I recently bought a new f-150 w/ the 5.4l, rest of the specs in my signature. Today I had my first visit to the gas station. It cost around $30 to fill up the tank and my mpg is around 9.2 . The thing is, I'm not lead footing it at all. Most of my driving is around my home town in which I keep it under 2000 rpms. I've heard that the engine will losen up over time, but does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to break in it? Thanks

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1999 Silver F-150 XLT Supercab Triton 5.4L 4X2 3.55 LS class 4 whell ABS/4-W disc

Stuff I did not need but came with it
Class III Towing package
Power driver seat
Remote keyless entry
Free Floor mats :P
Hell of a ride

Mods I hope to do
1. Superchip
2. K&N air filter
3. Gibson Exhuast

Add-ons
1. Bed liner
2. Hard bed cover

All I'll ever need with this bad boy

Will be getting pictures soon
ccr-rules@worldnet.att.net

 

my trucks also has the 5.4 motor
but i have all ways got 12 to 14 mpg
it's only has 2,800 miles on it
i took it easy for the first 1,000 then
changed the oil.


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99 XLT SC 4x4 STYLESIDE ORP 5.4,AUTO & 3.73 POSI
MED. TOREADOR RED
EXTANG TONEAU,BED MAT,
K&N FILTER & WOOD DASH KIT

 

I picked up my truck from the dealer and took off from there (had suitcases w/me) on a trip Picked up truck in StLouis. Drove to Detroit, DC, Wilmington NC and back to DC. The truck was then well broke in and getting much better gas milage too.
If you can't do this, then how about packing a picnic and taking a drive to the countryside on the weekend??? You can also not check the gas milage for a while and just not worry about it

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars




[This message has been edited by Tina (edited 08-29-1999).]

 

FuNewGee:
The first 1000 miles are considered proper breakin. It is best to stay under 2500 rpm and vary vehicle mph for the first 500 miles. Next 500 miles no more than 3000 rpm and continue varying mph. NO hard acceleration or heavy loading. The idea is to allow enough heat to build in engine parts but not for a sustained time.I would keep mph 60 or under for the first 1000. You'd be hard pressed to ruin an engine unless you stomp on it right from the start. Don't worry, take it easy and start checking mileage after 1000 miles. Oh yeah, change that oil no later than 2500 : black gold is only for Texas tea.

 

Gas mileage is my biggest gripe too.

I also have the 5.4L in the 4x2 model (mine has the 3.73LS). I can attest to the fact that driving around town will KILL your mpg -- if I drive nothing but highway with no stops I can get/have gotten just over 17. If I spend any amount of time in stop-and-go, the mpg goes down fast (averaging ~14 but when I do lots of city driving it's ~11-12). My mileage has also gotten a little better as the engine has broken in (now has 7500 miles and is really running nicely).

I agree with Tina, pack up the family and go for a nice long Sunday drive -- and see how she does then. You might also look into changing your air filter (K&N) & exhaust system (cat-back), and getting a Superchip -- more $$ I know, but it might pay off in the long run.

I may moan and groan when it comes time to fill my tank, but otherwise I love this truck!!

Good luck and have fun...

Jim

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'99 F-250 LD 5.4L SC XLT 2WD 3.73LS in White/Silver (w/ EVERYTHING 'cept leather and engine block heater) -- added: SnugTop Hi-Liner & carpet kit, Donnelly electrochromatic/compass mirror, K&N filter, SuperWhite 9007 bulbs, IAS shocks, 3" Induction Airbox Mod, more to come... (Westin side bars, cat-back exhaust, electric fan, and Superchip are next)

 

Maybe I should take a long road trip with some friends or something. I'm still in high school so almost all of my daily driving is to and from school, to and from football practice. While in 1 day I may only travel a couple miles I do head to the beach sometimes which is about 10 miles away. Im real concervative when I drive. I've only really gunned it once, just for kicks. The rest of my driving is usually under 2000 rpms. Another question though, It is good to vary your speed on the freeway to help break in the engine on different speeds. Is this also true in stop and go street conditions maybe driving 5 mph under the speed limit, then the speed limit, then a little more?

Well thanks for your help guys( and Tina )

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1999 Silver F-150 XLT Supercab Triton 5.4L 4X2 3.55 LS class 4 whell ABS/4-W disc

Stuff I did not need but came with it
Class III Towing package
Power driver seat
Remote keyless entry
Free Floor mats :P
Hell of a ride

Mods I hope to do
1. Superchip
2. K&N air filter
3. Gibson Exhuast

Add-ons
1. Bed liner
2. Hard bed cover

All I'll ever need with this bad boy

Will be getting pictures soon
ccr-rules@worldnet.att.net

 

FuNewGee,

For the type of driving you're doing, I'm not suprised. I'd expect, however, somewhere between 10 and 11 mpg. Are you sure the tank was full?

What's happening is, your engine isn't spending a whole lot of time at it's optimal operating temperature. With the short runs, the engine is spending a good deal of time at temps below optimum. Best mpg comes when the engine is hot.

I have a similar situation where a normal run is about 2 miles.

I have just a bit of advice. Don't let the engine idle for long in the morning. Start driving as soon as possible. Engines warm up faster under a bit of load. This is not to say you should drive one block and get on the freeway. Check with the tire experts and increase the tire pressure if they say it's okay. I raised my tire pressures by 2 lbs over what the sticker in the door says.

Your mpg will increase the more mileage you put on the truck. Take it out on the freeway a couple of times a week. The worst thing you can do is to baby the engine and keep it at one speed. Just avoid flooring or lugging the engine for the first 2,000 miles.

Normal city driving is fine so long as you mix in some highway miles too. Just drive normally. I guess what I'm saying is don't get on the freeway, set your cruise control at 60 and drive 2,000 miles that way.



[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited 08-30-1999).]