The Ultimate MPG thread.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Northern Virginia
Since us OBS guys aren't too well represented here, I'll throw in my 2-cents!
When I first got my '95 (Long Bed, 300 straight 6, 5-speed, 2.73 gears, 2WD), I was getting about 14 mpg in combined driving.
Then I installed a K&N filter and went up to 15.4.
Added a hotter coil and went up to 16.3. Then finally I added dual electric fans and am now up to 18.3.
I have gotten as high as 19.7 during warmer weather. I do keep the speed down between 60-65 as it seems to make a big difference if I go faster. I only made one payment on my truck, so it doesn't make any sense to me to make payments on a newer truck that may or may not get better mileage! Plus it seems most newer trucks have shorter beds, and having an 8-foot bed I can really haul stuff if I need to!
I've got close to 165k on it and it runs like a top! And I really like the ride, so I can't ask much more than that!
When I first got my '95 (Long Bed, 300 straight 6, 5-speed, 2.73 gears, 2WD), I was getting about 14 mpg in combined driving.
Then I installed a K&N filter and went up to 15.4.
Added a hotter coil and went up to 16.3. Then finally I added dual electric fans and am now up to 18.3.
I have gotten as high as 19.7 during warmer weather. I do keep the speed down between 60-65 as it seems to make a big difference if I go faster. I only made one payment on my truck, so it doesn't make any sense to me to make payments on a newer truck that may or may not get better mileage! Plus it seems most newer trucks have shorter beds, and having an 8-foot bed I can really haul stuff if I need to!
I've got close to 165k on it and it runs like a top! And I really like the ride, so I can't ask much more than that!
I wasn't in the same situation, so I am a proud owner of a end of year 2016 2.7EB XLT SCAB.
I can only hope to be able to keep it in such condition as yours when the same amount of years come around to pass.
javthree.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
I have a 16 XLD Supercab. I bought this truck end of Sept and was avg. 20-21. Since the cold weather has set in here it has dropped to 18.5-19. Does the colder weather have an impact on the mpg? Or is it the winter fuel additive that they use?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 744
Likes: 38
From: King of Prussia, PA
Winter gas hurts mpg's by about 2. At least in my truck it does.
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 25,521
Likes: 1,913
From: Not far enough away from Chicago
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 2
From: Clearwater, Fl.
Here is a short video of my MPG towing and not.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I have a 3 month old 2016 XLT FX4 sport, super crew with a 5.0 engine, stock 275x55R20 tires with a softop shell (so I can put it down or off when I'm hauling and put it up to hide bikes and instruments) I also live at 7,500' so there is less wind resistance but 15% less oxygen for burning fuel. It kills gas mileage! I find my 16/20 mpg amazing because it sure doesn't look very aerodynamic with the tall grill and 6'6" cab height. I also have to floor it at least once a day to get around all the slow drivers/gapers who are too stupid, or selfish, to use the turnouts and let the string of drivers wanting to drive the speed limit go past.
The first 2K miles I was getting around 14/19. It was right around the 2K point the engine felt broken in and going down the mountains it would rev easily to 4,000+ on the tachometer (lots of 8 - 14% grades according to my dashboard) where before it might go to 3,000 so I would use 3rg gear to drive down avoiding the brakes. So now I'm getting around 16/20 and if our highways weren't also stop and go (thanks to everyone moving here and cell phones) I might do better than 21 mpg.
FWIW, a friend bought a 2 year old Tundra at the same time I bought my Ford and he gets 9/14! Strangely the Tundra seems to be the most popular full sized truck in town though they do seem to be personal vehicles vs working trucks and the Dodge Ram (is that an oxymoron?) is next and most look to be working trucks. The rest of the state feels like Ford country.
The first 2K miles I was getting around 14/19. It was right around the 2K point the engine felt broken in and going down the mountains it would rev easily to 4,000+ on the tachometer (lots of 8 - 14% grades according to my dashboard) where before it might go to 3,000 so I would use 3rg gear to drive down avoiding the brakes. So now I'm getting around 16/20 and if our highways weren't also stop and go (thanks to everyone moving here and cell phones) I might do better than 21 mpg.
FWIW, a friend bought a 2 year old Tundra at the same time I bought my Ford and he gets 9/14! Strangely the Tundra seems to be the most popular full sized truck in town though they do seem to be personal vehicles vs working trucks and the Dodge Ram (is that an oxymoron?) is next and most look to be working trucks. The rest of the state feels like Ford country.