My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

aldive · 02-24-2002, 04:03 PM

Since I first purchased my Explorer, I have set a goal of 30 MPG.

On a trup last week from Sarasota to Atlantam about 575 milesm I achieved that goal. I made the trip on only 18 gal of gas ( Amoco regular 87 ). The trip was a no rush trip and I decided to stay UNDER 70 MPH. The trip average ( determined by GPS )m was 67,8 MPH.

The mileage for this leg of the trip was 32.1 MPG.

I anxiously await the return trup next Wednesday , not only to escape this God awful overcrowded town, as well as the COLD weatherm but alsp to see what the return mileage will be.

Bill Kemp · 02-24-2002, 07:20 PM

You should get about 35 MPG on the return trip.
Everyone knows you get better mileage going DOWN south than you do going UP north.

**JDraper** · 02-24-2002, 07:56 PM

The only way I'm gonna get 30 mpg is to be towed somewhere!!! I just did a round trip to Philly (330 miles) and averaged 16.5mpg. All except about 25 miles was highway mileage at 75-80mph (I stayed with traffic). The best I have EVER done was when the truck was brand new and had no modifications to it whatsoever, and that was about 20mpg. The only comfort I can take is that we have a gas war going on in town between Wal-Mart and Sheetz, and right now I'm only paying .77/gal

aldive · 02-27-2002, 03:55 PM

Back from Atlanta. The return trip mileage was 580 miles on 18 gal of Amoco regulat - or 32.2 MPG.

The only difference ( other than going South this time ) was that there was no AC used at all on this leg of the trip. Also, the speed average was 71,4 MPH.

*LiKuiD* · 02-27-2002, 04:28 PM

580 miles on one tank? what in the name of highschool football!! thats crazy....maybe if i had a 50 gallon tank id get that kinda mileage but not by what i have now no way no how. oh well. congrats on your gas sipper

ChewieM16 · 02-27-2002, 04:34 PM

what did u do to get that kinda milage?!! i did 55mph from LI to connecticut and the best i got was 18!!!!!

diablo5969 · 02-27-2002, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LiKuiD
580 miles on one tank? what in the name of highschool football!! thats crazy....maybe if i had a 50 gallon tank id get that kinda mileage but not by what i have now no way no how.

Me too. I get about 280 miles/tank, with a 19.8 gallon tank. That's just over 14 miles a gallon.

How big is the tank in a '99, Al?

*jjue* · 02-27-2002, 05:42 PM

Hmmm, I guess that this is a good proof that those tree-hugging hippies have been smokin' too much of something. Granted, I've gotten at best 23 mpg on my '97 Mountaineer V8, but I guess that a "barn door" can get pretty decent mileage. So, how did you get past 30, besides taking it easy? You have to have done some exhaust work and air intake work. I never got past 19 until I replaced the air silencer on my airbox with a 4" dryer hose. Best $0.30 I ever spent.

*DocVijay* · 02-27-2002, 05:50 PM

Please share with us your secret for geting 30 mpg. I've been averageing 14.9 mpg over the past year. My best has been 22. Let us in on the secret.

Jefe · 02-27-2002, 06:10 PM

I got 18 once. . .back when I was stock

Now I'm lucky if I get 11

tbomb · 02-27-2002, 06:15 PM

i get about 260-270 per tank (i think i have an 18 gal tank) which gives me about 14 mpg (and, yup, thats highway.) oh well, if i wanted good gas mileage, id get that little electric honda tin can :p

espnfreak · 02-27-2002, 06:18 PM

What in the name of highschool football? LOL

aldive · 02-27-2002, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diablo5969

Me too. I get about 280 miles/tank, with a 19.8 gallon tank. That's just over 14 miles a gallon. How big is the tank in a '99, Al?

The tank is a 20 gal tank.

aldive · 02-27-2002, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbomb
i get about 260-270 per tank (i think i have an 18 gal tank) which gives me about 14 mpg (and, yup, thats highway.) oh well, if i wanted good gas mileage, id get that little electric honda tin can :p

I wanted good mileage and I get it in my nice bug truck. I am pleased.....

diablo5969 · 02-27-2002, 07:49 PM

That's depressing. Same size tank, over twice the mileage

aldive · 02-27-2002, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by diablo5969
That's depressing. Same size tank, over twice the mileage

Remember guys, I am over twice your age also and that has a lot to do with driving style and subsequest mileage.

