OK, I'm not sure how they claim 14/17 MPG in these hogs but... I'm not getting it!! MY Highway/city split is roughly 80% HWY/ 20% City, and Im WAY lucky to EEEEEKKK out 300 miles from a tank (11.5-12 MPG). Help!!!! Please, I need all the Gas Milage tips I can get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And the one tip I'm NOT looking for is... "drive an (insert econobox here) instead!" LOL, thanks

Later

 

I put a tonneau cover on my SCrew and picked up some improvement. Also seems to get better with more miles and a higher energy content fuel. Other than being light on the throttle and the above mentioned items, you probably won't get much better.

 

put the bed extender on it or like a cargo net...will help or just run with the tail gate down.....

 

SIZMTRZ
Do you know what the rear end gears are? Mine are 3.55's and I've averaged 14.5 since the day I bought it. I think the worst I ever got was 13 and the best was 19 (a long stretch on a VERY flat road).

 

i would try a K&N air filter or the whole intake kit. that should help you out a little and make her more fun to drive as well. a superchip will also increase your gas mileage...as long as you do not drive it like a maniac because of the new found power. but a 45 buck filter seems like the best bang for buck gas mileage improvement i can think of. good luck!!

 

how new is it??
took me about 17,000 km to see any improvement in gas mileage.
I have the v6 but it still eats it. oh and I really saw no improvement in gas milage with the K&N(not saying there is none to be had just don't seem to notice any.)
there was a platinum injection setup I saw a year back but I haven't seen it advertised for awhile now,you also had to replace it every 50,000 KMs ($250.00 per recharge.)

gearing would be the only recorse for highway but alas it may not help in the city..

good luck.

 

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I'm tossing around the idea of throwing on a set of 33x12.5's. This change would have the same affect as switching in a shorter set of gears...right? Thanks again to all!

 

SIZMTRZ, how do you calculate MPG?

 

Here is my fuel log. http://www.commencetechnology.com/truck/fuel/fuel.htm

On my old truck, 1998 supercab w/4.6, I noticed a 1mpg increase in city and highway driving. In my current truck, 2001 supercab flareside w/5.4, I have seen no increase in mpg.

I think the K&N works better on the 4.6. I don't know, maybe the 4.6 was more air restricted from the factory than the 5.4.

SIZMTRZ, you didn't say which truck you were talking about(old or new), or what engine you have.

 

Im talking my new one, it's a 5.4l. actually my old one got great mpg due to the 38.5" tires with the factory 3.31(i think) gears.

I calculate it by dividing the miles since i last filled up by the # of gallons I put in...ok, I see your point, I was dividing by 25(what the tank holds) so really its mor like 300/22, so like 13.5-14. Still pretty crappy by comparison to most others.

 

Have you checked the calibration of your odometer?
Bigger tires will make it read lower then actual miles traveled.
Bigger tires also make for taller (lower numericaly) gearing which will KILL your city mileage.

What about aero drag? Lift kits, especially body lift kits, increase drag considerably by exposing previously covered undercarrage bits to the airstream, lots of drag there. Lift kits also increase drag simply by raising the truck higher into the wind.

Have you considered 2WD? I have seen many with lift kits and bigger tires that will give the 'look' for those that have no intention of really offroading. This opition will give you a truck weighing 500 or more pounds less then a comparible 4WD that will be:

1. Be cheaper to purchase
2. Be cheaper to maintain
3. Cheaper to insure
4. Give better MPG
5. Give better on-road performance

This is it, without telling you to :

1. Check your tire inflation pressures often
2. Keep on top of your PM schedule
3. Keep your foot out of it
4. Trade for a used subaru 'brat'

Had to add that last one

 

which truck are you talking about. the 97 or the newer one?

 

the new one, no lift, 5.4. I think I was confusing some folk by making reference to the old one.