First post - mileage 2003 F250 6.0L FX4

[mowhawky]

First of all and most importantly, Hello! This is my first post and have learned alot in the last year just reading the forum. Thanks to those who contribute. I bought my beautiful truck last year. It's a 2003 and had 12000 miles on it. So far so good. Just had my first turbo replacement last week and Ford has no idea why the first one failed. Anyway, I have been getting about 13.5 MPG even if I drive it like grandma and keep the RPM's below 2000. I keep seeing mileage in the 15-17 range on other posts so what if anything can I do or is there something seriously wrong. I check my oil level each time I fill up and everything is normal. It's right at the max line on the bulb. The first time I changed the oil however I got about 15.5 quarts out of it (right after I bought the truck). The truck has the good injectors in it. I am new to Diesel engines but enjoy mine alot. It tows my 11000 boat with no problem. Thanks in advance for the help or suggestions. Pat

[pajuis]

Welcome Pat, You left out some info on your truck such as tire size, aftermarket equiptment and so forth. This information gives other members an idea of what kind of mileage you need to get. And once again, welcome.

[mowhawky]

Thanks for the welcome. My truck is stock and has the stock wheels and tires. By the way that is one nice truck you have got there! I intend to make some modifications in the future but right now I am trying to learn as much as I can about diesels. Thanks. Pat

[pajuis]

Thanks Pat and good luck.

[Bigjwalt]

Pajius, Is there a way to see your icon asa bigger pic. Nice looking truck, but the image is 1" by 1", tough to see details.

[pajuis]

I will figure out how to post a link or something by tonight or Private message you. Thanks

[OMCUSNR]

Pat-

By "stock" do you mean its a F-250 XLT Supercab longbed, a XL regular cab short box, a King Ranch Crew Cab... it has a manual trans w/ manual 4wd or a torqueshift w/ SOTF? The "stock" tires are 65's 85's? What's the air pressure in them? Do you still have the stock shocks?

You must have a 3.73 rear, since its an F-250, and Poulsbo isn't that high up, so altitude can't be that much of a factor.

When you drained 15.5 qts of oil out, did you by any chance send a sample in for OA? Most trucks run really well at 14 guarts, and the fact that you had 15.5 makes me wonder if you are "making oil" with a leaking injector. I'd check the oil level on a regular basis, and and change again when you have 5k on this oil, pull a sample & send it to oil gaurd, or blackstone for analysis.

Other things that can affect milage are bad fuel / filters (did you drain the HFCM w/ the oil change), a dirty / clogged EGR valve, lots of stop & go traffic and or extended ideling. I start my truck in the morning, wait till I get the seatbelt on & radio adjusted, and start driving, keeping the rpms down. By the time I hit I-5, about 5 mins later, the temp gauge is moving, and I can hit it getting on, up to 60 for a bit through town & then cruise at 70. Its not a good idea to leave the truck running, even to keep the cliamate controls running. Aside from everything else, it really wastes fuel.

What oil are you using? I've had no problems with Delo 400, but a good syn like scheaffer's 9000 5w40 might add a bit to the m/g.

Welcome aboard & hope we can help you sort out the milage stuff.

[mowhawky]

Thanks for the reply USNR. I'm getting close to retirement soon too. Anyway, I just changed my fuel filters last week and am trying to determine if that makes any difference. I drive the thing like a sissy with one, o.k. maybe two, full throttle romps up to about 60-65 Mph just to keep it clean. When I bought the truck it only had 12,000
miles on it and was two years old. I now have 16,000 miles because I have been gone for a while and my wife doesn't like to drive it. Could it be that the truck may still be breaking in? Any way, all suggestions appreciated. Thanks. Pat

O.K. Here is all the information that I neglected to include:
-------------------------------------------------------------

2006 F-250 6.0L
FX4 Supercab Longbox
Build Date April 03
Torque Shift w/SOTF
Rancho Shocks. (stock)

Tires: BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A 265/75/16 (Pressures 55 fwd/65 Aft)
Oil: Rotella T Heavy Duty 15/40.

[Roger_007]

The more detailed info about your truck, the better.

Year:
Rating 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton or more:
2x or 4x4:
Cab Size:
Bed Size:
Engine:
Wheel size:
Tire type:
Air pressure:
Climate:
Rear End gear Ratio:
Standard/Auto:
Special mods (chip etc):
Lift kits etc:
Topper, Tonneau, etc: