My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[TheFox88]

Originally Posted by celly

I don't get great mileage no matter if I'm with out without stock tunes. Doesn't matter what I drive or who tunes it. I'd get crappy mileage on one of those Smart cars! Come to think of it, I didn't get great mileage on my 80 cc Peugeot (sp?) scooter I had when I lived in Bermuda.

You may have a problem.

[celly]

Originally Posted by TheFox88

You may have a problem.

Like I said, lead foot. I've tried to drive mellow, but no can do.

[aldive]

Originally Posted by briwayjones

Al, have you seen any power increases with Doug's tunes over stock even though they are mileage tunes?

Yes, definitely. But ..... let me qualify a bit. The power increase with the mileage tunes is most obvious with the 93 tune; the 89 tune is also very good; and the 87 is just so so.

[aldive]

Originally Posted by celly

I've had a few of Doug's mileage tunes for my SOHC on the Sport. Frankly, my Ex felt sluggish with them running. I only use them on road trips that are relatively flat and they seem to make a difference at the pump.

I suppose that different trucks show different results. With that premise, I can truly say that I have never experienced this with the over 20 tunes I have evaluated.

[aldive]

Originally Posted by briwayjones

Have you seen any mileage increases with his performance tunes over stock?

Yes, in every case.

[aldive]

Originally Posted by aldive

Heading up to Atlanta at dawn tomorrow. I shall be evaluating a new tweeked tune from Doug. This tune is made for 89 gas.

Results next week.

Sarasota to Atlanta: average speed 74.3 MPH, mileage 28.7 MPG. Amoco 89 gas.

Atlanta to Sarasota: average speed 68.8 MPH, mileage 33.4 MPG. Amoco 93 gas ( the station I use was out of 89 ).

Speed definately inhibits good gas mileage. Next trip O shall use the same tune but one leg will be with 89 gas and the other with 93 ( same speed ).

[IAmTodd]

Originally Posted by aldive

Speed definately inhibits good gas mileage.

I know you preech that all the time, but for each motor, is there a more economical speed? I've heard of people getting good gas mileage from a 302 doing 75-80. I'm not all that much into economical driving, but I do travel around that area normally. I was just wondering.

[aldive]

Originally Posted by IAmTodd

I know you preech that all the time, but for each motor, is there a more economical speed? I've heard of people getting good gas mileage from a 302 doing 75-80. I'm not all that much into economical driving, but I do travel around that area normally. I was just wondering.

I am certain that each motor has a different performance peak, albeit a small difference.

Its not the engine that is the major factor at speed, its the aerodynamics of the vehicle ( or in the Explorer;s case, the lack of ).

[Turdle]

Originally Posted by aldive

I am certain that each motor has a different performance peak, albeit a small difference.

Its not the engine that is the major factor at speed, its the aerodynamics of the vehicle ( or in the Explorer;s case, the lack of ).

I've got to back Al on this. I notice Dramatic loss of economy over 70 mph

[TNR]

Originally Posted by aldive

Indeed its a 2 wheel drive, but the rear is a 3.73.

It may have been a typo, but I love it .. what a better saying for a explorer 4x forum.

2 weak drive vs 4 wheel drive :-)

[slenser]

Originally Posted by aldive

Sarasota to Atlanta: average speed 74.3 MPH, mileage 28.7 MPG. Amoco 89 gas.

Atlanta to Sarasota: average speed 68.8 MPH, mileage 33.4 MPG. Amoco 93 gas ( the station I use was out of 89 ).

Speed definately inhibits good gas mileage. Next trip O shall use the same tune but one leg will be with 89 gas and the other with 93 ( same speed ).

AMAZING!!!

My other car is an 06 Mazda 6s, V6, 5 speed and I can't get this kind of mileage. It's a brand new car with a little over 2k on it, but still...I should be able to do better than an Explorer!

Incredible, just incredible.

[zippee]

Originally Posted by jayhawkexplorer

When mileage gains this high have been reached, little things are what will get you even higher. aldive is trying to reach the highest number he can and this thread is all about it. spindlecone quit trying to antagonize, like you do so often, and if the thread's a joke to you, quit reading it. Nobody's forcing you to do so; there's plenty of people who subscribe to the thread and enjoy reading what aldive's come up with next. like me.

Me too.

[aldive]

It was posted ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=150446 ) that under drive pulleys were now available for the 4.0 SOHC.

I have long awaited these pulleys to evaluate their effect on gas mileage.

I shall be obtaining and testing in the very bear future.

[spindlecone]

Originally Posted by aldive

It was posted ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=150446 ) that under drive pulleys were now available for the 4.0 SOHC.

I have long awaited these pulleys to evaluate their effect on gas mileage.

I shall be obtaining and testing in the very bear future.

They will increase gas mileage, but there are some tradeoffs

[r37ribution]

Originally Posted by spindlecone

They will increase gas mileage, but there are some tradeoffs

and what exactly would those be?

Will these work on the 4.0L OHV?

[spindlecone]

Originally Posted by r37ribution

and what exactly would those be?

Will these work on the 4.0L OHV?

Your underdriving your electrical system, cooling system, AC and PS by 20/25%, only downside might be for those that run alot of electronic gear.
Vendor states that the OHV and SOHC pullys are the same

[r37ribution]

Originally Posted by spindlecone

Your underdriving your electrical system, cooling system, AC and PS by 20/25%, only downside might be for those that run alot of electronic gear.
Vendor states that the OHV and SOHC pullys are the same

Good point...
A higher amp alternator would resolve the electrical issues, but steering may be an issue for people with lift trucks or larger tires...

[spindlecone]

Originally Posted by r37ribution

Good point...
A higher amp alternator would resolve the electrical issues, but steering may be an issue for people with lift trucks or larger tires...

When a complete pully set is made it will come with a smaller pully for the alternator which in turn will make it put out the same output as OEM.

[aldive]

Underdrive pulley ordered and shipped today.

[aldive]

Gas mileage data for “in town” driving

I have been running an experimental computer tune that Doug Studdard (http://www.bamachips.com/ ) made for me and I tweaked with SCT’s Extreme Tune software ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...t=sct+software ).

Miles driven – 276
Mileage – 25.4 MPG

This is the best “in town” only mileage that I have gotten.

I look forward to testing this tune with the new underdrive pulley.