A few questions.

[TheMeaningOfLife]

Id like to pick every ones brain for a quick moment if that would be okay. The mods i am almost sure work that i plan on doing are the electric fans on my 2001 F150 4.6, the bed cover, 50 psi tires and new oxygen sensors but there are a few i want to ask about.

1. I read all the time about how air intakes are suppose to raise your gas mileage, is this true or not.
2. I'm not a huge believer in fuel additives, but is there something out their i have been missing that really does work?
3. Would lowering the truck 4 inches really yield a noticeable increase? Enough of one to justify spending 400 on getting it done.
4. Would a 5-10 degree hotter thermostat help lean the mixtures out some.
5. Does lowering the tailgate really work?


Sorry for all the questions, i have never had access to a community such as this one before and i think you all would be the best to ask.

[ecomodded]

I hear claims of higher mpg just by sticking a cold air intake on the motor, makes no sense, its really a warm air intake.. as it sits in the engine bay.
All cars get cool air from outside the car.
Most from the grill area near the headlight. My car the air intake is down the side of the fender pointed at the road, a Bad spot as it sucks the hot air off the road. Gasoline engines are reported to benefit from a "cold air" intake, diesels not so much, but that doesn't stop anyone from doing it.
I would assess your vehicles air intake as it is now and see if it is getting its outside air from a acceptable place if so then just put a clean air filter in.
My take on fuel additives is if they are for cleaning your injectors, there is products out that that work. Some diesel additives work that condition the fuel injector pump and its seals, so does adding a little 2 stoke oil to the diesel.
Slick 5o and other Teflon additives ? doubt it, but most have viscosity stabilizers that will rejuvenate thinned out oil, and will burn slower in a worn motor.

As for synthetic oil , its true ! it works the best and last longer before significant viscosity break down occurs.
My diesel is factory filled with synthetic motor oil, with a 20,000 km oil change interval.

[mcrews]

cold Air intakes dont increase mpg.
(see threads)
Synthic oils help marginally but more importantly last longer.
Addatives are in good gas.

Ill let other chime in.

Need a monitoring device, like scangaugeII (see threads)

[mcrews]

oh and Welcome!!!!

[oil pan 4]

Ford increased their fuel economy by changing up the standard options on the powerstrokes in 2008 (I think it was) to yeald 10% better fuel economy.
All they did was change the standard rear end gear from 3.73 to 3.55 and they added a 4 inch chin spoiler.

Try an air dam or chin spoiler and finding a rear end with taller gears than whats in there now.
An aero truck bed cap would really help too. You could pick up another 10% just form that.

[bikin' Ed]

Originally Posted by TheMeaningOfLife

Id like to pick every ones brain for a quick moment if that would be okay. The mods i am almost sure work that i plan on doing are the electric fans on my 2001 F150 4.6, the bed cover, 50 psi tires and new oxygen sensors but there are a few i want to ask about.

1. I read all the time about how air intakes are suppose to raise your gas mileage, is this true or not.

Cold air intakes seemed to help my mileage slightly when I was still driving like hot rodder. If you use less right pedal, warm air intake will usually yeild better mpg.

2. I'm not a huge believer in fuel additives, but is there something out their i have been missing that really does work?

Fuel addatives are mostly for cleaning. If everything is carbon free, you won't see real differences.

3. Would lowering the truck 4 inches really yield a noticeable increase? Enough of one to justify spending 400 on getting it done.

$400 is 100 galons of gas, what's the payback on that? Try a chin spoiler of garden edging--closer to $4.00. It will give you almost the same effect.

4. Would a 5-10 degree hotter thermostat help lean the mixtures out some.
Perhaps it will help a little. A warm air induction system will help you burn less O2, thus less fuel.

5. Does lowering the tailgate really work?

Lowering the tailgate will hurt your MPG. A tonneau cover will help. A custom aero boat tail bed cover will help more...


Sorry for all the questions, i have never had access to a community such as this one before and i think you all would be the best to ask.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, but all of this info is on the site in other threads.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by bikin' Ed

Don't be afraid to ask questions, but all of this info is on the site in other threads.

Agreed.

NO disrespect intended, but it's usually good to try and find it on your own by searching, and then ask questions [to clarify, or to go into more detail]. Often I search and then realize I use one word, and everyone else phrases it just a bit differently.

Cold air intakes are arguable. On most websites and forums outside of here, they say yes. Usually by about 5% by not changing driving style. I can search and find some examples, but in researching CAIs for my car, my wifes truck, and for other vehicles she is interested in buying, people get it for performance and notice an increase in fuel economy. I mention that portion because often people get things for a FE purpose, and in turn they end up just driving better, so it is psychological.

I think when you buy a performance part, and use it to increase performance, but notice a FE increase, it is at least a LITTLE reliable. Keep in mind, who knows how it is calculated. I use miles multiplied by .027, add that to original mileage for the tank, and then divide it by gallons put in. Basic, but after hearing how my wife guesses using the gauge and putting in a gallon here or there, I do wonder how others calculate.

An individual noted an estimate of 6%, I believe, increase on a Focus with just a cone filter instead of the stock/base/flat filter. There was a lot of debate/tension on the testing measures, but in my personal view, I am sooner to believe in an increase in FE rather than how much [of an increase in FE]. Especially since vehicles are so diverse in so many ways.

The one I note remembering is a jump from 30 to 32. It was in that ball park, roughly 5%. Is it worth it? Maybe. Over time, the life of the car with other added benefits, such as performance availability, or sound, then I would say yes in MY situation. So you'll have to judge that for yourself.
2
No clue. I have some personal experience with cars that run premium, and people choosing to low octane fuel. Fuel economy, and performance dropped, and the engine pinged like crazy. All I know.
3
Does lowering it have any interest to you beyond FE? As the person said, it is 100 gallons of fuel. Will it save that over the life of the vehicle? I don't know if my Rocker panels/side skirts do anything FE, if they do it is minor. A LOT of changes have helped, it appears, and they look good.

It will definitely help. So if it looks good to you, why not?
4,5- I don't know. I like the aero caps, though. They look cool and seem to work. Imagine if one made their aero cap with solar panels, a battery, and say an air con for the cabin, or whatever you could use it for. But I have grand dreams of optimization.

Just my two cents, I am not the most knowledgable here. A lot of people prefer only solid data, and have very strict standards- which is smart and makes sense. I will take things that are not completely proven, to a point. Too good to be true? Than it probably is. But if it makes sense, can be true, and it seems to work, why not? I hope this thread helps you decide everything!

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

I hear claims of higher mpg just by sticking a cold air intake on the motor, makes no sense, its really a warm air intake.. as it sits in the engine bay.

YMMV, but a warm/hot air intake will increase mpg, at least on a Honda Insight. I get better mpg when the IAT is about 130 or so than when it's at 70-90. (Both with the engine coolant temp at 195.)

[Big Dave]

Item 3:
Yes. Lowering my truck (4" up front and 6" in back) gained me 1 MPG.

Item 5:
No. Counterproductive.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Item 3:
Yes. Lowering my truck (4" up front and 6" in back) gained me 1 MPG.

Item 5:
No. Counterproductive.

I mean no disrespect, but wouldn't that be worse? Having more air coming in the front, and less room to push it out seems like it wouldn't workout well. Compared to dropping six up front, and four in the back. I know it would make a negative pressure area, maybe increasing downforce, but seems like it would be more efficient.

Keep in mind I am NOT a professional, and just thinking about it.