Just purchased a 2007 Lariat 4x4 screw with 20 inch rims and 3.73 axle. I am getting 8.2 mpg in town. Is this normal. Is there a break in period. I am light on the pedal. I know since its a truck I shouldn't complain about gas mileage but the truck advertised for 14-18 . I think I should at least get 10 to 11 in town. Does anyone have any ideas.

 

i have 2007 it gets least 14 but in city it is bout 14 - 15 on highway not much better 15- 18 depending on your speed.

break in is 500 miles although some say its still breaking in for least 1500

fors says 500 miles

 

You'll go 5000 miles before it's broke in enough to see a mpg increase. At least one oil change, maybe two.

 

thanks for the advice. I bought a retrax cover which might also improve it a bit.

 

I don't know if one of those covers will improve your gas mileage or not. The Mythbusters show on Discovery channel busted the myth that you get better gas mileage with your tailgate down. You actually get better gas mileage with your tailgate up. It baffled me and it also baffled them also so they looked into it more and did a little research with a model truck that they built. With your tailgate up it creates a wind vacuum between your tailgate and your cab and the wind flows right over the tailgate. With the tailgate down the wind goes over the cab and down onto the bed of the truck creating drag thus downgrading your fuel MPG.
It all made sense to me after they explained it and showed the model truck in a water tank showing the airflow with the tailgate up and then down.

As for why your gas mileage is so low, I have no idea. Do you think it has something to do with your 20" wheels and the computer might be programed for 17" wheels? Just a thought.

 

where are you cali ? and are you using e85 or reg gas ??

8 miles to the gallon is much too Low, i could see if your towing.
do you notice any hesitation or missing ?

 

Great info hwkbuster. You would think with the tailgate up it would catch wind for more drag, but who knows. I am no expert but needed the cover to hide my moutain bike and stuff. I'll also check on the bigger wheels. Fallingup, I'm in southern cal near the beach. I'm pretty sure that i put 87 in it. There is no hesitation or slip with the truck. I'm counting on the breaking in period to see if that might do the trick. Thanks again for all the info.

 

Rims size shouldnt matter, as long as the overall tire diameter is set correctly. check this by going 10 miles on the highway, start counting at the markers, and see how close you get to 10 miles on your odometer.

I usually get 12.5 in city, and im pretty heavy on the go pedal. And i just recorded 19.2 mpg on the highway yesterday.
-Patrick

 

air up those tires good. get a programmer. those two things should help 2-3 mpg. I get 16 avg 14-15 in town 17/8 on hwy

 

Good advice patman, i will do my own calculations and see what i come up with

 

The episode incase anyone was wondering that the MPG issue with the Tailgate up and down was episode #43 and aired n November 16th of 2005.
Just clarifying what the tailgate does to improve your gas mileage is creates a vacuum/buffer that the windflow over the cab hits and stays above the tailgate. With it down there is nothing creating that void for the airflow to bounce off of therefore causing the excess drag on the bed of the truck.

Anyways, I've been looking at tops to put over my bed also to keep this somewhat secure and dry when I go on trips. Does anyone have any recommendations of a good top. I have a 06 Screw Lariat, white and that beige color on bottom.

Thanks in advance.

 

i do remember that episode of mythbuster but i wonder if the newer f150's with the higher sides would change the results...maybe the top of the tailgate would catch some wind resistance

sorry to continue to be off topic on this post

 

i dunno im at 15000km and it seems like my trucks just comming alive in the mpg department

 

RETRAX made in Fargo, ND. Go to www.rolltopcover.com and you can see what it will look like on your truck.