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Ford 7.3 Godzilla MPG: Real-World Fuel Economy and How to Improve It

A 2020 F-250 test returned 14.87 mpg on a mixed route and 8.4 mpg towing 12,500 pounds. Learn what those figures mean and how to assess your own truck.
Entry115 Date Time3 min MechanicCarCody Team
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There is no single MPG figure for every Ford Super Duty with the 7.3L Godzilla V8. In Cars.com’s 2020 test, a lightly loaded F-250 returned 14.87 mpg over a 58.8-mile mixed route; towing a 12,500-pound trailer on the same general route, it returned 8.4 mpg. Those are results for one truck and one test, not universal ratings or promises for another setup.

How many MPG does the 7.3 Godzilla get?

The most useful attributable figures here come from Cars.com’s April 27, 2020 road test of a 2020 F-250 Lariat with the 7.3L engine and 4.30:1 final drive. The route included city traffic, freeway driving, and a climb.

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Test condition Calculated fuel economy What the figure describes
Lightly loaded 14.87 mpg One 58.8-mile mixed route in the test truck
Towing 8.4 mpg The same test truck and general route while towing a 12,500-pound trailer

These are calculated road-test results, not EPA ratings or a controlled fleet average. The towing result shows the fuel use on that particular trip; it does not isolate trailer weight from other influences or predict what another truck will achieve. No broad controlled fleet study or current standardized MPG figure is established here.

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Why your truck’s MPG can differ

Fuel economy depends on the truck’s configuration and how it is used. When comparing reports, account for the model year and cab or body configuration, axle ratio, 2WD or 4WD, tire size and modifications, payload, trailer weight and shape, speed, terrain, elevation, temperature, traffic, and idling. A towing number without trailer details and route conditions is especially hard to compare.

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Ford’s current Super Duty towing guidance notes that altitude and heavy loading or towing affect performance. It also says: “Selecting a trailer with a low aerodynamic drag and rounded front design helps optimize performance and fuel economy.” Check the manual for the specific model year and truck configuration; trailer weight and frontal-area limits are safety and capability guidance, not MPG estimates.

Owner reports can offer context, but they are anecdotes rather than controlled tests. A September 2025 Ford-Trucks.com article relays owners’ differing mixed and highway results. Those reports reinforce that use and equipment vary, but they do not establish a normal MPG range.

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Ways to avoid wasting fuel

Ford’s general F-Series fuel-economy advice is not specific to the 7.3L Godzilla, but it offers practical habits for avoiding unnecessary fuel use. Treat these as sensible measures, not guaranteed MPG increases.

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  • Keep tires properly inflated and use the size recommended for the truck. Use the door-jamb placard and applicable owner’s manual for pressure guidance; a pressure gauge can help check them.
  • Follow the scheduled maintenance for your model year.
  • Remove unnecessary weight and avoid long idling when practical.
  • Combine errands and avoid needless stop-and-go driving where possible.
  • When towing, choose a suitably rated trailer with low aerodynamic drag and a rounded front, and follow the truck’s model-year-specific towing limits.

Ford’s 2011 F-Series Owner’s Guide also identifies cold starts, accessories, hills, 4WD, and heavy loads or towing as factors that can reduce fuel economy. This is general F-Series guidance, not a test of the Godzilla engine.

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Fuel and modifications: what the available figures do—and do not—show

Ford’s current online 7.3L engine specification lists minimum 87-octane fuel. That is the stated minimum, not evidence that premium fuel improves MPG. Follow the manual applicable to your truck’s model year. The available test figures also do not establish a defensible MPG gain from premium fuel, tuning, intake products, or other modifications.

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How to measure your own fuel economy

  1. At a fill-up, record the odometer or trip distance and the gallons added.
  2. Calculate MPG by dividing miles driven by gallons used.
  3. Repeat over several fill-ups and record whether you were towing, carrying a load, or driving in unusual conditions.
  4. Compare similar periods and use—such as towing with the same trailer—rather than treating unlike trips as a direct comparison.

A single trip-computer reading or tank can mislead. The Cars.com test reported both calculated and dashboard values, which is a reminder that measurement method matters.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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