New Guy
 

Hi, my name is Adam. I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I am a student at Chesapeake College, currently studying Mathematics. Hoping to transfer to the University of Maryland to study Physics and then recieve either a Master's or PhD in Nuclear Engineering. I drive a 2004 F150, my best MPG is 21.7MPG. I find "ecomodding" very interesting. I am looking into buying a more fuel efficient car when I start attending UMD, it is about a 95 mile round trip. I really like trying to increase my fuel economy and I think the commute will be a very good testing ground.

Welcome aboard. You're obviously already doing a few things right to get 21mpg out of that truck. Congrats.

A smaller, lighter, more efficient car always makes the most sense. There's so many inexpensive 30mpg cars that can be cajoled into 40+mpg with the right techniques, some relatively minor mods, and discipline. Personally, I think the only requirement is a manual transmission, 1996 or newer so you can plug in a Scangauge, and EPA highway numbers better than 30 and you're well on your way to a car that pays you back rather than takes from you every time you drive.

I thought it was pretty amazing myself since my truck has the larger 5.4L Triton, but it is 2wd so that helps.

Ahhh, no doubt 2wd helps, but it's still a heck of a big chunk of steel with the aerodynamics of a brick and a good sized engine to keep turning. Kudos all the same. I was flat out amazed to get just over 18mpg out of my truck, but it's a 4x4, has 150k miles on it, and doesn't get many easy miles on it since we bought it.