MPG questions. - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

hitecdan · 02-09-2007, 07:43 PM

He said better mileage was ONE of the REASONS (note: reason has a "s" at the end). He has other reasons for buying a diesel truck, he just didn't list them. So before you jump down someone's throat, why don't stop and think if your reply will help answer his question. The question was about his new truck's mileage. Not how to justify the extra cost of a diesel truck. Oh yeah, welcome to the forum. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

BOSS350, your mileage is normal for a such a new truck. Especially when you add in the lead foot syndrome. It effects all new Powerstroke owners. They tend to really pound of that go pedal. Once the engine starts to getting some miles on it a loosen up a bit and you lean to go easy on the go pedal, your mileage will improve. Also, don't know if your running #2 diesel or #1. #1 diesel has less energy content then diesel #2 which means less mileage.

DesertDave · 02-09-2007, 10:12 PM

I keep my tires at 55 PSI until I load it up. I have a 36 mile drive to work, I never drive over 70 MPH. The traffic here can be slow going sometimes, but usually half the commute miles are at or near 70.

I've filled the truck 4 times since December 13th when I bought it. Mileage has been between 14.3 and 16.6. My average MPH (hour meter/odometer) is something like 44 MPH.

If I got your mileage driving like I do, I would think it was low. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used full throttle, so maybe I'm a light-footed driver? I always drive the same way, this truck gets to speed and holds speed easier than my Jeep, so I don't need a lot of throttle.

I'm thrilled to get 15 MPG out of a 7500 lb vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick and the mass to make lane changes where people don't rush in to fill the space.

boonedawg · 02-09-2007, 11:30 PM

I am getting 15-7 in town. On long trips I get around 19-20. Need there be more said?

BOSS350 · 02-10-2007, 03:01 AM

Thanks to all,

I will give it some more miles to brake in maybe 5000 or so and check the MPG again.
I don't drive with my foot in it yet, waiting to do that after it's good and broken in. I only have 1100 miles on it. I asked about MPG because this is the first diesel I have had and don't know anyone with one.
I will be picking your brains later about things in the spring when I start towing my boat. Hope it does better then my 04 F250 5.4
Looking forword to many years of fun with this one.

Thanks again [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
BOSS-

BOSS350 · 02-10-2007, 03:18 AM

THANK YOU hitecdan and the others who read my whole post
I almost did't log back in after reading the first couple of post I got. This is the first forum I have ever did I am new to this kind of info so thank you agian

will be back
BOSS-

HoustonPerson · 02-10-2007, 07:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I am getting 15-7 in town. On long trips I get around 19-20. Need there be more said?

[/ QUOTE ]

Over the Christmas and New Years Holiday we took a trip to Dallas and Back to visit family. While there I picked up the flu or something, so on the trip back I just set the cruise at 68 or so, and let all the crazies pass me at 90 (in other words I did not drive with my normal Type A personality). It was really a very nice road trip (mud I'm getting old)............Anyways, I got 19.8 mpg on the trip.

Again, when my truck was new out of the box, that trip to Dallas and back was 12mpg. Now the overall all average is 16mpg, city, hi-way, and towing the big boat.

Rescueboy · 02-10-2007, 10:24 AM

My Average MPG is around 16 or 17

SAVAGESAM · 02-10-2007, 10:43 AM

If your concerned about MPG whatever you do DON'T get bigger tires/wheels. I went from 20 mpg @ 65 on the open/flat freeway, to 16. I figure I'll never really pay for these wheels at this rate lol. Also I've read from some here it takes at least 10,000 to be considered broke in.

jeb04 · 02-10-2007, 11:09 AM

my 06 6.0 ....9,000 miles on it now ...gets the same milage as the first day i bought it aug. 2006.....15=17 mpg. towing loss of 3 mpg., thought it would do better...guess thats it.

tjigger · 02-10-2007, 11:57 AM

I have 7,000 miles and have been around 16mpg.

Only needed fuel 1 time since Exaust upgrade.

I just added the intake elbow & 3in lift and didn't need to get fuel yet so i'll have a update in a few days.

ffishead · 02-10-2007, 01:39 PM

36000.0 miles on truck. Currently averaging 15.mpg. When truck was new it avg 14 mpg this is 75 % hwy the rest in town hand calculated and I WASN'T puttting my foot into it either. Seems to me if I run over 2250 rpm my mileage really drops. I have 410's and an automatic. I guess with 373's and a stick it would improve your mileage. Just my 2 cents

Has anyone noticed a change in there mpg with the new low sulfer diesel?

OMCUSNR · 02-10-2007, 03:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks to all,

I will give it some more miles to brake in maybe 5000 or so and check the MPG again.
I don't drive with my foot in it yet, waiting to do that after it's good and broken in. I only have 1100 miles on it. I asked about MPG because this is the first diesel I have had and don't know anyone with one.
I will be picking your brains later about things in the spring when I start towing my boat. Hope it does better then my 04 F250 5.4
Looking forword to many years of fun with this one.

Thanks again [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
BOSS-

[/ QUOTE ]

One big thing I think you'll notice - your diesel won't work near as hard as the 5.4. You'll have power to spare. I like towing at 62 to 65. It gives me good economy, and around here keeps me outta the semi's way. In Oregon, a pickup is tagged like a car, and speed is 65. Trucks are 55. In California, any towing vehicle is 55. CHP will spot you 5, 6 is a violation. OSP is not as consistant as CHP.

At the boat ramp you may need to get used to the 6.0's varible vane turbo. I'd recommend starting out in 4lo off the ramp. Otherwise, it may seem a bit weak coming up a steep ramp at slow speed. The truck has power, it just needs the rpms to spool the turbo.

Keep an eye on your fuel quality. Its a good idea to drain the HFCM (under the driver's seat) once a month. Don't put any "old trucker's" remedies in the tank (no ATF, alcohol, whisky, piss, used motor oil, MMO, etc). If you need an additive, make it one for diesel fuel, and make sure it contains NO alcohol (thats a BIG NO NO for a modern high-pressure injection system). Fuel filters are good to 15k, if you get good fuel, and make sure the HFCM filter has a water barrier around it (motorcraft or racor). If you want biodiesel is a good idea, but make sure you know its quality. If you want to make it yourself, check out the alternative fuel fourm here, and make sure you are ANAL about quality control. Ford says no more than B-5 (5% BD to #2), but that's because they can't control its quality. If you get bad #2, you won't get warranty support for it either.

You really are not going to NEED modifications, and they will affect your warranty. If it were me, the only mods I'd consider are a good set of gauges, & a 4" cat back exhaust. Anything else, I can't justify spending the money on. I'd rather put it into the boat, camper, model airplanes, bagpipes, golf clubs, diving gear, etc.

EDIT: OH yeah - Run the thing. I think allot of the problems areound here are due to lack of use, and short trips. If this is not a daily driver, make sure you get it out once a week, and put some miles on it. Go ice fishing, go to the lake just to look at it. Go for a drive, but get it out & put a 100miles or so on it. Get it warmed up & flowing. It'll keep the turbo excercised, and the EGR from clogging.