior pocket and buy diesel trucks and then you can get your mileage and stop making us listen to your sorrows at the gas pump...if you can't afford the gas buy a honda...next time you need to haul something you will have the spare money to rent a real vehicle....but that is just my opinion..as right as I am ...I respect the fact that the whiners are wrong....
maybe all the whiners should dig deeper in theior pocket and buy diesel trucks and then you can get your mileage and stop making us listen to your sorrows at the gas pump...if you can't afford the gas buy a honda...next time you need to haul something you will have the spare money to rent a real vehicle....but that is just my opinion..as right as I am ...I respect the fact that the whiners are wrong....
Your truck is an 02, unless you haven't updated your profile. Why are you posting 02 mileage info in the 04 to 06 forum? You also answered the poll question on mileage for 04 to 06 F-150's. Kinda like comparing apples and oranges, don't you think?
Last edited by wildcard30; Aug 5, 2006 at 03:26 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Trempealeau Wisconsin
Here is what I just posted on the "fuel mileage poll" sticky, then I scrolled down and saw this topic. So I will also copy and paste it here. I do agree with everyone here, I am sick of hearing about MILEAGE!!
This is the way that I look at it, I drive a 6100 lb 4WD, 340hp (guess this number at the crank with my mods), thats lifted, running really wide tires and does a fair amount of towing. I am more than happy with the mileage that I get. I didn't buy the truck for mileage, thats what my/girlfriends Focus is for.
This is the way that I look at it, I drive a 6100 lb 4WD, 340hp (guess this number at the crank with my mods), thats lifted, running really wide tires and does a fair amount of towing. I am more than happy with the mileage that I get. I didn't buy the truck for mileage, thats what my/girlfriends Focus is for.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by daddio360
Other than modifying driving habits, checking tire pressure, etc., I'd be curious if anyone has installed an aftermarket product that has noticeably improved mileage....all of the claims can't be accurate.
Although I don't have a vehicle that normally puts me in the forum, I agree with you all. People can't buy a 3 ton truck and expect it to get good gas mileage any more than I can expect to tow a horse trailer with my hybrid Escape.
Back to my regular home now.....
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg, Pa
So everyone is sick and tired about guys complaining about MPG and reading threads about people complaining about it , but yet here goes yet ANOTHER thread talking about it. Reminds me of a alcoholic going to AA meetings and "curing" himself and then going out drinking the next night???? 
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 4
Actually, no, go ahead and keep complaining about it. The truck in my avatar is 30 years old and pulls down 11mpg in town and 13 on the highway. That's with the 390 V-8 and C6 auto trans. Every time I read a post from you guys with new trucks showing that my MPG is the same as the new trucks, I remember how much gas your truck payment + insurance will buy me! 
And no, I don't have any reliability issues with her either. Drove it from San Jose to Maine, never missed a beat.
And no, I don't have any reliability issues with her either. Drove it from San Jose to Maine, never missed a beat.