Increase fuel mileage

[DonW]

I am a new Ford Ranger owner and picked up a 2006 Ranger Sport (2X4) automatic with a 3.0L engine, several months ago with 60K on it.
I learned after I bought it that it had 4.1 rear end and that will more than likely explain the 15mpg in town and I try to keep it under 2,000 rpm through all the gears.
Is there any way to increase the mileage at a reasonable cost. I would feel better if it got about 20 in town and 30-35 on the highway. Is that unrealistic?
Thanks
DonW

 

[Bubba Bob]

What engine do you have?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I am a new Ford Ranger owner and picked up a 2006 Ranger Sport (2X4) automatic, several months ago with 60K on it.
I learned after I bought it that it had 4.1 rear end and that will more than likely explain the 15mpg in town and I try to keep it under 2,000 rpm through all the gears.
Is there any way to increase the mileage at a reasonable cost. I would feel better if it got about 20 in town and 30-35 on the highway. Is that unrealistic?
Thanks
DonW

20 in town isn't unreasonable for a 4-cylinder... 30-35 hwy is... My 4.0L regularly gets 20mpg hwy... Keeping it as close to the engines peak torque will net you the best gas mileage... I drive at 2500 rpm 90% of the time and return +20mpg numbers all the time... Other than that, you are driving a truck, that has the aerodynamic efficeincy slightly better than a brick, so you just kinda gotta take what ya can get...

 

[Finally03FX4]

and for gods sake don't lower the tailgate! ~thank you Mythbusters hehe~

 

[Jay FX4]

I am a new Ford Ranger owner and picked up a 2006 Ranger Sport (2X4) automatic, several months ago with 60K on it.
I learned after I bought it that it had 4.1 rear end and that will more than likely explain the 15mpg in town and I try to keep it under 2,000 rpm through all the gears.
Is there any way to increase the mileage at a reasonable cost. I would feel better if it got about 20 in town and 30-35 on the highway. Is that unrealistic?
Thanks
DonW

Yes, 30-35 mpg highway is unrealistic with any Ranger engine.

Keeping it as close to the engines peak torque will net you the best gas mileage...

I thought peak torque was made at 3200-ish rpm. Do you know what it is exactly?

and for gods sake don't lower the tailgate! ~thank you Mythbusters hehe~

LOL

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Peak torque on my 4.0L is 2400rpm... I think the 2.3L is somewhere near 3500rpm... Everything else I'm not sure...

 

[Jay FX4]

Okay according to this peak torque is 238@3000. Close enough, and still less revs than I thought...
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/ranger/specifications/engine/

EDIT: Actually, I was 200rpm closer than you were, so you can send me $10 via PayPal....

 

[Finally03FX4]

[QUOTEEDIT: Actually, I was 200rpm closer than you were, so you can send me $10 via PayPal....[/QUOTE]

now thats a way to make a living.

and congrats on the new truck!

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Different 4.0L... SOHC vs OHV...

 

[Finally03FX4]

details details, hehe

 

[Bubba Bob]

OP Pm'ed me and said 3.0

So... That would put the peak tourque around... Oh that's right, it doesn't.

In all seriousness 2K shifting is pretty low for the 3.0. 2800-3k is more like it. I tried the granny drving when I first got my truck and it proved to get equal to or slightly less fuel milage than shifting closer to 3k.


And yes, your milage goals are unrealistic. The best Ive been able to do with the 3.0 is 26mpg, and that was driving a constant 60mph (talk about boring). However, there're things you can do to increase milage: Basic tune up items, full synthetic driveline fluids, maybe even an under drive crank pulley.

 

[Chance]

Yup it is pretty unrealistic. I get about 18 in my 3.0 with a five speed (4x4), and has gotten 20 before but that was mixed highway/city driving. It gets maybe 22-23 on the freeway. I would only expect worse out of an automatic.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Keep the 4.10s. Even with a 4.0 I could get nearly 2MPG better by letting it rev just below and above 2k instead of 1500-1800RPMs, a 3.0 needs to rev even more, you aren't doing yourself any favors keeping it below 2k.