Gas Milage Help and suggestions
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From: Florida
Gas Milage Help and suggestions
Okay 02 150 FX4 lariet crew cab 4x4, I just hit the 100K point and was contimpalating duing the tune up myself SInce it appears all it is are the new coil packs and plugs.
Problem? Im getting 8-12 MPG tops average about 180 miles on a 26 Gallon tank Im commuting highway 60 miles a day for the next year and its killing me.
A lot of this I think is due to the ethonal in our gas 4 years ago I was getting 14-18/12-16 according to how I used the skinny.
Im running the stock 17" fact wheels whith 31 (Metric equvilant) AT KO's I know I could get better milage right of the bat with a nore streetable tire but I am often in area's I need a more agreesive tire hence and the AT KO's are a good choice.
Will a tune up help significantly? I know it needs it at 100K so no biggie but should I look at other modes that can be done as well.
Any advice is good I need todo something asap Im speding 200$ bucka sweek on gas now and I got to cut it down,
Problem? Im getting 8-12 MPG tops average about 180 miles on a 26 Gallon tank Im commuting highway 60 miles a day for the next year and its killing me.
A lot of this I think is due to the ethonal in our gas 4 years ago I was getting 14-18/12-16 according to how I used the skinny.
Im running the stock 17" fact wheels whith 31 (Metric equvilant) AT KO's I know I could get better milage right of the bat with a nore streetable tire but I am often in area's I need a more agreesive tire hence and the AT KO's are a good choice.
Will a tune up help significantly? I know it needs it at 100K so no biggie but should I look at other modes that can be done as well.
Any advice is good I need todo something asap Im speding 200$ bucka sweek on gas now and I got to cut it down,
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,426
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From: Lebanon,TN
I would start by cleaning the MAF. Maybe consider replacing the upstream O2 sensors.
A economy based tune can help. I'm running a Superchips tunner on performance mode and getting 16 mpg when keeping my foot out of it.
A economy based tune can help. I'm running a Superchips tunner on performance mode and getting 16 mpg when keeping my foot out of it.
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From: Florida
When you say economy based tune up? are you implying me just changing the coils and plugs? Is there more to the actuall Full on tune up?
I run 87 Octane, never ran 89/93 but with the ethanol in the gas these days its a PITA. It has a lower combustion rate. In fact its killing my Jeepster with the built 3.8 Buick, I alreayd have to run 93 in it but I still even with perfect dyno tuning get pre detonation.
I'll check into the super chips, also was thingking of a larger exhaust (stock now) and possibly a AEM brute cold air filter. Although to what I undertsnad most f the chips/Intakes etc are for more HP/Torque not improved milage.
IF anyone has an idea what the full "factory" tune up is let me know, I would assume it was basically what I would be doing unless they have something else they do. but $800+ for a tune up is insane, when I can do it myself for around $400 using motorcraft coils, unless there is a better coil to change to, as well as plug.
I run 87 Octane, never ran 89/93 but with the ethanol in the gas these days its a PITA. It has a lower combustion rate. In fact its killing my Jeepster with the built 3.8 Buick, I alreayd have to run 93 in it but I still even with perfect dyno tuning get pre detonation.
I'll check into the super chips, also was thingking of a larger exhaust (stock now) and possibly a AEM brute cold air filter. Although to what I undertsnad most f the chips/Intakes etc are for more HP/Torque not improved milage.
IF anyone has an idea what the full "factory" tune up is let me know, I would assume it was basically what I would be doing unless they have something else they do. but $800+ for a tune up is insane, when I can do it myself for around $400 using motorcraft coils, unless there is a better coil to change to, as well as plug.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: The Past
For what it is worth, my truck is a 02 SuperCrew 5.4 FX4 - I bought it 2 months ago with 48k on the clock. I assumed it did not need a lot of work due to the low mileage, but I want ahead and did a complete tune-up due to the age.
