F250 Mileage - Programmers/Chips?

[LMTC]

I will begin by confessing that I have the mechanical aptitude of a small pile of rocks. OK, I can read the index of a Chilton's manual, but I won't understand it. With that said, I am looking for some first hand experience, or direct knowledge from anyone as to ways to increase mileage on a 2002 F250 Superduty with a 5.4 gas engine (automatic, 3.73 LS differential if any of that matters). The truck travels empty at least as much as it pulls a trailer, and I would like to find a way to increase the 12mpg it gets now, even if it costs me in power. I have read about chips and programmers, and understand neither. I will soon be taking a 2,000 mile trip with this truck, so an increase of even 2 mpg will save me at least $100 on just this trip.

I would really appreciate any input or suggestions from those of you who are mechanically adept, especially if you are familiar with that vehicle. Thanks.

PS---when it does pull a trailer, the trailer has a tractor on it, so the question is tractor related......sort of.

 

[MrJimi]

Air up your tires, drive a little slower and take off less firm and a chip will take many thousands miles to pay for itself
just that should get your 2 MPG increase your after for no $$ spent

 

[Reg]

I will begin by confessing that I have the mechanical aptitude of a small pile of rocks. OK, I can read the index of a Chilton's manual, but I won't understand it. With that said, I am looking for some first hand experience, or direct knowledge from anyone as to ways to increase mileage on a 2002 F250 Superduty with a 5.4 gas engine (automatic, 3.73 LS differential if any of that matters). The truck travels empty at least as much as it pulls a trailer, and I would like to find a way to increase the 12mpg it gets now, even if it costs me in power. I have read about chips and programmers, and understand neither. I will soon be taking a 2,000 mile trip with this truck, so an increase of even 2 mpg will save me at least $100 on just this trip.

I would really appreciate any input or suggestions from those of you who are mechanically adept, especially if you are familiar with that vehicle. Thanks.

PS---when it does pull a trailer, the trailer has a tractor on it, so the question is tractor related......sort of.

It isn't just the chip & profile that will co$t you money.
If/when you "invoke" it there is a strong possibility that there will be a significant rise in exhaust gas temperature. To monitor this you need a pyrometer(expen$ive name for a high temperature thermometer).
For the mechanically inept (self description by yourself), add installation co$ts, possible loss of warranty, and/or the need to remove & replace this stuff if it ever goes into the shop.
Warranty expiration notwithstanding, a lot of shops won't even start diagnosing problems if a vehicle has a chip in it.

So it all adds up - get a lighter boot, air up the tires, etc as already suggested.
You will see a bigger percent increase in your mileage than you will see increase in your journey time.
If you LIKE driving it might be worth making the journey last a little longer anyway.

 

[Egon]

Trade it in for a 12 valve Dodge Cumins.

 

[jdbower]

If you drive your cars a long time I'd look into a second small car so you don't use your truck as a sedan. You can spend a ton of money on snake oil to get you better mileage, but using the right vehicle for the job will save a lot more in the long run. Over 100k miles at a 50% "need a truck" duty cycle you'd be spending nearly $15,000 just for gas (assuming it stays around $3.50 a gallon, my guess is it may be a tad higher in 5 years or so...) for your truck when a small car would do. Add to that the extra longevity you get because you'd only be using your truck half the amount so it should last nearly twice as long and it starts to make a lot of economic sense.

 

[Soundguy]

I have an 04 f250SD w/ 6.0 diesel. i get 14mpg.. I had a superchips for it.. in economy I got 14mpg.. in trailer or power mode, I got less.

I went back to factory standard programming and now just use the tool as a ecm scanner...

soundguy

I will begin by confessing that I have the mechanical aptitude of a small pile of rocks. OK, I can read the index of a Chilton's manual, but I won't understand it. With that said, I am looking for some first hand experience, or direct knowledge from anyone as to ways to increase mileage on a 2002 F250 Superduty with a 5.4 gas engine (automatic, 3.73 LS differential if any of that matters). The truck travels empty at least as much as it pulls a trailer, and I would like to find a way to increase the 12mpg it gets now, even if it costs me in power. I have read about chips and programmers, and understand neither. I will soon be taking a 2,000 mile trip with this truck, so an increase of even 2 mpg will save me at least $100 on just this trip.

I would really appreciate any input or suggestions from those of you who are mechanically adept, especially if you are familiar with that vehicle. Thanks.

PS---when it does pull a trailer, the trailer has a tractor on it, so the question is tractor related......sort of.

 

[coffeeman]

Does it help to take the tail gate off and replace with one of those gates with holes in it?

 

[mjncad]

If you drive your cars a long time I'd look into a second small car so you don't use your truck as a sedan. You can spend a ton of money on snake oil to get you better mileage, but using the right vehicle for the job will save a lot more in the long run. Over 100k miles at a 50% "need a truck" duty cycle you'd be spending nearly $15,000 just for gas (assuming it stays around $3.50 a gallon, my guess is it may be a tad higher in 5 years or so...) for your truck when a small car would do. Add to that the extra longevity you get because you'd only be using your truck half the amount so it should last nearly twice as long and it starts to make a lot of economic sense.

I get 13.5 MPG out of my V-10, and I've done what JDbower suggests...use the truck as a truck and a car for daily driving. That's why my 1999 F-250 has less about 31k on the odometer. It leads a sheltered life.

 

[mjncad]

Does it help to take the tail gate off and replace with one of those gates with holes in it?

The Mythbusters proved that tailgate down makes gas mileage worse than tailgate up; so I'm just guessing that a tailgate with holes in it would be similar to having the tailgate down.

 

[Eagleview]

Cheapest way is too get a good quality free flow exhaust installed . Single 3" with free flow cats would be a good choice . Go to a performance exhaust shop and ask or give it a Google .