Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

MPG reader

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 08:36 AM
  #1  
Kris.'s Avatar
Kris.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
MPG reader

hello everyone, names kris, i just recently bought a 99' f-250 PSD. Its the lariat model so it has the compass, temp, and mpg reader on the headliner and for some reason all of the options seems to be reading perfect except for my mpg, and miles till empty. Its giving me a reading but its saying im getting like 25mpg and im only getting about 12. So i was wondering if this was a common problem, or if there is a cheaper fix than taking it to the shop.

Thanks for any input!
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 08:39 AM
  #2  
miller_feed's Avatar
miller_feed
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Club FTE Silver Member

Hey, Kris. You are talking about what we call the "Lie-O-Meter". Some are close and some are way off. Do the calc. by hand, then you know what you are getting.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 08:40 AM
  #3  
Pocket's Avatar
Pocket
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by Kris.
hello everyone, names kris, i just recently bought a 99' f-250 PSD. Its the lariat model so it has the compass, temp, and mpg reader on the headliner and for some reason all of the options seems to be reading perfect except for my mpg, and miles till empty. Its giving me a reading but its saying im getting like 25mpg and im only getting about 12. So i was wondering if this was a common problem, or if there is a cheaper fix than taking it to the shop.

Thanks for any input!
Do you have any modifications to your truck like a chip or tuner? If so, then that's the problem, and there is no fix. A chip or tuner causes the overhead display to show higher mileage than what you are actually getting.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 04:54 PM
  #4  
PowerstrokeJunkie's Avatar
PowerstrokeJunkie
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
Hey, wecome to fte. Nice name.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 05:33 PM
  #5  
99 7.3 towrig's Avatar
99 7.3 towrig
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, WVU
when I got mine working after I bought it, it started off reading around 12.5 mpg, and over the past 2 years it has made it to around 14.7 mpg. Doing hand calculation of mpg, I usually am around 16-17 depending on how much town driving I do. I dont even use it for the mpg I only use it for the outside temp, now and then I use the miles till empty to get an idea as that is iffy too, I can start the truck and it will show 190 miles till empty and drive 30 miles and it will show 60 miles till empty and this is while taking it easy on the highway.

but right now im getting 0 miles to 0 gallons as its parked with a bad tranny till my winter break next month when I make a trip down to BTS for one that can handle the power.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 06:53 PM
  #6  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
Hey, wecome to fte. Nice name.
This might make more sense to the new folks if you put your name back in your sig.

Tire sizes will also change this reading if you're running something other than the stock size.

Welcome to FTE.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 07:24 PM
  #7  
mongo75's Avatar
mongo75
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
Did the 99's come with temp gauges on it? Mine doesn't, and I'd like to have it. Mine read MPG, direction, and miles til empty, and then a blank reading. If that's the way it comes, can I install a sensor to make it read the OAT?
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 07:32 PM
  #8  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by mongo75
Did the 99's come with temp gauges on it? Mine doesn't, and I'd like to have it. Mine read MPG, direction, and miles til empty, and then a blank reading. If that's the way it comes, can I install a sensor to make it read the OAT?
Do you have one of these?


That's the sensor, and it mounts just under where the zoodad goes. I've got no idea where the wires go, but could do some digging to see if I can find out if you don't have the sensor on your truck.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #9  
mongo75's Avatar
mongo75
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
I just took a look, and I don't have a sensor.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #10  
F350-6's Avatar
F350-6
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by mongo75
I just took a look, and I don't have a sensor.
Supposed to be cold and windy tomorrow (high of 60) and not get back up to the 70's till Sunday. Since it looks like I have some time on my hands avoiding the cold, I'll do some digging and see if I'm smart enough to figure anything out for you.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 08:23 PM
  #11  
Kris.'s Avatar
Kris.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
ok this is all making sense i think. my suspension and tires are stock i believe. But the owner before me did have a chip in the truck. so im guessing thats what is cuasing my problem. oh well i guess ill just have to put a chip back in and get my mpg the old fashioned way! thanks for all the help and input guys, i really appreciate it!
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 08:56 PM
  #12  
mongo75's Avatar
mongo75
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
With my DP tuner my lie-o-meter reads about 23 MPG in a dually LMFAO!!!!
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 09:00 PM
  #13  
zx250's Avatar
zx250
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Club FTE Gold Member
My SC really screwed mine up, said I was in the mid 20's also. Since the DP I am within a 1/2 per gallon of being right.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2008 | 11:11 PM
  #14  
PowerstrokeJunkie's Avatar
PowerstrokeJunkie
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
How old are you kris?
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:10 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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