Since the purchase I have did the following:
New Motorcraft Plugs
New Purolater PurOne Filter
New Goodyear Belt
Transmission Fluid and Filter
Mobil1 Oil change w/Filter
Coolant Flush
Fuel Filter
Rearend Fluid
Transfer Case Fluid
Cleaned MAF
GOTTS Mod
New Battery
Front & Rear Brakes
BFG 285/70 ATs
Alignment
Flex-a-lite Efans
Edge Evolution CTS with tow tune
The Flex-a-lite efans did improve my mileage on the highway (I have not been able to get any numbers for in town driving yet) – all other items resulted in NO measurable improvement. The BFG ATs knocked 1+ MPG from my truck.
I am not advocating to neglect maintenance (as should be clear from my list of items), and I realize with more than 100k your truck “might” get a benefit from some of the items, but I doubt any serious improvement will be obtained. Also, consider the cost of all maintenance vs. the length of time you plan to keep the truck.
I would agree the ethanol is not improving your mileage (and this coming from someone who grew up on a grain farm). It might be worth your time to do the plugs first, maybe the COPS, and then have your injectors tested. Also, try to find a station that has non-blended fuel – this should be the quickest way to eliminate the fuel as the main/major source of the problem.
Since the purchase I have did the following:
New Motorcraft Plugs
New Purolater PurOne Filter
New Goodyear Belt
Transmission Fluid and Filter
Mobil1 Oil change w/Filter
Coolant Flush
Fuel Filter
Rearend Fluid
Transfer Case Fluid
Cleaned MAF
GOTTS Mod
New Battery
Front & Rear Brakes
BFG 285/70 ATs
Alignment
Flex-a-lite Efans
Edge Evolution CTS with tow tune
The Flex-a-lite efans did improve my mileage on the highway (I have not been able to get any numbers for in town driving yet) – all other items resulted in NO measurable improvement. The BFG ATs knocked 1+ MPG from my truck.
I am not advocating to neglect maintenance (as should be clear from my list of items), and I realize with more than 100k your truck “might” get a benefit from some of the items, but I doubt any serious improvement will be obtained. Also, consider the cost of all maintenance vs. the length of time you plan to keep the truck.
I would agree the ethanol is not improving your mileage (and this coming from someone who grew up on a grain farm). It might be worth your time to do the plugs first, maybe the COPS, and then have your injectors tested. Also, try to find a station that has non-blended fuel – this should be the quickest way to eliminate the fuel as the main/major source of the problem.
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From: Florida
No chance for non Blended Fuel in my area no one sells it yet, One company ( I happen to know the distributor) is looking at offering it but the price margin to do so it would cost about 3.39 at the pump vs 2.69 now.
Any thoughts on high end coil packs vs the Motorcraft coil packs?
I am going to clean my MAF now and I looked into O2 sensors, wondering if afterarket bosh or should stay with Motorcraft? a few other companies offer o2 sesors as well.
Im going to look at a cat back and a Edge or super ship tuner as well.
Not worried about the money as the truck will stay with me for ever, I have other vehilces and toys. But after the wifes Tahoe is paid off (little over a year) then will go for a better gas milage car. I need the truck for some work and towing the boat and a few other things thats why I will keep it.
Any thoughts on high end coil packs vs the Motorcraft coil packs?
I am going to clean my MAF now and I looked into O2 sensors, wondering if afterarket bosh or should stay with Motorcraft? a few other companies offer o2 sesors as well.
Im going to look at a cat back and a Edge or super ship tuner as well.
Not worried about the money as the truck will stay with me for ever, I have other vehilces and toys. But after the wifes Tahoe is paid off (little over a year) then will go for a better gas milage car. I need the truck for some work and towing the boat and a few other things thats why I will keep it.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 249
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From: Tallahassee Fla/SW Ga
When you say economy based tune up? are you implying me just changing the coils and plugs? Is there more to the actuall Full on tune up?
I run 87 Octane, never ran 89/93 but with the ethanol in the gas these days its a PITA. It has a lower combustion rate. In fact its killing my Jeepster with the built 3.8 Buick, I alreayd have to run 93 in it but I still even with perfect dyno tuning get pre detonation.
I'll check into the super chips, also was thingking of a larger exhaust (stock now) and possibly a AEM brute cold air filter. Although to what I undertsnad most f the chips/Intakes etc are for more HP/Torque not improved milage.
