I am the owner of what I call "A Gas Guzzler" here's my story:

I own a 1999 F-150XL 4X4 which is still under factory warranty, it has very low mileage on it. Realizing that it's a truck, I'm not expecting great gas mileage, I don't tow and most of my trips are highway. I usually drive between 55-60 mph and I have only been getting 14-16 mpg, I took it back to the dealership, and they said it was sluggish and they replaced the oxygen sensor, spark plugs and two sensors that regulate air and fuel mixture, they assured me after the repairs were done and road tested, they were getting between 18-24 mpg, I thought my problems were solved, since getting the truck back, and using it for a week Im still getting roughly 16mpg. The truck has the 4.2 v6 engine , I'm pleased with the amount of power it has but I am very disappointed with fuel mileage, if anyone can relate to this or can tell me if this is the best mileage I will get please give me your input.

 

I have a 98 F150XL ext cab but not a 4X4. I get 14 around town and about 18 on the open road at 70 mph. I have installed a K&N filter and it seems to help. I took a trip recently and got anywhere from 16 to 21 mph depending on conditions.

 

we get 20-22mpg in our 2000 f150 LWB with the 4.2 with the air on
the average with the air on is 20mpg

Rodney
LFLS

 

What am I doing wrong? I only drive at posted highway speeds and I don't tow anything. Does the four wheel drive model get worse mpg than a two wheel drive? My truck has LT245 16s on it,does this affect my mileage? I think these trucks can be way more fuel efficient. 4x4 owners with the v6 let me know how your trucks are doing with regards to mpg.

 

I own a 97 ext cab 2wd XLS F-150 3.55 rear axle . My speedometer has been out by 5 % since new. I travel 20 miles it registers 19. If you have air the only time you are driving without using the air conditioner is when switch is off or on panel, running the air can also cost you 5 % . The 3.55 Ratio limited slip axle which is standard on most 4X4 ‘s will not perform as well on the highway but I do better than average in the city with mine. The 4.2 has a split port induction system that seems to be more efficient at lower RPMs . It’s just a basic two vales per cylinder (cast iron heads and block) V6 engine. Your 4WD sits up higher and is a bit heavier so make sure your tires are properly inflated to the MAX. Removing the tailgate and sliding a 2X6 in the slot in the box will boost your mileage and make it easier to park. Don’t believe everything your buddies tell you about what mileage they get. I don’t know if you’re using US or Imperial gallons but for what it’s worth I get 18 City 21 Highway to an imperial gallon on regular gas without the Air on and the only hills here are overpasses. My K&N Filter did not improve my mileage but I believe that it will keep the nasty bits out of my engine.

Ken Charleton
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada

 

Thanks for your info, I do my gas mileage calculations based on the imperial gallon,I would'nt dare use the US gallon because my results would be even worse. At what speeds do you achieve best mpg? My best seems to be right at 100kms,but the truck seems to work best at 110-120, and since there is no rpm gauge in my truck I don't really know how high it is revving. My guess is that fuel mileage is best right at 2000rpms,also I am considering a tonneau cover,maybe this will help it a little. In any case I am still considering trading to a chevy truck,the4.8 has plenty of power and is better on fuel than my 4.2.

 

FYI...

1997 F150-XL 2WD. I get 14 - 18 miles to a gallon. Almost all city driving.

My engine blew at 150K Km (under warranty) and the new engine gets the same milage.

I added a tonneau cover in '99, and it is going to take a long time to pay for itself, as I haven't noticed any difference in milage.

I love the truck, but the 130L tank hurts to fill.

