F-150 Crappy Gas Mileage

[Ferni173]

Hey Ford truck enthusiasts:

I bought a 1997 F-150 truck and it has always sucked up the gas to a tune of a maximum of 12 to 14 MPG(imp). If I carry take off campong with my pop-up camper (approx. 1,200 lbs load empty on the truck) and hitch my boat I could get as low as 8 MPG (imp). Any suggestions out there to improve the gas mileage.

Could it be the fuel injetors that need cleaning?

Anyone have a 1997 with similar problems?

Thanks for your support

[landyacht]

Sounds like you have the 5.4L V8.

Cleaning the fuel injectors is probably a good idea one way or the other. The only thing you can really do to lower gas mileage is to drive conservatively.

These engines have up and down results. Fuel mileage depends on how you drive, the kind of roads (how flat/hilly the surounding area is), the amount of moisture/humidity where you live, your distance from sea level.

I know guys that i sold these trucks to that are getting 18-19mpg with a tent trailer on the back cruising at 100km/h down the highway. I know other guys that have them dry and are only getting 14mpg on the highway doing the same speed.

Again, the biggest factor is how you drive it but you have to consider all the variables aswell.

[Ferni173]

Actually, I have the 4.6 Litre engine.

[ModMech]

Dirty injectors is a non issue since the early 90's when finally all the refiners got their acts togather. Even if they were dirty, economy is primarily determined by three things: Driving style, load (drag), and lastly the Oxygen sensors and EEC.

Since one Gal Imp = 1.2009 Gal US, and assuming a mile is a mile.

The range of normal economy is (US) 14-18 MPG/1.2009 = 11.65 - 14.98 (15) MPG (IMP).

I would say that you should not see lower than 14.5 MPG (IMP) unless there is something amis.

Check for excessive drag by the brakes, and if the Oxygen sensors are original, replace the FRONT two.

[97PA150]

I had the same worries with my 4.6 liter. I drive from Western PA to Eastern NY to college and I wanted the best gas Milage. I put an aftermarket air intake on it and it seemed to help. I kinda let the engine run a little more wild too.

['94F-150]

There are multiple things you can do. I have a '94 F-150 with a 5.0. I bought it and was getting 14.5, driving pretty pokey too. I then put on flowmasters and had them come out in front of the rear tires for less restriction. Mileage went to 15-16. I then took out my toolbox, 75 lbs, and used Lucas Oil. I'm now getting 17.4 mpg. You can also put some other performance parts that will boost your mpg. Cold air intakes, throttle body spacers, aftermarket pulleys, etc. These help with air induction and drag. Putting these on will make your engine work less and should give you better gas mileage. Also, make sure the psi in your tires is correct and that they're balanced. This can attribute to about 2 mpg in its self.

[Jet Mech320]

My 95 ate plugs and wires. If I had over 50k kms on the set and it was raining at night it would look like a xmas tree under the hood with all the arcing. Always carried a can of silicone spray behind the seat.

I would change the air filter, plugs and wires and My gas mileage would go way up.