23MPG Last Night
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
I have a 2004 Lariat S-Cab 2WD (5.4L). I document each tank of fuel and routinely record 17.2-17.3 around town. I took a trip from Houston to Austin last week and averaged exactly 20MPG @ 65 MPH using C/C, no A/C.
My roomie has a 2004 XLT X-Cab 4WD(5.4L). He hasn't seen the high side of 14 MPG since he's owned it.
Neither truck has engine or exhaust mods. My roomie has a tonneau cover, I don't.
He drives a bit more aggressively.
#1. 4WD KILLS mileage.
#2. Driving habits. I drove on one tank and lost 1MPG when I matted the accellerator twice, versus usually zero WOT events. Floor it = lose 1 MPG.
#3. Speed. HP required to maintain speed rises with the cube root of the speed. In other words, to go twice as fast requires three times the HP. The EPA "highway" averages are at 54 MPH. The difference between 60MPH and 70MPH is substancial.
My roomie has a 2004 XLT X-Cab 4WD(5.4L). He hasn't seen the high side of 14 MPG since he's owned it.
Neither truck has engine or exhaust mods. My roomie has a tonneau cover, I don't.
He drives a bit more aggressively.
#1. 4WD KILLS mileage.
#2. Driving habits. I drove on one tank and lost 1MPG when I matted the accellerator twice, versus usually zero WOT events. Floor it = lose 1 MPG.
#3. Speed. HP required to maintain speed rises with the cube root of the speed. In other words, to go twice as fast requires three times the HP. The EPA "highway" averages are at 54 MPH. The difference between 60MPH and 70MPH is substancial.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I have a 04' F150 SCrew Lariate and averaged 15.8 mpg the first 12500 miles. Not too bad for a truck that waeighs nearly 6000 lbs, but these automakers are kidding us if they can't make these trucks get upwards of 20+ mpg.
Governement regs. are weak, therefore the automakers simply meet the bottom line. Example: Subaru increased the mpg of its WRX then redisgned the outback and labled it as a pickup (the one with a bed you can't put anything in but a small dog) with worse mpg than the previous model. It's keeps Subaru within the margin of meeting gov. regs. As much as I despise California for it's tough stance in smog control, there the only law makers making the automakers turn out more efficient vehicles. My 0.02
Governement regs. are weak, therefore the automakers simply meet the bottom line. Example: Subaru increased the mpg of its WRX then redisgned the outback and labled it as a pickup (the one with a bed you can't put anything in but a small dog) with worse mpg than the previous model. It's keeps Subaru within the margin of meeting gov. regs. As much as I despise California for it's tough stance in smog control, there the only law makers making the automakers turn out more efficient vehicles. My 0.02
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
It's funny, a few months back I posted mileage numbers in the range of 14-17 city and 20-24 highway, and alot of guys here called BS on it.
Now I'm reading post after post from people getting similar numbers. Hmmm.....go figure!
Now I'm reading post after post from people getting similar numbers. Hmmm.....go figure!
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, SC
I get 14.5 city, 19 hwy. I just put a K&N air filter on today. I replaced the old very dirty one and I could tell a differnce in gitty up. Looking forward to a trip.
O.K. get the B.S. flags out. I had a 83 F-100, 4.9 L, straight 6, a high speed rear end, 5 speed OD. I consistantley got 27-28 mpg. Back then the speed limit was 55. I traveled 58. Went from SC -LA all the time. When they increased the speed limit to 65. I went 68 and got 25 mpg. Loved that big 6.
O.K. get the B.S. flags out. I had a 83 F-100, 4.9 L, straight 6, a high speed rear end, 5 speed OD. I consistantley got 27-28 mpg. Back then the speed limit was 55. I traveled 58. Went from SC -LA all the time. When they increased the speed limit to 65. I went 68 and got 25 mpg. Loved that big 6.
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Gas Mileage
I picked my 2004 FX4 up in Houston Texas in September and drove it 450 miles home. I kept the cruise set on no more than 65 and got about 18 MPG. I only get about 14 around town though. If it is anytthing like my 98 Expedition, at about 25,000 miles the mileage will pick up some.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
I went to New Oleans a couple of weeks ago .....While crusing about 67 mph I got 19.9 miles per gallon. From Longview, Tx to New Oleans La......400 miles one way....No A/C nice cool day....On the trip back I got 19.1 running 70 all the way....3.73 rear gears............5.4 engine no mods..
