how do i increase my MPGs?
 

I have a '89 f-250 with the 460/7.5 engine in it. I get about 10 mpg....bone stock. I was wondering what i could do to raise it by 2-4 miles to the gal....maybe. Also, money isn't an issue so gimme all you've got.http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums...ies2/spiny.gif

This is a well discussed question but I'll give you a summary. Make sure you're tires have the correct air pressure....less resistance with the road and the engine has to work less. Use synthetic lubricants...again less resistance. Of course there are the mechanical mods like cold air intake to increase air flow into the engine. A high flow exhaust to match the increased air going in with the crap going out is also needed. On top of that a performance chip will help. The last step is a programmer to make sure the new bits and pieces are working nicely together. You can do any of these steps separately but for the best results all the steps needed to be packaged together.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions...spark plugs, plug wires etc etc.

An overdrive might help. Gear Vendors is one source, I forget who else makes them.

it is a 5-speed w/ the overdrive

thanks for all the pointers. This should get me 1 or 2 more MPGs

Best of luck....let me know what your results are.

What axle ratio are you running, and do you do a lot of highway driving? I'll assume that it's currently in good tune and that you are not running an agressive off road tire. BTW, even BFG KO's result in a mileage hit, believe me from personal experience. Wider than stock tires also come with a potential mileage hit.

*Is your odometer accurate thus enabling you to calculate the correct mileage? Every now and then I read about someone that has put on larger diameter tires and *thinks* they took a mileage hit. Also, unless you have your foot in it constantly, you'll probably be dissapointed with mods that allow it to breath easier.

yeah,i do alot of highway driving to get to school. i dont know of the gear ratio but i'll check.
thanks again.

the easiest way to get better mileage is to cut off the right lead foot. by simply adjusting your driving habits you can easily gain 3-5 mpg.

Install a vacuum gauge and pay attention to it.

Remember, while numerically higher rear end ratios provide great torque multiplication, all of that engine reving consumes gas. Since you said money money is isn't an issue, the idea of a new ring & pinion with a numerically lower ratio comes to mind.

torque1st...what will a vacuum guage do for my MPGs?(stupid question)

It will make you keenly aware of when you are stepping on the pedal. That needle movement is the single best thing you can do to help you modify your driving habits which will net you more improvement than bolt on stuff.

o...Ok i didn't really know what that was for. But now i do. Thanks i'll get one of them.

You put that vacuum gauge in a prominant place on your dash where you can see it all the time. When you are driving, use your throttle foot to keep that gauge at the highest reading that is practical.

Also, run tall skinny high pressure tires.

Set your front end for zero toe and zero camber.

Get rid of big mirrors, bug shield, visor or anything else that creates drag.

Check to be certain that your brakes don't drag.

Run the lightest allowable lubricants in the engine, trans, transfer case and diffs.

If you have a rack or camper you can do without, get them off the truck.

Unload any extra weight you carry.

Consider a chin spoiler.