The Ultimate MPG thread.
#671
Senior Member
Thanks guys.
I live in the panhandle and have driven to Chicago many times. So I know that route well.
Im going to look for none towing gears.
I live in the panhandle and have driven to Chicago many times. So I know that route well.
Im going to look for none towing gears.
#672
The real key that day was the construction and 45mph traffic that rolled along for about 30 minutes without any change in speed or stops or anything.
On days without construction I usually look for a truck going 60-65 and just sit behind them. I'm not really "drafting", I'm just trying to stay out of the way of the 70+ mph traffic.
I did a little testing with and without the topper and the mpg on the highway was about the same (well, exactly the same in my non-scientific test), it's heavy so it probably cuts my in-town mileage a bit but it helps in the winter for sure with traction.
Here in the midwest there are a lot of roads that are flat, few stops, and little traffic so if you aren't in a hurry you can go 45-50 without getting in anybody's way and get those big numbers.
Honestly I think the biggest thing is speed, these trucks are really big and are punching a huge hole in the air. Drag increases fast as speed increases.
Next biggest thing is stopping and starting, they are heavy and it takes a lot of power to get back up to speed.
Minimizing braking helps so when you can roll up on a stop from a ways back it's better.
Once you get over 40-45mph and then coast the fuel is cut off and the wheels turn the engine without any gas at all so coasting to stops and sometimes down hills is like for free.
I'm not getting 25+ mpg every day I can tell you that, most days to and from work are around 19, lifetime is just over 20. Still...20mpg for such a big, safe, capable vehicle is a freaking miracle, I love this truck
Hope this helps
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jwmustang (07-29-2015)
#673
You know, before reading into this thread a good bit I was actually debating trading up to an ecoboost or something from my 04 5.4L, but seeing so many people have pretty crummy gas mileage on them- I think I'll stick to my 14-16 city/18-21 highway holy hell
#674
Senior Member
Once you get over 40-45mph and then coast the fuel is cut off and the wheels turn the engine without any gas at all so coasting to stops and sometimes down hills is like for free.
So when this happens how do the brakes still work?
So when this happens how do the brakes still work?
#675
Member
The Ultimate MPG thread.
The fuel isn't truly cut off. There is still vacuum being produced just like at idle so the brakes will still work and if rpm's increase with the throttle plate closed so does the vacuum. The 3.7 at least in the mustang also aggressively deactivates cylinders when off throttle so that helps with mpg as well.
#676
Okie Coupe
iTrader: (1)
That is true. However, isn't it the results that count, not whether the description is 100% accurate? I know dealers have, for years, misrepresented the actual functionality of fluids they sell, as well as motors, and more. Yes, the Motorcraft Synthetic Blend is not a true synthetic similar to Royal Purple. It is a dino-based oil with synthetic additives. But it works, at least for me. The Chevy Volt is one vehicle that comes to mind that wasn't properly represented.
In any case, I am very happy with the results I get with what I've done to the truck. The only thing I forgot to mention is that I also run my tires at 5psi over the sticker specs. I got minimal extra wear and no change in handling. My truck has just passed the 62,000 mile mark, and I'm finally getting ready to change out tires from the originals.
In any case, I am very happy with the results I get with what I've done to the truck. The only thing I forgot to mention is that I also run my tires at 5psi over the sticker specs. I got minimal extra wear and no change in handling. My truck has just passed the 62,000 mile mark, and I'm finally getting ready to change out tires from the originals.
Last edited by shortride; 08-03-2015 at 09:04 AM.
#679
If the gas was cut off, the engine would stop and you would have to restart it when ready to proceed.