Superior Fuel Economy
From the very start of Fuel Advantage magazine back in 2005, we’ve believed that fleets needed to take a closer look at what they can do to achieve better fuel economy with the resources they have on-hand. For instance, if you can’t afford to install APUs on your trucks, maybe you can start saving fuel by lowering your fleet speed limit, or teaching your drivers more fuel-efficient driving behaviors. The point is, you don’t always have to make a major investment or raically change the way you operate to realize new efficiencies.
That’s why I’m encouraged to see that Ford is now going to offer a “Superior Fuel Economy,” “or SFE,” version of its new 2009 F-150 pickup truck. According to the Detroit News, the F-150 SFE “incorporates low-rolling resistant tires, a six-speed transmission, rear axle improvements and other technology upgrades to reach 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway for the V-8 pickup.”
Of course it’s not a new idea (does anyone remember when Ford brought out special high-mileage “mpg” models of the Pinto, Maverick and Mustang II models in response to the 1973 Arab oil embargo?), but it’s a sign that the vehicle OEMs are now taking a kitchen sink approach to improving fuel economy: new, fuel-efficient models are still months or years away, so what can we do with what we’ve got now? I hope the new SFE F-150 is a sign of more good things to come.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
My first truck was a 45 model GMC. I got 14 or 15 miles to the gallon in town. My latest truck is a 2002 model. My new truck and the 1/2 dozen in between all averaged 14 or 15 in town. All but this last truck were in-line 6 cylinder engines with standard transmissions. An old International had either a 2 speed rear axle or box behind the transmission that gave me 8 gears. I could get over 25 mpg on the paved country roads. All of the others gave me 18 to 20. Are we really improving or just reusing old ideas?
October 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I recently purchased a 2007 Chev. Silverado, 2500 HD which came to me getting only 12 MPG. I work with fleet vehicles at the PD where I am Chief and noticed better fuel economy when adding a K&N high flow air filter package and upgraded oil. I put a quart of Duralube in with my oil change along with full synthetic oil and the K&N filter. I immediately jumped to 15 MPG. Not bad for a crew cab with an 8 foot box. Try it you will like it!
October 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I put a K&N filter in my 97 F-150 but didn’t really notice that much inprovement, but maybe if I switch to synthetic oil it might make a difference. I usually get 16-17 on the highway with a 4.2.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I am a founding partner of Raintree Transit Partners, and for those of you running diesels, let me share some testimonies. Recently one of our propane injection systems was put on an ‘03 Dodge 3/4 ton 4×4 with a Cummins. He was running bio-diesel and averaging around 22 MPG. After installing a retrofit and making some adjustments, he averaged over 37 PMG. One was put on a Duramax and took it to 28 MPG and still improving. I recently bought an ‘01 Excursion with a 7.3 IH Powerstroke. It was a one owner with 154,000 miles, and the previous owner stated that all miles, empty, loaded, city, highway, average was between 13 and 14 MPG. The first 5,000 miles I ran it I averaged about 16. I installed one of our retrofits, and I am averaging right at 20, and will get to 25MPG with some adjustments. That’s not bad for an empty weight of 7,500 pounds.
Anyone with questions can reach me at my e-mail: raintreetransit@copper.net.