Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Another mileage question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 08:45 PM
  #1  
Fluid Power's Avatar
Fluid Power
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Another mileage question

Poor milage with my F-350 4x4 SuperCrew with 34" tires.
13 hwy, 11 city, 9 towing.
I've been really trying to drive it as easy as I can (like an old lady)

I just bought the truck and I'm not sure the computer has been calibrated to the 10% larger diameter tires. I'm going to measure out a route with a second vehicle and compare distances. How much would this affect mileage?

Also, how much could the "softness" and tread design of the tire play into MPG? What about the need for a wheel alignment...how much differance does that make to MPG?
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 09:35 PM
  #2  
darsey715's Avatar
darsey715
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
hmm 13 is crummy. when was the last time you had your fuel filters changed or fuel water seperator drained? also, what year is our truck? how many miles? the 'softness' and tread design plays no role in mpg, it's the diameter of the tire. wheel alighment doesn't matter either. air pressure does, but would doubt that is causing 13mpg. Im getting 16-17 mpg at 70mph on my 35's. fwiw. good luck.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 10:54 PM
  #3  
Fluid Power's Avatar
Fluid Power
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by darsey715
hmm 13 is crummy. when was the last time you had your fuel filters changed or fuel water seperator drained? also, what year is our truck? how many miles? the 'softness' and tread design plays no role in mpg, it's the diameter of the tire. wheel alighment doesn't matter either. air pressure does, but would doubt that is causing 13mpg. Im getting 16-17 mpg at 70mph on my 35's. fwiw. good luck.
I've oredered fuel filters, so I'll be doing that soon. I'm not sure when it was done last, because I've just recently bought it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 11:34 AM
  #4  
The Padre's Avatar
The Padre
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
how often should a fuel filter be changed and the seperator drained?

I am getting 13 highway, 10 city and 7 towing. stock truck with 35" tires.

2005 6.0 PSD
4X4
25K miles
3.73 gears
 

Last edited by The Padre; Jun 5, 2007 at 11:43 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #5  
Powermoon's Avatar
Powermoon
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Prosser WA
fuel filters changed every 15,000 miles. Drain water whenever the light comes on and if not just when you change the fuel filters. Some do it when they change the oil.


Moon
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 08:42 PM
  #6  
Craven Amarillo's Avatar
Craven Amarillo
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Smile

I was getting almost the exact same mileage until I hit 15k miles. Just after rolling over 15k my highway miles went to 16.4 mpg, this is using excel to do the calculations. The towing went to about 12.5 mpg.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 10:35 AM
  #7  
The Padre's Avatar
The Padre
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Craven Amarillo
I was getting almost the exact same mileage until I hit 15k miles. Just after rolling over 15k my highway miles went to 16.4 mpg, this is using excel to do the calculations. The towing went to about 12.5 mpg.
What changed?
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 12:01 PM
  #8  
blackhat620's Avatar
blackhat620
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by The Padre
What changed?
Engine is starting to break in. You will see mileage gains at 10-15K, 25K, 35K and 50K. The 6.0 (as do many diesel engines) take along time to fully break-in. The other thing that will effect fuel mileage (besides the right foot) is switching from winter blend to summer blend fuel.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 02:02 PM
  #9  
The Padre's Avatar
The Padre
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by blackhat620
Engine is starting to break in. You will see mileage gains at 10-15K, 25K, 35K and 50K. The 6.0 (as do many diesel engines) take along time to fully break-in. The other thing that will effect fuel mileage (besides the right foot) is switching from winter blend to summer blend fuel.
There must be something wrong with my truck then because I have not seen any mpg increase since day one. Any ideas what is wrong with the truck? Is there a time when the PSD was made that some suck over others.

I just got done talking to Matt @ LIPD and after installing all upgrades I am told my MPG will go up. I hope so.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 05:22 PM
  #10  
blackhat620's Avatar
blackhat620
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by The Padre
There must be something wrong with my truck then because I have not seen any mpg increase since day one. Any ideas what is wrong with the truck? Is there a time when the PSD was made that some suck over others.

I just got done talking to Matt @ LIPD and after installing all upgrades I am told my MPG will go up. I hope so.
Well when you put the larger tires on it, have you accounted for that? They are taller, heavier and wider, which will effect the mileage. Also did you recalibrate the PCM for the new tire size? Are you hand calculating mileage or using the lie-o-meter?
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 06:42 PM
  #11  
The Padre's Avatar
The Padre
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by blackhat620
Well when you put the larger tires on it, have you accounted for that? They are taller, heavier and wider, which will effect the mileage. Also did you recalibrate the PCM for the new tire size? Are you hand calculating mileage or using the lie-o-meter?
The xlt does not have the lie-o-meter and I am hand calc'ing the MPG. I understand that the 35's are all of the above but would it make that much of a difference? How do you recalibrate the PCM on a stock truck w/o a tuner?
 

Last edited by The Padre; Jun 6, 2007 at 06:45 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 06:46 PM
  #12  
blackhat620's Avatar
blackhat620
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by The Padre
The xlt does not have the lie-o-meter and I am hand calc'ing the MPG. I understand that the 35's are all of the above but would it make that much of a difference? How do you recalibrate the PCM on a stock truck?
Yep the 35's could make that much difference what size were your factory tires?

To calibrate the PCM on a stock truck you have two choices, take it to the dealer and they can do it or by a "Truespeed" module.
www.superlift.com/accessories/truspeed.asp

Also understand that your odometer is not accurate as well do to the tire change.

Hope this helps
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 07:03 PM
  #13  
The Padre's Avatar
The Padre
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by blackhat620
Yep the 35's could make that much difference what size were your factory tires?

To calibrate the PCM on a stock truck you have two choices, take it to the dealer and they can do it or by a "Truespeed" module.
www.superlift.com/accessories/truspeed.asp

Also understand that your odometer is not accurate as well do to the tire change.

Hope this helps
Yes all this helps. When I have my GPS setup I can see the GPS speed compared to the truck speed it is off. The faster I go the more it is off. At 75 on the speedo it will say 81 on the GPS. If I get the SCT will I need the Truespeed?

After searching and reading endless threads I have made me decision to what I want to do.(as performance mods go) Plus Matt @ LIPD has been a great help.

Again thanx for the info
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 09:11 PM
  #14  
mrxlh's Avatar
mrxlh
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
Yes you will need the truespeed, or take it to the dealer and have them reprogram the tire rev size. The 6.0 trucks speedometer is tied into the ABS system, henceforthe the very high liability for SCT and or others to tamper with the software directly. I can't remember off the top of my head, but it seems to me most were paying the dealership around $80-90 for the recalibration.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2007 | 10:31 PM
  #15  
Deluxe05's Avatar
Deluxe05
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 4
From: Denver, Co
Club FTE Silver Member

It is my understanding that the dealership will not be able to compensate for 35's or larger tires. From what has been said here on FTE, the PCM has a limit of 600 tire revolutions per mile (TRPM...because I'm too lazy to keep typing it out). The stock 20" tire & rim option (Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 275/65-20) clock in at 34.1" in height, according to the manufacturer's data. They also have a TRPM of 609. Taller tires will have a lower TRPM value.

So, you could get 600 plugged into the PCM, but that will still leave a margin of error in all calculations surrounding your speedometer, odometer, and ABS. (There have been some conversations that indicate there could also be impact to transmission shift points & torque converter lock up, but I have not seen anything definitive on that.)


At any rate, something that intercepts the signals & sends modified signals to the computer--like Superlift's TruSpeed module--is going to be your best bet to correct all of this. Between that & your GPS unit, you should be able to get things back to where they should be.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:30 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE