Better gas mileage with v10?
 

Hi, we just picked up a 1999 f250 superduty crew cab short bed (replaced our 95 f150) and for the first week got roughly 10 mpg. Is that typical? I think the previous owner put a different exhaust on it. The tailpipe has "gibson" on it and looking back to the muffler, looks like stainless. From what I've read this morning, a cold air kit would be a waste of money. We got it to pull our 21 ft travel trailer more safely (5500lbs dry). I've also seen users with well over 200k miles. I feel lucky to have found this with 73k for the same price as others with twice as much. Will pulling my trailer drop my mileage drastically? Also, looking in my manual I found that the gas tank should have been either a 18, 29, or 38 gallon tank. Ran it pretty much all the way down, computer said "23 miles to empty" and the low fuel light was on. But when I filled it, it only took 21 gallons. Any thoughts?

Sounds typical for the V10...gas guzzler

There isn't much you can do to improve the mpg in the V10 besides keep up on maintenance. Your mpg average seems reasonable, that's what I get on average.

Not sure on the gas tank question. I've filled my tank at "zero miles remaining" and was still four gallons under the stated capacity.

Welcome to the forum, Ken. :-X22

You will use more fuel when towing. Controlling your right foot will give you the best MPG improvements.

Some reading in the V-10 forum may answer some of your hardware questions, if the experts don't find you here.

Don't trust the on-board computer for fuel mileage. 10-12 mpg is typical for the V-10. Since you have the short bed, your fuel tank is 29 gallons. As far as towing, your mpg shouldn't drop too much.

Part of that 8 gals or so left will be unusable due to the design of the fuel pickup in the tank. You wouldn't want to suck every last bit of undesirables anyway. Good luck with your truck. Treat it well and it will return the favor.

The SD V10 is a towing machine, but it does have the aerodynamics of a BIG chipped brick... with fuel economy to match! But it should be pretty close to your old 150 when towing at the same speeds. Please come on down to the V10 fourm to find out all you want to know! Don't be afraid to let the V10 rev when working it. It makes its best towing power from 3500 up.

We tow a Nash 22H, usually with toys as well (quads and or motorcycles in bed and on racks). With 4x4 chassis and big tires, we usually get 7-10 mpg while towing at around 60 mph. Wind and mountains lead to lower numbers.
2WD and smaller tires will get some mpg back.
Speed affects mpg dramatically when towing a full frontal area tt. At 70-75 mph with some headwind, I got it down to 5.....

This gets old.

Go to the v10 forum and read the v10 towing mpg improvements thread I've started. Ive tried just about everything with good results. I'm getting nearly 13 mpg unloaded on 87 octane and I'm currently testing my towing mpg with my TT loaded with about 15k on it and the truck. Right now, its looking like 8.0 mpg but I'll know more monday afternoon.

Not trying to bust your balls here or take sides on way or the other, but would you not agree that 13 unloaded/8 loaded is by definition a "gas guzzler"? It's not a derogatory term, just a descriptive one.

Although the post you're referring to isn't the most helpful, saying the attitude of the response is "typical of diesel owners trolling" isn't accurate either. Your reply is just as inflammatory.

pulling a 36FT carrielight camp trailer or not pulling anything at all i average right about 12.9 2000 f250 V10 of course. 4 inch lift 315/75R16 maxiss m/t super chip cold air intake 91 octane dual after market magnaflow 3.5 exhaust

It all depends on your definition of "gas guzzler" and what mpg you are used to getting, or what you expect to get :) I can drive all day and never use a drop of "gas" }> see sig. :-X06

Back on topic, 10 mpg average is about right, really isn't that bad when you consider what your moving around. I think the rule with the V10 is: don't pay attention to the mpg, and you will be tickled pink with everything else!

congrats on the V10 purchase. I've got a 09' on 37's, 4:10's. towing 6k lbs I was getting about 11-ish. yes it's a towing machine, no it's not a deisel. both have strong points, and also have weaknesses. Enjoy your truck!

Hey, congrats on the truck!! :-drink

I have the same truck only a 2000 model. I have run my tank down to "2 miles to empty" and it only took 24 gallons. Also, my gauge barely goes up over 3/4 when the tank is topped off.

See my sig for mileage and mods.

Same here. I've been at "0 miles until empty" a few times only to have my 29 gallon tank hold 24 gallons. I've thought of carrying a 5 gallon can and running it dry to see how far it can really go.

Honestly, (unless you just hate diesel,) If you are towing and looking for mileage, go Diesel. :-X06

The 7.3L is one of the best ever diesel engines, with many of them reaching 300-500K miles.

I have an 02 w/ low miles, 93,XXX. I get between 16-18mpg religiously for normal driving. (WITH tuner.) :-jammin

Everyone I know w/ the V10 gets 8-12mpg MAX. :-X15

My last truck was my "last gas" truck....a HEMI 2500 4x4 reg cab that got 10-12mpg on a good day. I now have a 1 ton CCSB 4x4 now, and get MUCH better fuel economy. And the torque in the diesel is just awesome. :-X22

Hi. My name is Jeff. :-wink

Now that we've met, you can say you know someone with a V10 who gets over 14MPG. :D

My 99' 4.30 4x4 SC got 11-15 empty and 8-12 towing 10k.
The wind is the big factor here.
And unlike my 7.3's and 6.0, never, ever let me down.
The 99' has less power than the newer 6.8 but it gets better economy.

I got you beat..http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies2/evilgrin0007.gif
 

mine's always at about 9.2 MPG on the computer, and the only mod is a flowmaster. Although, my 1999 F250 V10 is always getting mixed driving. Very little highway.

Muah ha ha... }>

You guys are makin me feel better aout my truck. :p

The lowest I have ever gotten was 12mpg....and that was after a lot of plowing. :-X04

oh yeah? And how much in thousands more did you pay for it? And how much more is the fuel per gallon? and how much more, in hundreds are the service costs...... Takes a hell of a lot of miles to break that curve don't it? Like somewhere in the vicinity of 15+ years worth.

My v-10 got 12 on average and 10 to 11 towing it is a 2004 crew cap long box 4x4

There is another thread called V10 vs. Diesel where you can say how your diesel is better. this is a V10 thread

put yer foot in it
 

was getting 12.5-13.2 avg mixed driving, using all standard fuel saving driving habits. started driving harder (more aggressive) and increased avg speed by 10mph now getting 14.2 avg (3 tanks). bone stock 04 reg cab 2by long bed V-10 3.73 gears

Just to ask, did you do a complete service on it. I will normally just go through any used vehicles I get and completely rebaseline all the service periods kinda based on milage. If they have over 100k miles I just do it all.

Take the V10 VS PSD stuff to the proper thread.

That's a good point. To the OP have you cleaned the MAF, checked the air filter, replaced the PVC, check for dragging brakes, check for vacuum leaks, etc? There is a bunch of little things that can contribute to MPG loss. Also at this point I would just replace the plugs as well. Ford says 100K but the plugs are cheap and easy to replace. Doing all this will give you a good idea if you achieving the best MPG or not.

I replaced my plugs and my mileage increased by 2 MPG. Of course, my plugs were the factory installed originals with 142,000 miles on them. :-X18

I'm sure that would help MPG just a bit. ;)

I have a V10 too. I love it and don't really care how many MPG's it gets. I just put gas in and go! It is worth every penny to me!! Did I tell you I love my V10!! :p

these little things can ad up. your not going to get a 5mpg increase out of them but they will all add up. maybe 1mpg, 1.5 or so.

change:
-plugs
-COP boots (with springs)
- O2 sensors (only if they are not cycling correctly or lagging, you'll need a scan tool for more in depth looks)
-PCV valve

clean:
- MAF
- Throttle body (this is one often overlooked, not just the outside, take it off and clean the back side, and the throttle blades.)
- clean / replace IAC (if you take it off and it's not all that dirty, then don't mess with it. if it is totally crudded up, try cleaning it, or look at a replacement, should be about $20-30)

with all this completed, or up to par, then it will help, propper maintenance will go a long way on the V10's. location and altitude will make a difference in mpg too.

by the way........HI my name is Jason, i have a 4x4 Excursion V10 getting 16mpg with 285/75/16 tires. and a F250 V10 with 39.5 tires, headers / exhaust work, re geared, and getting 14mpg (both unloaded of course).

:-roll:-blah:-blah:-blah

Yes, they are a couple grand more, but their vaule is also higher. And the 7.3 is a relatively low-maintenence engine. (NOT the 6.0, :-X04)

Diesel right now is cheaper than premium... but yes, still more than regular. When you calculate the cost per mile tho, its still cheaper.

All I was saying is that if you do a lot of towing AND am worried about mileage, a diesel is better for ya.

My Ram was horrible... had to run premium or mid-grade....and still got horrible mileage, and did a poor job pulling anything bigger than a row boat. Fast as heck, tho. (Unloaded)

I have no doubt that the V-10 is peppy and faster. (Stock v. Stock, anyway) But were talking about heavy-duty trucks.... and being used as a truck. Just sayin. ;)

One of my buddies has the V10 in his 250. He says he gets 10MPG in town, HWY, towing, up hill, and down hill. Nothing he can do changes it from 10MPG.

They tow a 26' TT/Toy Hauler and still get 10MPG.

First of all, the V10 vs. PSD thread is where any further debate can and will take place......not here. The OP is asking whether his MPGs are normal. He already has a V10 so telling him to get a diesel helps absolutely nothing.

Secondly, the insults stop or the thread disappears. Period.

wow
 

Well, I know in the week or so I've had it, it hasn't been over 3k rpms. I guess my thoughts are the more I can keep it under high rpms (without lugging the motor) the more miles I will get out of it. I'm pretty easy on my vehicles. I'm no race car driver. I think someone said my right foot is the biggest mileage difference. I can handle that.

My post was not meant to "bash" the V10. Only to clarify that the OP's recorded MPG is normal and not to be alarmed.

Just for clarification :-X04..

I think the V10 is a fabulous motor. Each motor has its pluses and minuses but those are for debate in the proper forums. :-X19

very normal MPG.


here is my personal plate on my V10, its close to dead on lol
Attachment 202825

You should do less "just sayin" and do more shutting up.

:-drink

I agree but lets not get too mean. We are afterall a brotherhood.