Ford F150 Fuel Economy Challenge

[PaleMelanesian]

When you think of fuel-efficient vehicles, which ones do you picture? Compact cars? Hybrid vehicles? How about a large pickup truck?

Dave Hall - Consumer Guide Auto - April 28, 2011

Here we go! --Ed.

Yours truly is taking part in a cross-country fuel-economy driving challenge on May 2-3. Ford Motor Company, Eureka! camping-equipment company, and CleanMPG.com, a blog devoted to the fuel-saving driving style called hypermiling, are teaming to try to squeeze 30+ mpg from a 2011 Ford F-150.

Packed with automotive journalists, CleanMPG.com blog members, and enough supplies to last for approximately nine days, we’ll drive this truck from Los Angeles, CA, to Savannah, GA. All the while, the roster of rotating drivers will keep a light foot on the throttle to achieve the goal of 30+ mpg. I’ll join the participants in Albuquerque, NM, and spend some time behind the wheel until I fly home from Oklahoma City, OK.

The trip is masterminded by Wayne Gerdes, creator, owner, and moderator of CleanMPG.com. Why did Gerdes choose a truck? He says any other vehicles (including minivans and SUVs with capacity for as many as 8 passengers) would not be able to carry the people and vast amount of equipment required for this trip. ... [Read More]

[Tochatihu]

Hey what tire pressures are you runnin' in that thang?

DAS

[xcel]

Hi Doug:

If it were the 4x4 and its 80 psi max sidewall AT tires, we would be running at 80 psi! It is the 2x4 with 44 psi max sidewall Michelin's so a heck of a lot less

Wayne

[byoung]

Can you purchase the F-150 in this configuration...engine, gearing, wheels/tires or is this a unique configuration for the test?