How many miles per gallon does a 2008 Ford F250 6.4 diesel get?
In typical use, you can expect roughly 12–15 miles per gallon combined, with highway trips often in the high teens under a light load. Heavier payload or towing can push that into the low teens or even under 12 mpg.
Overview of mileage expectations for the 6.4L Power Stroke
The 2008 Ford F-250 with the 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel delivers strong torque for work use, but fuel economy is naturally lower than lighter-duty pickups. Actual numbers vary widely based on drivetrain (two-wheel drive vs. four-wheel drive), transmission, payload, and driving style. In everyday driving without heavy towing, most owners report a mid-teens to upper-teens highway figure and a city figure in the low to mid-teens.
EPA ratings and real-world mileage
Official fuel-economy ratings from that era depended on configuration. In general terms, two-wheel-drive versions with the 6.4L and automatic transmission tended to land in the mid-teens for combined driving, while four-wheel-drive models were typically a bit lower. Real-world tests and owner reports show a similar pattern: highway efficiency can approach the upper teens or low 20s under ideal conditions, while city and stop-and-go driving remains notably lower. The machine’s emissions equipment, weight, towing gear, and wheel/tire size all influence the numbers you’ll see in practice.
Factors that affect mpg
Below are the main variables that commonly drive differences in fuel economy for the 2008 F-250 with the 6.4L diesel.
- Drivetrain configuration (2WD vs 4x4)
- Payload and towing load
- Engine and turbo condition, as well as overall maintenance
- Driving style and terrain (hills, urban stop-and-go vs steady highway cruising)
- Tire size, tread condition, and proper inflation
- Fuel quality and environmental conditions (temperature, altitude)
These factors interact, so two identical trucks can deliver noticeably different mpg depending on how they’re used and cared for.
Typical mpg ranges by driving scenario
These ranges reflect common real-world experiences among owners and are not a substitute for the EPA window sticker. They illustrate how driving context changes the numbers you’ll see.
- City driving: 12–14 mpg
- Highway driving: 17–19 mpg
- Combined driving (no extreme towing): 14–16 mpg
Keep in mind that towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load will push these figures toward the lower end, while lighter, steady-speed highway cruising can edge toward the upper end of the ranges.
Tips to maximize mpg on a 2008 F-250 6.4L
Simple maintenance and smarter driving choices can help you get the most out of the diesel. Implementing these practices can yield meaningful gains, especially if you regularly drive in mixed conditions or tow.
- Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and use the correct tire size.
- Schedule and perform regular maintenance: diesel fuel filters, air filter, oil changes, and a once-over of the turbo and exhaust system.
- Avoid excess weight and remove nonessential accessories when not needed; minimize roof rack drag.
- Drive with smooth throttle input and use cruise control on highways to maintain steady speeds.
- Plan trips to reduce frequent short trips; combine errands to minimize cold-starts and excessive idling.
While these tips help, remember that a heavy-duty diesel pickup is optimized for work ability and torque, not featherweight efficiency, so don’t expect car-like fuel economy in typical duty-cycle use.
Summary
The 2008 Ford F-250 with a 6.4L Power Stroke typically delivers around 12–15 mpg combined in real-world driving, with highway mileage often in the high teens under light load and considerably lower numbers with heavy towing or payload. Actual results depend on drivetrain, maintenance, load, driving style, and conditions. For anyone evaluating a used 6.4L F-250 today, expect a wide range of numbers and plan accordingly for work-related use and total ownership costs.
How many miles per gallon does a 6.4 Powerstroke get deleted?
Before DPF delete: Most stock 6.4L Powerstrokes sit around 10–12 MPG in mixed driving. After DPF delete + tuning: Numbers typically climb to 14–16 MPG, with some hitting 18+ on the highway under ideal conditions.
Is a 2008 6.4 diesel a good engine?
No, the 2008 6.4 Powerstroke is generally not considered a good or reliable engine due to a number of known issues. It was plagued with problems like a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) that could fail, cracked pistons, and a notoriously unreliable emissions system, especially the EGR cooler and DPF. These issues often resulted in expensive and catastrophic failures.
Common problems with the 6.4 Powerstroke
- Emissions system failures: The EGR cooler is prone to clogging and failure, which can lead to overheating and damage to the engine. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) also clogs frequently.
- Weak internal components: Pistons are prone to cracking under pressure, and there have been issues with head gaskets and a lack of oil lubrication for the rocker arms.
- Fuel system problems: The high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is a weak point and can self-destruct, contaminating the entire fuel system with metal fragments and causing expensive damage to the injectors and other components.
- Cooling system issues: The engine is susceptible to overheating from multiple sources, including the common EGR and oil cooler failures, as well as a stock radiator that can leak.
- Other problems: Leaks from up-pipes and a potential for cylinder washing have also been reported.
What to know if you're considering a 6.4 Powerstroke
- Expect high maintenance costs: Because of these widespread problems, the engine requires diligent and often proactive maintenance to avoid major failures.
- Potential for catastrophic failure: Many failures are not minor fixes; they can be catastrophic and expensive to repair.
- Not recommended for the average owner: If you're not a "do-it-yourselfer" or don't have a large budget for repairs, this engine is likely not a good choice.
Can a 6.4 powerstroke last 300,000 miles?
A 6.4 Powerstroke can average 200,000 – 300,000 miles (322,000 – 482,000 km) with maintenance.
How many miles per gallon does a 2008 Ford F250 diesel get?
A 2008 Ford F-250 diesel with the 6.4L engine typically gets between 10 and 14 miles per gallon, with some reports showing higher mileage (up to 18.28 mpg) in ideal city conditions and lower mileage (around 11.7 mpg) while towing. Factors like driving conditions, towing, and the truck's emissions system significantly influence the real-world fuel economy.
- Average: Owners and testers report fuel economy in the 10–14 MPG range, especially under load.
- Highway: Some reports show highway mileage can reach around 14 MPG or slightly higher.
- Towing: Expect mileage to decrease significantly when towing, with one test showing 11.7 MPG while towing.
- City: Under specific city conditions, one test achieved 18.28 MPG.
- Emissions: The truck's emissions system, particularly the regeneration function, can impact fuel economy and may cause lower mileage if not properly managed.
