Six Tips to Boost Your Ford F-150’s Gas Mileage
Six Tips to Boost Your Ford F-150’s Gas Mileage
No other vehicle in America is more popular than the Ford F-150. Drivers love this full-size pickup’s versatility. It can handle a big workload while still providing great everyday comfort. With gas prices on the rise in Raleigh, many local F-150 owners are looking for ways to save more money at the pump. Here’s how to boost your gas mileage.
1. Lower Your Highway Speed
Each day, thousands of vehicles can be seen flying down the highway. Unfortunately, speeding can kill your gas mileage. This is especially true for a heavier vehicle like the Ford F-150. The increased aerodynamic drag causes the engine to work harder, thus leading to greater fuel consumption.
If you want to maximize your F-150’s efficiency, develop a habit of driving in the slow lane. Try to keep your cruising speed under 70 mph at all times. By driving at a less hurried pace, you can increase the pickup’s fuel economy by more than 15%.
2. Rely Less on Your Air Conditioner
During the summer, the cool breeze from your truck’s air conditioner can feel good. The bad news is running the A/C tends to reduce fuel economy, especially when traveling in stop-and-go traffic and hauling a load.
If the weather isn’t too hot outside, let your windows down while driving around town. Don’t be surprised to notice an improvement in your overall gas mileage.
3. Avoid Driving Like a Drag Racer
When there’s a lot of horsepower under the hood, it’s difficult for some Ford F-150 owners to not stomp on the accelerator. Unsurprisingly, driving like a drag racer will cause your gas mileage to dip.
To get the best fuel economy, develop a habit of quickly glancing down at your truck’s tachometer. In most situations, you should avoid revving the engine past the 3,000-rpm mark when accelerating.
4. Avoid Oversized Mud Tires
Think twice before making certain modifications to your truck. Oversized mud tires have become extremely popular among many Ford F-150 owners.
However, bigger tires are heavier and have a higher rolling resistance. Don’t expect fuel economy to be as good. Sticking to a tire size that is closer to stock will save you the most money at the pump.
5. Get a Tune-Up
When it comes to getting the best gas mileage, it’s important to keep up with your truck’s scheduled maintenance. According to Ford service experts, bad spark plugs and worn ignition wires can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%.
Failing spark plugs make it difficult for the engine to maintain the proper air-fuel ratio. It’s only a matter of time before misfiring occurs. To be on the safe side, have your spark plugs professionally inspected every 30,000 miles.
6. Only Use Premium Fuel if Required
Some truck enthusiasts mistakenly believe that premium gasoline will enhance performance. Ford tunes the overwhelming majority of F-150 models to develop full power using regular unleaded gas.
Filling the tank with premium gasoline is a waste of money. Doing so could even result in worse fuel economy. Remember, your pickup’s recommended fuel type is clearly stated in the owner’s manual.
Despite the wide amount of versatility, they are prone to certain problems. Cosmetic defects, spark plug failure, defective alternators, and broken fuel pumps are among some of the most common issues we see with all Ford vehicles.
The good news is that these are relatively easy to fix given our plentiful experience with fixing Fords at Triangle Car Care.
We specialize in providing car repair for every type of Ford. We can work with older models as well as new models that other car repair companies in Raleigh may be unable to work with.
