MPG Droping Like A Rock

[The purple one]

My 93 2.3 2 WD 5 speed got 24 MPG when I got it in Feb. Now I am getting about 19 MPG I got this to save money on gas I know I have about 3 to 5 hundred pounds of scrap in it most of the time but I would think I would get better then what I am getting now. Would a tune up help any ?

 

[wrecking-crew]

a tune up would be much better. also check your trans and rear fluid. if it looks a brownish color it needs to be changed for optimal efficiency.

 

[Chance]

Did you change your driving style? Is the truck doing anything different? Loss of power? Different colored smoke? New noise/vibration? Have the fluids been changed in the past 70,000 miles? Is the parking brake engaged? Overheating at all?

Basically, what's different now than in February?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Sounds like what my 2.3 did to me also. Getting 22~23 mpg, then a sudden drop to 18 mpg. But I blame the hot weather. 100*F + with fan constantly running with A/C doesn't make for great mileage. Luckily, when things cooled off, my 22mpg returned.

300~500 lbs of scrap does make a difference. Thats more fuel the engine has to burn to carry that extra load. Same thing when I hauled about 500lbs of extra gear across half of the country. While my truck will usually get 24~26mpg at 65mph, it only got 24mpg at best. Any other time, it got lower than 24mpg and 20mpg was the worst (thou traveling at 75mph through hilly terrains helps that). Also, the motorcycle kinda acted like a air drag brake in the bed.

In short, go another tank and get rid of the load. If your Ranger has the 20 gallon tank. First quarter should be at least 100 miles or better to equal 20mpg or better. I get normally 110~125miles on first quarter (depends on speed and how heavy my right foot is).

 

[feellnfroggy]

300~500 lbs of scrap does make a difference. Thats more fuel the engine has to burn to carry that extra load. Same thing when I hauled about 500lbs of extra gear across half of the country. While my truck will usually get 24~26mpg at 65mph, it only got 24mpg at best. Any other time, it got lower than 24mpg and 20mpg was the worst (thou traveling at 75mph through hilly terrains helps that). Also, the motorcycle kinda acted like a air drag brake in the bed.

This is pretty much what I was gonna say, That much weight makes a HUGE difference. Ditch the weight if you can. You'll get it back.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I've heard if the O2 sensor goes out it will make mileage drop like a rock. Is it throwing any codes?

 

[NMB2]

he would know if the o2 sensor went out. the truck would barely run at times.

 

[tbirdsps]

Here in Ca. we have various blends of gasoline. I get the best milage out of my 92 prior to April averaging 24 in local driving. After April it drops to 22.5 and when I use the A/C 21-22 mpg.

My winter highway milage is 27-28 and summer never better than 26. Oh yea. I've never done a tune up since new. I changed the plugs at 56,000 miles back in 2000. Now I have 107,000.

 

[Downey]

are you throwing a CEL?

 

[The purple one]

I do need to look at my service engine light because it will come on sometimes if I let the truck lug a little then it gose out. Also I have 10W 30 oil in it now. When I got the truck I think he had thinner oil in it but I am not sure.