3.0 getting 11mpg!!! HELP

[matty2170]

Ok folks iv owned my ranger since it was brand new. Its a 2000 x-trend cab 3.0 stepside 4x4 with 105k on it with stock rims and tires Ever since Iv owned it has only gotten 11 mpg at best maybe 12 --- 200-225miles to a full tank (20 Gallons) It dont matter how you driver highway or country roads. Its been to the dealership many times and they tell me nothing is wrong with it. With gas prices hitting new highs I kinda wanna fix it. Any ideas whats wrong with it. Id hate to get an import. HELP!!! PLEASE

 

[Robin Hood]

It really depends on how you drive it. 3.0's can get up to 18MPG (in my experience) you just have to keep outta the gas.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

18's still on the low end of the spectrum. its not uncommon to get 20, and i can hit 24.

matty, have you checked your odometers calibration (using mile markers)?

since there is no CEL, and the truck is running like it should (right?)...id say its going to take some serious diagnosis to come up with a solution to this problem. your local ford dealer should be able to hook a computer to your truck and get real-time mileage out of it while on a test drive. this will rule out all possibility of lead foot, bad math, fuel filling discrepancies, ect. they can alos monitor the a/f ratio to see if the truck is running rich (with this kind of mileage, i dont see how it couldnt be).

 

[Robin Hood]

18's still on the low end of the spectrum. its not uncommon to get 20, and i can hit 24.

matty, have you checked your odometers calibration (using mile markers)?

since there is no CEL, and the truck is running like it should (right?)...id say its going to take some serious diagnosis to come up with a solution to this problem. your local ford dealer should be able to hook a computer to your truck and get real-time mileage out of it while on a test drive. this will rule out all possibility of lead foot, bad math, fuel filling discrepancies, ect. they can alos monitor the a/f ratio to see if the truck is running rich (with this kind of mileage, i dont see how it couldnt be).

yeah 18 is low, but thats me driving with a lead foot half the time. I know more is entirely possible.

 

[Earl43P]

I agree.

With gas as high as it it, it'll be worth paying the diagnosis fee, but shop around. It doesn't have to go to the "dealer". If the shop is OBDII competent, they should be able to see the PIDS and determine your problem. When you shop for a shop, ask if they can see the O2 sensors in real time, monitor catalytic converter efficiency, MAF, IAT, etc. If their equipment and tech can't do that, move on.

I'm thinking looking at the PIDS is gonna show a lazy O2 sensor, bad MAF, etc. You don't have to pay them to replace whatever part it turns out to be. Some sensors are really easy to bolt on.

Having basically the SAME TRUCK, I will tell you this much: Mine is a 5 speed manual and I drive vigorously, but it gets consistently 17-18 mpg and I've gotten over 20 on many trips.

My mileage improved when I put smaller tires on it (235/75/15, down from 246/75/16) even with the 5.5% correction for the odometer error. I ALWAYS get more than 300 miles per tank, several times over 360 miles (indicated = really 340) and when I filled it it took over 18 gallons. My low fuel light (Check Gage, actually) came on this morning, at 335 miles, I filled it with 18.8 gallons.

Don't neglect the obvious: Clean air filter, good, properly gapped spark plugs and good plug wires, no vacuum leaks, coolant gets up to temp, etc.

 

[Richard1301]

i have a 2000 ranger that has the same problem unless i keep it under 2000rpm it drinks the gas

 

[gbadgley]

Other than trying to keep the RPMs down, how is your NEIGHBOR's gas milage?? is someone stealing gas from you?

 

[Combat]

I get over 350 miles to the gallon on a tank on my 2000 3.0 XLT.
Anyways, I didn't know that our trucks had a low fuel level warning indicator? It seems that mines does not have it.

I agree.

With gas as high as it it, it'll be worth paying the diagnosis fee, but shop around. It doesn't have to go to the "dealer". If the shop is OBDII competent, they should be able to see the PIDS and determine your problem. When you shop for a shop, ask if they can see the O2 sensors in real time, monitor catalytic converter efficiency, MAF, IAT, etc. If their equipment and tech can't do that, move on.

I'm thinking looking at the PIDS is gonna show a lazy O2 sensor, bad MAF, etc. You don't have to pay them to replace whatever part it turns out to be. Some sensors are really easy to bolt on.

Having basically the SAME TRUCK, I will tell you this much: Mine is a 5 speed manual and I drive vigorously, but it gets consistently 17-18 mpg and I've gotten over 20 on many trips.

My mileage improved when I put smaller tires on it (235/75/15, down from 246/75/16) even with the 5.5% correction for the odometer error. I ALWAYS get more than 300 miles per tank, several times over 360 miles (indicated = really 340) and when I filled it it took over 18 gallons. My low fuel light (Check Gage, actually) came on this morning, at 335 miles, I filled it with 18.8 gallons.

Don't neglect the obvious: Clean air filter, good, properly gapped spark plugs and good plug wires, no vacuum leaks, coolant gets up to temp, etc.

 

[reginald fairfield]

I have a 99 ranger with the 3 L, and new O2 sensors really helped it. They are f%cking expensive, and there are 3 of them. I went from low 18 to high 21. MAINTENANCE is the key. Also eat your vegetables and tuck in your shirt young man.

 

[Richard1301]

so theo2 sensor will help alot i also have a cold air intake isn't that spose to save on gass as well

 

[Hahnsb2]

so theo2 sensor will help alot i also have a cold air intake isn't that spose to save on gass as well

No, the stock intake can flow way more air than your 3.0 will ever need.

 

[Jason]

Wow. I get 15-18 out of my 4.0 and I don't drive like a grampa, a little slower but not terribly slow.

 

[rboyer]

If you are fairly competent with reading sensor data and you have a laptop you can pick up a OBD2 to usb adapter off of ebay for no more than 80 bucks and there's tons of free software out there for running them. I bought one a while back and have more than gotten my money out of it, but it comes with the price of your friends calling you up every time their CEL comes on or their car sputters.

 

[Rearanger]

Average MPG since new on my truck is about 20. 11 shows serious problem but yet you don't seem to post a drivability issue. I like the suggestion that your neighbor may be stealing gas. Not much chance of a leak on a 2000. Get a locking gas cap from NAPA and see if the mileage comes back. Otherwise I would get an exhaust gas analyser test to see if you are running rich, and at what speed/rpm. Plug inspection will also show rich burn.

 

[Richard1301]

about the gas leaking every time i get out of my truck it smells of gass and when we put my truck up on my buddys ramp underneath stinks but we cannot find a leak anywhere