WTF Mileage
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 18
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My two cents, I had a 2000 with v10 and did 2 cross country trips to Phoenix from Milwaukee. Both times I saw mileage increase from 13 to 17MPG as I went south. Illinois seemed to be worse, so we avoided fills there. You have to love 44 gallons! The best gas milage seemed to be tanks starting in Oaklahoma and then west. Urbanxx might be on to something. Anyhow, I never cared, the Ex is the only way to travel with 5 of us and 3 dogs. No trailer those times, free boarding with my parents.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
Likes: 153
From: Wharton, NJ
DRM - A quote for you: After comparing mileage claims by their sales force to their actual mileage logs a manager I know made the statement "when it comes to mileage people lie a lot."
I've seen guys make claims after only putting a 1/4 tank of fuel and doing a calculation. If you don't have logs and multiple tanks of fuel to compare then your numbers are at best a very rough estimate. Heck, you can get filling errors of up to two gallons even in small (18 gallon) fuel tanks. This factor alone can give you up to 5% variation in measurements on each tank.
Another factor that people don't add in is their odometer error. The very best speedometer I've ever had was 3% off. 10% error is probably closer to the average.
Tire pressure differences can also lead to a 5% variation.
I wouldn't find it at all unusual to see single tank variations between two units of up to 30% when the vehicles are actually getting the exact same mileage. Due to the above factors. And then you add the issue of different drivers, terrains, wind speed, speeds, ....
I've seen guys make claims after only putting a 1/4 tank of fuel and doing a calculation. If you don't have logs and multiple tanks of fuel to compare then your numbers are at best a very rough estimate. Heck, you can get filling errors of up to two gallons even in small (18 gallon) fuel tanks. This factor alone can give you up to 5% variation in measurements on each tank.
Another factor that people don't add in is their odometer error. The very best speedometer I've ever had was 3% off. 10% error is probably closer to the average.
Tire pressure differences can also lead to a 5% variation.
I wouldn't find it at all unusual to see single tank variations between two units of up to 30% when the vehicles are actually getting the exact same mileage. Due to the above factors. And then you add the issue of different drivers, terrains, wind speed, speeds, ....
Thanks for the response, Gene.
As I have said in other threads, this is my 3rd Ford V10 vehicle, and I've kept hand calc'd records for every one of them as long as I owned them, corrected for odometer variations, too. I currently have a 98 Cummings truck that I have logged every mile and tank of fuel I have put in it since... 2003.
You can guess - this is an issue I take pretty serious
As I have said in other threads, this is my 3rd Ford V10 vehicle, and I've kept hand calc'd records for every one of them as long as I owned them, corrected for odometer variations, too. I currently have a 98 Cummings truck that I have logged every mile and tank of fuel I have put in it since... 2003.
You can guess - this is an issue I take pretty serious
I purchased my Ex two years ago and have kept records of every fill up. I travel very little, I work less than a quarter of a mile from my office, used to drive my kids to various sporting functions for after school sports, I pull my 20' 4K boat 8.6 miles round trip to the lake approximately 20 times a season. I would think my local - highway driving would be somewhere around 85/15, I have only made six 300 mile trips and ten less than 100 mile trips. I didn't start keeping track until almost a month later on September 19, 2008 and I put 1K miles on.
In the two years I have had "Big Blue" I have only put on 12K miles, all of which have been verified to within .3 miles in 200 average by my Garmin GPS, and I have a SCT LiveWire 9600 tuner that compensates for the larger tires I have installed over the stock 265's, by adjusting the tire RPM's based on the manufacturers published specs.
Just click this Fuelly banner and my fill-up records are complete and concise, including tune changes, mods, trips and brand of fuel.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 133
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The v10 is a great engine, and I've had both an F250 and F350 dually equipped with it. The dually NEVER broke into double digit mpg's (stock in every respect). It's shortcomings in the torque department, when compared to the diesel offering, is why I no longer have a gasser later-model Ford truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
let me know if the link works for you...
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
I purchased my Ex two years ago and have kept records of every fill up. I travel very little, I work less than a quarter of a mile from my office, used to drive my kids to various sporting functions for after school sports, I pull my 20' 4K boat 8.6 miles round trip to the lake approximately 20 times a season. I would think my local - highway driving would be somewhere around 85/15, I have only made six 300 mile trips and ten less than 100 mile trips. I didn't start keeping track until almost a month later on September 19, 2008 and I put 1K miles on.
In the two years I have had "Big Blue" I have only put on 12K miles, all of which have been verified to within .3 miles in 200 average by my Garmin GPS, and I have a SCT LiveWire 9600 tuner that compensates for the larger tires I have installed over the stock 265's, by adjusting the tire RPM's based on the manufacturers published specs.
Just click this Fuelly banner and my fill-up records are complete and concise, including tune changes, mods, trips and brand of fuel.
In the two years I have had "Big Blue" I have only put on 12K miles, all of which have been verified to within .3 miles in 200 average by my Garmin GPS, and I have a SCT LiveWire 9600 tuner that compensates for the larger tires I have installed over the stock 265's, by adjusting the tire RPM's based on the manufacturers published specs.
Just click this Fuelly banner and my fill-up records are complete and concise, including tune changes, mods, trips and brand of fuel.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
DRM - A quote for you: After comparing mileage claims by their sales force to their actual mileage logs a manager I know made the statement "when it comes to mileage people lie a lot."
