RE new
I Haven't been here for a year or so. First off, Fast Betty is my TRUCK, not myself. . 
Betty is a 2009 F150 Super crew 4X4. 5.4 V8 flex fuel. She has 166, 250 miles on her.
Since I bought her around 2 years ago, I consistently got between 17.6 and 20.2 mpg. Mostly around 18.
Most of these miles are on mountainous highways in NE Oregon. Very little town miles.
August of 23, while on a trip, I bought 2 new tires and had them put on the front. I was told I badly needed new brake shoes.
I got them also. I drove 3 miles and noticed a hell of a stink coming from the front tire area.
I got out and the wheels were so hot you could see heat waves. My friend got actually blister burns from quickly touching the wheel.
( yah, not smart. ) Took it back to L.S. and they couldn't find any thing wrong. The smell had subsided.
I did the 6 hour drive home with no problems other than it seemed to be working harder then usual.
Checked my mileage, it was 17.2. From That trip to now, the best mileage I have gotten has been 17.3.
I had Michelin Defenders LTX 65R18s, and the 2 new tires are Back Country 66R18s.
Forgive the lack of knowledge. Could the different tires make that big of a difference in mileage ? Or could they have installed the break drums wrong?
I just know I want my good MPG s back. Could it be something else?
Should I take it to the L.S.

Betty is a 2009 F150 Super crew 4X4. 5.4 V8 flex fuel. She has 166, 250 miles on her.
Since I bought her around 2 years ago, I consistently got between 17.6 and 20.2 mpg. Mostly around 18.
Most of these miles are on mountainous highways in NE Oregon. Very little town miles.
August of 23, while on a trip, I bought 2 new tires and had them put on the front. I was told I badly needed new brake shoes.
I got them also. I drove 3 miles and noticed a hell of a stink coming from the front tire area.
I got out and the wheels were so hot you could see heat waves. My friend got actually blister burns from quickly touching the wheel.
( yah, not smart. ) Took it back to L.S. and they couldn't find any thing wrong. The smell had subsided.
I did the 6 hour drive home with no problems other than it seemed to be working harder then usual.
Checked my mileage, it was 17.2. From That trip to now, the best mileage I have gotten has been 17.3.
I had Michelin Defenders LTX 65R18s, and the 2 new tires are Back Country 66R18s.
Forgive the lack of knowledge. Could the different tires make that big of a difference in mileage ? Or could they have installed the break drums wrong?
I just know I want my good MPG s back. Could it be something else?
Should I take it to the L.S.
Your truck doesn’t have brake drums, unless you’re talking about the parking brake. But that is in the rear and would have nothing to do with front wheels.
You only posted the aspect ratio and the rim size of the tire. Is the width the same or different? Are they all terrain or a highway tire? The treat type can make a difference.
The full tire size should read something like 275/65r18.
And there is no 66 aspect ratio.
What is the L.S.?
You only posted the aspect ratio and the rim size of the tire. Is the width the same or different? Are they all terrain or a highway tire? The treat type can make a difference.
The full tire size should read something like 275/65r18.
And there is no 66 aspect ratio.
What is the L.S.?
Last edited by james Osborne; Apr 27, 2024 at 05:50 PM.










