Hey everyone.

This question doesn't really pertain to me...I'm afraid I drive a 2011 F-150 5.0L gasser But I have a friend who recently attained a 1995 F-250 Powerstroke, He love's the truck so far...But his only complaint is that its not getting the kind of gas mileage he expected it to. On avarage he's getting between 10 and 13mpg. Is this normal for this era of Powerstroke? I've heard many claims that these older Powerstrokes are capable of 15 to 20mpg quite easily? Sounds to good to be true, but I on the other hand don't have to much experience with diesels.

The truck is by all accounts in near mint condition...It does have about 125,000 miles on it...But it was purchased new by his grandpa who recently handed it down to him. The truck is VERY nice for its age and it runs very good. It factory stock everything and very well maintaind. And my friend doesn't have a heavy foot either. So poor upkeep and a led foot a ruled out for causes of bad gas mileage. Is 10mpg normal for a 1995 Powerstroke? Or could there possibly be something wrong with it? A sensor or something gone out?

 

This is really a loaded question. I would say that is low, especially when you say he doesn't drive like a nut. Some guys on here claim 20-22, I personally have never seen that kind of mileage. The best I've had was 18 and I haven't seen that in a while. My average is more like 16-17. Tell him to do 6637 intake, 3" downpipe and to straight pipe the rest of the exhaust. Also my truck really likes full syn oil. I'm runnin the Rotella T. A few upgrades, provided there is nothing wrong with the truck, should help his mileage

 

What gears? 4.10 or 3.55's? Either way, that is low. Brakes, alignment, etc. should be checked. Fresh diff. fluids, synthetic is best, can't hurt. Any moisture from leaks in the valley on top of the motor? Clean fuel filter and screen in the fuel bowl clean? Stock he should be able to get 15 easy, maybe higher, depending on rear gears some and what speed he drives. Ideal to keep it under or at 2k for mileage. Mine runs right at 2k at 75 in od and makes 17 empty. If I drive 60 I can get 20, but my upgrades do help in mileage a little.

By the way, love the username! Would love some pics of whatever you have that motor in. PM me some if you've got them.

 

Come on Darin, everybody wants pics!

 

Before (or aside from) doing the mods, he has to find out what's wrong. Bone stock, we can get 20-22 in the regular cab truck almost any day. But indeed, a lot of unknowns:
* 3.55 or 4.10?
* Auto or 5-speed
* Stock or oversize tires? What kind of tread?
* How's the alignment? How does it run?
* Gotta ask - how is he calculating mileage? You see a lot of threads like this, where eventually you read the OP saying "I only get X miles on a tank...". You can't use "tank" as a unit of measure. You have to go by the gallons required to refill the tank, and be fairly consistent about filling the tank.

Oh duh, one other question - any chip/tuner in play?

 

Good point Todd, shouldn't just look out for myself, huh?!?!

 

With all the above mods it will be capable of getting better milage....as well as less milage.
I BELIEVE 90% of the milage depends on how it is driven. I drive like raped Obama so my milage stinks. If I drive like a church lady I can get VERY good milage.
Just my 2 dinar

EDIT: Tell your buddy to stop by and say hi. Just b/c we are ugly and smell, doesn't mean we bight!

 

Type of driving makes a big difference. 12 miles of city driving to one person could be a 100 stops and an hour, for me it might be 8 stops ranging from 50+mph for some to 25mph and takes 25 minutes. Depending on what state and terrain/elevation, even interstate driving can very. In Vermont it feels like we are always going up hill, where out west table top flat. Begining of the week I did 120 trip, 70-80 miles interstate at 65mph and 1800-1900 rpm and then local road mainly 40-50 mph and ended up in the 19 mpg range. I have seen 20+ but on longer 50 mph roads though.

 

My best mileage is about 16 MPG driving ligth, if not I also only get 11-12 loaded or empty and with my mods, mabye because I live about 1570 meters above sea level IDK. Previos owner claimed average 20 MPG, no mods and living in Texas.

 

When mine was 2wd dually with stock tires and 4.10 gears I got 15 in town and about 19 highway...

Now, single wheel 2wd with 285/75 tires and 3.55 gears i get about 16-17 in town and 20-21 highway.

That's with an intake, bigger downpipe, free flowing exhaust, and bigger injectors and chip

 

I get between 18-20 with only a 6637, 3" dp, straight pipe, and wicked wheel on turbo. 18 is when i really beat on it which is alot and 19-20 when i drive like a good sain person.

 

i get 15 or 16 around town and 20 to 21 highway with 3.55 gears, auto tranny, 6637, ts chip, straight pipe exhaust and stock down pipe running a 4" lift with 35"s

 

Ask your buddy to look out for fuel leaks. My fuel economy will vary wildly with commute style and driving style.

 

lol I wish I had some pic's of it. But its not actually my truck. I don't know how much you know about Monster Trucks...But the first Bigfoot Monster Truck is a late 1970's era Ford F-250 powered by a all aluminum supercharged methanol injected 640 Cubic Inch Alan Root Ford Hemi Engine. I've always been in love with that truck. Here's some pic's off the net of it.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Bigfo...w=1280&bih=815

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Bigfo...w=1280&bih=815

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bigfo...w=1280&bih=815



Anyway about gearing on my friends truck...We checked on his door frame today and it had 3.55 gears so something's for sure a little off for him to be getting 10mpg. I think the complete fluid flush is a great start. I'm going to mention it to him and see what he thinks about it. Full Synthetic does indeed work wonders.

 

Like said above, check in the valley of the motor for fuel leaks around the filter housing and fuel pump.

The best two mods to get good mileage are a intake (6637 from Riffraff) and 3" downpipe with gutted or removed cat. It lets the air flow a lot better and you can do both for less than $200.

Depending on how many miles are on it the injectors might need a rebuild also, does it smoke much?