Better Gas Mileage - F150

**Fandrew** · 03-05-2010, 10:48 AM

Ok, so I've had my 2001 F150 (Extra cab, short bed, 2WD, V6, 5-Spd) for six months now, and I've been pretty happy with it. However, one reason I bought it was because I wanted something with better gas mileage than my V6 Frontier. Well, it does have better gas mileage, but not by much. I do a fairly high amount of Highway Driving on a regular basis, but I've never achieved anything better than 17.5 miles per gallon. It didn't really bother me until I began to drive my Dad's F250 on a regular basis. I borrowed it for a whole week, did the same driving routines, and got 17mpg. So, why is a V6 F150 getting virtually the same as a 5.4L F250? What can I do to improve things?

jthomas1600 · 03-05-2010, 11:00 AM

Just for future reference for anyone else reading this. When ever I hear someone mention that they are looking at a 6 over an 8 for mileage reasons all the car guys jump in and say it won't do you much good. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because you are just working the smaller engine that much harder. Anyway, if you put a bed cover on it you'll see some improvement but it will be marginal. Perhaps if you couple that with a few other things. The type of tire can make some difference and of course keeping them at the proper pressure will help too. Good luck.

**Fandrew** · 03-05-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

Just for future reference for anyone else reading this. When ever I hear someone mention that they are looking at a 6 over an 8 for mileage reasons all the car guys jump in and say it won't do you much good. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because you are just working the smaller engine that much harder. Anyway, if you put a bed cover on it you'll see some improvement but it will be marginal. Perhaps if you couple that with a few other things. The type of tire can make some difference and of course keeping them at the proper pressure will help too. Good luck.

It's not just the 6 vs the 8. It's a major weight difference. I mean, his truck had tool boxes, stuff in the back, auto transmission, what ever else. I really think my truck should be capable of getting over 18.

I use the bed too much to get a cover for it, but here's some other things I'm considering.
K&N Air filter - Need a new air filter anyway
Installing a Tachometer - Why does a manual trans not have one?
New Tires - Need these soon anyway.

gtrdave · 03-05-2010, 11:12 AM

^^^what he said^^^

Yes, a smaller engine in a big vehicle is going to use more energy and fuel to motivate it 'at the same rate' than a larger (within reason) engine will, all things physics being equal.
To get better mileage out of the smaller engine, your driving habits will probably have to change: slow take-off, shifting below 3k rpm, lots of coasting, etc...
Other things that jt mentioned, like covering the bed (or removing the tailgate), will reduce drag. OEM-style tires (not too tall and/or wide) at their correct pressure will help. Proper maintenance will help. Keeping A/C and defrost use to a minimum will help. Opening up the intake and exhaust will help...but the bottom line is that you've got a full-size truck.

Ford, Chevy and Dodge find it wise to brag and advertise the fact that their 2010 trucks might get an EPA estimated 21 mpg on the highway, so, getting 17 to 17.5 mpg from your 9 year old machine is not too far from what it should get.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/noframes/16957.shtml

**Fandrew** · 03-05-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

Other things that jt mentioned, like covering the bed (or removing the tailgate), will reduce drag. OEM-style tires (not too tall and/or wide) at their correct pressure will help. Proper maintenance will help. Keeping A/C and defrost use to a minimum will help. Opening up the intake and exhaust will help...but the bottom line is that you've got a full-size truck.

Gas Mileage of 2001 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD

I thought the whole tailgate on/off - up/down thing was proven to be a myth? I wish I knew exactly when I was shifting. How hard is it to install an aftermarket Tach?

gtrdave · 03-05-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCarrFan

I thought the whole tailgate on/off - up/down thing was proven to be a myth? I wish I knew exactly when I was shifting. How hard is it to install an aftermarket Tach?

Maybe. Maybe it offers a weight savings?

An aftermarket tach should be simple. You'll probably take a tap off one side of the coil, another wire to 12vdc power, another to ground and maybe one for a light, but that may be integrated into the power.

Big_al · 03-05-2010, 11:42 AM

They covered the tailgate thing on an episode of mythbusters. IIRC their truck did best with a closed tailgate and open bed.

mulletman · 03-05-2010, 06:06 PM

You did this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUR0K

However, one reason I bought it was because I wanted something with better gas mileage than my V6 Frontier.

In order to do this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUR0K

I do a fairly high amount of Highway Driving on a regular basis....

There's your problem.

For highway driving and gas mileage.... buy a car.

Cam42 · 03-05-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_al

They covered the tailgate thing on an episode of mythbusters. IIRC their truck did best with a closed tailgate and open bed.

This is what happened, but didn't some fans get pissed and that made them revisit?
I don't know, I personally think it's BS and it doesn't really matter where your tailgate is. I would feel safer with it up.

**redbaron** · 03-06-2010, 03:02 PM

closed tailgate is better than open or no tailgate since the air in the bed really isn't moving, whereas if you don't have a tailgate you create a larger low pressure zone/increased drag. The only way to improve mileage would be a tonneau cover or canopy in that regard. other than that, drive more gently but i doubt it'll go up too much. :-\

mattslope · 03-09-2010, 05:33 PM

I just drove 156 miles twice and averaged 29ish MPG in my 22RE 1989 2WD Toyota with a 5-speed and AARP-edition canopy.