The Ford F-250 series has a reputation to keep as one of the most powerful domestic pickup trucks. Not only from international competitors but also from other U.S. manufacturers. Particularly, RAM and Chevrolet. Their full-size, large cab pickup trucks keep banging at the door to overtaking this grandfather of the pickup world. But the F250 gas mileage cannot fail to be mentioned when we want to talk about this Super Duty Ford pickup towing truck.
There are several modifications Ford has done in 2019 with the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty. This thirteenth-generation vehicle has some design modifications to keep up with the others. Its goal is to have a powerful vehicle that is also comfortable and quiet. The question in consumers’ minds is if this version of F-250 has more positives than negatives to be considered a good purchase.
The 2019 Ford F250 is a perfect heavy-duty truck for those looking for a more capable vehicle than the highly popular F150. This vehicle might not be as extreme and pricey as the F350 or the F450, but it offers a fascinating combination of ability and everyday usability.
2019 F250 possesses a massive tow rating, a cabin that can keep any family comfy, and loads of available high-tech equipment. The provided driver-assist features of this truck are also impressive. You can find an adaptive cruise control that can operate seamlessly.
Moreover, you can also get other safety features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. There’s also a rear-view camera that can be connected to your infotainment screen inside. This way, you can easily park. Plus, this pickup truck has been very capable and modern as well.
Contents of this article entail;
What’s New In 2020 Onwards?
This model year, the Blue Oval has the most powerful engine and tow ratings in Super Duty’s history. Joining the standard 6.2-liter V8 is a 7.3-liter pushrod V8 with a cast-iron block. The diesel engine has also been enhanced. The 6.7-liter V8 has an upgraded fuel injection system to minimize noise levels.
Due to the engine upgrades, the six-speed automatic transmission is no longer available. In its place is a 10-speed automatic with a wider gear-ratio span. Though it does have more gears, this new transmission takes up the same space as the old version.
In addition to the powertrain options, the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty has also received design updates for the interior and exterior. Furthermore, the infotainment and driver-assist options have also been upgraded.
F250 Gas Mileage
The Ford F-250 Super Duty has an average in city driving of 14.6 mpg in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, the F-250 averaged 15.5 mpg. At the end of the trip, the full 48-gallon fuel tank can burn 12.75 gallons of fuel. This can contribute to a 15.7 mpg of combined mileage.
Poor F250 gas mileage, especially a sudden drop in fuel efficiency, can be blamed on several issues. It can also be an indicator of a much more serious issue that if left un-repaired, can develop into an expensive repair.
There are dozens of problems that can lead to a drop in gas mileage, some of them are serious and some can be easily corrected. Here are some of the more common issues that can affect the fuel efficiency of most cars.
F250 Gas Mileage: Reliability And Performance
Talking about F250 is surely about a dependable truck that is both modern and capable. There are enough trim-level upgrades, an enormous room in the cabin, and supportive seats. This vehicle is truly designed for your comfort. Hook up a trailer and you’ll still have a comfy vehicle for a long road trip.
There will be six trim levels available including Limited, Platinum, King Ranch, Lariat, XLT, and XL. There are also some engine options available. They include a 386-hp 6.2L gasoline V6 and a 450-hp turbocharged 6.7L diesel V8 engine. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy/gas mileage on this F250 Super Duty truck is around 14.6 mpg in the city with stop-and-go traffic, 15.5 mpg on the highway, fuel tank capacity is 48 gallons.
The latest generation of Ford Super Duty will use the all-new 7.3L V8 engine which has exceptional performance, the engine that gets the nickname Godzilla can provide 430 horsepower power at 5,500 rpm, and the best-in-class torque of 475 ft.-lb. at 4,000 rpm
How This System Works To Boost F250 Gas Mileage
The fuel system stores and supplies fuel to the car to help drive the engine. Fuel is mixed with air, atomized, and vaporized in the engine intake system. It is then compressed in the engine cylinder and ignited which produces energy to move the pistons. There are different engine layouts and designs but most of them work in the same basic way.
When the system is working as designed, and under certain conditions, maximum fuel efficiency will be achieved. Numerous factors can affect fuel efficiency so it is usually a constantly changing number but a serious and sudden drop in miles per gallon is cause for concern and the vehicle should be inspected.
