MPG
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 235
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From: Snow Camp, NC
MPG
What is the best way to get better fuel millage out of a 2000 F-250 4x4 7.3 diesel with 373 gears? I have a 4" ehaust, a three way computer chip in it, and I have had the factory automatic transmisson bulit. The truck is a longbed crewcab. I'm only getting about 16.5 mpg. 
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Joined: Aug 2008
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16.5 isn't that bad for a vehicle that weighs as much as 3 or 4 cars. Best way to improve mileage: narrow highway tires; if you have a lift, remove it; easy on the skinny pedal; cruise at 60-65 mph; bigger air dam up front. That's a start.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 235
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From: Snow Camp, NC
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 505
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The air dam is that plastic strip under the front bumper, it deflects the air going under the truck. All the stuff that sticks down under the truck (driveline, exhaust, etc) creates drag. When Ford was trying to improve mileage on the 6.4's, one of the things they did was to install deeper air dams to deflect more air from the parts that create drag. A deep air dam off an 08 or later (I think the 2wd models have a deeper one) would probably bolt right up (don't quote me on that though-not 100% sure).
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
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From: OR and UT
Other than the basics that apply to any vehicle (no hard acceleration, no speeding, etc.) you could check in the powerstroke section to see what they have to say.
As for my favorite fuel savings method: DRAFTING!!!!
As for my favorite fuel savings method: DRAFTING!!!!
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Postmaster
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From: Isanti, MN
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
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From: Manhattan, KS
May be some winter blend fuel out there yet also. I see you are from NC, but in colder climate areas, winter blend fuel drops MPG a mile or two. Also, running a diesel fuel additive may help mileage a little bit, but the cost may about offset the gain.
I have an 01 that is stock except for a 6673 air filter change and get similar mileage in the winter. I may get around 20 mpg on long trips without towing if I keep the speed around 65-70 mpg. I do have a tonneau cover.
I have an 01 that is stock except for a 6673 air filter change and get similar mileage in the winter. I may get around 20 mpg on long trips without towing if I keep the speed around 65-70 mpg. I do have a tonneau cover.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Wish I could get 16.5! But I suppose with the higher cost of deisel that compared to my 14 I get is probably about the same. You might want to check in the more specific diesel forum for more answers though instead of the general super duty forum.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
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From: CA Bay Area
I just increased the mpg on my F450 from 10 to 13 mpg. I started to drive more steady at 65 mph, changed oil to Rotella, installed new type of turbo compressor wheel on my early 99 model and since I had heavy load, I pumped the wheels to 90psi. Still can't explain such a high increase with those small things and suspect that the diesel formula has changed since new year, since my other diesel started making more miles on the tank as well.
The high tire pressure has some drawback. Comfort in the truck was never good, but now the truck become extremely sensitive to pavement cracks. Couple of times road crown gave me wet back.
The high tire pressure has some drawback. Comfort in the truck was never good, but now the truck become extremely sensitive to pavement cracks. Couple of times road crown gave me wet back.