Loosing Fuel Economy

[merlinicorpus]

I have a 2000 Ranger standard cab, short bed, with the 2.5L engine. I bought the truck in 2001 with 14k and I now have about 80k on it. I've noticed over the last year or two that I seem to be loosing mpg at a rather alarming rate. Granted, I'm a lead foot that does mostly in town driving, but I usually got around 22-25 mpg originally, but now I usually average in the 16-18 range. Other than a K&N FIPK, there are no modifications. Also, I change my oil religiously and keep tabs on my K&N.

Is this something I should be worried about, or are these figures normal?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds a little on the low side to me.

when was the last tie the truck received a full tune up? this should include air and fuel filters, PCV valve, wires and plugs, O2 sensors...ect.

 

[zamos]

I believe the quality of gasoline has gone downhill - have you changed tire sizes ?

 

[merlinicorpus]

when was the last tie the truck received a full tune up? this should include air and fuel filters, PCV valve, wires and plugs, O2 sensors...ect.

Fuel filter and PCV valve were replaced at 60k. Original plugs, wires, and O2. I was planning on doing those at 100k, but I might bump that up.

I believe the quality of gasoline has gone downhill - have you changed tire sizes ?

Stock tires and gearing. I think you might be right about the quality of gasoline going down though. We've noticed an increasing problem with pinging over the last few years with the bigger vehicles on the farm. My dad has an '97 F-350 with a 460. It used to run great, but anymore if you don't put super in it, it pings like none other.

 

[tbirdsps]

Assuming that your truck is fine. Consider that fuel everywhere has at least 5% ethenol and some areas up to 10%. In Ca. mine has dropped from 22-24 to 20-21 just because of the winter blend of fuel.

It happens to me every year. Come May I'm back to 22-24 around town.

 

[97ranger xlt]

around here they say it's upto max 10% ethanol.. i'm thinking it's more like 20% lol..grrrr .. winter gas...

 

[jarz21]

I too was wondering if the winter blend of gas had something to do with my seemingly poor fuel economy. I've owned this truck since it started getting cold out, so I have nothing to really compare it to. I've changed the fuel filter, plugs, wires, and PCV valve on mine, but I still only get (at best) 23 mpg on the highway with tires properly inflated and the bed empty. I haven't changed either of the oxygen sensors, and the truck has nearly 103k on it. Odds are the sensors are original. Perhaps I'm due...

 

[ri06667]

Ive heard that due to one reason or another, your truck works quite a bit harder to do the same amount of work in the winter.. depending on how cold it is whereever you are.. it hit -50 here a few months back

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

cold oil is thicker and harder to pump is the only reason i can think of that might make a vehicle work harder in the cold. of coarse after the engine is up to oporating temp its irrelivent.