Hey guys I am new to this and just had some questions about my truck so I joined the forum to see if anyone could help me. I have 1994 f150 extra cab short bed 2wd bone stock with a 302 auto trans. I really like this truck and do not want to sell it to get a better mpg truck. So I was wondering if anyone knew of some good ideas to get better mpg? i think i currently get anywhere from 13-17 if that i would like to see at one point 20. Any info and/or help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Lucas 94-f150

 

when you figure this out let me and all the other members know. Do routine maintenance, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. The 302, 351 and 300 aren't the most economical motors to start.

 

 

Get a Prius! and parked the 5.0

Then the 5.0 gets infnite MPG, U mad bro?

Seriously though, routine maintenance will be your best bet. Your driving a giant heavy box with a V8.

 

!3 to 17 Mpg isn't too bad for your truck. My 95 300, 5 speed, ext cab, 4x2, with 235x75x15 tires gets 15-20 and averages about 16-17 in mixed driving.
As mentioned above good maintenance is important.
Here are some things that have worked for me
1) Highway tread tires vs all terrain 0.5-2.0 Mpg
2) If your front chin spoiler is missing replace it. 0-1.5 (depending on speed)
3) Excess weight
4) Light bars, pipe racks, High caps all reduce mileage at high speeds
5) Dash mounted vacuum gauge has been worth about 1-2mpg
6) Driving habits-Don't idle or warm up than a minute, Combine small trips, keep moving avoiding stop and go as much as possible. Best mileage is at 55 Mph I get 20 at 65, 18.5 at 70
7) Avoid lift kits
YMMV
rikard

 

It's all about aero. You're shoving something with the aerodynamics of a barn through the air and expecting the gas mileage of a Mustang which has the same basic engine but weighs 1000 less and has less than half the drag? It's not going to happen.

A tonneau cover will clean up a lot of the drag; mine was worth about 1.5 MPG at highway speeds (and 0 around town).

If you have the towing mirrors replace them with the smaller ones. Believe it or not, it makes a difference.

The stock rear step bumper creates a lot of drag. Either remove it or replace it with a tubular one like was used on the Gen I Lightnings.

 

Okay thanks yeah I am going to do a regular complete maintenance an hopefully that will help. Have any of you guys added any electric fan to your truck. If so has that made a big difference? I think going 55 or 65 mpg to get better mpg might be worth it and keep me from getting another expensive ticket.

 

The right foot has more of an effect on gas mileage than ANYTHING else. The payback time of the expense of ANY mod in gas savings is pretty long.

 

Look at the savings we get on insurance, registration and the fact that we can maintain these vs the higher costs on a newer truck. I am ahead of the game with my old 93!

I get 10mpg, 12 at best with my build, but do not have a commute.

 

A lot has been mentioned; here are a few more:

1. Clean air filter, K&N will not gain any power or mileage so keep a fresh Fram or Motorcraft in it.
2. Autolite copper or Motorcraft copper plug's set at the correct gap. Change every 12,000 to 18,000 miles.
3. A brass contact cap and rotor as they last longer than the aluminum contact counterparts. Quality, low ohm plug wires, 500 ohm's per foot or less and a new ignition coil if needed.
4. A new fuel filter every time you change the plugs, I recommend a Motorcraft fuel filter, E10 gas is hard on older vehicle fuel componenets.
5. A new O2 sensor.
6. A correct temperature thermostat and coolant service.
7. A new Coolant Temperature Sensor.
8. A new Air Charge Temperature Sensor.
9. Clean the Throttle Body (TB).
10. Clean the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve.
11. Check the voltage on your Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), it should be in the neighborhood of .91 to .97 volts.
12. Service oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, 5W30 is the factory spec.
13. Tire pressure at 35 psic, c=cold
14. Spend an extra few pennies for a quality brand gas; Conoco, Phillips 66 and Shell are just a few that come to mind.
15. Transmission and differential service if needed.
16. Get rid of any un-needed weight from the bed of the truck.
17. Clean engine block to firewall ground, clean battery to driver's side fender ground, clean body to chassis and chassis to radiator support grounds.
18. Clean battery post's.

 

Only thing in your post I'll take issue with is the Fram air filter. If you don't use Motorcraft, Wix is the next best bet - and NAPA filters are Wix.

 

Hmm, I've heard this said in regards to oil filters.. Which is why I always use Motorcraft. But I've always thought Fram air filters were Okay.
But to the OP, like everyone else has said, 13-17 MPG is typical for these older trucks. I honestly feel like I'm doing great when I get 18 on long highway trips. But for around town and short trips (95% of my driving) 15 is the norm.

 

I always use wix oil filters, but what is this spec at 5w30? for a 94 F-150 with the 302 it's 10w30 or 10w40 depending on the time of year and where you live (some places either is fine because you don't have extreme weather-like in the PNW).

 

According to the Ford TSB, 5W-20 is now the recommended oil weight for a 94 302 in a F-150. It also states that 5W-30 is acceptable. 10W-30 or 10W-40 was NEVER recommended.