Kris Taylor
Winnipeg, Canada

 

I have a 98 XL 4X4 with automatic and 4.2 v6. My mileage sucks. It gets around town at about 12-14 mpg with the AC on. On the highway I get around 14-16mpg. That is bothersome to me. The big Chevy engine gets almost 20mpg and makes almost 300 hp. I like everything about my truck except the engine. Ford could have done much better with the 4.2L IMO.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 10-Aug-01 AT 09:07 AM (EST)[/font][p]I have an '01 F150 4x2 with the V6...my overall mileage has averaged about 19-20mpg, with an all-time low (so far) of 18mpg in city driving and a high of a little over 21mpg (1/3 city, 2/3 highway). Right now I've got about 5500 miles on the truck, so things are still wearing in a bit. I have a 30 gallon tank (it's a longbed), and usually I start looking for gas stations about the time I pass 500 miles on a tank...the most I've gotten on a tank so far was 550 (I'm not brave enough to run it below the E).

I've heard of a lot of people who are getting poor mileage out of the V6...I'm really not sure why that is. Sure, many are 4x4s, but still there shouldn't be a 5+ mpg difference...

LK

 

My 2000 4.2 6 Cyl automatic, with 7000 miles (cannot afford to drive more due to poor mileage) gets 12-13 MPG city and a whopping 13.5-14 highway. I have taken it in for service numerious times and keep being told everything checks out and that they test to 14.5 MPH city and that is deamed within the range for this vehicle. There is a heavy black tar like residue exiting the exhaust pipe (not burning oil)and even backed up outside the pipe. I am definately not a mechanic but I have always though that a black pipe means to rich a fuel mix. Again, the dealer says black soot exhaust is common. Seems other makes I have observed have a gray powdered exhaust which I think has the proper fuel mix.


Any thoughts or comments.

 

I also have the black tar/soot-like residue on the exhaust tip, and I'm getting 20-ish mpg with my 4.2L...so whatever it is, I don't think it is necessarily related to the poor gas mileage. I'm guessing that it has to do with some of the more recent pollution controls and gas formulations, but I really don't know for sure.

LK

 

I am frustrated with my truck, and I am comforted to know that it is"nt just me, or it isn"t my driving style. These trucks are extremely low on power, extremely hard on gas and have very low resale value. The next time you look at classified ads for trucks,jus take notice to the mileage on most late model f-150s,in my experience most 1997-2000f150s have very low mileage,and since most people claim to love these trucks,why is it they don't drive them. The answer is mpg. Ford should know through market research that all truck owners are not happy with 11-15mpg and we are all not millionaires. Most people I know would love to own a truck but simply will not tolerate such bad mileage.


P.S MOST 18 wheelers get 7-9 miles to the gallon,just a thought.

 

I love my truck!

Milage isn't great, but everything else is wonderful. It rides better than any Chevy I've had the misfortune to drive, and the regular cab even has enough room behind the seat for all my toys.

I have a 1997 with 170,000KM on it. Don't tell me I don't drive my truck.

/copeina

 

I have a 2001 SC/SB 4x4 sport with the 4.2, 5 speed, and 3.55 gears. My main driving is in the city 75% to 25% highway. I run 75-80 mph on the highway. My average gas mileage has been 13-14 in this mode. I just returned from a trip and was pleasantly surprised to get 17.6 mpg. That was with the AC on and the above highway speeds. I have never gotten below 300 miles before the low fuel light. This trip was at 360-some at slightly less than a quarter. I traded a 2001 Dodge Ram QC/SB 4x4 318 automatic on a Hyundai for the wife. It was a piece of crap. The 318 was a turd and it NEVER got better than 11 mpg. That is with my wife driving (very conservative). My V6 has much more pep. I was afraid of the V6 powerwise, but in no way am I disappointed. It kept up with my buddies 2000 Chevy SC/SB 4x4 4.8 5 speed when I had 300 miles on it. He was stunned. So was I. He gets slightly better gas mileage though.




01 F150 4X4 V6 5-speed
91 Mustang GT basic bolt ons- GM Eater
You can't run with a Ford... Only chase em!

 

not to brag but still getting 20-22 mpg with the 20004.2 never below 20 even with the air on she spin the tires off got a 4.2
5speed and a 8.8 with 3.55 gears one of the sweetest paint colors toredor clear coat metalix

Rodney

82 f100 caught it on fire today 3.8v6 3speed