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what should my mpg 4 a 7.3 be?

12K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  doubleaughtdiesel 
#1 ·
Hey, I recently purchased a clean 2ooo f-250 7.3 powerstroke powered 2wd ext cab pickup with 50k miles. I bought it expecting mpgs to be around 16 to 20 , based on friends and co-workers who drive diesels. To my suprise I get 13 to 14 consecutivily around town and towing my 18 ft boat to the coast and back. I installed k&n cold air intake and a 4 in exaust system, no help in mpgs, tires are good , filters are fresh, IS THIS NORMAL OR IS THERE SOMTHING I NEED TO DO FOR BETTER MPGS? thanks much.
 
#2 ·
around town and towing that is about normal... actually pretty good. On the highway unloaded it should be around 20-21 with the intake and exhaust.
 
#3 ·
Oh and a LIGHT right foot.....
 
#4 ·
Mileage

I have a 99 f350drw, 7.3, 4.10axle, 2wd, auto trans. 10 mpg towing 12k plus, same with 8k behind it, oddly enough. Have k&n, hypertec at level 2, and afe 4 inch exhaust. Cruising unloaded at whatever speed, the truck only gets 13 mpg.The guy I bought it from said he got 17mpg on the highway with a small trailer. I don't see how. However, if I keep it under 2000 rpm towing (57-58mph), I can get 11 mpg consistently. I saw no change in mileage for anything I added, but EGT is down 100 degrees, and power is up noticeably when towing.
 
#5 ·
Seems a bit low to me. I get 16-17 consistently around town with mine. I pull a 24ft boat that weighs probobly 5000 pounds and I get 13-14 if I keep it at 60 or less.
 
#6 ·
Dont really know but your getting just about the same milage i was getting before i got my chip
 
#7 ·
According to the computer, which averages all driving conditions city and highway, the MPG with the Jucie/attitude on my 2000 Excursion I get 11-12 towing a 21 foot boat and unloaded I get about 16-17. I suspect that on a flat highway going 70 unloaded I might see over 20 but conditons would have to be perfect.

I have not manually tracked it yet I did clear the miles on the last fill up so I will do the math the next time I fill up.
 
#8 ·
I'm willing to bet that if you hand calculated your MPGs you would gain 1-3 mpg. The overhead lie-o-meter is just that...a BIG farse.
 
#9 ·
I fogot to post my MPGs.

I average 16-17 mpg with some pretty agressive driving. If I baby it, I can squeese out 20-ish. And that is at around 8000lbs!!!
 
#10 ·
i get great milage about 23-24 on the highway not towing cruising @68-70 mph 2000rpm

thatw ith my early 99 and the 6 speed manual superchips on performance tymar intake and 4" turbo back exhaust


mixed city and town driving i average 18-20 mpg

towing my24' enclosed car hauler im gettin 16-18 highway at 65mph
 
#11 ·
Wow, is that hand calculated? Those are probably the best loaded and unloaded numbers Ive seen.
 
#12 ·
i get like 17-19 mpg in town and like 22-25 on the highway depends how fast im going. i also drive like an old man.
 
#13 ·
Im getting 15-16 mixed driving, tire pressure can make a huge difference, i'm running BFG ATs 70 in the front 80 in rear, it rides a little rough till you load it down, that milage is without my programmer
 
#14 ·
Another thing do you have stock tires? If they are oversized that might explain some of your low mpg.
 
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