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I have a 2012 Super Crew 3.5 4X4 with 5,000 mi. Around town I am getting 14.8, but I sit idling for about 10-15 minutes at the end of a 12 mi stop and go run (I have to talk to my mommy every day, and the inside of the truck is the quietest place). On the Highway with the cruise set at 65, I get a solid 22 and soft 23 on occasion. I put a tonneau cover on the bed, though it is soft. I have been using only the cheap gas. The one time I used Premium, I only saw about a .2 MPG gain so I am not sure if it is worth it; though, I am thinking as Winter sets in I may upgrade the fuel a little bit and add a little something to control the moisture in the fuel.
 
For me it's been roughly 14mpg in town and about 19 on the highway cruising 70-75.
That's about exactly what I get. I can't complain though. That's still much better than our 6 cyl Jeep Cherokee and a MUCH better ride. Looks like the Ford is our road trip vehicle.
 
For those wondering if running higher grade gas is worth it, the best way is to calculate cost per mile. To do that, multiply the number of gallons purchased by the price of the grade you just burned. Then divide the total dollars by the miles run. That will yeild cost per mile and will show you if the additional mileage is worth the price.
 
Added a cap to the truck Saturday. Averaged 22 on the round trip of about 50 miles. Much better on the way home with the better aero. Will keep advised.
 
For me it's been roughly 14mpg in town and about 19 on the highway cruising 70-75.
I have a 2012 Race Red FX4 with 1500 miles on it and this is what I'm seeing so far. I'm planning on putting a cold air intake, cat back and Liverniose chip in it. I also added the hard folding cover on the bed which should help with fuel mileage.
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
22! Wow, thats awesome!

Added a cap to the truck Saturday. Averaged 22 on the round trip of about 50 miles. Much better on the way home with the better aero. Will keep advised.
 
Just got back from a 600 mile round trip to Ames and Cedar Rapids, IA. Averaged 19 overall. Rain and hard crosswind Friday night kept it down but a nice tail brought 23 between Ames and Cedar R this morning running a cruise controlled 60 on Rt. 30. The higher speed areas pulled it down to just under 20 running 75. Speed is definately a factor. Last leg in Illinois at 70 came in at 20.2. Just turned over 3100 miles on the way home.

BTW, that includes in town stuff and a couple of turbo turning banzai runs with my son... Don't tell dad...
 

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Hey All,
We went truck shopping yesterday and ended up coming close to purchasing a 2012 Ford 150 super crew short box with the 3.5 Eco boost. The gearing was upgraded to the 3.55. Any thoughts on this gear ratio...how does it affect towing and mileage? I will be doing less towing and more commuting and found the driver seat to be extremely comfortable which is important as I have a four hour commute (once a week). It is an XLT in Oxford White and we negotiated down to a price of approximately $34K after incentives...thoughts? recommendations?
Thanks...
 
Hey All,
We went truck shopping yesterday and ended up coming close to purchasing a 2012 Ford 150 super crew short box with the 3.5 Eco boost. The gearing was upgraded to the 3.55. Any thoughts on this gear ratio...how does it affect towing and mileage? I will be doing less towing and more commuting and found the driver seat to be extremely comfortable which is important as I have a four hour commute (once a week). It is an XLT in Oxford White and we negotiated down to a price of approximately $34K after incentives...thoughts? recommendations?
Thanks...
I have 2012 quad cab XLT 4X4, 6 1/2 box, with 3:55's. During the summer I pull my 25' fifth wheel camper. I think it does fine even through tough hills and such with the 3:55's. I was worried I should have got the 3:73's. The camper loaded is approx 7300-7500 lbs and I get 11.2 mpg pulling it at 65-70mph. I am VERY happy with my purchase. Empty I get about 14 town and 19 hwy at 75mph.
 

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Lets face it, we all got taken by the mileage ratings on the window stickers. Bottom line Ford totally over stated the mileage on these trucks! I agree that over 65 it drops on the Highway from about 19 down. I have never seen 20+ mpg. Tow anything and the best you will see is 14mpg.
 
They determine the EPA ratings using 100% gasoline in all these tests. In the real world, 100% gasoline is hard to find, but if you can find it and use it, you will get closer to the actual rating. In the real world, you mostly find gasoline with 10% ethanol in it, and that will decrease your actual mileage at least 5%.

Does anyone actually think they get the EPA test ratings on flex-fuel engines using E85, on any make vehicle? NO. If they did, the ratings would be about 60% of what they are now. They always use 100% gasoline. They shouldn't.
 
