Accurate MPG calculations

[VaGent]

OK, My Bronco II runs so good right now & I really don't want to do anything to it that might cause me any problems. If it ain't broke, don't fix it is usually my motto. I'll just go with the tires & see what happens from there.

Just for information purposes. I have installed '94 Explorer front & rear springs because my rear springs were sagging badly. Once I installed the rear springs, my front end was lower then the rear so I changed out the front & now it is sitting level. I measured off the pavement to the center of the wheel well & I am sitting at 31 3/4" give or take all the way around now.

I was given a set of 265/75R/15 tires & wheels off of an Explorer & I used them for about a month with no rubbing anywhere. Keep in mind I was not doing any off road driving. I was worried tires that large would cause me problems with the transmission so I decided to take them off & installed 215/75R/15 tires. I didn't keep a check on the gas mileage with the 16" tires that I was using so I have no idea what I was getting as gas wasn't that big a concern at the time.

I've checked out the calculators on TRS & have a good idea as to how the 16" tires will effect my speedometer, but I have no idea how they would effect gas consumption. What do you think about using the 16" instead of the 235s? I have a good selection of tires to choose from but trying to save myself some work & time if possible.

 

[Yettoblaster]

...I hope you don't drive Hwy 17 that way, especially if it's a bit drizzly.

Oh I don't run hard rubber since the double nickel got repealed. This was back in the day when my brother's slant six van and my 235 Chevy pickup were unable to stay out of people's way on highways like Rt 5. Tall tires were cheaper than aftermarket overdrives.

 

[MAKG]

Oh I don't run hard rubber since the double nickel got repealed. This was back in the day when my brother's slant six van and my 235 Chevy pickup were unable to stay out of people's way on highways like Rt 5. Tall tires were cheaper than aftermarket overdrives.

That explains a few things....

Overdrive doesn't make a DANG bit of difference either. It happened to work favorably against the very low powerbands that were around in the early 70s.

Almost any modern engine has an idle speed more than twice those, and a powerband to match. Making it run slower is very often not helpful, and is, more frequently than it should be, counterproductive.

It's bad advice for any RBV. Some worse than others (especially for 3.0Ls).

 

[Yettoblaster]

Certainly explains why when I put a taller geared axle under an old Isuzu, it got worse mileage. Forgot about that.

Ok, I give.

Uncle!

 

[Rarasranger]

So... while on this trip, I started leaking coolant. Bad. When I start it up then shut it off before the thermostat opens it's a steady stream!
Otherwise it's a steady drip per second. I just replaced the water pump and it doesn't look like it's coming from there. Seems to be from the front passenger side of the engine. Crap...What now?

 

[MrE_Powers]

if you want to change driving habits to improve gas mileage , then install a vacuum gauge.

some vacuum gauges have a little color code and if you keep the vacuum pressure in certain colors you are operating your engine correctly for efficiency