I just got this on the road. 145,000 miles. Runs well, new O2 sensor. Plugs look ok. Brakes not dragging. Manual tranny.
Got 19 MPG on the first tank. 25% in town driving, 75% highway at 55 mph. Flat ground driving.
Is this normal?
Anything I should be checking on? MAF sensor cleaning?
I have an '87 w/ the automatic. Currently getting 16 mpg, about the same mix of driving as you describe. At peak, I used to get 21 mph+, highway only. Perhaps with exhaust leak repair (manifold to Y-pipes) and new O2 sensor (currently disconnected), my mileage will improve?
I dont know about autos but with my 5 sp 89 I got in the range of 18-22. One trip to moab I got 28 mpg (201 miles), but I have no idea how. I must have had the wind pushing me the whole way.
I was getting 18/22 with my '88 2.9 5spd. The 22 was combined 50/50 highway interstate mileage. That's 55/70 mph. In the dead of winter I would get 17 on the same commute which is 70 miles each way. The more hwy you drive, the better it'll get in all-round mileage.. Mine has 150K miles running 235/75-15s. Best I could get (all 55 mph) was 24 mpg.
It's not called luck. You're after one type of performance, I'm after everything else... Some of us also call it experience.. I've been in the position to not be able to drive because of the cost of starting the engine. I swore I'd never do that again. The one truck that I've always loved got sold because I couldn't afford to drive it from one coast to the other when I moved. That F100 would tow and haul anything at almost 7mpg premium.
