fuel mileage

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 24, 2009 | 11:58 PM

zaaac

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 226

Likes: 0

fuel mileage

My Dad's '05 f150 5.4L gets 14.5 mpg and my '00 Chev 1500 5.3L gets 17 mpg. Not trying to bash Fords, just wondering why this is or what the common theory is? If 2 trucks weigh about the same, same size engine and same fuel mixture I don't know why there is such a difference. All I can think of is maybe the Ford drive train requires more power to turn it. What do you think?

Jan 25, 2009 | 12:57 AM

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 11,604

Likes: 148

From: SE Georgia

you chevy wieghs at least 500 lbs less...more likely 1,000 lbs less.

and the F-150 has alot bigger/beefier drivetrain components

Jan 25, 2009 | 09:39 AM

fordman19762003

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,358

Likes: 250

Chevy's have always gotten better fuel mileage than Ford's, my wife's '03 Silverado gets better mileage than my '05 F150, but I'll take the lower MPG in exchange for a better built truck IMO.

Jan 25, 2009 | 11:27 AM

shorebird

Hotshot

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 11,537

Likes: 27

From: Long Beach, Ms.

There are many factors to the mpg equation. Does' your dad have the same driving style as you? Weight of the vehicles is a factor as Tylus mentioned. Mechanical drag of the tires ( Rolling Resistance ) may be the greatest factor. My boss replaced his tires with some with a much more aggressive tread and saw a drop of 2-3 mpg.

Jan 25, 2009 | 03:11 PM

Jim Allen

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 559

Likes: 4

From: On a farm.

Too many variables in this comparison to draw any conclusions from.

Jan 25, 2009 | 03:45 PM

slc10844

Posting Guru

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 1,332

Likes: 4

From: Baltimore

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordman19762003

Chevy's have always gotten better fuel mileage than Ford's, my wife's '03 Silverado gets better mileage than my '05 F150, but I'll take the lower MPG in exchange for a better built truck IMO.

I have to agree. I have always gotten better fuel mileage with Chevys but I'll give up a little MPG for a better truck.

Jan 26, 2009 | 06:00 PM

baitmaster

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,622

Likes: 0

From: nevada

kind of happy about my mileage

My '05 F150 4WD w/5.4 will get over 18 on the highway with larger than stock tires. (AT/KO). This was with a bed full of hunting gear, and a 50 gal fuel tank in bed. Also noticed that I would go about 3 miles per 100 (according to the mile markers) more than the speedo read. Because of the larger tires I assume.

Trending Topics

F550 First Trip, Heavy tow, Noises / shudder

24

665
Looking for a canopy

15

324
The correct Carb? Tranny matters?

19

305
Spark plug gaps vs AFR vs Heat buildup

15

266
Reverse Lights Not Working

72

1.4k

Jan 26, 2009 | 06:42 PM

zaaac

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 226

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by slc10844

I have to agree. I have always gotten better fuel mileage with Chevys but I'll give up a little MPG for a better truck.

I agree too. If a person keeps their truck for a long time a better built one with a little poorer fuel economy might still be cheaper in the long run. However, for my job a Chevy is still better. I'm off road all the time and plowing through deep snow and the Chevy's have more clearance. The guys with Fords have to plow more snow and if the trail is deep they have to straddle it because the lower control arms are dragging in the dirt. Chev's have a lower box too so I can actually reach in it to grab stuff. If I could find a rust free '79 Ford I would buy it though. I had one when I was a kid and I think they're the best truck ever made.