Common Reasons For Poor F250 Gas Mileage
Many reasons are likely to contribute to the drastic drop in the fuel economy of the F250. They include;
Dirty Oxygen Sensor
An oxygen sensor measures exactly how rich or lean the exhaust gases are when they leave the combustion chamber. The data is used by the vehicle computer to adjust the amount of fuel entering the engine. If the sensor is dirty or failing it can lead to a drop in miles per gallon. It can also lead to failed emission tests and a rough idle.
Dirty Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors spray fuel into the cylinders where it is mixed with air and ignited. Over time the fuel injector system can become clogged. This can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency as well as slow acceleration and the car not having enough power. If caught early, simply cleaning the injectors can solve the problem. As it progresses, the injectors may have to be replaced.
Bad Or Dirty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. If they are dirty or working incorrectly, it can cause the engine to misfire, leading to poor engine performance. This can lead to a lack of power as well as a big decline in fuel efficiency.
Malfunctioning Mass Airflow Sensor
A mass airflow sensor detects the amount of air coming into the fuel injection system. It delivers that information to the vehicle’s computer, which crunches the numbers and then delivers the proper amount of fuel to the air in the vehicle. A dirty airflow sensor will degrade fuel efficiently and lead to a rough idle and even engine stalling as the problem progresses.
Misaligned Tires
Tires that are low in pressure or out of alignment can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency. Checking the tire pressure and having the alignment checked regularly can help prevent this problem.
Defective Fuel Pump
Fuel delivery issues can drastically affect fuel efficiency. The fuel pump pulls the fuel from the gas tank to the fuel injectors. The fuel pump can become clogged or malfunction.
A bad fuel pump can lead to a rough running engine because it is not getting enough fuel. This will lead to a decline in gas mileage. If this issue is not addressed it will lead to a rough, idle, sputtering, and stalling.
Clogged Fuel Filter
A clogged fuel filter will also cause problems with F250 gas mileage. The fuel filter screens out contaminants in the fuel, and over time it will become clogged. Fuel filters need to be replaced periodically.
Stuck Brake Calliper
A stuck caliper on a disc brake or a stuck shoe on a drum brake can lead to a serious decline in F250 gas mileage. In addition, any brake issue can make the vehicle dangerous to drive. If the decline in efficiency is accompanied by the vehicle pulling to one side, the brake system should be inspected immediately.
What To Expect With F250 Gas Mileage
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the poor F250 gas mileage issue and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.
How It’s Done To Improve F250 Gas Mileage
A mechanic will inspect your fuel injectors, spark plugs, mass airflow sensor, tires, and other important components to reach an accurate diagnosis. It may be necessary for the mechanic to test drive the car to produce acceptable results and pinpoint the source of the problem.
How Important Is This Service To Up Your F250 Gas Mileage?
A few of these issues are easy to fix but others are an indicator of a much more serious problem. Issues related to the fuel system will eventually lead to a rough running engine, stalling, and a car that won’t start at all.
F250 Gas Mileage: The Pros
If you intend to acquire the F250 pickup truck then here are some of the advantages of the F250 that may help you in assessing if they meet your needs before splashing money on it
1. Immense Power Under The Hood
Consumers looking for a heavy-duty pickup truck don’t search for one that’s pretty or has a wood-trimmed interior. They want the power to handle all road surfaces. In addition, they want it to haul a whole lot of material.
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty does this with its engine choices. The gas-powered engines get an average of 425 horsepower and 460 pounds-foot of torque. The 6.7-liter diesel receives a bump to 475 horsepower and 1,050 lbs.-ft. of torque.
These numbers represent a huge towing capacity. Conventional gas engines can handle up to 21,000 pounds of material. The diesel’s conventional towing rating hovers around 24,000. This puts the F-250 Super-Duty ahead of the other ones on the market. It also makes them best-in-class in many lists.
2. Body Strength
With as much power as these engines provide the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty needs appropriate body strength. Without it, the heavy-duty pickup would break apart. To help out, Ford engineers have enhanced the boxed frame, so it is 95% high-tensile steel. A sturdy axle and suspension help to keep this vehicle low enough to the ground to minimize any roughness.
