I have a 93 ford 1/2 ton w/5.0 4x4 and it only gets 10 mpg what can fix it?

Question

I have a 93 ford 1/2 T. 4x4 w/5.0 and it only gets 10 MPG What can I try to fix this problem

Answer 1

K&N filter = marketing hype. It won't improve squat. Put a clean paper element in there and call it good.

Acetone = B.S. Not proven to do squat. If it did they would put acetone in the gas in the first place.

"Free flowing" exhaust = great idea if all you want to do is make a lot of noise. If anything is ever restricted it is probably the cat converter.

10 mpg is NOT NORMAL or acceptable! My '94 5.0 a/t Ford 4x4 w/lockouts averages 17-18 and has achieved 20 under optimal conditions. It's NEVER gotten as bad as 10, even when hauling huge loads. Of course you cannot drive like the typical dolt and get mileage like that. Observe the speed limits and use the cruise control if you don't have a steady foot.

Tune it up, air up the tires, make sure the brakes aren't dragging and the alignment is good. Mine is ALL FACTORY- no stupid filters, intakes, exhausts, turbinators, magnets, additives, or other money-wasting B.S. :rolleyes:

For sure get it operating at peak efficiency. BUT as someone else said, the best thing you can do it park it and drive something more economical whenever that's possible.

P.S. Fill the dang thing up at the service station! It holds 36 gallons; 18 gal x 6.5 lb/gal = 117 lbs which hardly means squat on a truck this size. Wait until it's down lower than 1/4 tank then fill it up! Don't waste so much time and energy constantly fooling around at gas stations. Get it over with.

Answer 2

4x4s typically use more gas than 2wd models even if 4wd is un-used most of the time. And the 5.0 liter was replaced by the 4.6 due to the earlier engine's fuel consumption and emission profile. Suffice it to say that you won't get much better mileage with this truck, and as it gets older, the mpg will diminish even more and the emissions will increase.
Aside from that, keep your tires properly inflated and eliminate any unnecessary weight in the load bed which should help a little.

Answer 3

There are many things you can do to get better gas mileage. But I wouldn't consider it a problem for your vehicle. The F150 isn't built to be fuel efficient.

You don't mention how many miles the truck has, if the engine had been rebuilt, and what you are currently doing to save gas.

I'm going to assume the truck has more than 150K miles and the engine hasn't been rebuilt. Get another smaller more fuel efficient vehicle, or get you engine rebuilt!!!

If my assumptions are wrong, here are some things you can do.
First, don't fill your tank up when you get gas. Only fill it up half way. Carrying around less weight will get you better gas mileage.

Now, your engine requires clean air, clean fuel, and a good spark to get maximum gas mileage. So lets deal with each of them.

Change your air filter, and you PCV valve if you truck has one. I'd recommend going with a K&N filter. It's good for a million miles, and even dirty flows better than a brand new stock filter.

Next, change your fuel filter. Also, use an in-tank fuel injector or carborator cleaner. For the next 3 or 4 half fill ups, and also clean up the trottle body, etc to remove the tarnish. Use the in-tank cleaner after every oil change after that.

Get a tune up, replace the spark plugs, spark wires, ect. I'd also go with an iridium plug if it is available. If not Splitfires are good.

Now that you've made your engine burn fuel more efficiently, you'll need to reduce friction to take advantage of it. I'd move to synthetic fluids everywhere. Change the oil in the engine to a synthetic oil like Amsoil. Also take advantage of their filters and extended drain periods.

I'd also move to a synthetic transmission fluid for the transmission and the transfer case. Buy new will bearings and pack the bearings with synthetic grease. Change the rear differntial oil to a synthetic oil.

what I've suggested is going to cost a great deal of money, and you'll never earn it back with the fuel you'll save. My best suggestion to you is to do your research and buy a vehicle that better meets your needs.

Answer 4

Make sure do drive it in 2WD and you should get about 12 mpg. My 2000 Mercury has a 5.0 and that thing sucks gas, if I drive conservatively I get 16mpg. The only way I can think of to get a major mpg increase would to be start in the front of the car and work your way back adding performance inhancers( cold air intake, hi-flow exhuast, engine upgrades). Unfortunately the added effieciency will probably be negated by the added power.

Answer 5

K&N Air Filters will improve your mpg. My Brother add's Acetone to his gas and gets an extra 3mpg out of his truck. I know that sounds weird, But I have seen the results. Also just had the Cali smog test done and they tested his truck twice because emissions were so low they could bearly read them.

Note: Not sure how much he add's and this could be dangerous.

Answer 6

If you are operating it in 4WD (high or low) you would be lucky to get 10 MPG. If you are in 2HI, you should get 13 or 14 with an auto, and 15 or so with a manual.

Answer 7

The 4WD is a constant drag, wether it is in 4WD or not.
The best things that I can suggest is
1. K&N Air Filter
2. High flow exhaust
3. MSD ignition system (coil AND "box")

We put a generic high flow filter in my wifes car and it gained 9 miles a gallon.
I will soon put a K&N in my 1986 F350 diesel along with side pipes! (tax money...)

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and usually these when running good they would get around 12-14,,maybe 15 so yours is not far off,,you can tune it up real good and add a good K&N air filter to it,and that will help it a lot,,and change out the front hubs to reduce the drag on it,,but thats about it,,these things didnt get good mileage to start with,so thers not a lot you can do to make them get good mileage,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.,have a good x-mas.

Answer 9

well that big truck with that sorta big motor is gonna burn fuel . . we just sold a 1992 f350 crew 4x4 with a 454 because of the same problem . . .we're looking at replacing it with a truck with a diesel motor

Answer 10

That's pretty much typical. If it has the auto-Locking hubs you can replace them with lock-outs. This will help a small amount by reducing the drag in the front axle.