What's your fuel mileage

RobertN · Apr 25, 2001

What\'s your fuel mileage

Just curious about what some of you are getting for fuel mileage, now that gas and diesel is going up.

I'm getting 10mpg empty, 8mpgw/9' cabover on my '89 F250 4x4 351 with a granny 4-spd.

I'm really toying with the idea of a new diesel pickup. Fuels cheaper, and it gets lots better mileage

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

cowboydoc · Apr 25, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

96 Ford powerstroke 4x4 supercab. Going down the road unloaded at 60-65 18-19 mpg, 65-75 16 mpg, 80 15 mpg. Towing a trailer no matter if it's a two horse or the big four horse with living quarters 13 mpg.

geneP · Apr 25, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Robert, I'd suggest sharpening your pencil before buying that diesel truck. How many years/miles are you going to have to drive it to repay the premium charge of the diesel engine? You might drive enough, or pull heavy loads to justify one. Around here (Mississippi) diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline about as often as it is cheaper. Consider the added expense of oil changes, fuel filters, and more expensive repairs when needed.

cowboydoc · Apr 25, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Gene,
You also have to factor in the fact that a diesel lasts on the average three times as long as a gas engine and according to Ford's data diesels require less maintenance and have fewer repairs than a gas engine does, no tuneups, etc. With regard to diesel pickups the only the only thing that is different with regard to oil changes and filters is that you have to buy more oil for a diesel. Other than that the change intervals for oil and fuel filters are nearly identical.

You are right though in that if you only plan on keeping one for short term, we always figure it takes about 65,000 - 75,000 to break even on the extra cost of a diesel motor. If you plan on driving one until it dies or at least 75,000 though you can't go wrong with a diesel engine.

Bird · Apr 25, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Robert, my wife's 99 Escort sedan averages 32.769 mpg and week before last when I trailered the tractor to the dealer, returned with empty trailer, then back to get the tractor the next day, my old '81 F250 got 11.9 mpg (I was surprised; didn't expect 10 mpg).

Bird

RobS · Apr 25, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

97 F250HD 4X4 crew cab w/ 460 gas, 5 spd and 4:10 gears. Average over three years was around 11. Best ever was 14. Worst was 6, pulling our 27 ft. fifth wheel. I filled up this morning and set a new record for a single fillup... $54. I guess I'll be riding my bicycle more this summer out of necessity rather than pure recreation /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Budinohio · Apr 26, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I just bought a new 2000 F-250 4x4 supercab Power stroke automatic I'm getting 16-17 mpg , I almost bought a v-10 glad I went the other route. Filled up the other day for 1.39 gas was 1.69. Last weekend I drove to NJ from Ohio fueloil prices were crazey, I drove the turnpike most of the way and at truck stops the prices of fueloil were as high as gas to .15 cents a gal. higher, and at regular gas stations the fueloil was always .10 - .20 cents a gal. cheaper.

Boondox · Apr 26, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Our Pathfinder (Dog-mobile) gets about 15mpg locally, better on those few occasions when we travel the Interstate. In winter, in 4WD, it drops to an abysmal 8mpg...but at least it gets us home in the worst of the mud/snow/ice. Never been stuck, and at certain times of the year that's very important! I put up with the mileage because it's paid for...and my last Pathfinder was still running at 320,000 miles when the body succumed to rust cancer.

Our Honda Civic (Daily-mobile) gets 35mpg in mixed driving and 38mpg on the highway/Interstate! Unfortunately, with that low ground clearance there are times when it simply can't be driven, and after an ice storm we really need 4WD.

Pete in Northern Vermont

www.GatewayToVermont.com

JimReichard · Apr 26, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I have a 1986 F250 4X4 with 3.55 gears and a 7.3 diesel from a 1993 F350. It gets 21-23 at 55-60 MPH and 18-20 at 75 MPH and above. When I first bought the truck and put the 7.3 in it I thought my fuel gauge was broke or I had 2 bad sending units. Because I could not belive the fuel mileage I was getting. My neighbor has a 1996 F 150 with the 300 six cylinder with a 6' bed and he gets 13-16 MPG and he had a hard time with my big old 4X4 getting better mileage than his smaller 2 wheel drive.

cowboydoc · Apr 26, 2001

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Jim,
Yes those old 6.9 and 7.3 internationals will consistently get in the low 20's on the highway. Reason they are better than the new ones is because they aren't turboed. We still have a couple of them back home on the ranch. If you take care of them they are pretty bulletproof.