I've seen guys make claims after only putting a 1/4 tank of fuel and doing a calculation. If you don't have logs and multiple tanks of fuel to compare then your numbers are at best a very rough estimate. Heck, you can get filling errors of up to two gallons even in small (18 gallon) fuel tanks. This factor alone can give you up to 5% variation in measurements on each tank.
Another factor that people don't add in is their odometer error. The very best speedometer I've ever had was 3% off. 10% error is probably closer to the average.
Tire pressure differences can also lead to a 5% variation.
I wouldn't find it at all unusual to see single tank variations between two units of up to 30% when the vehicles are actually getting the exact same mileage. Due to the above factors. And then you add the issue of different drivers, terrains, wind speed, speeds, ....
I've seen guys make claims after only putting a 1/4 tank of fuel and doing a calculation. If you don't have logs and multiple tanks of fuel to compare then your numbers are at best a very rough estimate. Heck, you can get filling errors of up to two gallons even in small (18 gallon) fuel tanks. This factor alone can give you up to 5% variation in measurements on each tank.
Another factor that people don't add in is their odometer error. The very best speedometer I've ever had was 3% off. 10% error is probably closer to the average.
Tire pressure differences can also lead to a 5% variation.
I wouldn't find it at all unusual to see single tank variations between two units of up to 30% when the vehicles are actually getting the exact same mileage. Due to the above factors. And then you add the issue of different drivers, terrains, wind speed, speeds, ....
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 2
From: TN
I recently got an HTC EVO phone, so I am using the "Mileage" android app, but I might end up swapping over to fuelly. I really wish they would make an app so I could record on the go.
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
01 V8 mileage (corrected)
My 2001 gas V8 2WD 4:10 Limited Slip will get16-18 MPG only when cruising on absolutely flat Freeways, no passengers, no trailer. I average 14.5, something I have noticed, even with the 4:10 gear with no load or trailer, this rig hunts gears constantly when running in hilly terrain and I get my absolute best mileage at 65MPH (anything below that I spend half the time out of O/D). Can't figure it, am sure glad I don't have the 3:73 that is standard on the V8, that would work it too hard. Has anybody run a comparison on mileage with different ratios? I would almost bet that a 4:30 would get better mileage than I do at 55 to 60MPH and would definitely pull better.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 364
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From: mt.prospect
I thought I was the only one with a 2004 5.4 4x4. I know they're hard to come by. I just drove down to South Carolina and I filled up at half tank. I just had Magnaflow duals and a reworked downpipe installed in June. At just below a half tank, I had 300 miles on the trip. I was impressed, that was with the A/C on. Avg speed of 70 mph.
New User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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Let's get a little perspective on this. We don't drive these things for economy purposes. Most of us bought them for the interior space and towing capacity.
I replaced a Toyota Rav4 with my Excursion. Both 2WD. Rav4 got 25MPG averaged over 60,000 miles, couldn't tow jack, carried 4 people if 2 were kids. If I had to carry more than 4 people or went to the store to get more than a few groceries or if I had to tow anything I had to get out the F250SD Ext. Cab anyway.
Excursion has averaged a little better than 14.5 mpg over 5,000 miles. That said, for every 1000 miles the Excursion takes an additional 29 gallons of gas. That translates to less than $0.10 per mile additional operating cost at $3.00/gal gas (29gal X $3.00 / 1000 miles). I think I can live with that.
I replaced a Toyota Rav4 with my Excursion. Both 2WD. Rav4 got 25MPG averaged over 60,000 miles, couldn't tow jack, carried 4 people if 2 were kids. If I had to carry more than 4 people or went to the store to get more than a few groceries or if I had to tow anything I had to get out the F250SD Ext. Cab anyway.
Excursion has averaged a little better than 14.5 mpg over 5,000 miles. That said, for every 1000 miles the Excursion takes an additional 29 gallons of gas. That translates to less than $0.10 per mile additional operating cost at $3.00/gal gas (29gal X $3.00 / 1000 miles). I think I can live with that.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
Likes: 153
From: Wharton, NJ
Let's get a little perspective on this. We don't drive these things for economy purposes. Most of us bought them for the interior space and towing capacity.
I replaced a Toyota Rav4 with my Excursion. Both 2WD. Rav4 got 25MPG averaged over 60,000 miles, couldn't tow jack, carried 4 people if 2 were kids. If I had to carry more than 4 people or went to the store to get more than a few groceries or if I had to tow anything I had to get out the F250SD Ext. Cab anyway.
Excursion has averaged a little better than 14.5 mpg over 5,000 miles. That said, for every 1000 miles the Excursion takes an additional 29 gallons of gas. That translates to less than $0.10 per mile additional operating cost at $3.00/gal gas (29gal X $3.00 / 1000 miles). I think I can live with that.
I replaced a Toyota Rav4 with my Excursion. Both 2WD. Rav4 got 25MPG averaged over 60,000 miles, couldn't tow jack, carried 4 people if 2 were kids. If I had to carry more than 4 people or went to the store to get more than a few groceries or if I had to tow anything I had to get out the F250SD Ext. Cab anyway.
Excursion has averaged a little better than 14.5 mpg over 5,000 miles. That said, for every 1000 miles the Excursion takes an additional 29 gallons of gas. That translates to less than $0.10 per mile additional operating cost at $3.00/gal gas (29gal X $3.00 / 1000 miles). I think I can live with that.
X2, well stated!
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 289
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From: Miami, FL
my readings are from the overhead computer. But my mileage sucks ***!
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chmiller85
Excursion - King of SUVs
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Jan 5, 2011 01:19 PM
