Disappointing 5.4L MPG
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 372
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Disappointing 5.4L MPG
I've had my new to me '04 F250, 5.4L for a while now and my gas mileage is a disappointing 11 mpg of combined city and highway driving. I just stopped by our local Ford dealership and they didn't seem too surprised with the results. They said a major tuneup might help a little but it won't be a night and day improvement. What do you folks think? Should I get the $650 tuneup? Does the price seem about right?
'04 F250 Super Duty, Extended Cab
2WD
5.4L with automatic transmission
Truck has about 135,000 miles on it and I think (but not sure) there was a tune up before.
'04 F250 Super Duty, Extended Cab
2WD
5.4L with automatic transmission
Truck has about 135,000 miles on it and I think (but not sure) there was a tune up before.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
that is high...change the plugs yourself and put a new air cleaner on it. you can do the fuel filters too. All for less than 200.00
And no it will not help. I had a 06F250 with the 5.4. Was slightly better. Ran 3.73 gears.
It is what it is.
And no it will not help. I had a 06F250 with the 5.4. Was slightly better. Ran 3.73 gears.
It is what it is.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: CT
That does sound low.
I would say a tune up will not hurt, whether it helps or not is up in the air.
Check your tire pressure, run them a little high for slightly better mileage.
Check your driving style, cruise RPM, etc...
I would say a tune up will not hurt, whether it helps or not is up in the air.
Check your tire pressure, run them a little high for slightly better mileage.
Check your driving style, cruise RPM, etc...
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
I had an 04 f150 with the 5.4. It was a 4x4 and had 3.73 gears. It got about 14-15 on the highway when new, then put on bigger tires and it dropped into the 12s. I guess it really depends on what mix of driving you do and if the area is generally hilly or flat. I live in a realively flat area and did mostly highway driving just to give you some perspective on my #s.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
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The terrain around here in San Diego is very hilly so the transmission does a fair amount of hunting. The rear end has 3.73 gears. Here's what's included in the $650 tuneup.
Change plugs
Replace coil boots
Clean throttle body and injectors
I've changed plugs in my previous vehicles but all this talk about seized plugs on the 5.4L makes me a little nervous tackling the job myself. Am I being overly cautious? What's involved with cleaning throttle body and injectors.
Change plugs
Replace coil boots
Clean throttle body and injectors
I've changed plugs in my previous vehicles but all this talk about seized plugs on the 5.4L makes me a little nervous tackling the job myself. Am I being overly cautious? What's involved with cleaning throttle body and injectors.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I beleive the injectors are cleaned with a solvent they put in the fuel rail, not 100% shure as I never did it. The throttle body is easy to clean. Remove the throttle body and clean it good with carb cleaner.
You don't really have to worry about the plugs seizing. With the engine cool take the plugs out slowly. They will probably squeel a little on the way out but shouldn't seize on you.
IMO $650 isn't too bad considering its the dealer. The dealers prices are crazy, nature of the beast.
You don't really have to worry about the plugs seizing. With the engine cool take the plugs out slowly. They will probably squeel a little on the way out but shouldn't seize on you.
IMO $650 isn't too bad considering its the dealer. The dealers prices are crazy, nature of the beast.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
Many things can be a result of your 11 mpg. Inacurate calculations, driving habits, tire size and pressure, extra weight in the bed/cab, stop and go trafic etc... you name it the list can go on. After a full tune and with 135k you may pick up a couple mpg. My 06 with 57k and manual shift on the highway can get up to about 16 or so.
The $650 is high but not out of the realm with some dealerships. I would hope to think the truck has already had a tune up at some point but if not it may make more of a difference than you think. Does the truck run well? any lack of power? if so do as others mentioned buy your parts and do yourself. If you don't feel comfortable have a local reputable shop do the work. They should be able to do it for about a couple hundred lower.
The $650 is high but not out of the realm with some dealerships. I would hope to think the truck has already had a tune up at some point but if not it may make more of a difference than you think. Does the truck run well? any lack of power? if so do as others mentioned buy your parts and do yourself. If you don't feel comfortable have a local reputable shop do the work. They should be able to do it for about a couple hundred lower.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 1
From: AK
That's very high for a tune-up...
DIY. Shouldn't cost more than $150 for all the parts and its really not that bad changing out the plugs... the one on the back pass. side will be a pain but certainly doable.
DIY. Shouldn't cost more than $150 for all the parts and its really not that bad changing out the plugs... the one on the back pass. side will be a pain but certainly doable.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 8
From: WV
I agree on almost all points! That does seem a little low on the MPG, that you could do the tune up cheaper yourself, and that $650 is probably about right for a dealer charge.
In the summer months I was consistently getting 14-15 with a record high of 17.6 (all interstate). Since winter hit, I've been getting 13-14, mostly closer to 13.
I'm going on my first real "highway" trip this weekend since I put a vacuum gauge in so we'll see how that pans out.
In the summer months I was consistently getting 14-15 with a record high of 17.6 (all interstate). Since winter hit, I've been getting 13-14, mostly closer to 13.
I'm going on my first real "highway" trip this weekend since I put a vacuum gauge in so we'll see how that pans out.