sick of my mileage

Ranger Kip · Jun 24, 2015

For those that any know, 1999 3.0l auto (can't remember gears) 215x70 tires, just rolled over to 61k miles, fleet model, 4x4

Adsm08 helped me change out all the fluids and do a basic tuneup at his dealership a while back, here I am at 3100 miles on the oil and it looks new on the stick. New plugs, wires, and a few other nicks and nacks and I'm still pushing 13-15mpg highway. I don't have a lead foot and I coast a lot (my truck will coast from 65-50mph on its own on level terrain in about 10 seconds, sometimes even faster, I can't really coast) and I do 55-65 on the highway (no cruise control).

I drive 60 miles round trip to work a day and can't keep tossing $40 a week in gas JUST to get to work. At this point my f150 is getting better mileage =p

Any ideas on better mileage? I see people with 01-05 getting 17-21 with 4wd 3.0 extended cabs.... am I missing something?

RonD · Jun 24, 2015

My '94 4.0l, manual, 4x4, extra-cab with canopy and 500lbs of tools gets 15mpg, around town, no highway.

First thing to check is speedometer/odometer, got any mile markers around or a friend with GPS.
If speedo is off even a little, Odometer will be off and that's a few MPG there.

What do the spark plugs look like?
Are they a little dark, instead of a very light brown?
So engine is running a bit rich, that would most likely be O2 sensors due for a change.

If you don't have one a Vacuum gauge is a good tool to have in the box, $25.
You could have a collapsing muffler or cat, this restricts exhaust flow and lowers power along with MPG.
Good here here on tests: http://www.gregsengine.com/using-a-vacuum-gauge.html

stmitch · Jun 25, 2015

Good advise from Ron. I'll just add that you should check your tire pressures, and make sure you don't have a brake dragging. A bad alignment could reduce mpg too.

You can look into aero mods if you do a lot of highway driving. They're typically cheaper than mechanical changes, and often have a larger effect. Rangers have terrible aerodynamics, which play a larger role in fuel economy the faster you go. To start, remove any unnecessary weight, or things that disrupt the airflow around your truck (grille guards, parts hanging off, etc). Replace/repair any damaged or missing body parts, especially on the front of the truck. Tighten up body gaps as much as possible. Just try and keep the air from going places it shouldn't be. You want it to move around the truck without being disturbed.

adsm08 · Jun 25, 2015

The old plugs looked good to me, aside from being worn out.

IIRC that truck has 4.10 gears though, which isn't helping much. Problem is regearing a 4x4 is expensive, more so than you will ever recover in fuel savings.

$40 is gas isn't really that much though. I put $50 or more in the wife's car every week.

Froggmann · Jun 26, 2015

Look into an underdrive crank pulley and electric fan. If it's flex fuel, run some E-85 through it to clean the fuel system and combustion chambers. Do a partial grill block (block the outer holes in the grill--leave the center two open) and shave down the mudflaps or delete them. If you don't need a lot of ground clearance, look into lowering it a bit. Install 08' torsion keys and rear leaf blocks.

My 99' with a 3.0 and 5spd averages 20-23mpg no matter what I do or where I go--city or hwy. Last tank was 21mpg despite hauling my quad and gear around for a couple days. Good mileage is possible.

Ranger Kip · Jul 1, 2015

I'm hyper miling and have over 100 miles and not at a 3/4 tank yet. Let's see how this goes....

Ranger Kip · Jul 1, 2015

Where can I get e85 in northern pa? How well do those performance computers work? Amazon has them on sale for $55

Froggmann · Jul 1, 2015

Do a search for E85 fuel stations in your area. Double check the 8th digit of the vin, make sure it's a V before adding corn.

IMO, stay away from the $55 computer. If you want a good tune/reflash you'll have to spend $400 or more on a SCT tuner.

Ranger Kip · Jul 1, 2015

Its a $120 computer on sale for $55

stmitch · Jul 1, 2015

Do you have a link to this "computer"? We can't know for sure without a link, but it sounds like junk from what you've written.

The only tuners that are worth anything will have custom tunes (files) written just for your application. So, if you don't have to answer very specific questions about the year, make, model, engine/drivetrain, modifications you've made, transmission, what your goals are, etc then it's a waste of money. Typically good ones like SCT or Diablosport are $400-$500, and would take a very long time to pay for themselves in fuel savings.

Ranger Kip · Jul 1, 2015

Probably not going to get one anyways, I am at 5/8-11/16 tank and nearly 140 miles on the trip so far. Going good. My highest was 235 miles on a tank

Ranger Kip · Jul 2, 2015

190 miles almost half tank

Ranger Kip · Jul 3, 2015

210 miles, now half tank

Mickey Bitsko · Jul 3, 2015

Are you still sick of your mileage?

Ranger Kip · Jul 3, 2015

I refuse to answer that till I've run out of gas

sick of my mileage

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