V-10 mileage update

[unreconstructed]

For those of you still pondering on buying a V10 in an F series, here's the latest on my experience:

My truck is 2008 XL F350, 4.10 gears, 6 speed manual, extended cab, long box, 2WD.

Have about 3500 miles on it now--the following does not address towing mileage:

On my last trip of 173 miles (one way) I averaged 14.6 MPG unloaded, no trailer. Was a windless day, mostly flat (West Texas) with the last 50 miles in the edge of the Texas Hill Country with some hilly roads, no traffic, went through one town with several stop lights, three others with only one stop, had the cruise set on 72 (little over 2250 rpm) and with no traffic did not have to reset the cruise.

I suspect that's about optimal conditions and will be about the best mileage I will see. It is just a little less than my old 5.4 F250 which was configured about the same as my 08 F350. So I have picked up a lot more performance with little extra expense in fuel.

[john_bud]

Actually get back on the freeway and find the cruise speed that matches 1950 rpm. Run there and I'll bet you are at 16.5 mpg. Running at 1700 rpm may get you to 17.5 mpg. If you can stand running at 55 mph. Make sure the tires are pumped up to the max.



jb

[Z-Michigan]

Given the power level for a gasser, that doesn't sound too terribly bad. Much better than the 1996 Chevy 454 1-ton dually my BIL used to have, which never (almost never?) broke 10mpg.

[Kahuna]

I had a 2004 F250 5.4 gas crew cab 4x4 and the best I ever got on flat ground, interstate driving 65 with no wind was 14 mpg. It usually got in the 10-12 range, I no longer have that truck. It was also gutless, it seemed like it would barely pull itself. I have the same engine in a Ford conversion van and it runs like a wild rabbit getting about 16. Maybe it was the weight of the truck and the 4x4. I only kept it about a year because it was such a disappointment. If it had the diesel or V10 I probably would still have it because I really liked the truck. I traded it in on a Tundra and really like it.

[chh]

Pretty good for something with that much hp. My wife's 2003 F-150 with the little V-6 will only get 16 .

[RonMar]

Your pushing lots of air out of the way at 70+ MPH. If I recall correctly, Drag is the square of the airspeed, so doubling the airspeed, quadruples the drag on a given structure. You will get better MPG at a slower speed and as suggested adjusted around the engines peak torque RPM.

That is probably not much help for the real world/realaties of the situation, but There is an old saying:

"Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"

[unreconstructed]

You are all correct, of course, about the speed. If the feds impose the 55 mph rule on us again, I think I will just stay home. Course, that's the idea anyhow.

[john_bud]

If Hilly or Ob are elected that may just happen again. Big news show things on the 10,000's of "needless" deaths caused by excess speed. Carbon production is 1/4 less at 55 mph compared to 80 mph. All the fringe player are lining up.

I still think that a huge truck like a 350 getting 14-15 is decent.

jb

[unreconstructed]

Was back on the road Friday to the place, again unloaded, and tried the 1950 rpm. Was running about 59 MPH and I lasted about 1 mile at that speed so don't know what the mileage would have been. Not sure what my life span will be after the next election whether its donkeys or elephants. Have plenty of guns, lots of internal combustion engine devices, and am kin to 62 men who fought in a certain war from 1861--1865 on the politically incorrect side.

[RobS]

In a way, I'm relieved to see this. I have a '97 F250HD 4X4 460 5spd 4.10 and my best tank ever was just under 14. I guess buying new, at least of a similar configuration, won't get me much at the pump. I'm still kicking myself for not getting a diesel way back then.