View Full Version : Ford Owners - F-250 Diesel fuel economy?
cluless
11-12-2002, 07:43 PM
Hi Folks,
I have a 2000 F-250 4x4 Super Duty Crew Cab Short Bed w/ V8 7.3L Turbo Diesel.
What kind of fuel mileage should I be getting? I've heard some pretty fantastic stories about people getting 19-20 mpg. I don't get anywhere near that.
I'll get 10-11 mpg while pulling my boat @ 70mph and around 12-13 mpg without pulling @ 70mph. I bought this truck used last year, and have nothing to compare it to (i.e. I don't know if something needs to be fixed/adjusted, or if has gotten this mileage since it was new). I have taken it to a dealer, and they are very vauge about what kind of mileage to expect, and they have not been able to improve it.
If any of you have this kind of truck, I'd appreciate your advice.
Thanks in advance
FROGMAN
11-12-2002, 08:36 PM
My traveling partner on the circuit uses the very same vehicle for towing and he gets approximately 17 mpg with his setup. Hope this gives you some idea.
Tight lines
Keith Segar
NPAA #260
walliz
11-12-2002, 09:21 PM
I recently pulled a trailer hauling an exivater several hundred miles my gross weight was over 30,000lbs. I got 13mpg just driving I get about 24-25mpg if i go around 80 I get even better. Pulling a small trailer like a boat I get around 20mpg. I also have the mod chip installed in the moter it made a huge difference in power and fuel economy.
Boatnut
11-12-2002, 10:01 PM
what's your axle ratio? that makes a big difference.
i've got a 96 f-250 with the 3:50 axle and get 20 mpg at 65 non-towing. When I was pulling a cruiser with a gross weight (boat and trailer and gear) of around 7500 lbs, I got anywhere from 11 to 16 mpg at highway speeds.
Rich(MI)
11-13-2002, 05:56 AM
I have a 2002 f-250 supercab shortbox 4x4 with the 7.3 powerstroke and the 373 rear end. Back and forth to work ( almost all x-way ) running 72 MPH I get 18.5 mile per gallon. Pulling a 33 foot fifth wheel approx 11K pounds I get 12-13 miles per gallon. My son in-law has a 97 powerstroke work truck with the 4.10 rear end and he gets decent milaage as long as he keeps his speed below 65. When he pushes it at 70-75 he is getting approx. 11 mpg
MIKE ( MT )
11-13-2002, 06:27 AM
I have owned three 99-2001 Ford Super Duty diesels,all crewcab automatic 4x4's.They never got over 18 MPG empty, driving at highway speeds.I also installed 80-HP chips in each one.The mileage increased by 1 to 2 MPG,however, the added fun of driving a "chipped" truck is worth the price! Throttle response is "NOW" and the heavy truck feeling is reduced.I pull a 33ft fifth-wheel camper with a 20ft boat hooked behind and average 10 to 11 mpg at 65 mph.There are plenty of big hills in Eastern Montana/Western North Dakota and if you want to stand on it,the speed will not go below 65 mph but heat generation does become an issue,be careful!I have several customers driving chipped Fords and they all like the increased performance,for optimum mileage driving on cruise control is a must.
Good Luck
bountyhunters
11-13-2002, 06:45 AM
yea you'll here it all on miles p.g but the truth is about 17 empty and 12 towing .had two of those over rated trucks . traded it on a dodge and it don't do no better. jim
I've had a 2002 F-250 crew with the powerstroke for a year now and get 16.5mpg all day long. I have gotten 19mpg on the highway with no boat in tow. I have not pulled a boat long distance but I would expect 15 - 16 mpg out of it easily. I would be pretty P O'd if my truck got the kind of mileage your getting.
SoDakMac
11-13-2002, 07:39 AM
I have a 2002, F250, supercab/shortbox, Powerstroke with 3:73 gears. If I keep the RPMs around 2000 it will make an honest 18 MPG empty and 16 MPG pulling a YarCraft Storm. It you run it above 2000 RPM (75-80 MPH) the mileage drops 1-3 MPH depending how hard you run it. It will pull my boat as fast as you have courage to drive it – and, it ignores most hills.
