hey,
i own a 2007 f150 5 speed manual trans with a 4.2 v6. when i drive, i am always very concious of my rpm's and usually shift about about 1600-2200. when i have been getting on the highway, maybe doing 60, my rpm's are at 2000 and any faster they keep on shooting up. i really feel like i am just sucking gas, even if it is a fairly small engine. does anyone else have this problem? what can i do to fix it? thanks a ton, -lee

 

2000 rpms at 60 mph sounds pretty good. I have the 4.6L V8 and im running a little under 2000 rpms at 60 mph. That being said, a V6 is going to run a little higher rpms per mph than a V8 would. Just like a 4 cylinder motor is gonna run higher rpms per mph than a V6. I used to have a Ford Ranger 5 speed 3.0 L V6. It was common for me to be running 2000 rpms at 60mph. I would think your V6 would struggle a little running 1500 rpms at 60mph. I could see a 5.4L V8 running 1500 rpms at 60 mph but that motor also puts out 300hp.

 

thanks thats just what i needed to hear, i was kinda worried about my wallet

 

The v6 operates more efficiently around that 1800-2200 range than the V8s do. On my 5.4 it gets the best highway mileage if I keep it below 2000 but does just as well even as low as 1600.

In short: This is normal and expected. Nothing to worry about. In fact, if you were to regear the rear end so you are able to drive on the highway at a lower rpm then your engine would be under higher load to maintain the speed and you would probably get lower mileage than you currently do.