3.5 EB Real World MPG

[Thor’s Stormboost]

Looks like those are 68 lbs. I can see where some of that mpg went.

they’re about 30something lbs heavier per tire than the stock, and my wheels are the same weight as the stock ones as well. So overall about 120lbs heavier than what stock was

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[Chili]

As I’m washing my truck, I noticed this:

no I didn’t hear anything hit them, I haven’t even gone near them except for now obviously (OCD on water spots). I’m guessing this is why my MPG could be tanking

I would say that could cause your truck to run hotter if you're towing. Is your truck an EcoBoost? I believe the intercooler is back there. Almost looks like they just need to be pushed into place.

My 3.5 with oem 18's and 3.31 gears is averaging 19-19.5 on a highway / city mix. I get around 23-24 all highway. My 2020 5.0 got 18 and my 2018 Silverado 5.3 got 17 with the same highway / city mix. The Silverado however could pull 25-26mpg on the highway, it just tanked bad when in the city.

My truck also recorded a 13.60 @100mph with a 5.3 second 0-60. Suffice to say I'm pretty happy and impressed with the EcoBoost. I run 88 octane E15.

 

[Thor’s Stormboost]

I would say that could cause your truck to run hotter if you're towing. Is your truck an EcoBoost? I believe the intercooler is back there. Almost looks like they just need to be pushed into place.

My 3.5 with oem 18's and 3.31 gears is averaging 19-19.5 on a highway / city mix. I get around 23-24 all highway. My 2020 5.0 got 18 and my 2018 Silverado 5.3 got 17 with the same highway / city mix. The Silverado however could pull 25-26mpg on the highway, it just tanked bad when in the city.

My truck also recorded a 13.60 @100mph with a 5.3 second 0-60. Suffice to say I'm pretty happy and impressed with the EcoBoost. I run 88 octane E15.

I did end up pulling/pushing them back in place. I still went to my local dealership to see other trucks on the lot and compare because I swore my ‘21 didn’t have them. I was mistaken! Seems to be running better now, I’m in the 16’s/17’s now, but got as low as 15 with the messed up shutter.

 

[Babbage]

Just drove on a long trip 800+ mile trip. Truck back seat and bed were full (under a t-cover), probably 700 pounds plus me. Reset Trip ODO at the start, 625 Miles, 21.0 MPG, (9 hours 10 min) 67.3 MPH AVERAGE. 36 Gal tank is great for long trips, I had to fill up once (at start was full). Truck is amazing! made some believers on the hills! Only saw 2 trucks nicer than mine -> New 6.7 Powerstroke Tremor, and a New F150 Shelby Edition!

 

[cb4017]

I'll add my 3.5 EB experience. You can see my mileage since new in the Fuelly link in my signature. That includes some off road use and regular hauling of my 3,500 lb R-Pod travel trailer.

Just did a 2,500 mile road trip through Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Average mileage was 21 mpg which included a fair amount of cruising at 80 mph or above.

Pretty darn good for a full size truck and almost equal to the 21 Ranger I had.

 

[Calson]

With the hotter summer temperatures my truck's mpg has dropped by more than 1 mpg. I don't worry about the fuel economy as such but try not to be stupid and drive faster than is required. I also have a plug-in hybrid small SUV that averages 99 mpg with its ICE and that is what is used for 90% of our trips. The truck is reserved for trips to a plant nursery or building materials store or taking our bikes to a trail head.

 

[2Lazy2P]

I just completed a 2650 mile R/T Seattle to Denver. Outbound @ 10 MPH above posted speed limits. Inbound @ posted speed limits. Return trip pulled car trailer @ 6000 lbs. Truck has tonneau cover. Mileage to Denver @ 17.8 MPG. Mileage back to Seattle was @ 15.4 MPG. Owing to the elevation gain I used 91 octane to refill the tank.

Overall I expected the return leg to have lower MPG. The mileage outbound was disappointing.

 

[rpold150]

Overall I expected the return leg to have lower MPG. The mileage outbound was disappointing.

I agree with you. I would have expected better outbound mileage. What were the actual speeds, and do you have any lift, level, or non-stock tires?

 

[2Lazy2P]

Stock tires. Bosch 5100’s up front added 2”. Stock rear. One piece tonneau cover.

Took 90>82>84>80>25 both directions. As I recall, maximum posted speed limits were:

WA 70 MPH
OR 75 MPH
ID 80 MPH
UT 80 MPH
CO 75 MPH

I did not keep a speed log but generally drove @ 5-10 MPH above posted limits, except when pulling the car hauler on the return

Several instances of reduced MPH owing to traffic volume or road construction. Dry road conditions.

 

[rpold150]

Stock tires. Bosch 5100’s up front added 2”. Stock rear. One piece tonneau cover.

Took 90>82>84>80>25 both directions. As I recall, maximum posted speed limits were:

WA 70 MPH
OR 75 MPH
ID 80 MPH
UT 80 MPH
CO 75 MPH

I did not keep a speed log but generally drove @ 5-10 MPH above posted limits, except when pulling the car hauler on the return

Several instances of reduced MPH owing to traffic volume or road construction. Dry road conditions.

Ok, then that's probably closer to what I would expect. I think most people see a significant mpg drop when doing 75/80+. I haven't put that many miles on mine yet, and no long trips.

 

[Yason84]

Ok, then that's probably closer to what I would expect. I think most people see a significant mpg drop when doing 75/80+. I haven't put that many miles on mine yet, and no long trips.

This is why I’m still on the fence between a 5.0 and 3.5 and trying to confirm if the 5.0 is more efficient at higher speeds than the 3.5, or not. There’s already proof it’s more *efficient* at towing than the 3.5 so I would assume the same when just cruising the highway at 75+ without a trailer. My 12th gen with the 3.5 is just a gas hog above 70 mph. I want to be able cruise 79-80 mph cross country with reasonable gas mileage. My Accord does that just fine on shorter trips and then some, but I’m not taking the whole family on a two-week, 3000 mile round trip in a mid-size sedan.

 

[wessermgm]

As an update on mine, the fuel economy on mine has averaged out after a year of ownership. With the 2" level and 285/65/20 KO2s it's averaging 16.6 mpg. As I said, I pretty rarely get stuck in traffic, so this is maybe better than one who has a rush hour commute. I do use remote start in the summers a lot to cool down the truck (Texas summer is real). That obviously negatively impacts it. I think in winter I do about 1 mpg better than summer. Road trip mileage seems to be better - 18-19ish depending on wind.

 

[Chili]

This is why I’m still on the fence between a 5.0 and 3.5 and trying to confirm if the 5.0 is more efficient at higher speeds than the 3.5, or not. There’s already proof it’s more *efficient* at towing than the 3.5 so I would assume the same when just cruising the highway at 75+ without a trailer. My 12th gen with the 3.5 is just a gas hog above 70 mph. I want to be able cruise 79-80 mph cross country with reasonable gas mileage. My Accord does that just fine on shorter trips and then some, but I’m not taking the whole family on a two-week, 3000 mile round trip in a mid-size sedan.

74/75 is when mine starts to get really thirst. I also have stock 32" tires and 3.31 gears. 3.55 gears while still on stock 32" (18's) should be able to go smidge faster and still stay out of boost.

 

[Yason84]

74/75 is when mine starts to get really thirst. I also have stock 32" tires and 3.31 gears. 3.55 gears while still on stock 32" (18's) should be able to go smidge faster and still stay out of boost.

Hmmmmm you got me rubbing my chin on that one!

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