Disappointing fuel mileage
#22
Senior Member
For what's it's worth, I find I get measurably better fuel mileage when I don't use cruise control and just rely on my foot. I think the difference being it's pretty hilly around here. Cruise works hard to maintain speed where my foot will let the speed drop a bit going up hills and gain speed going down hills, unless I've got cars riding my backside up the hills then I might give it a bit more.
That said fuel mileage is worse on my 2014 then it was on my 2013 (by exactly 1L/100km). Identical trucks except the 2014 had the 3.73 and the 2014 has 3.55. I 'think' the turbos are bit different on the 2014 so I just assumed it was under more boost. Does not apply to the 5L trucks though.
Ian
That said fuel mileage is worse on my 2014 then it was on my 2013 (by exactly 1L/100km). Identical trucks except the 2014 had the 3.73 and the 2014 has 3.55. I 'think' the turbos are bit different on the 2014 so I just assumed it was under more boost. Does not apply to the 5L trucks though.
Ian
Last edited by Thislilfishy; 04-13-2015 at 11:27 PM.
#23
Senior Member
Trucks weight will always be a big factor
Chill out guys!
Changing from a lighter to a heavier vehicle makes sense to be very noticeable! When you decided that you needed more room inside your trucks, you had to trade something over!
Now, don't stress out!
Don't you remember the first thousand miles in your old truck it also sipped more than what it was doing by the time you traded in?
Engine, transmission and other moving parts need to loosen up and adjust to one another and when they loosen up, friction is reduced and better efficiency will be returned.
My 2013 XLT 5.0, 3.55, 6.5' bed, 20" wheels mileage through the first 7 months of ownership was returning a very disappointing 25-27L. I was driving it like the OP's doing - grampa style.
Then I started driving it with a heavier foot and when passing the 8,000km mark it had improved to 22L and hasn't stopped since.
Now, I just turned 20,500km and I'm averaging between 17L-18.5L. This is my only daily driver, always (at least half) loaded with tools and the reason why in 18 months I have such low mileage is because I only work and drive in the big city and haven't had holidays to go out. But the few times I have a short drive on the highways, my instant mileage on the display is around 10L.
I just wish I could drive more often there instead of being always stuck on the damn stop-n-go.
Moral of the story: be happy and give it time to break-in!
(ps: my truck is absolutely stock and rear tires spin too much for my likes - although I stomp on that pedal with lots of joy! - but I don't speed or drive over speed limits, I just always accelerate very fast to reach them and also avoiding getting stuck behind the slowpokes.)
Please apologize the long post!
Changing from a lighter to a heavier vehicle makes sense to be very noticeable! When you decided that you needed more room inside your trucks, you had to trade something over!
Now, don't stress out!
Don't you remember the first thousand miles in your old truck it also sipped more than what it was doing by the time you traded in?
Engine, transmission and other moving parts need to loosen up and adjust to one another and when they loosen up, friction is reduced and better efficiency will be returned.
My 2013 XLT 5.0, 3.55, 6.5' bed, 20" wheels mileage through the first 7 months of ownership was returning a very disappointing 25-27L. I was driving it like the OP's doing - grampa style.
Then I started driving it with a heavier foot and when passing the 8,000km mark it had improved to 22L and hasn't stopped since.
Now, I just turned 20,500km and I'm averaging between 17L-18.5L. This is my only daily driver, always (at least half) loaded with tools and the reason why in 18 months I have such low mileage is because I only work and drive in the big city and haven't had holidays to go out. But the few times I have a short drive on the highways, my instant mileage on the display is around 10L.
I just wish I could drive more often there instead of being always stuck on the damn stop-n-go.
Moral of the story: be happy and give it time to break-in!
(ps: my truck is absolutely stock and rear tires spin too much for my likes - although I stomp on that pedal with lots of joy! - but I don't speed or drive over speed limits, I just always accelerate very fast to reach them and also avoiding getting stuck behind the slowpokes.)
Please apologize the long post!
#24
Senior Member
I have a 2011 SCAB (see sig) I can get 19-20mpg on the highway at 65mph. I can do it at 70 but I need a tailwind. Truck Gross weight is 8200lb, payload is 2200 so it must be about 6000 empty. It has a camper shell, toolbox, etc so undoubtedly more than 6000. I'm very happy with the mileage.
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
^^^ yeah I expected a mpg or 2 drop but thought surely I'd still get 20ish on the hwy, but I'm not even getting as good hwy as the old truck got in town... As said I'll just lick my wounds and move on. Nothing I can do about it now... I'm sure when the winter blend fuels go away it will go up a tick. I downloaded a couple apps to keep track of mileage, and where I buy it. Hopefully after a couple weeks I'll know which stations net the best mileage for the money. I drive about 70-80 miles a day, so everything I can save will help...
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Arlington, WA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does seem a bit low for what it is. My 14 SCREW STX Sport 4X4 with the 5.0 and 5.5 bed gets around 16 city and up to 21 highway (though that number drops if speeds are over 60-65).
Like others said, the numbers drop off drastically if I'm even slightly getting on the throttle. Aftermarket intakes, exhausts and tuners are great ways to get a couple extra MPG's to ease the pain at the pump.
Like others said, the numbers drop off drastically if I'm even slightly getting on the throttle. Aftermarket intakes, exhausts and tuners are great ways to get a couple extra MPG's to ease the pain at the pump.
#27
American member
One year with my scab, 5.0 w/3.55 gears. 16.8 around town and the best I ever got was 19 mpg's on the highway, but it's usually 18.
Hasn't wavered from that, since I bought it.
I'm happy as hell. My 2005 w/5.4 got 10 miles to the gallon.
Hasn't wavered from that, since I bought it.
I'm happy as hell. My 2005 w/5.4 got 10 miles to the gallon.
#28
2014 STX SCREW
iTrader: (1)
FuelLog - I use the same app...just a bit more often. The downside is you can't back up and transfer the app. I lost months of mileage tracking when I switched phones. Had to download the app and start over.
These are all per tank, not per 20 mile trip down the interstate and include a mix of highway, country and gravel roads.
These are all per tank, not per 20 mile trip down the interstate and include a mix of highway, country and gravel roads.