19 MPG combined: that’s what owners are really getting with the 2017 Ford F150 4WD when it’s equipped with the base payload package, LT tires, and the 3.5L V6 engine. It’s not the best fuel economy, but it reflects what this F150 configuration is designed to do. This truck isn’t meant to maximize gas mileage; it’s meant for work, hauling, and driving in conditions that require four-wheel drive. Buyers who choose this setup want capability and utility more than low fuel costs. They know there’s a trade-off when you need a vehicle that can carry heavy loads and handle tough terrain.

City and highway performance

The EPA says that 19 MPG combined rating breaks down to 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city number shows how stop-and-go driving affects fuel economy, especially in a truck like the F150. The 3.5L V6 without a turbo needs more throttle to get going from a stop, which uses more gas. The highway number is better, but the F150’s weight and shape still affect it. LT tires, which are made to be durable and carry heavy loads, often have more rolling resistance, which also lowers fuel efficiency.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Ford F150 4WD BASE PAYLOAD LT TIRE 3.5L 6-cyl at $2,300. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time of calculation. Remember that this is just an estimate. What you actually spend on fuel will depend on how you drive, what kind of driving you do (city or highway), and the price of gas in your area. If you drive aggressively, tow often, or always carry a full payload, you’ll probably spend more than $2,300.

Real-world expectations

The EPA numbers are a standard, but real-world fuel economy can be different. Owners of this F150 often report MPG within a reasonable range of the EPA estimates, but some have trouble getting 22 MPG on the highway all the time. Hauling heavy loads or towing, even sometimes, will lower fuel economy a lot. However, if you drive carefully and do more highway driving, you might get closer to the EPA’s ratings, or even a little better.

How it compares

The fuel economy of this F150 is important to consider when you look at its competitors. For example, a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD with the 5.3L V8 might get around 16 MPG combined. That makes the F150 a slightly better choice if you want to save on gas but still need a truck that can work hard. A Ram 1500 4×4 with the base 3.6L V6 could get close to the F150’s 19 MPG combined, but it might not have the same payload capacity, which could matter to some buyers. These small differences matter to someone trying to balance fuel costs and what they need the truck to do.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Regular maintenance is especially critical for getting the best fuel economy from a truck that’s built for hard work. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, because tires with low pressure increase rolling resistance a lot. And keep up with scheduled oil changes, using the recommended oil. An engine that’s well-maintained will run more efficiently and use less fuel.

Avoid driving aggressively, like accelerating quickly and braking hard, especially when you’re carrying a load. The 3.5L V6 works best with a smoother, more consistent driving style. Watch the traffic and try to keep a steady speed to use less fuel.

Remove any weight you don’t need from the truck bed, because carrying around tools or equipment that you rarely use adds extra weight, which lowers fuel economy. Clean out the bed regularly and only carry what you need for each job.

Consider using cruise control on the highway to keep a consistent speed and avoid changing the throttle position too much. This helps on longer trips where you might get tired and drive less efficiently. Watch out for hills and traffic; turning off cruise control on steep hills or in heavy traffic can sometimes prevent the transmission from shifting down unnecessarily, and that can improve fuel economy.

Explore all Ford fuel economy data to see how the F150’s MPG compares to other models in the Ford lineup, and consider researching F150 MPG across all years to see how fuel efficiency has changed in this popular truck over time.