Dead end improved mpg threads
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 53
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Dead end improved mpg threads
I've noticed a trend after hours and hours of searching.... Threads that inquire about improving mpg always end up with no real answers. I'm sure I'm not the only who is interested to know. People are just interested in knowing how to improve economy outside the obvious (driving with an egg, leave it parked, trade it for a <insert random vehicle>, etc)
Personally, I would like to know with the cruise set on the flat highway, will a K&N drop in air filter be an improvement over running a paper filter? Has anyone ever really TRIED it?
I've noticed questions like this before and the answers were generally juvenile at best or stretched out to lots of other factors (driving by ear, dirty filter replaced with clean, etc)
And I've also read about the rags in the air box scenario. Interesting but not without it's loop holes.
Its pretty disheartening, that these great number of threads asking to improve economy get hijacked or left unanswered. I'd like to hear actual numbers and experiences.
Personally, I would like to know with the cruise set on the flat highway, will a K&N drop in air filter be an improvement over running a paper filter? Has anyone ever really TRIED it?
I've noticed questions like this before and the answers were generally juvenile at best or stretched out to lots of other factors (driving by ear, dirty filter replaced with clean, etc)
And I've also read about the rags in the air box scenario. Interesting but not without it's loop holes.
Its pretty disheartening, that these great number of threads asking to improve economy get hijacked or left unanswered. I'd like to hear actual numbers and experiences.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
I think the reason is since there is little you can do to boost your mpg. And the basics are usually mentioned, inflate your tires, use skinny low resistance tires, reduce any unneccesary weight, tonneau, larger air dam, draft a semi, synthetic fluids, tunep, find gas with no ethenol in it, fold your mirrors in... and all those combined might get you 1mpg more... Some folks with tuners like the XCT claim very slight gains or the same mpg but more power...
I cant tell you what the K&N will do, but it did nothing for my 4.2L F150. But I dont think that is going to effect your low throttle cruising mpg. if it did anything it might free up some power at high rpms since there is a lot more air flowing... but at low rpm the air flow is low, and the factory setup can flow a lot more air than the engine needs at low throttle anyhow...
I cant tell you what the K&N will do, but it did nothing for my 4.2L F150. But I dont think that is going to effect your low throttle cruising mpg. if it did anything it might free up some power at high rpms since there is a lot more air flowing... but at low rpm the air flow is low, and the factory setup can flow a lot more air than the engine needs at low throttle anyhow...
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 616
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From: Farms of Duplin County
The threads always cover the obvious as 78Bigbronco mentioned. The other is of course keep your foot out of the pedal. Short of those simple things you will not be able to significantly improve mileage out of a V10. Don't waste your money on the K&N. Put it in your gas tank and use a paper filter.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Actually I did about being the guinea pig! Haha
thank you everyone for the replies.
However I do know you gotta pay to play. I don't mind the 13.5 mpg highway but find it tough to live with 8ish mpg to drive around town when I was hoping to replace my ranger dd with it. I just might need to let her go already. I'll keep it a few weeks and decide then.
thank you everyone for the replies.
However I do know you gotta pay to play. I don't mind the 13.5 mpg highway but find it tough to live with 8ish mpg to drive around town when I was hoping to replace my ranger dd with it. I just might need to let her go already. I'll keep it a few weeks and decide then.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
I'd move out of town personally... and I did. The highway MPG my V10 is getting (about 14) is about the same as the city mpg my V6 F150 was getting so it was a huge upgrade for the same mpg! Of course my drive is a lot longer your not suppose to realize that part!
If you didnt need the SD and are trying to upgrade from a ranger and are concerned about your city mpg why didnt you try an F150?
If you didnt need the SD and are trying to upgrade from a ranger and are concerned about your city mpg why didnt you try an F150?
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Just My opinion only, I would sell the truck, you seem to be too concerned about mileage to own a V-10 SD, maybe a small V6 150 shorty cab is the answer for you. I mean no disrespect, just trying to help. I get on average around city in the winter 7 to 7.5 and 9.5 on the highway. I do run 35" tires and a lift kit but even before any mods on my truck when it was new i would get 9 city to 13.5 highway after break in. If i tow for a long distance my mileage does climb up about 1 mpg very slowly (250 miles or more)
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Florida
What others said....the threads never seem to give a good answer only because it's not the answer were looking for. I've kept carefully documented records of fuel consumption for years now. The ohly significant difference I've ever seen was switching from gas to diesel and learning to drive sensibly. I routinely got 15.5 Mpg in mixed driving in my F150 5.4. I routinely get 16.5 mpg out of my signature truck. I tow a fifth wheel with the diesel that weighs twice what the F150 towed, and I get better mileage.
What learned me was doing the math and self discipline to drive like I'm not in a hurry. The math taught me I'm saving very little time by driving faster, the self discipline taught me I arrive more relaxed and with more fule in the tank.....especially when towing.
One more thing; We all know that experience is the best teacher, but some things we can learn near as well from somebody else's experience.
Hope my $.02 helps.
What learned me was doing the math and self discipline to drive like I'm not in a hurry. The math taught me I'm saving very little time by driving faster, the self discipline taught me I arrive more relaxed and with more fule in the tank.....especially when towing.
One more thing; We all know that experience is the best teacher, but some things we can learn near as well from somebody else's experience.
Hope my $.02 helps.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
Like what the other's are saying, buy what you need first, can afford second and want last. Do you tow and haul enough to need a V10 SD? Know full well going in that regardless of what anyone tells you, they get the kind of mileage that a 7000 lb, gas-powered truck will get, no more, no less. There is no "wonder part" that will improve mileage. They get what they get, period. If you want great mileage, look elsewhere. The strong points of the V10 are power, reliability and affordability. In my opinion, the mileage for what you get is outstanding. I'm old enough to remember when small-block 4x4 trucks got 8 mpg stock and had maybe 200 horses on a good day. Now here's a truck that gets nearly twice that, has a LOT more power and is as nice as any car inside. But not everyone can live with a big-motored gasser, and for them there's plenty of great trucks out there.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
The OP asked the following question:
"Personally, I would like to know with the cruise set on the flat highway, will a K&N drop in air filter be an improvement over running a paper filter? Has anyone ever really TRIED it?"
So straight and too the point, I have tried the above. It did not net me any measurable increase in MPG.
It didn't give me any added seat of the pants power.
What it did give me and what I was expecting and looking for, this is the ability to clean the filter, re-oil the filter and reuse the filter as needed. I had/have plenty of the clean/recharge/service K&N kits that have been aquired over the years. I picked the filter up for $10 so it was a bargain.
"Personally, I would like to know with the cruise set on the flat highway, will a K&N drop in air filter be an improvement over running a paper filter? Has anyone ever really TRIED it?"
So straight and too the point, I have tried the above. It did not net me any measurable increase in MPG.
It didn't give me any added seat of the pants power.
What it did give me and what I was expecting and looking for, this is the ability to clean the filter, re-oil the filter and reuse the filter as needed. I had/have plenty of the clean/recharge/service K&N kits that have been aquired over the years. I picked the filter up for $10 so it was a bargain.
