1990 3.0L automatic - 22 city - 29 highway average.

[puttputt]

I'm a stickler for 'decent' fuel mileage, no matter what I drive. I'm no hypermiler, but I do expect well over 20 MPG (city) or I'm looking for another potential candidate. I like the Aerostar's potential, despite it's quirks... which I can live with. Basically, all I ever needed was a reliable 'gofer' with respectable hauling capacity that doesn't eat me out of house-n-home... nothing more... nothing less. I refuse to endure payments and pack a decent set of tools. That said...

My 1990 3.0L/automatic MPG numbers listed below are at sustained hwy cruise speed of 65-67 MPH (using/cruise and carrying 350 lb. payload/no rear seats).

Salt Lake City,UT to Laramie,wy - 390 mi. 13.6 gal. = 28.7 mpg. (via I-80 (mostly uphill))
Laramie,WY to Hays,KS - 461 mi. 15.8 gal. = 29.1 mpg. (via I-70 through Denver)
Hays,KS to Topeka,KS (destination) 202 miles - 6.8 gal. = 29.7 mpg (via I-70 (slight downhill))

City fuel mileage was a little more difficult for me to estimate because I typically drive 12-13 mi. @ 60 MPH hwy, then perhaps another 8-10 miles navigating city traffic running errands. Pulling a dozen or so numbers from my logs pencils out to estimated 22-23 MPG.

Changes/Modifications:

1. Complete tuneup, including plug wires. (please note, low compression will kill MPG. So if you are nursing a worn-out engine, you won't see these numbers)
2. Synthetic lubes - (engine & differential only)
3. Replaced clutch fan w/electric
4. Removed the cat converter (not by choice - the original was severely damaged after I ran over someone's unsecured bicycle while traveling Interstate 84).
5. Advanced static ignition timing (unknown numbers, just to the point I could detect slight pinging when hot under WOT). Home elevation is 3700 ft.
6. 40 PSI tire pressures
7. Est. 350 lb. payload and rear seats removed.
8. Tow package W/3.73 rear axle ratio

I no longer have the 1990, but plan on replicating (and besting the '90's figures) with my newly acquired 1994 3.0L/5spd manual. 30+ MPG is expected.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

I've gotten surprisingly decet mileage out of Ford's 3.0L Vulcan engine no matter what I have it in. I've had a Tempo 3.0L V6, Taurus 3.0L V6, Windstar, Ranger, etc. and they all got decent mileage given their condition/use, etc.

I got 35 MPG out of my 1993 Taurus GL and 20 MPG after it burned a valve at 290,000 miles. I put another 8-10K on it and then sold it. My V6 Tempo regularly saw 30 MPG or so when it was running it's best (usually).

 

[puttputt]

Hi John,

I have a '97 Taurus wagon here that just puked its trans... no surprise here... eh? Prior to its demise, it mustered about the same mileage as the '90 Aerostar did, but I didn't massage it. My elderly father has a '94 Lincoln which frequently approaches the same numbers too. As we all know, the problem with the Aerostar is twofold, aerodynamics and weight. Just can't expect high numbers with a heavy foot and at elevated freeway speeds.

-kenny-

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's pretty good mileage compared to my vans.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

We had a 1997 Sable GS 3.0L sedan and it was a spectacular car. Sold it with 180K on it and it's sill going, original trans (had it serviced semi-regular). Got at or close to 30 on long trips, got 26 average in 75-MPH Atlanta traffic (regular downshifting as traffic slows and then picks back up to 75, etc).

Guess I should mention that I've lived all over (except the NE) including a lot in Western WA, some near Portland, etc and have driven accross country from that area to the dirty south down here dozens of times.

 

[jlh3rd]

Let's see....the 90 3.0 was rated at 15 city, 20 hwy. , and the hwy figure is usually derived at a constant speed of 55 mph....level ground....and auto manufacturers are notorious for overstating these figures. Every vehicle (car,motorcycle) I have and had ,have never passed the manufacturer's figures even though I use synthetic oils, inflate tires to the max sidewall pressure, and keep all my vehicles tuned. The best I ever got in my 92 3.0 auto. was 20 mpg from Charlotte,Nc. to Harrisburg,Pa, with a tailwind and no,it wasn't uphill.
Just amazing how you magically got such phenomenal mileage .
Isn't the internet wonderful....and of course.....everything is true.....
Hey, my hat's off to you.
Must be one of them magical, supersecret carbs that the big three keep from us...

