I own a 1996 F-150 4x4 with a 5.0l V8 and I'm only getting 10 to 13 mpg, I just changed the Plugs, Wires, Rotor & Cap, and It didn't Help my Gas mileage AT ALL. The Truck has 59,000 miles on it, everyone tells me that I should be getting about 17mpg....any suggestions what might be causing the terrible gas mileage??

 

Bad or lazy O2 sensors are the #1 cause of poor gas mileage.

Older vehicles, with non-heated O2 sensors, should have their sensors replaced every 30K miles. Newer vehicles, with heated O2 sensors, should have theirs replaced every 60K miles.

If your O2 sensors have three or more wires, they're heated.




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1998 F-150 SuperCab XLT 4x4 w/ 5.4L, AirAid FIPK, Gibson SS "Cat-Back" Performance Exhaust, SuperChip.

 

BLUECRAB:

I am purchasing the exact same package for my new 5.4L Screw (air raid, Gibson SS, and superchip). How do you like this combination? Low end torque OK? Gas Mileage figures? Drone or loudness from Gibson?

Thanks

 

CChazer1,
I have a 1996 2wd w/ 302 and my milage is consistently between 11.5 and 12.5. I have come to accept this as owning a Ford. If you do run across a solution, PLEASE post your findings.
I have heard about O2 sensors before but I have never had a check engine light on. Will this happen for an O2 sensor? How much do they cost? Are they easy to do? I know that I should not expect great milage out of a truck I have driven nothing but trucks my entire life. I am more concerned that the poor milage is an indication that my engine is not running its best. Thanks for all suggestions. -- Martin

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1996 F-150 5.0 w/Superchip, K&N air filter, Motorsport 9mm plug wires, LineX bed liner

 

I went to NAPA and they told me I should be getting about 16 to 18 mpg, they told me to change the plugs, wires, rotor and cap, I changed them and the gas mileage never changed, they also said if that doesn't work to change the O2 sensor, which I am going to do tonight. the O2 sensor is simple to change and is about $100 with a $12 tool to remove and replace it, hopefully it will help my gas mileage.

 

Did you guys buy your trucks for the gas mileage? My F150 with 4:10 gears has always sucked down 1 gal for every 11 miles (since NEW) towing, highway or around town. I never bought my trucks expecting to get good gas mileage. It’s just the cost of having a big rig. Driving my Nav If I keep my foot out of it (HA HA HA HA) I could get as much as 20 on the highway (this was achieved by the wife to prove to me it could be done). But I did not make these mods to get good gas mileage. Consequently my Foot “O” Stomper reflex keeps me around 12 MPGS.to get

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2000 Navigator. Laser Red, Every option. , (DOHC) cams-32 valve Intech , (6) Bolt Mains, AIRFORCEONE FIPK, Custom Program Superchip, True Duel Flowmaster 50 series. 2X SISO , vented out each side. Rear air deflector, Bug deflector, PIAA, headlights (SUPERWHITE)

Looking at Hitting 400 Hp without a blower. Using in addition, headers (If possible)
(Waiting for JBA to develope Headers)

“91” F150 4X4 Shorty “Ultimate Off Road Edition” Borge Warner T18 4 speed, Traction Lock Front and Rear Differentials., Smitty Built Duel Tube Roll Bar, Moog Super Off Road Coil Springs, Factory 2” Lift Rancho RS 9000 Shocks , Stock Front “QUAD SETUP” 33x12.5 (B.F. Goodrich) Mud Terrain Warn Winch Combo Bush Bar with Warn XD9000I Winch. Full Factory Skid Plates. 302 Long Block, K&N FIPK JBA Chrome Headers, Custom Catback using Flowmaster Muffler, Duel out side behind rear wheel.

 

Everyone, but me.

I had a '93 w/5.0L (bought new) and kept it in perfect working condition. At best, all it got was 12mpg. From my research, very few people get 17- more like 15. Depending on your routes and driving style, I'd say 2mpg isn't that far below "average".

 

Hmmm... a parts store tells you that you need to buy parts to fix your mileage? Then, if those parts don't work, come back and buy more? See a pattern? J/K- a tune-up is always good.

Honestly, $100 for an O2 sensor sounds kind of high. Plus, you don't "need" any special tools. I didn't replaced the one in my '93 until the check-engine light came on. I read the codes (vague) and wound up changing the O2 as well as the EGR valve position sensors. Mileage didn't increase, but the CE light went out.

 

it was $100 for 2 sensors, not for one. I had my tranny flushed & filter changed & new fluid, that stopped the shuttering from 30 to 45mph

 

Well, yeah! I used to get 8 mpg in my '87 F-150, 4x4, RC, SB, 5.8 H.O. Bought the '97 with a 4.6 and got 14 mpg. Now I got a '99 with the 5.4 and am getting around 11 mpg. Still better than 8 and I'm getting it in a bigger and better truck than the '87.

 

My '00 F-150 with the 5.4L gets an average of 13mpg. I drive in traffic a lot, it's an auto, and I almost always use the A/C. In addition, when I'm not in traffic, I cruise at about 70~75mph. I'm not too disappointed with my fuel mileage because of the power. My 94 SR5 V6 4X4 also got 13mpg but that was a slug, and that's one of the reasons why I got rid of it.

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'00 5.4L 4X4 Lariat (Black/Silver)
'01 F-350 PSD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)

 

cchazer - your mileage sounds about normal to me. My friend has a '95 4x2 Straight 6 and 5 speed and he gets about 15 in normal driving. If you got 17 with your truck I would be amazed.

 

Well I hate to be the odd man out but my worse gas mileage is during in the winter with my 420 lbs. of weight in and the cap on the truck. It is around 14.5 mpg mixed city and highway. Take all that off and my mileage goes up to 18.5 - 19 mpg. I drove for around 7 hours last summer in July, and I got 22.5 mpg and that is with sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for about 45 mins to an hour. I figure I could have gotten about 23 or 24 mpg on that trip.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

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1994 F-150 XLT Supercab, Long Box, 302 EFI, K&N FIPK, Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs, Automatic, Single Catalytic converter, followed by a Raven Z-55 muffler and finished off with chrome tips (2 1/2" to 3"), Royal Blue in and out, Captain Chairs. Chrome Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 105S 235/75R15 (Summer), OEM Aluminum Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 108S (Winter), Lightly Tinted, Soft Tonneau Cover, Ford Receiver Hitch Cover & Lock, J&J Enterprises Stainless Steel AirDam with KC driving lights, Lund Supersteps, Lighted Grab Bars, VTech Slotted Taillight Covers, Alpine CDM-7829 Head Unit, PPI 4800 Amplifier, Kicker 10" Solo Baric Sub with Custom Box and Kicker Impulse 6.5 Mid & Tweets.

 

well for $100.00 or so a shift kit would help some. and what about gears? a gear change will help.

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2001 F-150 XLT S-CAB 4.6 "the full ride"
96 Taurus GL
93 Kenne-Bell Supercharged Mustang
"Injection is nice, but I perfer being blown!"