IF anyone has an idea what the full "factory" tune up is let me know, I would assume it was basically what I would be doing unless they have something else they do. but $800+ for a tune up is insane, when I can do it myself for around $400 using motorcraft coils, unless there is a better coil to change to, as well as plug.
I run 87 Octane, never ran 89/93 but with the ethanol in the gas these days its a PITA. It has a lower combustion rate. In fact its killing my Jeepster with the built 3.8 Buick, I alreayd have to run 93 in it but I still even with perfect dyno tuning get pre detonation.
I'll check into the super chips, also was thingking of a larger exhaust (stock now) and possibly a AEM brute cold air filter. Although to what I undertsnad most f the chips/Intakes etc are for more HP/Torque not improved milage.
IF anyone has an idea what the full "factory" tune up is let me know, I would assume it was basically what I would be doing unless they have something else they do. but $800+ for a tune up is insane, when I can do it myself for around $400 using motorcraft coils, unless there is a better coil to change to, as well as plug.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
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No chance for non Blended Fuel in my area no one sells it yet, One company ( I happen to know the distributor) is looking at offering it but the price margin to do so it would cost about 3.39 at the pump vs 2.69 now.
Any thoughts on high end coil packs vs the Motorcraft coil packs?
I am going to clean my MAF now and I looked into O2 sensors, wondering if afterarket bosh or should stay with Motorcraft? a few other companies offer o2 sesors as well.
Im going to look at a cat back and a Edge or super ship tuner as well.
Not worried about the money as the truck will stay with me for ever, I have other vehilces and toys. But after the wifes Tahoe is paid off (little over a year) then will go for a better gas milage car. I need the truck for some work and towing the boat and a few other things thats why I will keep it.
Any thoughts on high end coil packs vs the Motorcraft coil packs?
I am going to clean my MAF now and I looked into O2 sensors, wondering if afterarket bosh or should stay with Motorcraft? a few other companies offer o2 sesors as well.
Im going to look at a cat back and a Edge or super ship tuner as well.
Not worried about the money as the truck will stay with me for ever, I have other vehilces and toys. But after the wifes Tahoe is paid off (little over a year) then will go for a better gas milage car. I need the truck for some work and towing the boat and a few other things thats why I will keep it.
Pull up the maintenance guide (& owner's guide) here: http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...?menuIndex1=12
Definitely change front O2's - Motocraft preferred, Bosch second - use no other brand.
Fuel filter a must.
Tire inflation? E-brake (dragging)? Alignment? What's in the bed / cab besides yer fat ****? Slow down? Full fluid changes - tranny/diffs. xfer case with synthetics?
Forget exhuast - no help.
Forget WAI (warm air intakes). Do Gotts Mod (see Tech articles section for this and much more.
Tuner MAY help - results vary so do NOT bank on it helping you.
You do NOT have any plug wires ! You have EIGHT COPS (coil-on-plug). Unless you are misfiring, no point in changing them. If you feel like it, order a set from fleabay - Uneek or Global - someone else can provide the part number, lol.
Plugs - OEM Motorcraft is the safe bet.
Sorry - all can think of - ony had a second
Good luck
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; Aug 12, 2010 at 11:34 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
At the mileage you have, no doubt a small improvment will be attained with new OX sensors and plugs.
The 'but' to this is never to expect to get much above 14 to 15 range no matter what you do.
Ethanol. in the gas is detected as extra oxygen in the exhaust gas. The OX sensors are looking at this 'spectific', and add more fuel via the fuel injection as a normal result, to return to the calibrated A/F ratio of about 14 to 1 by adding more fuel, making the mixture richer, that increases fuel consumption..
Thank the FEDS for this, all in the name of clean air, while burning even more gas to offset any gains the ETH may produce. They always know better, don't they? and you pay more for any food stuffs the grains was diverted away from, to boot.
As for coils, no gains there, they do not make any power or increase burn efficiency above the stock coils. Don't fall for the 'high voltage hype'.
The plugs will fire at the same voltage no matter what coil you use. That fact cannot be forced, in any way. If a motor responds to a higher output coils, there was an issue to begin with that should have been addressed, fooling you into thinking there is a real gain over the stock coils..
The money you spend for changes attempting to improve mileage is to high for the returns you get on investment.
Eth in gas needs higher compresson to make engine efficiency improvments in using it.
