I recently bought a 2004 Limited X V10 that is stock. I would like to make some minor modifications to increase mpg. Air filter, oil type, air intake system etc... I appreciate any suggestions.

 

kneel down and pray....

 

thanks for the useful tip...

 

I too am interested....praying hasn't helped so any other 'useful' info would be greatly appreciated! I know there are a bunch of mods, chips, etc for PSD, but don't know that here are many for the V10.

 

I too would love to hear a useful addon that would help mileage......
I think the only easy way is to drive very easy. No hard accelerations, etc.
By changing my driving style I can easily chnge my milage by 20% but with these trucks that means going from 10mpg to 12mpg ! I just don't think there is any magic pill that will get this heavy of a vehicle to get much better mileage.

I asked my muffler shop, who I know and trust, and he said he would not waste any of my money doing mods on a v10, there are just no results.

I wish I was wrong because I love the size of this truck and it is inexpensive to own except for the gas.

George

 

i think tesserra's got it. if you search this site, the general consensus seems to be that Ford did a pretty good job optimizing for mileage. There are some different performance mods that can be done, but the small gains in mileage do not justify the $ spent.

The subject comes around often, i'd do a search first

 

I normally drive a 4 cyl hatchback (with 225 hp) and am always amazed at how many guys in their big trucks leave me behind when the light turns green - I inevitably coast up to them them by the next red light. Why do they waste all that fuel - and money?

In fact, on vacation in B.C. last year, watching all the trucks race up the mountain roads I started thinking about possible bumper sticker phrases like: "Alberta, we pump it, you waste it, thanks for the high oil prices!" :-)

Anyway, I think I'll just give my Ex synthetic oil, good plugs, clean filters, high tire pressure and a nice polish. (Though I was looking under it wondering if I couldn't smooth the bottom out a bit like they're doing with the new lightweight travel trailers.)

 

One thing that helps is to keep your tach below 2k rpms when accelerating. I recently noticed improved mileage when using 93 octane, maybe a fluke, maybe not, too soon to tell. But keeping the rpm's down helps a lot. Good luck

 

Synthetic oil in engine, transmission and rear end.

New air filter and spark plugs.

Clean MAF (thin sensor wire) with electric parts cleaner.

Increase air pressure in tires.

Free flow exhaust.

You also might want to have the fuel injectors cleaned. A finer mist spray will result in more complete combustion.


Clean and wax truck.

 

should air pressure be around 70-75 psi ?

 

The higher the air pressure, the more bouncy it will feel.

Despite the door sticker which says 50 front, 55 rear, I personally use 70 front and 65 rear.

 

Will higher psi help mpg? What are the drawbacks to high psi besides bouncy ?

 

I found the best thing for better mpg's is parking the dang thing and not driving it as much! THat will save you tons of money! I only drive my Ex for family trips and towing.....

 

Higher psi will help mileage. Just think of riding a bicycle with a flat tire - real hard to pedal. Bring it up to 20 psi and pedaling gets easier. Bring it up to 70 psi and it is rock hard - real easy to pedal.

Same principle here. Less work needed to move your truck means better gas mileage.

One downfall is that you need to find the right psi for your truck. If you overinflate the tires you will wear out the center of the tire. Underinflate and the edges wear too fast.

I only have 18k on my truck and this pis setting has worked well for me. Tires are wearing very evenly.

I have the 6.0 diesel so if you have the gas V8 or V10 you might have to lower the front air pressure.

 

First off WELCOME to FTE!!!

I found in my situation that higher tire pressures (72-73 front and 77 rear) made handling HORRIBLE! Especially when towing my 9000# 35' hitch to bumper TT!

I played with the pressure and found that 60 front and 70 rear is about as high as she will tolerate and handle well.

From a LOAD perspective...I only need about 60psi rear and 50psi front (if I remember right)...but I wanted a little stiffer sidewall for towing stability...hence the higher psi...but I went TOO high for MY Ex and paid the price with ill handling!...so YES there are drawbacks that I found in my experiences...

As far as MPG's...I find that the Ex is pretty consistent for a given driver habits...aside from driving like gramps...sorry gramps...I choose to tow at 65 and get slightly over 8mpgs and pay at the pump...slowing down to 60 or less WOULD raise my mpgs...BUT I've only got so many days to take for vacation...I HAVE to trade time (speed) for $$$ (mpgs).

Slowing down and minimizing jack rabbit starts are your best cost savings method...plain and simple...

It is amazing that if you 'try' and 'coast' towards a red-light to time it so you don't have to come to a complete stop (like I did on the RoadKing)...gets people behind you SO F-ing IRRITATED!!!...they want you to accelerate UP TO the light...slam on the brakes...stop and then have to re-accelerate!

Slow down if you can...but if you chose to do as I do...expect to pay some extra at the pump...

Good luck,
joe.