Chris514

2006 F150 2WD super cab with the 5.4 auto. First tank after buying it last month was 10.6 MPG. I think I got over 2k rpms about 5 times total. Good tires and no lights or codes. My plan is to tackle spark plugs this weekend. I also ordered 4 new O2 sensors, fuel filter, and plan to clean the throttle body + MAF. Also going to change the oil and filter. Already have a new motorcraft air filter. Anything else I should be replacing or looking for? Supposed to tow a car 3000 miles end of the month and would like to cut down my gas bill!!

MHOWELL34

Hmm even with 32" bfgoodrich Allterrain T/A KO's and 4x4 4 door i manage at least 13 city. I may can pull of 15.5-16 on the highway thanks to superchips, but then i got pipes so i like to hear them alot.... i got 205k miles almost. Id say change all the plugs for sure brought mine to life when i did, the sensors dont really matter to me could probably clean them up good if they bother you. But MAF cleaning for sure, Pull the throttle body and clean the bottom of the butterfly with Deep Creep (safe to use) as well. Bad about causing dieing at idle (oil cakes on the bottom and sticks sometimes), mine was doing that after the new plugs time to time. Better have a lisle tool handy lol all 8 of mine broke off

You can try the Gott's mod as well, 3" pvc on the intake, but i was unimpressed and it's known to make some trucks run lean especially 04's. Just didn't have and get up and go afterwards.

dublduty

I had a buddy of mine getting terrible mileage with his truck and it turned out to be the tensioner pulley. Bearing was shot and never made any noise until it finally seized. 15$ bearing change and his truck went up 4mpg.

The kicker was he tried everything you are suggesting and no luck. He was fortunate to have the pulley seize because otherwise he'd never have found the problem

Dirttracker18

The gotts mod does not cause a lean condition. That only occurs with aftermarket CAIs that move the sensor location.

Gotts mod will likely not have an effect on mpg but more on WOT when more air is needed. However it is better then wasting money on a CAI since our trucks already draw cold air from outside the engine bay.

Chris514

Thanks for the replies! Some good ideas. I'm really hoping the plugs do the trick though. Also really hoping I don't break any.

Hongstertruck

I think it will improve a lot.
Broken plugs! I'm dreadful too. Good luck.

MHOWELL34

The only other thing i could think of that would make it drop to 5mpg is the cam phasers failing. Like a spring has broken and its stuck in the over 1200 rpm retard mode. Do you still have plenty of torque off the line?

wolfy53

If you are going to be towing, change your trans fluid! Also do your brake fluid, coolant, power steering. You get the idea. Make sure your brakes are all working and in great shape.

For my the MPG gain came from the Edge CTS. Best thing I have ever done to the truck! Went from 15 to 18-19 highway

idivemike

I have an 05 lariat with about 70K miles. When I bought it I changed the plugs, cleaned the MAF (use MAF cleaner, not carb cleaner), did the GOTTS mod with a K&N drop in filter. I average 17 mpg on the highway and when I was towing a 6x12 with about 3000 lbs plus about 900 in the bed I was able to get 12 mpg on the highway.

I tried a tuner with the canned mods but I don't think it made a difference in mpg. It's still in the truck but it's unplugged.

Toddrick

What I'm doing to improve mpg:

1) New fuel filter.
2) New PCV valve and hose (was leaking).
3) Clean EGR valve.
4) Clean Idle Air Control.
5) Clean throttle body.

Would love to hear more ideas, especially related to simple cleaning.