 

[puttputt]

Let's see....the 90 3.0 was rated at 15 city, 20 hwy. , and the hwy figure is usually derived at a constant speed of 55 mph....level ground....and auto manufacturers are notorious for overstating these figures. Every vehicle (car,motorcycle) I have and had ,have never passed the manufacturer's figures even though I use synthetic oils, inflate tires to the max sidewall pressure, and keep all my vehicles tuned. The best I ever got in my 92 3.0 auto. was 20 mpg from Charlotte,Nc. to Harrisburg,Pa, with a tailwind and no,it wasn't uphill.
Just amazing how you magically got such phenomenal mileage .
Isn't the internet wonderful....and of course.....everything is true.....
Hey, my hat's off to you.
Must be one of them magical, supersecret carbs that the big three keep from us...

I understand the skepticism.

I have over 30+ pages of detailed logs spanning almost 4 years of pavement on this vehicle alone. And many of those miles included a reliable, observant passenger. The info is accurate and valid - if it wasn't, I would waste the time assembling it.

You need to understand that NO two Aerostars are alike,... likewise, NO two drivers massage the controls the same... not to mention, that I have 25+ years as a pro wrench, so I posses a reasonably fluent understanding of what makes these beasts tick. If your Aeros failed to produce similar results, I suggest you research why and make intelligent corrections.

Believe what you wish... discard the rest... but you'd be wise to forgo the unfounded criticism without supporting facts... which I have in my greasy mitts.

-kenny-

 

[BrooklynBay]

Let's keep the heat down a little. Here's a link to a thread from AlDive's Quest for 30 thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372

 

[mmerlinn]

My 93 Aerostar typically gets 26mpg highway no matter what kind of terrain I cross and regardless whether I am going 60mph or 75mph. I have been from the Northwest coast to Texas and back four times fully overloaded each way and each time averaged just over 26 round trip, even on the trip in 2008 where I drove 8000 miles in the 7 weeks I was on the road.

Around town I get 23mpg.

3.0 engine with 369,000 miles. Oil changes every 3000 miles with normal 10-30 oil. One tuneup since I had it, about 50000 miles ago.

Shorty rear wheel drive, not 4x4.

Empty weight of van is 3950 pounds. Typical payload of 2000 pounds. Seldom less than 1000 pounds.

Keep 45 psi (max) in tires due to extreme payloads.

I have a record of every gallon of gas purchased, when, where, price, cost, and odometer reading for the 194,000 miles that I have driven this Aerostar. The last time I checked I had averaged 25.8 mpg with 80% highway and 20% city driving in 500 miles of driving (Vancouver to Roseburg and back plus some Portland city driving).

My last Aero (1986 3.0 Rwd) got about the same mileage. I don't know where book is that has the exact figures, so I can't give the exact figures for it.

I once flew to Baltimore and rented a long 4x4 Aerostar. I drove it for 5000 miles and got 19mpg average for the month I had it. I was not happy with the mileage, but I could not find a shorty Rwd to rent.

 

[puttputt]

Here's a link to a thread from AlDive's Quest for 30 thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372

Interesting read.

Please note, his numbers included..

1. Running the OEM belt drive fan - (mine was electric only).
2. Running at or near 70 mph - (I restricted my speeds to 65 mph max)
3. Running with A/C - (mine was disabled w/many parts missing)
4. Running a 'curb weight' of 3891 lbs. (mine was about 3550 lbs. - no rear seats and 350 lb cargo)
5. Feeding 4.0L (mine is 3.0L)
6. Even better numbers than I managed (I never saw 30 MPG... ever)

Color me dubious without detailed logs, but I'm in NO position to challenge his numbers.. maybe he did... dunno

 

[Adam_tinkerer]

I was wondering how much difference in mpg, 3.0 vs. 4.0 . I've saved a few pounds in my owrk van, since I removed the rear carpet, seat belts, hatch trim panel, slider trim panel, and cut the side panels, only leaving the top part that holds the headliner in place.

Of course, I then filled it with tools...

 

[BrooklynBay]

The SOHC 4.0L is supposed to be more efficient than the regular OHV 4.0L. Either way, it's not a substantial difference.

 

[puttputt]

I did a 31.7 mile loop today in my 94 shorty 5spd - about 50/50 highway/city. 60 MPH tops. I immediately launched this morning at 33 degrees - no warm-up. It took 1.3 gallons at fill up.

No idea when it was last tuned up. I just removed the rear seats, aired the tires to 35, then drove it. Appears to have 30+ MPG hwy potential after I massage a few details - maybe not - we'll see.

 

[jlh3rd]

I know the feeling!.....I have an 08 Silverado and every time I go to take the gas cap off I have to put a 5 gallon bucket out to catch the gas that comes flowing out.