2008 Ranger, how to get best gas mileage?

[kool_ranger]

I am thinking of gettin a new 08 ranger 3.0L 5 speed 2wd. What kind mileage should i expect and what's the best rpm's to shift at to obtain the best mileage. I did some reading and alot of people here say to leave it in 4th gear on the highway. My average highway speed is 65mph... Seems like the 3.0L is a rever and needs to keep it around 3200rpm.... Can anyone help?

 

[snake]

I would run 5th on the highway as that is what it was designed for- especailly with factory tires/rims. To get the best MPG start off and drive without using a lot of pedal- kind of like driving with an egg under your foot and trying not to break the egg. Keep the tires inflated and the filters changed. Try to avoid high speed driving- Just common sense stuff actually. As far as RPM's, it will take some time to get used to your truck and break it in. Once you have a few thousand miles, you will know when to shift just by how it reacts to an upshift. You can also "progresive shift" it, which means you use lower RPM in the lower gears and build up higher in the higher gears. Example, you may be able to shift at 2500 rpm from 1st to second, then 2700 from 2nd to third, 2900 from 3rd to 4th, etc.

Edit: those EPA estimates are damn close to what you will actually get, although my truck gets the (hwy) top number everywhere I drive even in the city. BTW, the 4.0 gets right at what the 3.0 gets for mileage on a 2WD- might as well get the bigger engine and enjoy some power when you need it. I get 20.5 to 22 on every tank no matter where I drive.

 

[AK-Kayaker]

If you are thinking of getting a 2wd truck why not get the 2.3L, you could get 24 city, 29 highway, versus 18/23 for the 3.0L.
Then ask yourself do you NEED a truck, a new focus will get you 24/35, over life of the vehicle that adds up to a fair amount of money.
And if you actually do need a truck every once in a while, pick up a beater and reap the multiple car discount on insurance.
What ever you get keep up the good work, cause the less you use the more for me, I average about 9 city and 15 highway, I could get much better, but I have too much fun.

 

[Ric]

I get around 22 with my 03 Ranger 3.0 on long hiway drives, around 20.5-21 with my daily commute which is just a little stop and go, but mostly 50/60 mph driving.

In my opinion, the 2.3 is more peppy than the 3.0 and gets much better mileage. I'd even go as far as to say to any torque advantage the 3.0 may have isnt noticed. Not worth the extra money to me. Around June of 08 I will be buying a 2.3 Ranger to replace this one, just for the mileage difference. I need a small truck for my side work, but it doesnt need 200hp for what I use it for.

 

[Maverick]

In my opinion, the 2.3 is more peppy than the 3.0 and gets much better mileage. I'd even go as far as to say to any torque advantage the 3.0 may have isnt noticed. Not worth the extra money to me.

Couldn't agree more, having experience behind the wheel of both trucks. My 05 with the 2.3 was more peppy than any 3.0 I've driven, with better mileage to boot. If I was gonna buy another commuter truck, it would be another 2.3 just like the one I had.

 

[brendank]

Use the cruise as often as you can.
Keep the tires at the proper pressure.
Be sure the vehicle is maintained properly.
Drive sensibly.

 

[ZMan]

I agree with Ric and Maverick, get the 2.3 duratec, its enough power to not be boring, while getting decent mileage.