Gas Mileage Ford 6.4 Liter Diesel

[roadking2005]

I have heard that this is a good engine other than poor fuel mileage. I am interested in what kind of mileage this engine achieves mainly while towing as this is the primary use of a the diesel pick up I own. I would be towing approx. 11 - 12,000lbs.

[Carl n Susan]

There are many variables which affect mileage on these beasts. So depending on how YOU drive, speed, terrain, wind, and load, the results differ. Additionally I have found the computer MPG to be about 1 MPG more optimistic than hand calculation (over 50K miles now and every gallon of fuel accounted for - how anal am I?).

That all said, I get around 10 MPG towing my 12K max GVW 2955. Some days are less, other days are more but normally the range isn't more than 1 MPG.

[PowellsMonty]

I live in the mountains of Western NC, so without trailer, around town, 11mpg. Highway, on flat land, 18 @ 65mph, not towing.

[pineranch]

I have 15k on my 6.4 and while towing my loaded 13k monty I get 9.5 + or - .5 mpg. The mountains of Pa, WV, Va and NC dropped it to 8.5 mpg.
Mike

[CamillaMichael]

Our combination highway/around town numbers are around 15 mpg; highway (not towing), as much as 24 mpg; and when towing, we get 10 mpg.

[Art-n-Marge]

When posting your mileage, I think you need to state the differential ratio and whether you have DRW or not. These can make a difference - the higher the ratio the lower the mpgs (i.e. 3.73 vs 4.10) and DRW trucks are heavier therefore can lower the mpgs, too.

My BIL had an F250 7.3 SRW and recently bought an F450 6.4 DRW with a higher diff, and his fuel numbers sunk, but the truck is so much more powerful which is what he was after. Now he's ready for that larger trailer as soon as he finishes paying for his son's school.

[Lee F.]

I have a 3.73 in mine and average about 9.5 towing.

[8e3k0]

We are running a dually F-350 with 3:73 gears plus we removed the DPf and installed the Spartan tuner with the 210 additional horsepower tune. Getting 11 to 13 measured pulling 12,000 to 25,000 trailers. Empty we attain an average of 19 to 20 at 70 mph measured.
Originally, could not stand the truck with original emissions, burning excessive fuel in regens, plus poor shifting patterns when pulling heavy loads.
We love our truck that way we have it tuned now!!

[Johnnyg]

2008 F350 with 3:54 diff. I average around 8.5 towing.

[stiles watson]

Mileage is the only thing I am unhappy about with my 2008 F350 King Ranch. It is a dually 4X4 with a 4.33 rear end sometimes I get 14 MPG when not towing. My towing range is between 8.5 and 10.5 depending on multiple factors. I tow at about 58 MPH. That seems to be the sweet spot for best mileage.

[Bruce Lenhardt]

I tow my 3075 with our 2008 SRW with 3.73 gears and get from 10 to 11 towing and 17-18 not towing on level roads.

[mlh]

I'm with 8e3k0 on this one. This is a much better truck in every way wihhout the DPF. Better fuel mileage, more responsive, much better power. I think the engine is likley to last longer, on average, with a Sparten tuner than it would if it were stock.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

There are so many variables it is hard to relate.. We have the 4:10 diff. The truck weighs in at 9K ready for towing and we are @ 22K + GVW. we are turning 36K miles most of it with the 3400 attached.
Solo we can do 15 to 18 mpg depending on conditions and keeping the speed around 60/65 . Pulling the 3400 anchor anywhere from 9 to 11.5mpg. We can most always count on 10/10.5 at the end of the average day with the speed at 60/62 mph. I do not consider that bad MPG for the weight the motor pulls. The truck is completly stock and we have not had a single problem. We purchased the ESP plan so the truck will remain stock. It does everything we need it to do with plenty to spare.

[washley1]

My 08 F350 King Ranch is a DRW, 4x4 crew cab, with a 430 rear end. Pulling about 16K around flat Florida at 65 I get about 11. At 70 I got about 8, so I am now going slow! Without the trailer, I can get around 15 to 18, at 55.

[richfaa]

Walt.. your truck has got to weigh about the same as mine @ 9K ready to tow. With that 16K big Sky in tow you are at @ 25K or more well within the 4:30 Diff spec's. You milage pulling in Florida is about the same as mine as Florida does not have many hills. We averaged 11.5 on the Florida TPK on our way down. I do not see that as bad mpg and do not understand what some folks expect out of these heavy trucks pulling a heavy load.

[washley1]

Rich,
I hear you load and clear. I am EXCITED to be getting 11, now that I've learned to slow down. I knew when we bought the rig it was going to be low MPG's, and that was when diesel was $4.50 a gallon, but it is what we wanted and we went in eyes open. Just turned 30K, have not done the ESP yet. Still deliberating. Bought it once on a high top van conversion, and it DID pay off when we had axle trouble. Got to decide soon.

[mlh]

Walt
If you get a ESP, there are a few things that are not covered. If you get dirty fuel or water in your fuel it will more than likely wipe out your high pressure fuel pump take out all of your injectors to the tune of about $8000, and will not be covered. This is one of the more common problems with these trucks.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

Routine maint is not covered as with the original warranty. We will be at the Ford dealer later today and I will as the question mlh posed. Also depends on which level of ESP you got????

[richfaa]

I did ask that exact question of the warranty person...


Components Not Covered by Ford ESP PremiumCare Mechanical:
Service adjustments/cleaning; battery/cables, batteries of all types, belts, hoses, Brakes (front hub, drums, shoes, lining, disc rotors and pads); coolant; exhaust system (including catalytic converter); lights (bulbs, sealed beam and lenses); filters, fluids, lubricants, compressed natural gas/liquid propane fuel system components, manual clutch disc, shock absorbers, spark plugs/wires; squeaks and rattles, tires, tune-ups, wheel balancing, wheel alignment, wheel studs, wiper blades.
Exterior
Service adjustments (glass and body parts); bright metal, bumpers, door handles, glass, moldings, ornamentation, structural underbody framework, paint, rust, sheet metal; sideview mirrors (glass, housing); water leaks, weatherstrip, wheel wheel studs, covers/ornaments; wind noise, convertible top, fabric, liners, zippers and fastners.
Interior
Buttons, carpet, dash pad, door and window handles, knobs; rearview mirror (glass, housing); trim, upholstery.

Also stated that "Modification" to the motor (chip)(DPF) removal Could void the warranty in any case. that is why mine remains stock.

In the case described say I put 30 gal of fuel in at Flying J and 50 miles down the road my truck quit. Have the truck taken to the nearest Ford Dealer. If you suspect bad fuel you have the receipt. Advise Ford you suspect bad fuel..

The premium Ford ESP plan would/should normally cover the issue described...

[gypsies2]

Real Numbers. We have a 2010 F-350, dually, 373 rear, 45 gal Aux. fuel tank. Fully loaded for travel including full fuel load, our total weight, truck and 2011 2955 weigh 21750 lbs. Left and right sides axle weight of the 2955 are within 160 lbs of each other. We travelled across Canada, up central British Columbia to the Yukon, then over to Yellowknife in the North West Territories, then back to the east coast. We covered 25,600 km (15907.1 miles). We drove over every type of terrain there is. Headwinds are the biggest fuel eaters. Our mileage was an low of 8.9 mpg (headwinds) to a high of 14 MPG. Our overall average for the total trip was 11.6 mpg, calculated using the numbers, not the on board computer. We drive at 55-60 mph, which seems to be the "sweet spot". At home, empty, we average 24.8 highway & town combined. (Very little around town.) Don't drive much over 60 mph empty. Milage goes down very quick above that speed.