Getting about 15 mpg city/hwy...any suggestions, other than sparkplugs (just changed them)easy ways to improve the gas mileage on my 96 4.9 I6?

 

Manual, Auto? Standard, Super Cab? Mileage on the clock..

Depending on th amout of city driving done, that doesn't seem to bad for combined numbers if its 50/50.. Do you run empty, moderate load/tow?

 

Sorry...should have given more info....I know better than that...


thanks for the reply...96 F150 Reg cab,approx. 190k (clock stopped for a while, fixed that!) 4X4, manual trans w/air...hardly ever use it...run empty 99% of the time..back and forth to work....
26 miles one way...most of it interstate. Change the oil regularly, just put new plugs in last week.
Think mileage is about where it should be for my old truck?

I'll wait for your reply...Bryon

 

I have a 1993 I6 the 4.9L witht he 5 spd overdrive and 3.08 gearing in the rear and i'm getting about 18-20 mpg.

 

I thought that's what I should be getting...you know, I'm not sure which rear I have...I'll check that out tomorrow...not sure if there is still a tag attached to the pumpkin. Doing anything special ? Special oil ?
Special plugs ? wires? Any suggestions ? New engine brain? If not...I'll have to be happy with what I'm getting.

Thanks for your response.

 

But you said 'Combined'...

We have a 95 5spd, 4.9, 8' bed, 2x4, STD cab'parts runner' thats see'shigh teens,mostly very light loads or empty on return.. In city/commute traffiic, the numbers do fall, more so for any load carried, or even extended idle/warm up times in winter or defrost setting as the A/C compressor runs in that setting. A/C in summer.. I know my 05/6.0 will pull a better MPG at 65 than 80 even though it's still'highway' MPG's (generated head wind,loss factor for pushing a brick through the air)4x4 over 2x4 might be slightly less.. Lot's of variations to concider... So,, whats the best milegae you've been able to pull in highway use?

The data tag/certification labelin the door jam will have the rear axle code if the metal diff plate is gone...

 

Well from what I understand, you are used to getting better milage out of this thing? If so, might be time to clean injectors, change fuel filter, basically a full tune up, that means everything but the plugs, but just to be on the safe side, personally, I would pull all the plugs and clean them, re-gap them. If you get all that done, look at your air cleaner, might be time for a new one. You see a slight improvement in milage if you use a cold air intake system. (3-5% is what I've noticed they claim up to 15% can be gained). Also seeing that you are american I am assuming 190,000miles. If that's the case I would start using High Milage Oil, I think it's a castrol product I can't remember at the moment. This should all help with your milage.

Hope this helps.

Morgan

 

 

The stuff you use in the tank is okay for between fuel system flushes, but I would suggest that you actually get a fuel injection service done on your truck, Chances are you've not done one before? As I've noticed that with the earlier fuel injection systems they like to gunk up and well yeah, milage will just disapear. But that's neither here nor there at this point. Also, look into your O2 sensor that might be on it's ending run. That's another common reason for milage eating the dirt. Also just for giggles you can always check out your MAF sensor. If you are getting a bad reading from that the truck will start to burn more fuel aswell.

Just because the vehichle is getting old doesn't mean that you need to have high expectations for it. my 1977 runs like a top. And milage hasn't changed much in years.

You can always run a code reader on your truck and that might show to faulty sensors and the likes.

Hope this helps.

Ohh and if you can find a nice shiny set of gears for a 1977 ford f150 I would appreciate it.

Morgan.

 

I responded back a while ago to a previous post regarding fuel economy in a passenger car.My suggestion to some might seem hookie, but in theory it does make sense. Replace the thermostat. A sticky or mistimed thermostat will not tell all the coolant sensors when the truck has reached operating temperatures, failing to send info to computer will continue to make it operate like it is in choke mode for cold starts. It is a cheap repair on your 4.9, and IMO something that probably should be done as regular maintenance anyway.