TheCollector

My 1994 L6 f150 is my daily driver and i keep a close eye on my fuel cuz well 4 bucks is a rip off I go down to portland and back which is about 68 miles away from auburn should I put it in 4 wheel drive when ever i hit the highway? I have heard you get 2-3mpg more if you are on the highway. Is it true? I always thought 4 wheel drive causes more drag on the engine and makes it work more but I'm willing to try anything that will help ease the pain at the pump
Damn oil companys

09FordFX4

Don't drive in 4x4 unless you have to. It's the rule.

BackwoodsF150

Driving with 4x4 on dry pavement is no good, it causes more strain on the engine and you use more power. Keep it in 2wd and set cruise (if you have it) to 55-60 MPH and you should be good.

AuroraZero

I believe someone in Maine is on crack. Especially whomever told 4 wheel is better gas mileage then 2. The motor has to push more wheels in 4 wheel. It is very useless to run 4x4 on pavement unless pulling something heavy and it is wet pavement it may help. Other then that total waste of the truck.

MTM Ford

My 96 had a 351 Windsor and it got a consistent 15-18mpg city/highway. I never took it above 2k RPM's and set the cruise on 65 on the highway. Now when I got rid of it with 180,000 miles it was getting 14-15mpg no matter what.

TheCollector

that would be the guy with the dodge that lives across the street he swares by it i kind of thought that i just had to see if i was missing some big secret the defys physics but to his defence he dosnt have manual locking hubs but hey hes by far no mechanic

AuroraZero

Knew he was a crack head when you mentioned he owned a Dodge.

cgossett

it's all about how much mass the engine has to rotate. Pushing same weight, same air resistance, but in 4X4 you've got alot more rotational mass, and more rotational inertia- 2wd is ideal

TheCollector

Exactly the hole physics thing comes in to play oh well i can dream cant I

ymeski56

4wd is all about leaving point A, and arriving at point B, regardless of what's in between. MPG isn't (shouldn't be) any issue as soon as you hit the first mud bog. As mentioned, 2WD still give you rotational inertia w/o the gear drag.