What is the gas mileage on a Ford f450 diesel?
The Ford F-450 diesel, powered by Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel, does not run on gasoline. Fuel economy for this heavy-duty pickup varies widely by configuration and how you use it; most owners see a mid-teens miles-per-gallon figure in typical highway driving, with lower figures when towing or carrying heavy loads.
Engine and drivetrain influence on mileage
The F-450's mileage is shaped by the engine, drivetrain, cab and bed configuration, and the weight it's hauling. While the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel is built for torque and towing, its mileage is not uniform across trims. Two-wheel-drive versions typically edge out four-wheel-drive models on highway efficiency, while towing impairs fuel economy regardless of drivetrain.
Diesel versus gasoline options
Ford's Super Duty lineup includes gasoline options in some configurations, but the F-450 is most commonly equipped with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel for heavy-duty towing. If you compare to a gasoline-powered heavy-duty truck, you may see higher mpg on light days, but diesel generally wins in torque and efficiency for sustained loads when towing.
EPA estimates and real-world performance
Because fuel economy depends on year, drive configuration, payload, and towing, the numbers vary. The following ranges reflect typical real-world experience rather than a single EPA sticker for every configuration.
- Not towing, 2WD Crew Cab with the 6.7L Power Stroke: highway mileage commonly reported in the high teens to low twenties (roughly 18–21 mpg), with city mileage around the low teens (roughly 11–13 mpg); combined often in the mid-teens.
- Not towing, 4x4 Crew Cab: highway typically lower, in the 17–20 mpg range, city around 11–12 mpg; combined in the low-to-mid teens.
- Light towing (a few thousand pounds): overall economy commonly drops to the low-to-mid teens (roughly 12–15 mpg combined).
- Heavier towing (towing heavy trailers, 15,000+ pounds): combined mileage often falls into the high single digits to low double digits (roughly 9–12 mpg).
In practical terms, most owners report mid-teens mpg in typical highway use when not towing, with a sharp drop when pulling a heavy trailer. Real-world numbers depend on the exact configuration and driving style.
Tips to improve fuel economy
To optimize mpg for a Ford F-450 diesel, consider the following practices. They can help you maximize efficiency without sacrificing performance when you need to tow or haul.
- Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures; under-inflated tires hurt rolling resistance.
- Reduce payload and remove unnecessary weight from the bed or cab.
- Use a steady cruising speed on highways and employ cruise control when appropriate.
- Plan efficient routes and minimize idling; shut off the engine during long stops if safe and practical.
- Maintain your diesel engine with regular service, including following recommended oil change intervals and air filter replacements.
- Use the appropriate towing setup: lightest possible hitch weight and ensure trailer brakes are functioning properly to reduce drivetrain load.
Applying these practices can help bring real-world fuel economy closer to the lower end of the potential, depending on how you use the truck.
Bottom line and how to check exact numbers
Because the Ford F-450's mpg varies with year, trim, cab/bed configuration, axle ratio, drivetrain, and towing load, the most reliable source for your exact figure is the official EPA window sticker for your year and configuration, or Ford's own build/configurator pages. For a precise number, consult those resources or check owner reviews for similar setups.
Summary
The Ford F-450 diesel, powered by a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8, delivers strong torque for heavy hauling but does not produce a single universal fuel-economy figure. In typical highway use, owners report mid-teens mpg, with significant drops under towing. Mileage varies by drivetrain, cab/bed configuration, payload, and towing load, so check the EPA rating for your exact setup and consider practical ranges when planning costs.
What are the pros and cons of buying an F-450?
For towing 20,000 pounds on a full-time basis, having unlimited power, the low 4.30 gear ratio, a larger 48-gallon fuel tank, a long bed and bigger brakes make RVing a bit easier. But there are some drawbacks. The ride is a bit rigid and getting around town, grocery shopping, parking, etc. can be more challenging.
What MPG does a 6.7 PowerStroke get?
The 6.7L Powerstroke's real-world fuel economy varies, but typically falls in the range of 12-18 MPG combined, with highway driving often yielding 17-20 MPG and mixed city/highway being closer to 15-18 MPG. Factors like driving habits, towing, and terrain significantly affect mileage, with some users reporting even higher numbers (up to 22+ MPG) under ideal conditions.
Typical MPG by driving condition
- Mixed driving: Expect around 15-18 MPG for a mix of city and highway driving.
- Highway driving: On the highway, you can typically see 17-20 MPG, and potentially higher on flat roads at a steady speed.
- Towing: Mileage decreases significantly when towing, with some drivers reporting 4-6 MPG when towing heavy loads uphill.
Factors that influence fuel economy
- Driving style: Aggressive driving and excessive idling will lower your MPG.
- Terrain: Driving in hilly or mountainous areas will reduce fuel efficiency compared to driving on flat ground.
- Speed: Higher highway speeds lead to lower fuel economy. Some drivers report getting over 20 MPG by driving at lower speeds (around 50-55 mph).
- Tires: Larger, aftermarket tires can negatively impact your MPG.
- Towing weight: The weight of your trailer has a major impact on fuel consumption. More weight equals lower MPG.
How many miles per gallon does a Ford f450 diesel get?
2022 Ford F-450 Powertrain and Performance Information
The engine is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged diesel V6 that gives you an incredible 450 horsepower while maintaining fuel efficiency at an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon on the highway and 18 miles per gallon in the city.
What is the gas mileage on a 6.7 PowerStroke vs 6.7 Cummins?
The Ford 6.7L Powerstroke generally gets better highway mileage, typically between 19–20 MPG when unloaded, while the 6.7L Cummins averages around 16–18 MPG. However, the Cummins often performs better under heavy towing loads due to its high low-end torque. Real-world fuel economy can vary significantly depending on factors like model year, vehicle condition, payload, and driving habits.
This video compares the performance of a 6.7L Powerstroke and a 6.7L Cummins in a pulling competition: 57sMann Family FarmsYouTube · Jul 3, 2021
6.7L Cummins
- Highway MPG (unloaded): 16–18 MPG
- City MPG: Around 12 MPG
- Towing: Stronger under heavy towing loads due to high low-end torque.
This video shows a MPG challenge comparing a 6.7L Duramax, 6.7L Cummins, and a 6.7L Powerstroke: 56sThe Fast Lane TruckYouTube · Jun 19, 2018
6.7L Powerstroke
- Highway MPG (unloaded): Up to 20 MPG
- City MPG: Around 14–15 MPG
- Towing: Often slightly less fuel-efficient when towing heavy loads compared to the Cummins.
Key considerations
- Load: The 6.7L Powerstroke tends to have an advantage in fuel economy when unloaded, but this gap narrows significantly or reverses when towing heavy loads, where the Cummins' torque becomes a benefit.
- Model Year: Fuel economy can vary between different model years for both engines due to design updates.
- Driving Conditions: Urban vs. highway driving, speed, and driving habits will all affect the final MPG.
- Towing/Payload: When a truck is fully loaded, fuel economy drops for both engines. Some drivers report a full load can bring the MPG down to around 11.2 MPG for either engine, though this is highly variable.
