- 1). Shed the weight. Simply put, you need to remove any unnecessary cargo and aftermarket accessories from your F-150. While it's nice to have a personalized truck, those oversized tires, the grill guard, roll bar, toolbox and lift kit are bogging your vehicle down and making it burn extra gas.
- 2). Raise your tailgate. While you may be inclined to think that a lowered tailgate will reduce the drag on your pickup, this isn't true. More than just keeping your cargo from sliding off onto the highway, your tailgate helps form a swirling mass of air behind the cab of your truck that actually decreases drag and improves fuel economy.
- 3). Make one trip and consolidate. You'll not only save wear and tear on your F-150, you'll save gas by planning ahead and running all of your errands at once. Map a route that takes you everywhere you need to go in the least amount of time and distance. Try to avoid city traffic and stoplights, as well as uneven terrain.
- 4). Take it easy on both the gas pedal and the brakes. Aggressive driving and speeding will ruin your F-150's fuel efficiency. When starting out, accelerate slowly. Also, when coming to a stop, slow down ahead of time rather than slamming on the brakes at the last minute. If you tend to have a lead foot, try using cruise control when on the highway, to maintain an even speed. Try not to exceed 60 mph.
- 5). Change your oil regularly and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Maintaining your Ford pickup is essential to achieving optimum fuel economy. The more smoothly your engine runs, the less gas it'll burn. When you change the oil, consider a quality synthetic, as it will help reduce friction and prevent wear. Also, check your air filter when the oil is changed, and replace the filter if it's dirty. Finally, remember to check your tires, as under-inflated tires cause your truck to work harder and wastes gas.
- 6). Turn your F-150 off when you have to wait. When you allow your truck to idle for more than a few minutes, you will waste more gas than if you simply turn the ignition off and start it again when you're ready to move.
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