Is 12mpg normal?

[stevenf]

Right now My BII has 28" tires and got an average tank of 12 mpg with the lowest I have seen was 11mpg. I have read that the 2.9L get 17-20mpg. Are these people full of $*** or is there something going on with mine?
Its an automatic, fuel injected. The reason Im asking is because I want to add 31's and I think my gear ratio will be 3.07. Just trying to figure out how to get the most out of the mpg.

 

[Jspafford]

Right now My BII has 28" tires and got an average tank of 12 mpg with the lowest I have seen was 11mpg. I have read that the 2.9L get 17-20mpg. Are these people full of $*** or is there something going on with mine?
Its an automatic, fuel injected. The reason Im asking is because I want to add 31's and I think my gear ratio will be 3.07. Just trying to figure out how to get the most out of the mpg.

I get 19 out of mine with city driving. If I get it out on the highway it gets real close to 25mpg.

I have stock 205/75 tires with 3.45 gears. I also have a 5-speed manual.

No, something is wrong. Sounds like your running way too rich.

 

[Loanranger]

I've got 31s and 3.73s and get 13-15 with mostly in town driving, so it could be better.

 

[stevenf]

What would you recommend doing first, second, and third to try and fix it? I noticed barely any exhaust comes out the pipe, could it be the cats causing this?

 

[Loanranger]

Well, since you brought up the exhaust, I would start there. Are there any leaks? If you have any kind of fab skills, you could try running a "test tube" in place of the cat to see if it helps with the flow. If it does, you should replace the cat. Does your transmission seem to be operating properly? When is the last time you did a tune up?

 

[stevenf]

Its probably been about 7 years since a tuneup, but the gas milage hasnt changed since then. If I take the cats off, will I have any check engine light problems for emissions?
The transmission works fine, Shifts smoothly.

 

[rickcdewitt]

my lifted 2.9l ranger got 15-17 on 33's with 4.10 gears?thats with no freeway miles and wheeling every tank

4.10's will help(especially with 31's) mileage and so will a 5 speed

sounds like its overdue some maintenance items too. when did you last change the air filter?

 

[grnrngr]

I get 17-18 with my 90 Ranger around town, was getting 19-20 with my 86 B2... 235s and 5spd on both I think it's the weight difference..but yeah, if you got no exhaust coming out the pipe, cats would be the first thing I'd check...

 

[MAKG]

Well, since you brought up the exhaust, I would start there. Are there any leaks? If you have any kind of fab skills, you could try running a "test tube" in place of the cat to see if it helps with the flow. If it does, you should replace the cat. Does your transmission seem to be operating properly? When is the last time you did a tune up?

Umm, that's a hell of a lot of effort just to avoid 10 minutes of diagnosis.

A vacuum test can detect plugged exhaust.

Three things to try NOW are:

1. Run the self tests. It may give you a HINT about what is wrong (it will NOT tell you the answer -- just a direction. Go to a shop NOW if you think a code alone means buying a sensor, as it will be cheaper).

2. Test the fuel pressure regulator. It should hold vacuum, should not let fuel into the vacuum line (check after idling), and should not let fuel pressure in the rail leak down for several minutes at least.

3. Inspect the spark plugs for deposits, proper gap, and evidence of arcing (surface tracks, cracks, or holes).

 

[Jason]

How do you drive? I had an Altima SE-R (manual) that got nearly 30 mpg on the highway and averaged 24-25 all around. However, I could get in a mood for a week or two and drive that thing like it was made for and push my tank average down into the low teens. I even had one tank that averaged 12.1 mpg. Your right foot is one of the biggest determining factors for gas mileage.

 

[nismotunedgtr]

In my 1992 STX 4x4 A4LD with 3.73's and 215/75's I get around 15 in the city. I don't take it easy either. I ROMP on it.

Only mods are tailgate net, 3" side exit exhuast, cone K&N filter, and A/C belt removed.

It could be, and I wish it was better...

 

[89EB_B2]

my 89 gets about 12-16 with 30in mudders dynomax exhaust a4ld and 4:10's and i dont drive like a grandma either

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

You should be getting better than 12 mpg. Put the time in to do the maintenance items; plugs, wires, cap, new air filter and an oil change and if you still feel there's problems fellow Allen's steps.

 

[gotmudd]

You should be getting better than 12 mpg. Put the time in to do the maintenance items; plugs, wires, cap, new air filter and an oil change and if you still feel there's problems fellow Allen's steps.

really, 7years since a tune-up? try starting there. my fullsize w/390 and 305/70/16's w/automatic w/lead foot and i still get @14mpg

 

[mkpecor]

imgetting 16-18 mpg with my 2.9, pushing 33x12.50 swomps and 3.73 gears. if i was you. punch out the honey come shit in side the cats, if that dont do it, do a tune up. NEW= cap/rotor , plugs and wires, oil and filter change.