Hey All,
We went truck shopping yesterday and ended up coming close to purchasing a 2012 Ford 150 super crew short box with the 3.5 Eco boost. The gearing was upgraded to the 3.55. Any thoughts on this gear ratio...how does it affect towing and mileage? I will be doing less towing and more commuting and found the driver seat to be extremely comfortable which is important as I have a four hour commute (once a week). It is an XLT in Oxford White and we negotiated down to a price of approximately $34K after incentives...thoughts? recommendations?
Thanks...
I just bought an 2012 FX2 3.5eb oxford fully loaded with sunroof, nav, luxury, towing and trailer package, 3.55 locking differential for $33.5 + ttl without trade. It's a fun truck to drive. I did manage to get 16.5 mpg in the city that's conservative driving. It's hard to drive conservative because the acceleration is awesome. I love the quietness and power of this truck because I am all about the bite not the bark.
 

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I just bought a 2012 King Ranch 4x4 offroad w/towing & trailer pkg and 3.73 differential. It has 24,000 miles on it. The window sticker says city 15 mpg/ highway 21. I normally get 16.1 mpg in the city. Drove from Dallas to Gatlinburg, TN (no trailer/no load) and never got anywhere near 21 mpg, more like 19 mpg even at 65 mph. So in the city it's doing well but not so much on the highway.
 
I got a 2013 King Ranch 4X4 w/3.50 gears. After 4k miles I'm getting 16 mpg mixed driving but seems to be slowly increasing. Any way you look at it, a 365Hp 4X4 truck getting over 15 mpg in the city ain't too shabby.
 
In my opinion if you have to run super premium fuel to get any economy you just as well be driving a diesel. They offer more power and able to tow a 5th wheel. I am thinking I made a huge mistake getting rid of my Dodge Cummins 4x4 and going to this 2013 Eco Boost. It was insanely expensive and now no economy either.
Laramie Lyle
 
Here's something to try, guys, after all you have nothing to lose!

Driving like a granny does not contribute to good fuel mileage contrary to popular belief. Fuel economy is determined by covering the maximum distance on the least amount of fuel consumption. That requires vehicle speed and reduced throttle opening.

Several years ago I was employed by a major home delivery company that was very interested in reducing fuel cost. A training program was developed and we were all sent to the center to learn this method of driving. On first run we were sent out in a vehicle with fuel flow equipment and a vacuum gauge and told to drive the way we normally drove. Well, as you can guess, we all were determined to "show em" and drove the coarse as gingerly as possible. Then, we did a second lap following the instructions of the teacher to the letter. Well, guess what, we covered the course in significantly less time and used over 10% less fuel as well. I have taken this method to heart since then and found better fuel economy in anything I drive from my hot rod to F150!

Most of our trucks have the instant mileage indicator system. Set yours so you can use it while you drive. It is similar to a vacuum gauge in that the lower the green bar, the lower your mileage. It also indicates average fuel economy as well and is a fabulous indicator of granny driving costing you fuel economy!

Now, the secret formula. First, make sure your tires are up to pressure. I don't mind a little harder ride so mine get inflated to max pressure all year round. I get phenomenal tread wear (or lack of) and the rolling resistance is reduced as well.

When driving in congested areas, avoid the packs. Time the lights so you are rolling as much as possible. Idling while stopped yeilds 0mpg! If you do get stopped, when leaving use half to 3/4 throttle and get up to speed asap. Don't jack rabbit, roll into the throttle gently and roll out immediately upon reaching desired speed. Now, if there's traffic in front, they will determine many factors here but when you're in control, make it happen. You will see when you're the leader of the pack, the pack will be far behind you as you leave.

Step two. Maintain steady speed. I use my cruise control even in traffic and in city driving as much as possible. You'll see in the instant indicator how effective this is. Speeding/slowing, what I call rubber banding, kills fuel mileage!

Step last. Coast whenever possible. Gauge the lights. When coming up on a stop sign or stale green light, cancel the cruise and let it coast down to speed or until you need to brake to stop or for traffic in front. Coasting yeilds maximum fuel economy and brings the average up fast! When using cruise in a hilly region, your truck will do this automatically.

In conclusion:
1) Properly inflated tires
2) Get up to speed quickly but not like a drag race
3) Maintain steady speed and time the lights to reduce stopping
4) Coast whenever possible or needed.

Give this a shot, guys, and let me know how it works for you!​
 
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