Increase Fuel Mileage
05-21-2012, 01:49 PM
#31
myth busters...
The cover will not make a difference one way or another. Here is the physics behind it - trust me I'm a mechanical engineer. Yes, the cover may make your car more aerodynamic - it seals a vacuum, which reduces back pressure and would theoretically produce a mileage spike, but due to the weight increases of an efficient fiberglass or steel cover, some common construction materials for covers on the market today, the result is negligible and could go either way. The reason to sport a cover, like many truck owners do, is not for a mileage spike or some bogus performance kick, it is for a security and storage upgrade. Excuse my long windedness this is my area of expertise. 
Cheers mates,
Cheers mates,
you are right man. but another reason is this...
when the wind goes over the roof, and barrel rolls in the back of the box, it causes a bit of a down force which helps keep the rubber planted, which results in 1 or 2 mpg.
mythbusters did test with a cap, tailgate, and a sidewinder. tailgate was the best.
keep in mind, this was on a 1999 style white dakota club cab.
altho, no test for a canopy. something that truly maintains the airflow of the truck. i know weight would be a issue regarding different variables. but do you think the weight of a canopy would be sufficiant to equal the "weight" of the downforce of just a tailgate?
i know a 6 speed auto and a 3.55 diff do me wonders.
06-19-2012, 02:51 PM
#32
Originally Posted by jlorusso
I used a Pennzoil full synthetic (either Platinum or Ultra) in my 2010 4.6L-3V F150 4x4 . My fuel economy jumped from an average of 17.5 to 18.5 to an average of 19 to 20 mpg. However, this was accommodated by four other factors, so it's not clear it was just the oil: 1) the dealership wasn't changing the air filter during oil changes. The filter was black, heavily deposited with PCV, black oxidized oil deposits. The air filter was changed during the oil change. 2) The oil filter the dealership was using was not a Motocraft filter (it was a Valvoline or some other off-brand-- I purchased a Motocraft filter, the large size, the dealership used the small version); 3) Weather became a bit warmer, i.e. more days between 40-60 deg vs. 30 to 50 deg.
I cannot prove conclusively the synthetic oil was the reason for the jump in fuel economy. however, what I really want to do for future oil changes are as follows:
1) Use a quality full synthetic oil (Pennzoil worked, but I'm sure Mobil 1, the Ford full synthetic are similar in friction modifiers and anti-oxidants, the stuff that makes synthetic oils what they are)
2) Always change the air filter (it's a lot cheaper than paying for lost fuel economy at $4.00 / gal)
3) Always use Moto-craft oil filters unless someone else out there has a better one. Don't know why the dealership used the small filter, the bigger one looked like it had more capacity.
4) keep tires about 2-3 psig above the recommended inflation pressure.
5) Continue to drive in fuel economy mode vs. gorilla performance mode. Makes a huge difference. Keeping highway speeds between 68-72 vs. 75-78 makes a huge difference.
Just some thoughts. Anyone else have anything? It's really great to be getting between 19.3 to 20.4 mpg with a V8 for MH fuel economy.
Also, someone made a comment on a cover. I have a vinyl cover, and I'm a mechanical engineer also. I think it improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle and reduces drag without a significant weight increase like the fiberglass or other solid covers. It also rolls up when you have to carry a load that extends above the bed height without having to remove the cover and store it somewhere.
I cannot prove conclusively the synthetic oil was the reason for the jump in fuel economy. however, what I really want to do for future oil changes are as follows:
1) Use a quality full synthetic oil (Pennzoil worked, but I'm sure Mobil 1, the Ford full synthetic are similar in friction modifiers and anti-oxidants, the stuff that makes synthetic oils what they are)
2) Always change the air filter (it's a lot cheaper than paying for lost fuel economy at $4.00 / gal)
3) Always use Moto-craft oil filters unless someone else out there has a better one. Don't know why the dealership used the small filter, the bigger one looked like it had more capacity.
4) keep tires about 2-3 psig above the recommended inflation pressure.
5) Continue to drive in fuel economy mode vs. gorilla performance mode. Makes a huge difference. Keeping highway speeds between 68-72 vs. 75-78 makes a huge difference.
