Ford V10 gas mileage and other specs

In this article, we will review the Ford V10 gas mileage and other specs. We will also discuss whether it is possible to save fuel with a Ford V10 engine and what are the most common issues with this engine model. 

What is the expected Ford V10 gas mileage?

The expected Ford V10 gas mileage is between 7 and 10 miles per gallon, similar to other RVs, including those with a diesel engine. The fuel economy of a Ford V10 engine will however vary depending on several factors:

• The size of the vehicle;
• How loaded the vehicle is;
• Year of manufacture of the vehicle;
• Driving style and driving conditions. 

Ford V10 Specs

Ford introduced the 6.8L V10 engine in 1997 as an engine for its heavy-duty trucks and vans. This 415-cubic-inch engine uses pistons the same size as its 5.7-litre V8 engine; This lateral redundancy enabled Ford to save on tooling and manufacturing costs by using identical parts in different engines. Two versions of this engine have been produced; Both the two-valve and three-valve models were in production as of 2010.

• Torque and Power Ratings: Ford V10 engines have different horsepower and torque. The two-valve versions have two outlets; Engines for E-series vehicles produce 305 HP and 420 pound-feet of torque. 

The F-series, Super Duty and excursion engines produce 310 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The three-valve engines introduced in 2005 replaced the two-valve versions on all F-series and Super Duty trucks. These engines produce 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque.

• Cylinder and Valve: The cylinders in Ford V10 engines have a bore of 3.55 inches and a stroke of 4.16 inches. The compression ratio is 9.2: 1. These engines have a single overhead camshaft and use hydraulic roller type valve lifters. The firing order is fixed at 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9.

• Other specs: Ford V10 engines replace a 460 cubic inch V8 engine used for many years; This heavy duty plant weighed approximately 713 pounds. V10 engines weigh considerably less – about 640 pounds. They are actually much smaller than the old 460 engines they replace; almost 10 centimeters shorter, with similar width and height dimensions. 

Ford also produces other versions of these engines for use in other applications such as generators and industrial settings; These engines are sometimes built to run on LP gas or natural gas.

How to increase fuel economy in a Ford V10

Learning different ways to increase the gas mileage of your Ford V10 is a great way to save money on fuel costs. There are a number of different things you can do to help get the most out of every full tank of gas that is poured into your Ford V10. Some require basic maintenance that is inexpensive, while others may be a bigger investment, but will still save you money in the long run.

• Fill up your Ford’s tires. Make sure your tires are filled up to the PSI specified in your vehicle’s manual. Check the tires every time you fill-up the gas tank. You should also make sure to change your Ford air filter every 10,000 miles.

• Install a cold air intake on your Ford’s engine. A cold air intake takes in fresh, pure air from outside the engine and pulls it inside the engine. This prevents the engine from reusing hot, stale air and slowing down the vehicle’s performance.

• Remove the factory exhaust system and put on a double exhaust system. This will also help the engine draw in cleaner, purified air to improve performance and increase your mileage.

• Drive your Ford V10 when the engine is warm. Try to plan all your errands and activities day back to back so that you can reduce the amount of time your car spends cooling down between uses.

• Change the oil in your vehicle regularly. In order to get out of optimal performance from your vehicle, you should change the oil every 3,000 miles.

• Remove excess weight from the vehicle. Weight makes the vehicle heavier and makes your Ford have to work harder to move at the desired speed you are driving.

Did Ford stop making the V10 engine?

Ford stopped making the V10 modular engine back in 2019 for several good reasons. For one, the engine was not fuel efficient at all, had cam phaser issues and had only  320 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque compared to their now V8 engine (350 horsepower and an estimated 475 lbs-feet of torque). Furthermore, Ford’s 6.7-liter Powerstroke diesel engine now produces 450 horsepower with 935 lb-ft of torque and even gets better gas mileage than the V10 at the same time. As you can see, even though the 6.8-liter V10 engine was a staple for Ford Motor Company for quite some time, there are just simply much better alternatives now

The Ford V10’s 6.8L (413 cu in, found in E-Series and F-Series trucks) is part of the company’s “modular” engine family (1991 to present) and represents the greatest evolution design. One way to think of the V10 is a 4.0L V6 with an additional four cylinders or as a 5.4-litre V8 with two more cylinders.

Ford’s V-10 truck is an iron block design, OHC aluminum head that uses center-mounted spark plugs and direct fire ignition. Almost all valve train components and accessories are shared with the 5.4L, making the design quite robust and easy to repair. However many 1997-2008 engines have a fatal defect in the cylinder head.

Ford covers this engine problem under warranty (TSB Technical Service Bulletin 07-21-2). However, if the engine fails after the warranty expires, you are responsible for the repairs. Ford issued a repair kit called Lock-and-Stitch that allows the owner to install an aluminum insert where the spark plug threads should be. The kit comes complete with special installation tools, materials, and procedures.

Ford’s kit will get the job done, but installing aluminum filet inserts instead of already-failed aluminum threads is a lesson in history to be repeated. Aftermarket steel insert kits cost about the same, and Ford’s aluminum band-aids will likely survive.

Many believe that discontinuing the V10 was a great move for the company, while others believe the issues regarding the V10 were not as big. Well, the biggest problem and the main reason why Ford stopped making the V10 is that, in one word, it was inefficient. 

High consumption is not good neither for pick-up trucks nor for motorhomes. The high cost of diesel consumption is a point to consider for any driver. Sure, fuel prices have dropped considerably, however, it does not mean that it is not a representative expense. Modern diesel injection systems allow driving at very high and regular speed regimes. But that translates into higher fuel consumption. 

The bottom line

Trying to improve gas mileage for the Ford V10 is a sure way to ease your bank account and to ensure ongoing maintenance and upkeep of your truck. However, there is an upfront cost required to make any changes to your truck. 

If you don’t want to spend money to improve gas mileage, then you have to accelerate smoothly and avoid towing. Keep in mind that although you can install features designed to improve gas mileage, it will take time before you see your costs returned in the form of gas savings.

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FAQ on Ford V10 gas mileage 

How many MPG does a Class C RV V10 consume?

A Class C RV V10 can consume, on average, 7 to 8.5 miles per gallon (MPG). Generally, the average Class C gas mileage can vary between 7 to 22 MPG.

Why did Ford stop making the V10 engine?

Ford stopped making the V10 modular engine back in 2019 for several good reasons. For one, the engine was not fuel efficient at all, had cam phaser issues and had only  320 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque compared to their now V8 engine (350 horsepower and an estimated 475 lbs-feet of torque). 

How reliable is the Ford V10?

The Ford V10 is a very reliable engine, despite some design issues. As long as you treat your truck with decency, the Ford V10 can last you about 200,000 miles before any major repairs. The issue with the V10 is not reliability, but fuel consumption!

What trucks have V10 engines?

The following trucks have V10 engines: 

1. 1994 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500
2. 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab
3. 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Laramie
4. 1996 Dodge Ram 3500. Via Mecum
5. 2009 Ford F-350 Super Duty
6. 2006 Ford F-350 XL v10
7. 2008 Ford F-450 XL
8. 2008 Ford Super Duty F-250.

Is Ford replacing the V10?

Yes, as of 2019 Ford is replacing the V10 engine with a faster, more economical and more compact V8 engine. 

References

• V10 Gas Mileage – Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
• RV Ford V10 Gas Mileage (With Specific Examples) – RV Owner HQ
• V10 fuel economy, who are we kidding? – Ford Truck Enthusiasts