Beware Fuelly Data

[F150pony]

I'm an avid Fuelly user and have been for years. Real world MPG numbers are so important to me for considering a new vehicle.

I recently ordered a 3.0 powerstroke and was almost deterred by the MPG stats on fuelly. There are very few 3.0 powerstrokes reporting there and some that are report low MPGs. After digging in a little bit, however, it seems people are labeling their trucks wrong. Here's one that's reporting 18 MPG average. Not great for a diesel! But when one looks at the fill-ups more closely and sees they are regularly filling in around 30 gallons, it can't be a diesel because the diesel doesn't come with more than a 26 gallon tank!

There are more examples in 2018s and 2019s of the same thing. So, if you're like me and study this data before ordering, look closely at the details!

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[Blueshound]

Thanks. I have the 5.0 but have observed some suspicious data there as well. The hazards of crowdsourcing.

 

[Oxford_Powerboost]

You’ll also have towing numbers, but people won’t actually notate that they were towing…skews it quite a bit

 

[Merccat]

Looks interesting, I haven’t heard of it before but will give it a try.

Setting up a vehicle I did notice that its missing axel gear ratio which is another factor influencing mpg.

 

[Pedaldude]

I have a Fuelly profile set up and have noticed similar issues. I did note my axle ratio in the information about my truck in 'my garage' as well as bed length and that I am running at stock ride height.

It looks like I have the worst MPG so far amongst the V8 owners:

https://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150/2021/pedaldude/1059235

I do see plenty of Ecoboosts with worse averages but as mentioned, they look like they are having their averages dragged down by towing because they have better individual tanks than myself.

When you have a fill-up, there should be a check bo for towing next to the slider for city/highway.

Overall though, it's better than the BS contrived EPA numbers that the manufacturers have been able to game, I feel at the expense of real world MPG.

 

[Infotroll]

Data is too unreliable people don't hand calculate

 

[Donnelly713]

Thanks. I have the 5.0 but have observed some suspicious data there as well. The hazards of crowdsourcing.

4x4? What you been getting?

 

[mnstang]

Has anyone upgraded to the yearly plan on Fuelly? Just wondering if the $8/year is worth it or adds anything useful.

 

[F150pony]

Has anyone upgraded to the yearly plan on Fuelly? Just wondering if the $8/year is worth it or adds anything useful.

I just use the free version - don't know what paid version adds.

 

[Missmy3/4ton]

It looks like I have the worst MPG so far amongst the V8 owners:
https://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150/2021/pedaldude/1059235

It's that gear ratio. I have the 3.31, and I average 19-21 mixed 50/50 city highway with Top Tier (Costco) 87. 93 is an easy 3-5 more MPG on the highway; depending on speed. If your not already using 'Top Tier' fuel you need to switch. No exaggeration, it picked me up 4 MPG in my Hemi.

 

[Blueshound]

4x4? What you been getting?

18.95 mpg on 93 octane. 4x4 max tow crewcab 3.73, 5,100 miles, 50/50 city/hwy.
I use an app called Fuelio to keep track.

 

[Pedaldude]

Data is too unreliable people don't hand calculate

Fuelly does the calculation after you input gallons and miles. I input the miles to the tenth and the fuel to the hundredth.

My truck's computer isn't too far off, only 2.2% on the last tank, so I will keep it as is for now regarding the AFE bias.

It's that gear ratio. I have the 3.31, and I average 19-21 mixed 50/50 city highway with Top Tier (Costco) 87. 93 is an easy 3-5 more MPG on the highway; depending on speed. If your not already using 'Top Tier' fuel you need to switch. No exaggeration, it picked me up 4 MPG in my Hemi.

I can see the axle ratio impacting the highway mpg, not so much for 100% city driving where I am lucky to hit 50mph and 9th gear.

It's hard not to find a station around here that doesn't pay for the TOP TIER™ sticker. When I get around to putting some highway miles on the odometer, I plan on seeing if there's any change with octane.

 

[Missmy3/4ton]

I can see the axle ratio impacting the highway mpg, not so much for 100% city driving where I am lucky to hit 50mph and 9th gear.

It impacts everything. My truck is gutless on take off (compared to yours), but the engine has to work less to turn the drive shaft the same amount thus getting better MPG.

At 50 MPH, I'm generally in 10th at like ~1100 rpms. I'm pretty much at low of an RPM regardless of the speed under 50 because the truck just up-shifts a gear as needed.

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