Getting the best MPG out of your Ford truck is a no brainer of an idea, everybody wants it and there’s plenty of information out there on how to get it done. Some of it good, some of it, well, not so much.
Sometimes we hear our customers tell us that their actual MPG don’t match up with what’s on the window sticker. We’re not going to tell you anything that’s not the truth, and the truth is your truck’s MPG rating is based on verifiable testing designed around average driving conditions. From these test results, the sticker lists the EPA estimated MPG.
Here’s the bottom line, depending on where you fall in the range of what’s called average, your mileage may vary.
Let’s take a quick look at why your mileage may vary from what’s on the window sticker.
Some Physics
Like the muscles in your body, your engine requires fuel to move it along. And just like your body, things like terrain, wind resistance, how much you’re carrying, and if you’re walking or running make a difference in how fuel is used.
Running into the wind, uphill, barefoot, and carrying a 50lb pack, you’ll work a heck of a lot harder than if you’re walking down the other side with the same stuff. Your truck isn’t any different. The engine is designed to produce the power you need under all kinds of conditions. But here’s the thing, just like when you chug up a hill on foot, how you prepare can make a ton of difference.
How MPG is Rated
The rating that’s on the window sticker is typically found in a lab with a procedure something like this, the truck is put on a machine called a dynamometer and a test driver runs it through the paces.
The dyno can be dialed in to simulate wind resistance, grade, and hosts of other conditions that factor into MPG. But because there’s really no way to tell exactly how you’ll be driving, the dialing in is not going to be exactly how you drive, so the MPG you get won’t be exactly what they get in the lab.
There are other things that engineers look at to consider making cars and trucks more fuel efficient. Take a look at this incredibly informative Ford lab aerodynamic video. Here you’ll see the facts behind the debate on leaving your tail-gate down or up affects MPG.
FYI, the wind tunnel facts show that unloaded, your truck’s body is already optimized to give you the best advantage headed into the wind. Tail gate up or down makes no difference.
Why your Actual MPG Doesn’t Match Sticker
Your actual mileage will vary from sticker for many reasons: how many hills you go up and down, how heavy your foot is on the accelerator, how well you keep your truck maintained, how often you haul heavy loads, and if you’re towing or not all go into your actual MPG number.
It’s safe to say that your MPG will fall somewhere close, if not within the range listed on the sticker. But you shouldn’t be surprised if you see your mileage is a bit lower, or maybe even somewhat higher in certain situations.
Having said that, there are some things you can do that will help get the most from every ounce of fuel you put into the tank.
Simple Stuff to Help your Truck’s MPG
Keep the Load in the Bed
You can see in the aerodynamic video that the slip stream across the bed flows just over the tail-gate in normal conditions. Anytime you put a load in the bed that affects this slip stream you’re affecting the aerodynamics. We know it’s not always practical to keep a load below the body line of the box, but if you can, you’ll be affecting wind resistance less.
Keep your Tires Inflated
Poorly inflated tires rob your truck of efficiency in a hurry, and the simple truth is you can take care of this easily. Always maintain the rated tire pressure in each of your tires and you’ll be doing your fuel budget a huge favor.
Keep your Truck Maintained
Along with keeping your tires properly inflated, keeping your truck up to speed with regular maintenance is key to fuel economy. Clean air and oil filters, good fluid levels, and general healthy maintenance of your running gear make crucially important differences in your vehicle performance.
Go Easy on the Gas Pedal
Lastly, be smart in how you power on your engine. If you’re always jamming down the throttle to get away from the light or ahead of traffic then you’re working the engine harder than you need to. Ease off the accelerator and watch your MPG numbers improve.
Let Ford Lincoln of Franklin Help you get the Most MPG from your Truck
Remember, part of keeping your MPG numbers up is keeping good maintenance. Here at Ford Lincoln of Franklin we can help. Our certified maintenance team is up to the job of keeping your truck running at its best for optimum efficiency.
Come on in and see us at 1129 Murfreesboro Road here in Franklin to find out more, or give us a call right now at 615-800-6500 to set up a service for your truck. It will save you money in the long run.
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