3. Multiple Trims And Options
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty comes in several trims to accommodate all types of driving. The four trims offer three cab configurations and two-bed lengths. The most popular choice is the crew cab. This is a four-door cabin that fits five passengers. While regular cabs come with an eight-foot bed, extended versions provide consumers with a choice between that and a 6.5-footbed.
4. Designed For Luxury And Work
Though they are designed for work, the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty also features some luxury details. Why do this for a workhorse that may travel through dirty and rough terrains? Drivers need to feel comfortable while hauling material for long periods.
Thus, higher trims offer leather seats and a heated steering wheel. They also contain design elements like a suede headliner, ash wood border, and a moon roof.
5. New Off-Road Package
To compete with other manufacturers – Ram being at the top of the list – the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty now comes with an optional off-road package called Tremor.
Available on crew-cab models with upgraded engines, Tremor is a complete overhaul of the previous FX4 package. It adds larger, meatier tires and higher suspension to handle the roughest terrains. Those who worry that Tremor greatly decreases the F-250’s towing capacity can breathe. Once off-road, it still can haul 15,000 pounds.
6. Updated Internet Accessibility
Ford wants to make sure drivers of its F-250 Super Duty are always connected, no matter where they are. Therefore, the newest model gives consumers a standard 4G LTE hotspot. Additional items available to maintain connectivity to the outside world are capabilities with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
7. Engine Warming And Cooling
It’s frustrating when the engine won’t start because it’s too cold or overheats because it’s too hot. The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty fixes this with two items.
An optional engine warmer is available with higher-end models. This keeps the powertrain at a level to maintain a quick start-up. Meanwhile, across all trims, the Super Duty’s new grille produces enhanced airflow to increase and maintain engine cooling.
8. Updated Driver Assist Features
Driver-assist features are critical to consumers and manufacturers as everyone tries to establish a zero-collision world. The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty has made major advancements to that technology. Driver Assist features blind spot warnings with cross-traffic alerts. When hauling, the Super Duty is equipped with trailer coverage backup to assist for operating confidence.
Other driver-assist options are automatic emergency braking on higher-end trims and adaptive cruise control. Standard on all Super Duty trims is lane-keeping alerts, a rear-view camera, and hill descent control.
9. Ease Of Cargo Storage
Storage isn’t simply for the truck bed. It’s also inside the Super Duty’s cabin as well. For instance, the Crew Cab has a folding lockable under-the-seat storage box to hold small items and other objects to keep secure.
Outside, the F-250’s bed has a flat load floor to bring on large cargo. The SuperCab goes one step further with a lift gate that opens 170 degrees to simple loading.
10. Voice-Activated Technology
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty offers the technology known as Sync 3. The voice-activated technology is paired with a smartphone-like touchscreen to choose music, find alternate driving routes, and make hands-free phone calls.
F250 Gas Mileage: The Cons
The F250 Super Duty pickup truck does not come without some of the misses. Just like any other vehicle, they have some characteristics that may make you think twice before deciding to make a purchase. Some of the misses about the F250 include:
1. Poor Fuel Efficiency
The F-250 certainly has power going for it. However, the massive horsepower of the conventional fuel engines gets poor mileage per gallon. In stop-and-go city traffic, it gets 14.6 mpg. On the highway, it only gets one more mile per gallon. Even with the top-level 48-gallon tank, the Super Duty can quickly go through fuel.
2. Expensive At Most Trim Levels
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty is not an inexpensive truck. At the lowest trim, the pickup runs $35,000. If consumers want a top-of-the-line and fully loaded truck, it can cost them up to $90,000. In other words, this Ford vehicle is not for people who casually drive around the neighborhood or to the supermarket.
3. Infotainment Is An Option, Not A Standard
If a consumer purchases the standard Super Duty trim, they might be disappointed that an infotainment unit is not included. This is an option, especially if the buyer wants the Sync 3 system or SiriusXM radio.
4. Not Easy To Park
Though there is a 180/360-degree camera option, vehicles come standard with normal rear-view cameras. This may be okay for a full-size sedan or small pickup. It’s not okay for a pickup the size of the F-250. Especially when the consumer needs to upgrade to the Crew or SuperCab. This can lead to parking problems.
F250 Gas Mileage: How It Stacks Up To The Competition
While it’s at the top of many ratings, the F-250 Super Duty still has competition. Its closest is the RAM 2500. The Super Duty ranks nearly identical to it in power and towing. However, 2500 comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and premium designs.
