Tips and Tricks to Better Fuel Economy

[Rodslinger]

Hey everyone! With fuel prices as high as they currently are and no relief in sight, lets start a thread where people can post ideas or methods they use to improve fuel economy.
As for ME about the only thing other than leaving my Predator in the 65 tune for better mileage is keeping my foot out of it. When I'm honestly TRYING to save fuel, I'll keep my cruise on the exact speed limit, ease into the throttle to gradually get to speed - also like a lot of the big rigs do, I'll ease up to lights to try and keep my momentum going so I'm still rolling when it turns green and not leaving from a dead stop. All this SEEMS to help I guess.
What about Y'all?

[jwiger]

You got all the good points there Rod. Another thing is about 45 or so is't more fuel efficient to have your windows down instead of using the AC. 50ish and over roll the windows up and make the truck as smooth as possible, then turn the AC on.

I suppose getting all you can out of the fuel would be good too. so going to a freeer-flowing intake and exhaust might help. but then you have to look at the purchase price for those things. and compare that to how much you will save.

[cebulmer1]

thats what i do ...i dont care if the speed limit is 70 ill still run just under 2grand in rpms....im getting 17 miles to the gallon at that speed in an f250 4door 4x4 7.3psd...

[Rodslinger]

Welcome to PowerStroke cebulmer1!
Anyone know if those bed covers help at all?

[erlong]

I picked up a 0.4 MPG increase just by airing up my tires to 70 psi (used to run at 50-55 psi). I have Rancho adjustable shocks, so I dialed them down a bit to compensate for the increased tire pressure.

[powerstrokekiller]

Originally Posted by erlong

I picked up a 0.4 MPG increase just by airing up my tires to 70 psi (used to run at 50-55 psi). I have Rancho adjustable shocks, so I dialed them down a bit to compensate for the increased tire pressure.

Nice it shows that the oem has those pressures for a reason.

[purduefarmboy460]

What I want to know is, does driving down the highway with your tailgate down make a difference? I think the biggest factor for alot of us is resisting the urge to smoke that lil honda off the line and down the stretch...

[jwiger]

Originally Posted by powerstrokekiller

Nice it shows that the oem has those pressures for a reason.

That presure is intended for max GVW and will wear the center of your tread early. if you feel That getting half your milage out of your tires is cost effective, then go for it.

Originally Posted by purduefarmboy460

What I want to know is, does driving down the highway with your tailgate down make a difference? I think the biggest factor for alot of us is resisting the urge to smoke that lil honda off the line and down the stretch...

in most cases later model trucks are designed to be aerodynamic with the tail gate up. It sort of creates a high pressure "wedge" behind the truck, and works kinda like the bobbed tail on Corvettes and the Ford GT.

[Ramsmoker]

I just aired up the tires and I can feel the difference in how easy it rolls. I'm with the farmboy. I can't keep my foot out of it. I also have a Excursion, airodynamics are no part of it. Mine just sprung a oil leak at the turbo base. It will be a few days before I start my new fuel test. I have a converter over ride switch and can lock up at any speed and any gear. we'll see now if driving on the torque peak makes a difference.

[purduefarmboy460]

Originally Posted by Kiarasue

I just aired up the tires and I can feel the difference in how easy it rolls. I'm with the farmboy. I can't keep my foot out of it. I also have a Excursion, airodynamics are no part of it. Mine just sprung a oil leak at the turbo base. It will be a few days before I start my new fuel test. I have a converter over ride switch and can lock up at any speed and any gear. we'll see now if driving on the torque peak makes a difference.

Would you give us a little bit more info about the converter lockup switch? I have been wanting something like that, but haven't looked into it yet. Price, where to buy or did you make it?