Fish_on
11-13-2002, 08:52 AM
I average about 17-18 on the highway and 15 pulling a 619 Ranger. It doesn't even notice hills or a headwind.
I have been hearing a lot of good things about these chips. Where would a person get one installed and how much are they?
FreeByrd
11-13-2002, 12:16 PM
First to the original poster - I have a 2000 Super Duty F250 crew cab 4x4 Automatic 3.73 posi rear end shortbed Powerstroke. I will turn 100,000 miles sometime this month. I have averaged 16.5 mpg since I'ved owned the truck. Basing this on the automatically calculated & displayed fuel economy readout. It does make a big difference on how fast you drive. If I keep it between 65-70 mph I can get around 18. Anything over 70mph and fuel economy drops.
My towing is a Carolina Classic around 11,000 pounds that catches a lot of wind. Have yet to get double digit mileage on my 325 mile one way trip to Lake Ontario.
Mike - I'd like some info on the chips you have used. Who makes them? How much? What has to be done to install them? etc. My truck is completely stock now. If you don't care to answer on here you can send me an email please
Thanks,
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com
MIKE (MT)
11-13-2002, 12:25 PM
I have installed both chips and programmers with equal success,the programmers are more versatile and easier to install/remove.Prices vary from $375.00 to $400.00 and can be installed by most anyone.I would not own a diesel without one.If you have anymore questions contact me at gibbs@midrivers.com
FreeByrd,
Go to Fordtrucks.com and they will give you all the info on chips.The two most popular chips are Diablo and Superchips. They have installation materials as well.
Muleskinner
11-13-2002, 01:50 PM
Check out www.dieselpage.com for the best prices on programmers and other accessories. If I recall the programmer is about $320.00. I installed the Programmer in my f350 and gained about 2mpg and 40 or so extra pony's. I pull my 1900 pro-v at 75mph and get 16mpg regularly.
Kevin Herbert
NPAA# 557
Sparky
11-13-2002, 02:22 PM
FreeByrd, I have a 27' Searay Amberjack that I tow with a '97 F250 CC 4x4 stroke. I was in dock 97 just across from you until today. Anyway, the boat and trailer weigh 12,420 lbs. My mileage towing is 12.5 mpg. I've checked it a number of times. I tow between 55 and 63 mph. My truck has a 3.55LS rear axle. The down pipe was changed by the previous owner. I haven't pulled the side panel to check for a chip yet. It is peppy for a diesel though.
I don't have a pick-up, rather an Excursion with the PSD and a 3.73 posi rear-end. I installed the Superchip which I would highly recommend to anyone. On the highway not towing and running 70-75 MPH I get a consistent 21.5 MPG. That drops to 17.5 MPG for my usual 50/50 mix of highway and city driving. When I'm towing (20'boat) I get about 17 MPG on the highway at 70 - 75 MPH.
I have the exact same truck as you and get about 15mpg towing and 18mpg on the highway. If you want a great site to learn anything and everything there is to know about ford diesels try www.dieselstop.com
mstrjigger
11-14-2002, 06:14 AM
2 words for U MASTER CHIP raise your fuel milage 5-10mpg
Mike(Co)
11-14-2002, 10:19 AM
I will be shopping for a Ford diesel 3/4 ton in the future. Any variations in the truck or engine between say "93" and "98" that would be good to know? Any imput would be appreciated!
Good fishing!
Mike
Sparky
11-14-2002, 01:54 PM
Are you serious? Where do you get on of these chips? I've never heard of them.
MIKE ( MT)
11-14-2002, 02:49 PM
If you are buying a 4x4 there is quite a difference in ride,cab room,drivetrain,and quality,plus the 99,s are generally less expensive to repair after an accident(install a grill guard!),that the higher expense of a newer truck is worth the price.I have owned several 3/4 ton 4x4,s, 92 to 97,s and 99 to 2002,s; the newer trucks are so much nicer!!!