Improving fuel milage?

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Old Jan 1, 2007 | 08:17 PM
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Green_o17's Avatar
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Improving fuel milage?

I was wondering what i can do to improve my fuel milage? I have a 2004 f-150 5.4L...and my milage isnt the best.....just looking for ways to improve it..thanks
 
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Old Jan 1, 2007 | 08:43 PM
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built54's Avatar
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A tuner and electric fans will get you several more
 
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Old Jan 1, 2007 | 08:56 PM
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Maintenance - Good plugs , A clean MAF sensor, Clean TB & Elbow, K&N air filter. - Just a few other things to keep in mind
 

Last edited by jbrew; Jan 1, 2007 at 08:59 PM.
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Old Jan 1, 2007 | 10:35 PM
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Let me add some more thoughts.
It's winter time with colder denser air.
Gas formulations have changed in the direction of poorer fuel mileage.
Your truck is a throttle by wire and may be a liability to fuel mileage. More PCM software controls, than cable control.
Engine is larger
Sorry it dosen't help but these are some of the realities.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2007 | 11:12 PM
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Don't push the skinny pedal down so far...
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 01:30 PM
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If you're getting 13-15 MPG, then you're getting about average fuel economy for a 5.4L. You'll normally lose 1 MPG (or so) with cold weather and winter blend fuel.

Tuners, intake, exhaust and other Mod's MIGHT increase your horse power, but they seldom deliver more MPG. Best method to increase your MPG is to take it easy on the little pedal on the right.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 02:36 PM
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Drive like there's a glass of water on the front seat, and be sure the tires are aired up properly.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 03:19 PM
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Let me relate something that proves it'self every time.
I have an EDGE tuner with the PID displays.
I set up Pids for the following.
1. Instant mile per gallon.
2. Average miles per gallon.
3. Ignition timing.
4. Mass Air readings.
How this is used to get the best fuel mileage is by using your foot to keep the timing advanced as far as possible, keep the instant mileage at the highest numbers and the Mass Air the lowest readings.
What you actually get for mileage varies with conditions, the truck, the engine and the roads.
If you drive a long distance you will see the Average miles per gallon begin to climb and first thing you know you begin to see the gas gauge has not dropped as much as it may have over the same distances and is usually supported by chacking the miles traveled providing you zero the setting before you begin.
Then refuel and you should see the mileage gains.
It's all in the foot action, but the Pid gauges will control and train the foot to be light when power is not needed in certain place on the roadway..
It's a game of averages over time and distance.
The truck needs a certain amount of power from the engine to keep it moving. This is the basic miniumn fuel that can be used.
I find road speeds in the 55 to 65 range yield the best mileage but if this is to slow for most then you pay for it using more fuel to cover the same distance at a faster rate. Simple physics.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 06:23 PM
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I might try some of those things in the future.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 06:38 PM
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1. your driving style
2. timing
3. syn oils iie engine,trans,rear end,power steering
4. a waxed truck helps
5. tires aired up
6. shift kit
7. unload any unnecessary weight
8. maybe lose a few pounds
9. under drive pulleys
10 bug defector
11 bed cover..not a heavy hard one
12 syn. grease on wheel bearing
13. lighter wheels this is by far the best as it's unsprung weight
14. electric fan
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 06:51 PM
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What not to do...

DO NOT lower the tailgate. Repeated testing has shown that lowering the tailgate increases turbulence and drag.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 07:27 PM
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Troyer's site has the goods - at least a 2 mpg gainer -pullys ,efans,tuners.

Big benefit in HP...
 
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Old Jan 2, 2007 | 07:38 PM
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Dont drive it at all lol, be thankful you dont have a V10. Could be worse spend $500 in fuel to travel 1400 miles on a 2007 Chevy 2500hd 4x4 crew cab with the 6.0.
 
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