How many miles per gallon does a 1999 Ford f450 get?

Diesel versions of the 1999 Ford F-450 typically record about 14–18 miles per gallon combined, while the gasoline 6.8L V10 option usually falls in the 9–12 mpg range. Actual figures vary widely with payload, towing, terrain and driving style.

Engine options and fuel economy

Engine choice drives the variance you’ll see at the pump. Here’s how the main powertrains performed in real-world use during the era.

7.3L Power Stroke diesel

The 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel was the workhorse for the F-450 in many configurations. It offered strong efficiency for a heavy-duty truck, particularly on highways with light payloads. Real-world mileage typically falls in the mid-teens to upper-teens for combined driving, and higher on long highway stretches. When towing or carrying heavy loads, expect a drop into the low-teens or even high-teens mpg range depending on speed and weight. In practice, drivers towing or hauling payloads saw mileage closer to the low to mid-teens, while highway cruising without significant load could push toward the upper teens.

6.8L V10 gasoline

The optional gasoline-powered 6.8-liter V10 delivered adequate power but lower efficiency compared with the diesel. Expect lower mpg across the board: roughly 9–12 mpg combined in typical mixed driving, with highway figures closer to 12–15 mpg under light load and decreasing with heavier payload or towing. City driving often dips toward the lower end of that range.

Typical real-world ranges

Below are commonly reported ranges by engine and drivetrain. These reflect real-world driving reported by owners in the late 1990s and early 2000s and are intended as approximate guidance rather than official ratings.

• Diesel 7.3L Power Stroke, 2WD: roughly 15–19 mpg highway; 14–17 mpg combined under typical non-tow conditions.


• Diesel 7.3L Power Stroke, 4x4: roughly 13–17 mpg highway; 12–16 mpg combined, with some drop when towing.


• Gasoline 6.8L V10, 2WD: roughly 12–15 mpg highway; 9–12 mpg combined in mixed use.


• Gasoline 6.8L V10, 4x4: roughly 10–13 mpg highway; 9–12 mpg combined, typically lower with payload or towing.

Note that payload, towing, hill terrain, wind resistance, engine tune, and maintenance status can all swing these numbers by several miles per gallon in either direction. Real-world results depend on how the truck is used, not just the engine designation.

What affects fuel economy on a 1999 F-450

Several factors influence mpg in heavy-duty trucks of this era. Being mindful of these can help set expectations and improve efficiency where possible.

• Payload and towing: Carrying heavy loads increases drag and engine load, reducing mpg.


• Terrain and driving style: Hills, stop-and-go driving, and aggressive acceleration lower mpg.


• Transmission and gearing: Heavier duty gear sets and automatic transmissions can impact efficiency.


• Maintenance: Regular maintenance (air filters, fuel system, oxygen sensors) helps sustain efficiency.


• Drivetrain: 4x4 generally consumes more fuel than 2WD in non-tow conditions.

In the end, owners often judge economy by how the truck performed in the field rather than by clean-census numbers, because use-case shapes outcomes so much more than configuration alone.

Summary

For a 1999 Ford F-450, fuel economy hinges on engine choice and how the truck is used. Expect roughly 14–18 mpg combined with the 7.3L diesel in typical non-tow driving, and about 9–12 mpg combined with the 6.8L V10 gasoline. Real-world numbers vary with payload, towing, and terrain. The diesel generally delivers better economy than the gasoline option, especially on highway runs without heavy payload.

What are the common problems with the F450?

Most Common Problems
Brakes are the biggest problem for 2022 Ford F-450 owners. Most of the initial complaints filed with the NHTSA are about dangerous trailer brake functionality problems. A recall has been initiated to try and resolve the problem but consumers are finding that the suggested fix doesn't work.

What is the gas mileage on a 99 7.3 Powerstroke?

A 1999 7.3 Powerstroke typically gets 13–15 mpg in city driving and 16–18 mpg on the highway, though results vary widely based on factors like modifications, driving style, and gear ratio. Unloaded highway cruising at speeds around 60-65 mph will yield the best results, while stop-and-go city driving will result in lower mileage. 
Factors influencing MPG

• Driving speed: High speeds significantly decrease fuel efficiency. Keeping speeds around 55-65 mph is key for better mileage. 
• Gears: The differential gear ratio has a large impact on performance and efficiency. Trucks with 3.73 gears often get better highway mileage than those with higher ratios, like 4.10s. 
• Driving conditions: City driving with frequent stops and starts will result in lower mileage compared to consistent highway driving. 
• Towing: Towing a trailer will decrease fuel economy. Some owners report getting around 14 mpg while towing, while others report higher or lower numbers depending on the load and conditions. 
• Modifications: Aftermarket modifications such as cold air intakes, tuners, and exhaust systems can affect fuel economy, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. 
• Maintenance: A well-maintained engine with properly functioning brakes, for example, will perform more efficiently. 

How many miles per gallon does a Ford f450 get?

The Ford F-450's MPG varies significantly based on driving conditions, but generally ranges from around 19 MPG when empty to as low as 7-9 MPG when towing heavy loads. Factors like speed, wind, and load weight greatly influence fuel efficiency, with highway speeds often leading to lower MPG, while careful driving can sometimes result in higher numbers. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the F-450's fuel efficiency when towing a fifth wheel: 42sMK exp.YouTube · Mar 31, 2022
MPG breakdown by driving condition

• Empty/Unloaded: Expect to get around 19 MPG on the highway under ideal conditions. 
• Towing/Hauling: Mileage can drop significantly, sometimes to 7-9 MPG when towing a heavy load like a fifth wheel or construction equipment. 
• Highway vs. City:
  • Highway: Under optimal conditions, highway driving can yield around 19 MPG when empty, but this can decrease to 16.4 MPG or lower during aggressive acceleration or higher speeds (75-80 mph). 
  • City: The F-450's MPG in city driving is generally lower than highway, especially when loaded or stop-and-go traffic is involved. 

Factors that influence MPG

• Speed: Higher speeds, particularly above 65-70 mph, will decrease fuel efficiency. 
• Weight: Towing a heavy load dramatically lowers MPG. 
• Gearing and Tires: Different axle ratios and larger tires can impact fuel economy. 
• Wind: Headwinds and wind drag can have a significant effect on mileage. 

This video shows a performance test of the Ford F-450 and discusses its MPG with different loads: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · May 21, 2024

What kind of fuel mileage does a 7.3 diesel get?

A 7.3L diesel engine's MPG varies significantly, but generally ranges from 10-17 MPG when unloaded, with highway driving yielding higher numbers (around 16-18 MPG) and city driving around 14 MPG. Towing a trailer will lower this figure, often to 10-13 MPG, depending on the load. Factors like driving style, gear ratio, tire size, and modifications can impact fuel economy. 
Unloaded and light towing

• Average: 14-16 MPG
• Highway: 16-18 MPG, with some drivers reporting 19-22 MPG under ideal, steady conditions
• City/Aggressive driving: 10-15 MPG 

Towing and heavy loads

• Average: 10-13 MPG, depending on trailer weight 
• Factors that lower MPG: Towing a heavy or large trailer will result in lower mileage 

Factors that influence MPG

• Driving style: Aggressive acceleration and high speeds decrease fuel economy 
• Gear ratio: Different axle ratios will affect performance and mileage 
• Tires: Large or aggressive tires can reduce MPG 
• Modifications: Cold air intakes, tuners, or other upgrades can increase or decrease mileage, depending on the specific mod