I have a 2003 F-150 4x4 with a triton 5.4L engine. I seem to only average 12 to 13 mpg. I drive highway (2 lane) to and from work an average of 4 or 5 days a week about 15 miles each way. Plus some extra short trips between my house and the parent's farm about 3 miles away. Is this normal, or am I way below normal??? What's everyone else getting for fuel averages?

Thanks

 

That sucks !! 16 - 17 here..

 

Ya, mixed driving, A/C cranked constantly I have been pulling like 16-19 mpg's. You may not be driving enough to get decent mileage, 15 miles doesn't even warm the engine really. What kind of maintenance has been done, a sort of tune up may be a good start, but don't be surprised as 12-15 is about the norm here from what I've seen.

 

Very tough call, but sounds normal. Is your truck reg cab, super cab, 4 door cab, long bed, short bed, extra short bed, whats the gearing, standard tires, big tires, what make or tire, are you gentle or heavy foot, and lots more all effect mpg.

My 4x2 super cab 8' bed with cap and auto, 4.6V8 gets 12.5mpg unless I go on a 55mph long run then it gets 16mpg. Buts its a heavy beast and the brakes have always been on the weak side.

 

It also depends if your running the right fuel and if your tires are at the correct psi. I know with my ranger anyways if I run it on 85 octane I get around 14 mpg and if I run it off of the recommended 87 octane it jumps up to 17 mpg

 

My 03 7700 super cab 5.4 work truck has never seen over 14 mpg in the 100K miles I've put on it. Most tanks I get about 12. I never carry any load or tow, but often have to merge into traffic at WOT. My point is that how fast you drive and how often and hard you accelerate are going to be large factors in your milage.

 

Well, first of all, it's a short box, extended cab, 4x4. I normally don't punch the gas when I take off... I've put some fuel injector cleaner through the gas tank a couple of times. I got the standard 17in tires on the truck. I usually put in either Octane 87 or 89, depending on the gas station I go to. The only time I turn the A/C on is when the wife and kid are in the truck, and that is very seldom!

Thanks for you thoughts.
Tim

 

Where do you live? Many areas (such as California) have low energy content 'clean' fuel due to air quality issues.

Energy content is not the same as octane. People who live in 'clean' fuel areas often get much worse mileage.

There are tons of variables that effect mileage, but I am convinced the energy content of the fuel plays a huge factor with Ford trucks.

In California, 12-13 mpg for a 4x4 is certainly in the normal range. People with the same truck in other areas with better fuel might get 15 - 16. When I road trip up to Reno, I usually get 3 mpg better on the way home with Nevada fuel than with what I got going there with California fuel.

 

yeh its retarded. clean fuel reduces what 10% emissions but u use 30% more fuel to emissions increase by 20% in the atmosphere lol. the best resolve is if they quit puttin all this crap in the fuel to raise the octane and just make better fuel they need to upgrade the refineries and build more.

 

12-13 is about the same as my 03 5.4 Supercab in the city. I was just able to get 17.6 on a 480 mile highway trip going 74mph on a 80 degree day. My MPG really goes down when the Michigan winter sets in!

 

Perhaps your area gets a 'winter blend' low energy content fuel, for air quality reasons.

Some parts of the country basically get 'winter blend' low energy fuel all year round.

I've noticed over the years on this board that the people who report getting great mileage (19+ for V6's, 18+ for a 4.6 and 17+ for a 5.4) never live in major metropolitan areas. Usually the 'clean' fuel is only required in areas with air quality problems.

 

What's your gear ratio? Your differential has some contribution to gas milage.

 

I have a '01 Supercrew 4x2 5.4L with 3.55 LS rear end and can average
18.5 mpg on a highway trip at 60 m.p.h.
I try to stay under 2000 r.p.m.

 

I've got an '05 Screw FX4 and get around 13mph in town and 15-17 on the Highway. The other day I filled up, went on a 150 mile 80mph round trip, filled up again and did the math and got nearly 18. I was really suprised...

 

My 07 4.2V6 F150 gets 19.2 on the highway and 16.4 in the city.It has been getting better since the miles are getting put on it.I'm at 5500 miles now.