So I have had my truck for about 2 months now, purchased it used from a ford dealer with 28,500 miles on it, its a 2011 XLT Supercab 4x4 5.0L with a 2.5" Level kit sitting on 325-60-18's nitto terra graps. When I initially bought the truck the MPG calculator constantly said 15.5 MPG and has began to be more correct at 13.5 MPG. Problem is while doing the manual calculations I noticed Im only getting about 13.5 MPG averaged every tank for about 3,000 miles with some towing(a small bassboat). Is 13.5 below average? From what i have researched most are gettting about 15-16 MPG average from similar trucks. Is there much I can do here? I drive a mix of city and highway, other than this the truck is amazing.

 

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MGD,

Thanks for the quick reply, and I dont believe the odometer has been corrected. Can the dealership take care of this or will I need a tuner? And if i get this done can I expect any difference in mileage? Also, will it make any difference going from a 13" wide tire to a 12.5" wide tire? I will be due for a new set in the coming months.

 

The only way you are going to get the gas mileage up is go back to stock size and type tires, and lose the level kit.

The dealer can only correct for tire size and axle ratio that was standard or optional on the truck.

 

With no disrespect to the OP on this thread, this kind of thing just generally kills me. What if someone said to you, "I can improve the handling, safety, performance, and fuel mileage of your truck with one modification"? Would you jump all over that? The answer of course is to lose the big tires and wheels. I get the macho thing but what a detriment to the vehicle.

So, my point is, do it if you want. But understand the negative impacts on your machine. And then don't complain about it.

Again, this is not directed at the OP.

 

Acadianabob,
I understand your point here, I purchased the truck with the level kit and tires on it already and probably would have put it on myself even if I purchased it stock. The reason this was a concern is because I came out of an 2001 F150 4x4 Supercab 4.6 v8 with a 3 inch body lift, torsion bars cranked slightly with 35's on it with stock gearing and I was getting better fuel economy with that one than I am this truck. It just seems as though the newer trucks take more of a hit with MPG and tire/wheel/lift mods than the older trucks did. I also understand that the truck weighs more but exactly how much more?

 

14 mpg seems low...

What gear do you have on there? My 5.0 2wd with 3.31 everything stock does 16~18 avg mpg (50/50 hwy city and no towing).

Im sure tuner can help little.

 

14 MPG sounds right. Big tires, lift, winter gas and some towing = 13.5MPG. I'm at about 13MPG with winter gas, low temperatures and a lot of city driving. different engine, I know, but it still takes a certain amount of energy to move a certain mass.

 

That is good to know. I am getting the same with my 2014 same setup.

 

Until the odemeter is corrected, you really don't know what you are actually getting. You can adjust by percentages but that is still an estimate.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Just really trying to find out if something was off with it somehow but if this is somewhat normal due to my tire size and towing then that makes sense.

 

Change tires but you really aren't going to get much better like you said 15 to 16 is about average. I'm getting 14 to 15 at the moment running stock tires 275 65 r18, I do have 2 inch level. With winter blend gas I seen 1 to 2 mpg decrease, same driving habits but damn snow so a few times driving in 4wd. With other tires and wheels 285 65 r18 I only see 15 mpg during the summer normal driving habits. The more highway I drive I have seen almost 18 going to Ohio and back to PA pulling a trailer and quad over the summer.

 

2012 Supercrew 6.5 4x4 5.0 3.73 and I am reading about 16.6 mpg average after 84,000 miles. I run interstate (72-75 mph) back road highways and logging roads. 33" tires with the off-road package which I think makes it sit a hair higher in the front than a non off-road.