The new engines have this increase in compression to handle the flex fuels better and results in a bit more fuel mileage and power.
Good luck.
The 'but' to this is never to expect to get much above 14 to 15 range no matter what you do.
Ethanol. in the gas is detected as extra oxygen in the exhaust gas. The OX sensors are looking at this 'spectific', and add more fuel via the fuel injection as a normal result, to return to the calibrated A/F ratio of about 14 to 1 by adding more fuel, making the mixture richer, that increases fuel consumption..
Thank the FEDS for this, all in the name of clean air, while burning even more gas to offset any gains the ETH may produce. They always know better, don't they? and you pay more for any food stuffs the grains was diverted away from, to boot.
As for coils, no gains there, they do not make any power or increase burn efficiency above the stock coils. Don't fall for the 'high voltage hype'.
The plugs will fire at the same voltage no matter what coil you use. That fact cannot be forced, in any way. If a motor responds to a higher output coils, there was an issue to begin with that should have been addressed, fooling you into thinking there is a real gain over the stock coils..
The money you spend for changes attempting to improve mileage is to high for the returns you get on investment.
Eth in gas needs higher compresson to make engine efficiency improvments in using it.
The new engines have this increase in compression to handle the flex fuels better and results in a bit more fuel mileage and power.
Good luck.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 761
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From: Oxford, NC
MGD hit most points. Also change your air filter. I have an 01 5.4 scab and get 250 to the tank on 33s. I just got 320 out of an all highway tank(beach and back). You need a tune up.
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From: Florida
Okay so this narrows it down a bit.
First off not worried about fluids as they are changed routinely with the rest of my vehicles. They are synthetic and fine.
Im going to address the coil packs, Ford said these trucks need a tune at 100K miles, now in all honesty whne you go to a pack system theres really NO reason to replace them except Ford may feel that thats the life expantacy.
Only reason I would look at MSD coils over Motorcraft is the discharge the put put might be higher, briginf blended fule combustion closer together.
Plugs? Bosch? I have seen something about using +4 or +5? I should point out that most of my expierience is with Jeep engines. from my 67 Kaiser 225 to my 03 Wrangler 4.0 things seem to be a bit easier to work on
I didnt think a Cat back would help economy but good to know usually if anything all you do is get mor torque or HP ( maybe 5hp) but if done right and you open the air flow from intake through throttle body and out you can get some better results.
Gonna get some parts and get started on this. Need to find a 4wd Actuaitor motor anyways as mine went bad, Napa has an off market brand for 75$ will probably go that route.
First off not worried about fluids as they are changed routinely with the rest of my vehicles. They are synthetic and fine.
Im going to address the coil packs, Ford said these trucks need a tune at 100K miles, now in all honesty whne you go to a pack system theres really NO reason to replace them except Ford may feel that thats the life expantacy.
Only reason I would look at MSD coils over Motorcraft is the discharge the put put might be higher, briginf blended fule combustion closer together.
Plugs? Bosch? I have seen something about using +4 or +5? I should point out that most of my expierience is with Jeep engines. from my 67 Kaiser 225 to my 03 Wrangler 4.0 things seem to be a bit easier to work on
I didnt think a Cat back would help economy but good to know usually if anything all you do is get mor torque or HP ( maybe 5hp) but if done right and you open the air flow from intake through throttle body and out you can get some better results.
Gonna get some parts and get started on this. Need to find a 4wd Actuaitor motor anyways as mine went bad, Napa has an off market brand for 75$ will probably go that route.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
Likes: 819
From: Joplin MO
DO NOT use Bosch plugs in a Ford Triton! It HATES them. The only plug I'd use other than OEM Motorcraft is Denso Iridium.
No need to replace the coils until you start getting a low grade misfire. Then, the best bet is Ebay coils, a FULL SET is only about 80 bucks and they have a lifetime warranty.
When you change the plugs, do NOT use antiseize and torque them to 28 ft/lb.
No need to replace the coils until you start getting a low grade misfire. Then, the best bet is Ebay coils, a FULL SET is only about 80 bucks and they have a lifetime warranty.
When you change the plugs, do NOT use antiseize and torque them to 28 ft/lb.