Just some thoughts. Anyone else have anything? It's really great to be getting between 19.3 to 20.4 mpg with a V8 for MH fuel economy.
Also, someone made a comment on a cover. I have a vinyl cover, and I'm a mechanical engineer also. I think it improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle and reduces drag without a significant weight increase like the fiberglass or other solid covers. It also rolls up when you have to carry a load that extends above the bed height without having to remove the cover and store it somewhere.
06-24-2012, 07:47 PM
#35
Originally Posted by Rider4life350
does anyone have actual results from installing a Edge programmer?
09-04-2012, 01:26 PM
#36
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I guess I am doing well with my F150 5.0. I get 19.8 mpg on average. Last weekend I got 21.4 mpg, it consist of 85% highway traveling at 75 mph with the AC on. I drove very steady and only accelerated hard on a couple of merges. I agree with the Royal Purple. I used it in pass and it does make a difference. Next oil change this truck will get it. I will let you know if it helps.
09-11-2012, 01:03 AM
#37
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I use Red Line Synthetic in every case except the tranny. Keep tires inflated to max and drive like grandpa. In a 2011 5.0 RCSB with 3.73's the life average on the truck is 20.3. I have seen as high as 23 but that was on very hot days driving real conservatively. Theres a little to be found extra but not enough to spend a fortune seeking.
09-11-2012, 06:11 PM
#38
Sam Houston
Ethanol build up
Here's a new twist for you. I have a 2011 SCREW, 5.0, with 3.73 rear, K&N Ram Air, duals and bed cover. I use MotorCraft synthetic oil. and run my tires at 3 PSI over normal.
E-85 gave me about 12-13 MPG and when I would crank my truck on mornings a ton of water would come out of the exhaust. After 1 1/2 tanks of that stuff I decided that it would never again go in my vehicle. 89 Octane with 10% Ethanol gave me 17-19 MPG locally (I live in a rural area) and 17-18 on the road at 80 MPH. Over the past couple of months I noticed my mileage going down. I have been getting 16.5 on the Interstate and about 16.0 locally.
I have suspected that the gas stations are adding more Ethanol to their gas but that doesn't seem to be the case. I was discussing this with a small engine repair shop owner this morning and he asked if I was running my tank down to empty. I said I rarely do that because it is a 36 gallon tank. He has the means to test fuel and told me that if you don't run the tank almost down you will have a high residual of Ethanol. Therefore, it will build up and you will wind up with a high level in your tank. this is the first time that I have ever heard that but from now on I won't refuel until the tank is below 1/4. $$$$
I would like to hear more from you guys regarding mileage information on fuel with NO Ethanol in it. I notice one person posted that he had gained better mileage by not using fuel with Ethanol and the math worked out to a net savings.
I am a senior citizen and I do not drive like a soccer grandma but at the same time I don't burn rubber. I'm wondering how in the world anyone is getting 21-23 MPG with a rig like mine.
E-85 gave me about 12-13 MPG and when I would crank my truck on mornings a ton of water would come out of the exhaust. After 1 1/2 tanks of that stuff I decided that it would never again go in my vehicle. 89 Octane with 10% Ethanol gave me 17-19 MPG locally (I live in a rural area) and 17-18 on the road at 80 MPH. Over the past couple of months I noticed my mileage going down. I have been getting 16.5 on the Interstate and about 16.0 locally.
I have suspected that the gas stations are adding more Ethanol to their gas but that doesn't seem to be the case. I was discussing this with a small engine repair shop owner this morning and he asked if I was running my tank down to empty. I said I rarely do that because it is a 36 gallon tank. He has the means to test fuel and told me that if you don't run the tank almost down you will have a high residual of Ethanol. Therefore, it will build up and you will wind up with a high level in your tank. this is the first time that I have ever heard that but from now on I won't refuel until the tank is below 1/4. $$$$
I would like to hear more from you guys regarding mileage information on fuel with NO Ethanol in it. I notice one person posted that he had gained better mileage by not using fuel with Ethanol and the math worked out to a net savings.
I am a senior citizen and I do not drive like a soccer grandma but at the same time I don't burn rubber. I'm wondering how in the world anyone is getting 21-23 MPG with a rig like mine.