bad gas mileage

[Boggin]

so my 94 3.0 ranger 4x4 automatic gets very shitty gas mileage, im not sure what it is exactly but i know it really sucks, and shouldnt be as bad as it is.
i know my iac sensor is bad because she dont always idle very good, so could this have something to do with my gas mileage to?
thanks

 

[koda6966]

What are the mpg's and are you checking them by filling your tank, driving, and then filling it back up and calculating the mileage with your trip gauge?

You should be getting about 16-18. Although I bet you could manage 20. I used to get 18 with my 2wd. Tire size can effect this, same with exhaust. When mine split off I started getting about 16mpg. I should probably get around to fixing it.

For the bad idle, you could try changing your fuel filter. Also, does it idle like crap only at stop lights or when your parked, or does it do it all the time? IAC would only be at stops or parked. At least that's how mine acted on my Zx2.

 

[Boggin]

only when in park or neutral. if its in gear and im stopped with the breaks she will idle all day

like i said i dont know the exact mileage, and she has 235s and no exhaust after the manifold

 

[mp3deviant721]

Are you running open manifolds? I think thats your gas milage problem. You have any power issues?

 

[Boggin]

no its got the mainfolds, ypipe, and cat but i have another muffler and tail pipe to put on, but my mig dont work now lol
and yes she is kinda gutless

 

[stmitch]

You have a 3.0 4X4 AT. Your truck is never going to be a Prius. You must come to terms with that first. Without knowing what mileage you're getting its tough to say somethings wrong, but I'd start with things you know need to be fixed. The two biggest factors that contribute to poor fuel mileage are poor vehicle maintenance, and driving habits. You won't get decent mileage if anythings malfunctioning, or in need of replacement. And you won't get decent mileage if you can't keep your gas pedal away from your floorboard.
If your truck is meticulously maintained, and you don't drive it like you stole it, then you should be getting decent mileage ( I'd guess 16-18mpg).

 

[Ranger44]

Add a 5spd, 4.10's, and an exhaust. Then we'll ponder. Until then, it's the nature of the beast. A high reving engine is going to fight against a poorly maintained vehicle with higher gearing and an auto.

 

[oldfordman]

Don't know if mine is typical, but with my '99 3.0 auto, 4wd, xlt, with 4.10 gears and 235 tires, I get 20-22 on the highway cruising at 70-75. Some A/C use, but not much. (more sweat = fewer pee stops). That's with real gas. With the E-10, my mileage drops by 1-2 mpg. I run a tall cap, and usually carry a few hundred pounds of stuff. I track my mileage, so I know what I get. Mixture of highway and city knocks me down to 15.

 

[Boggin]

no this is far worse than what it should be. my 79 bronco gets way better than the ranger. i used her about 50 kms all together since i owned it and i got about $200 gone in gas. i replaced the IAC and im wondering if it could be the O2 sensor? something is deffinetly wrong because this is unreal and i dont have a code puller
thanks