My son, age 29 drives my truck the same trip as I do and he gets at best 23 MPG on the highway.

diablo5969 · 02-27-2002, 08:03 PM

I could settle for 23

By the way, I hope you're a little more than twice my age. If you were twice my age, that'd make you 34 with a 29 year old son

aldive · 02-27-2002, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChewieM16
what did u do to get that kinda milage?!! i did 55mph from LI to connecticut and the best i got was 18!!!!!

The following is a list of modifications that have resulted in the mileage reported on my 99 4.0 SOHC:
Mobil 1 5 w 30 synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 ATF in auto tranny ( a complete change )
Mobil 1 in the 3.73 rear end
KKM Tru Rev intake
Custom cat back exhaust system
Remove roof rack
Many coats of Zaino polish
Tire pressure 40 psig
Explorer Express X Spec air dam
Amoco 87 octane gas
Secondary tranny filter ( don’t know if this helps )

Driving habits help also:
No race like starts
Windows up always - usually with AC on
Keep top speed at or below 70 MPH

*DocVijay* · 02-27-2002, 08:42 PM

Well now aldive, there's young, and then there's YOUNG. 34 with a 29 year old kid, that's young even for Georgia. Of course I'm assuming you were refering to double of someone a little older (I hope).

arnothijssen · 03-01-2002, 01:53 PM

My average milage is around 13 mpg, and that is in atlanta too.

02-24-2002, 04:03 PM	#1
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,270 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips Since I first purchased my Explorer, I have set a goal of 30 MPG. On a trup last week from Sarasota to Atlantam about 575 milesm I achieved that goal. I made the trip on only 18 gal of gas ( Amoco regular 87 ). The trip was a no rush trip and I decided to stay UNDER 70 MPH. The trip average ( determined by GPS )m was 67,8 MPH. The mileage for this leg of the trip was 32.1 MPG. I anxiously await the return trup next Wednesday , not only to escape this God awful overcrowded town, as well as the COLD weatherm but alsp to see what the return mileage will be. __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

02-24-2002, 07:20 PM	#2
Bill Kemp Elite Moderator Emeritus Greenville, MI 98 Mountaineer 5.0 AWD Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 5,211 Vehicle Specs	You should get about 35 MPG on the return trip. Everyone knows you get better mileage going DOWN south than you do going UP north. __________________ Bill Kemp Mods to come..... 07 Lincoln MKX Clones are people two.

02-24-2002, 07:56 PM	#3
JDraper Elite Garage Builder McVeytown, PA '11 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 15,403 Vehicle Specs	The only way I'm gonna get 30 mpg is to be towed somewhere!!! I just did a round trip to Philly (330 miles) and averaged 16.5mpg. All except about 25 miles was highway mileage at 75-80mph (I stayed with traffic). The best I have EVER done was when the truck was brand new and had no modifications to it whatsoever, and that was about 20mpg. The only comfort I can take is that we have a gas war going on in town between Wal-Mart and Sheetz, and right now I'm only paying .77/gal __________________ Moderator..Home Improvement/Explorer 911/2011 Explorer Forum You took my breath away....and now I want it back.... '66 Mustang Coupe, '04 Mustang Mach 1, '08 Focus, '11 Explorer XLT "Ex"plorer's: '92 Sport, '94 Sport, '01 XLS Our Crappy Website

02-27-2002, 03:55 PM	#4
aldive Elite In Memoriam 1999 XLT Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25,270 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Back from Atlanta. The return trip mileage was 580 miles on 18 gal of Amoco regulat - or 32.2 MPG. The only difference ( other than going South this time ) was that there was no AC used at all on this leg of the trip. Also, the speed average was 71,4 MPH. __________________ Al Franklin My truck My Quest for 30 RIP Al Franklin! 1947-2010. Gone but not forgotten! :(

02-27-2002, 04:28 PM	#5
LiKuiD bahhhhhhhhh Hillsborough, NJ '94 EB Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 779 Vehicle Specs	580 miles on one tank? what in the name of highschool football!! thats crazy....maybe if i had a 50 gallon tank id get that kinda mileage but not by what i have now no way no how. oh well. congrats on your gas sipper __________________ 94' EB - I'm starting to see a trend... 98' XLT 5.0 AWD - Gone 93' EB - Gone