When paired against the Chevy Silverado 2500HD, the Super Duty lacks in handling and steering. Yet, the Silverado’s towing capacity is lower.
Which Ford F250 Super Duty Should You Buy?
The first step for many shoppers will be XLT models that add creature comforts such as 18-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, power windows, active safety features, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility and more available options such as an off-road package and towing camera packages.
For most Super Duty shoppers who take their trucks to the job sites, the XLT likely will be the best value and the best-balanced truck for work and home life with just a few options. It’s our pick for value and capability.
Many Super Duty trucks won’t ever break a sweat, be fitted with a trailer hitch, or haul much more than bragging rights. For those shoppers, we suggest a Super Duty Lariat, which adds leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, an 8.0-inch digital display in the instrument cluster, and available options such as premium audio, 20-inch wheels, power running boards, and upgraded headlights.
2019/2020 Ford F250 Prices And Lease Deals
Then, how about the price? The base version is priced starting at $33,150 while the loaded Limited version is priced starting at $80,440. Among the available trims, the XLT trim can make a good choice. The well-equipped XLT is starting at $44,655.
If you’re thinking of buying the F250 with a lease, the estimated monthly payment is around $742 for 36 months. There are other leasing choices available depending on exactly what features you like to include. Moreover, the lease deal can be diverse from one region to another too.
The 2019 F250 is a great heavy-duty truck that is available to buy today. It comes with a variety of trim levels to make it easier for you to find your best match. The good news is even the base trim offers a satisfying feature and technology.
Ford F-250 Super Duty: Facts You Need to Know
- The Ford F-250 Super Duty is an exceptionally powerful truck with three engine options: a 6.2L V8 gasoline, a 7.3L V8 gasoline, and a 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8.
- The turbo diesel V8 is the most powerful of the three engines and outputs 476-hp at 2,600-rpm and 1,050 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600-rpm, making it a real torque machine.
- The F-250 Super Duty has superb towing and payload capacities, with a conventional towing capacity of up to 24,200 lbs and a gooseneck towing capacity of up to 37,000 lbs.
- The truck’s towing capacity varies depending on the model configuration, with the diesel V8 engine Crew Cab configuration capable of towing up to 20,000 lbs, and the Regular Cab 4WD 6.7L diesel V8 capable of towing up to 21,800 lbs on a gooseneck hitch.
- The F-250 Super Duty also offers impressive payload capacity, with the Regular Cab model able to load up to 4,260 lbs with the “Long Box” rear bed setup.
- The F-250 Super Duty comes with the Tremor Off-Road package installed, making it one of the most capable off-road trucks with features like a front-end lift, specially tuned suspension, 35” tires from Goodyear, and off-road drive modes.
- The Tremor Off-Road package also includes the Trail Control system and rock crawl mode.
- The Ford F-250 Super Duty has impressive fuel economy, with an average of 21 MPG on the highway when paired with the optional 6.7L turbo diesel engine and the new 10-speed automatic transmission.
- The F-250 Super Duty is a win for Ford, but it’s not as comfortable on the highway as RAM or GM offerings, with rivals offering a more controlled steering feel on the highway and a smoother ride.
- The F-250 Super Duty is one of the most competitive heavy-duty pickups in the US market, and the Ford F-series is still among the top players in that market.
F250 Gas Mileage: Conclusion
Consumers can’t go wrong with the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty if they’re looking for a superior heavy-duty pickup truck. With a new design, the vehicle is a plus for any buyer. With its new engine options and 10-speed transmission, Ford has increased the overall towing capacity. This is especially true with the optional diesel powertrain.
Still, some minor issues may hold back buyers. For instance, Super Duty’s fuel efficiency is, for lack of a better term, poor. Add in a high price tag, and its return on investment may not be worth the budget.
However, some consumers are avid fans of Super Duty, so it won’t matter how high the price is. They’ll notice the amount of power it provides, the cabin enhancements, and the new off-road package. In the end, a comparison of trims, a test drive, and determination of incentives will determine whether a consumer drives away in an F-250 Super Duty.
Approved Tools
These tools have been tried and tested by our team, they are ideal for fixing your car at home.