What is the gas mileage on a 2002 Ford f250 diesel?
For a 2002 F-250 with the 7.3L Power Stroke diesel, you can generally expect about 14-16 mpg combined in mixed driving, with highway figures often in the 18-20 mpg range when not heavily loaded and with a well-maintained engine. Real-world results vary by drivetrain, payload, and condition.
Understanding the 2002 F-250 Diesel
In 2002 Ford offered the F-250 Super Duty with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel, paired with manual and automatic transmissions, and in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations. The fuel economy is influenced by many factors including transmission choice, wheel/tires, cab/bed configuration, and payload.
Typical MPG ranges by setup
Below are the typical mpg ranges reported by owners and fuel economy resources for the 7.3L Power Stroke in a 2002 F-250, noting that actual results can vary. Please consider these as approximate benchmarks rather than guaranteed numbers.
- 4x2, automatic transmission: city 12-15 mpg; highway 18-20 mpg; combined around 14-17 mpg.
- 4x2, manual transmission: city 13-15 mpg; highway 18-22 mpg; combined around 15-18 mpg.
- 4x4 variants: city 11-14 mpg; highway 16-19 mpg; combined roughly 14-17 mpg.
These ranges reflect typical driving on varied loads and conditions. Fuel economy can improve with lighter loads, steady highway speeds, better maintenance, and correct tire pressures. Heavy towing or carrying payload will lower mpg significantly, sometimes into the low teens or below.
Factors that influence mileage
Several factors have a noticeable impact on fuel economy for a diesel-powered F-250 of this vintage:
- Condition of the 7.3L Power Stroke — injectors, turbo, fuel system, and EGR can affect efficiency.
- Transmission type and gear ratios.
- Wheel/tire size and type; tire pressure underinflation reduces economy.
- Payload and towing: carrying heavy loads reduces mpg.
- Maintenance: air filter, engine oil, and fuel filters, alignment, and emissions components.
Regular maintenance and careful driving can help maximize miles per gallon for this truck.
Maximizing efficiency in a classic diesel pickup
Simple steps to help extract more mpg from a 2002 F-250 diesel include maintaining clean injectors, using proper oil viscosity, keeping tires inflated to recommended pressures, removing unnecessary weight, and avoiding excessive idling. Also, periodic exhaust and fuel system checks can ensure optimal performance.
Summary
For a 2002 Ford F-250 diesel with the 7.3L Power Stroke, expect roughly 14-17 mpg combined in typical mixed driving, with highway figures around 18-20 mpg under light loads. Real-world results vary widely based on configuration and maintenance. If you need precise mpg for a specific truck, the best approach is to track fuel fills over several tanks under your typical driving pattern.