02-27-2002, 04:34 PM	#6
ChewieM16 Wannabe Elite Explorer Long Island, New York '94 XLT Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 245 Vehicle Specs	what did u do to get that kinda milage?!! i did 55mph from LI to connecticut and the best i got was 18!!!!! __________________ 94 XLT 4x4 Mike's Truck Pioneer DEH-P7500MP, MTX 10" Thunderform with Pioneer 300w amp, K&N Filtercharger / Modified Airbox, Dynomax Cat-back Exhaust, Westin Grille Guard, Warn Manual Hubs, 4 KC Daylighters, 2 Hella 550 Fog Lights, 2 KC Back-up Flood Lights, Gabriel Pro Ryder VST's

02-27-2002, 05:42 PM	#8
jjue Elite Explorer sXc Member Brandon, MS '07 Nissan Titan CC LE Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 661 Vehicle Specs	Hmmm, I guess that this is a good proof that those tree-hugging hippies have been smokin' too much of something. Granted, I've gotten at best 23 mpg on my '97 Mountaineer V8, but I guess that a "barn door" can get pretty decent mileage. So, how did you get past 30, besides taking it easy? You have to have done some exhaust work and air intake work. I never got past 19 until I replaced the air silencer on my airbox with a 4" dryer hose. Best $0.30 I ever spent. __________________ Jeffrey L. Jue 2007 Nissan Titan LE CC 4x4 Previous vehicles: '05 F-150 XLT Supercrew 4x4, '97 Mountaineer V8, '94 Explorer XLT, and '91 Explorer XLT.

02-27-2002, 05:50 PM	#9
DocVijay Meow Tampa, FL 1999 Sport 2WD Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 3,711 Vehicle Specs	Yes Please. Please share with us your secret for geting 30 mpg. I've been averageing 14.9 mpg over the past year. My best has been 22. Let us in on the secret. __________________ Bjorn 2007 Lincoln Navigator L 2005 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Coming Soon: 2009 Lotus Exige S

02-27-2002, 06:10 PM	#10
Jefe Roll Over Posse Recruiter Clarksville, TN '00 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 4,968 Vehicle Specs	I got 18 once. . .back when I was stock Now I'm lucky if I get 11 __________________ '00 Explorer XLT - Sold '01 Focus SE

02-27-2002, 06:15 PM	#11
tbomb Wannabe Elite Explorer Levittown, NY (Long Island) 98 Sport 4.0 SOHC 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 3,657 Vehicle Specs	i get about 260-270 per tank (i think i have an 18 gal tank) which gives me about 14 mpg (and, yup, thats highway.) oh well, if i wanted good gas mileage, id get that little electric honda tin can :p __________________ "Sometimes I dream That he is me Can't you see that's how I wish my X to be Like tbomb's, if my X could be like tbomb's." icon34

02-27-2002, 06:18 PM	#12
espnfreak Wannabe Elite Explorer Elgin, IL '99 Maxima SE-L 5spd Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 3,820 Vehicle Specs*	What in the name of highschool football? LOL __________________ Mechanical Engineering @ Purdue University 1996 Ford Explorer - TOTALLED Life's A Garden - Dig It '99 Maxima SE-Limited 5 spd - 42,000 mi, fully loaded, silver

02-27-2002, 07:49 PM	#15
diablo5969 Wannabe Elite Explorer Versailles, KY (Home) Poughkeepsie, NY (School) 2004 Honda Pilot LX Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,672 Vehicle Specs	That's depressing. Same size tank, over twice the mileage __________________ -- Chase My 1994 Ford Explorer XLT RIP 3/15/04: Explorer No More My 2004 Honda Pilot LX: My New Truck

02-27-2002, 08:03 PM	#17
diablo5969 Wannabe Elite Explorer Versailles, KY (Home) Poughkeepsie, NY (School) 2004 Honda Pilot LX Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,672 Vehicle Specs	I could settle for 23 By the way, I hope you're a little more than twice my age. If you were twice my age, that'd make you 34 with a 29 year old son __________________ -- Chase My 1994 Ford Explorer XLT RIP 3/15/04: Explorer No More My 2004 Honda Pilot LX: My New Truck

02-27-2002, 08:42 PM	#19
DocVijay Meow Tampa, FL 1999 Sport 2WD Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 3,711 Vehicle Specs	Well now aldive, there's young, and then there's YOUNG. 34 with a 29 year old kid, that's young even for Georgia. Of course I'm assuming you were refering to double of someone a little older (I hope). __________________ Bjorn 2007 Lincoln Navigator L 2005 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Coming Soon: 2009 Lotus Exige S

03-01-2002, 01:53 PM	#20
arnothijssen Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 99 Mountaineer V8 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs	My average milage is around 13 mpg, and that is in atlanta too.