2006 Explorer V8 4WD Gas Mileage Woes

[Ornery]

Icarumba!

Cleaning fuel injectors and replacing plugs did NOTHING to help mileage. Seems like it actually went down! How would you like 9.5MPG?

A small part of the problem may be my wife's 2.1 mile commute to work. The balance of her driving is from our house to the local stores, which are even closer. Throw in a few mega journey's to Walmart, which is 3.8 miles away.

Today I was home when she left for work. Turned on the remote start twenty minutes before leaving. Usually, it's only about ten minutes before, but who knows long it idles at work before coming home? No doubt these habits are hindering mileage tremendously, but she had the exact same habits with her '99 Grand Marquis, and its mileage was nowhere near as abysmal. Nor is my '94 Town Car, which is strictly used for a 5 mile commute and nothing more. It gets a solid 15MPG and never sees a freeway. I idle it 10 minutes to warm up on really cold mornings, too.

Is there anyway to trade power for MPG on this thing? I NEVER have my foot in the gas, it's always got more than enough pickup for me. It does have the 2" hitch, so I imagine the towing gears to go with it. That can't be helping. The fuel is going to cost an extra $500 per year more than the G.Marquis, plus the initial price is significantly higher, and the expected repair costs are shaping up much higher as well.

Oy Vey!

 

[XLT99]

Well letting it idle for 20 minutes isnt helping, but in the end its still a 5000+ pound truck thats as aerodynamic as a house with a V8, and the awd does nothing to help the mileage. And the marquis and towncar are both probably a half ton lighter, more aerodynamic, and are only rear wheel drive

 

[Town]

The V8 uses the same differential gearing for the tow package as without it, 3.55:1 The V6 uses 3.73:1 differential gears for the tow package and 3.55:1 without it. So it is not likely a gearing issue.

Do you get close to the same MPG using the computer as with calculating the fuel usage manually between fill-ups?

Idling an engine to warm-up is the slowest and most expensive option as you know. Short trips and lots of idling are very hard on the vehicle so the engine oil and filter need to be changed much more regularly.

Have you tried blocking the radiator grill to dramatically reduce cold air flow into the engine compartment. This is popular in cold weather to speed engine warm-up.

Good luck.

 

[Ornery]

Being a "glass is half full" kind of guy, I'll just have to look at the bright side. When I was initially told it was a "gas hog", I figured it was just the same sentiments I always hear about the Panther chassis Fords I'm already driving. Little did I know...

But, for $40 more per month in fuel, I have a vehicle my wife just loves. IMO, more attractive than the G. Marquis, (although not the Town Car). It can haul things the sedans can't, better traction in winter and no doubt safer in a crash. Resale value should be much higher as well.

Still, if I could snag a few more MPG by changing the gearing or tweaking a chip, it would be a cost effective modification over time.

Edit: Ah, regarding Town's questions, when I drive it, I frequently reset the current mileage readout. Last night driving 40MPH up Rt. 306 I was in the mid twenties. Even stop & go down the avenue it's getting fifteen or better.

I just took delivery of a replacement Grille Assembly, since the existing one is pitted. (Hmm, can't link to my $130, #F070191, purchase from Auto Parts Warehouse) Looks just like an OEM part. I could add some kind of radiator cover while I'm in there. Never tried it before, but it sounds like a good tip, thanks!

 

[The Scott]

I get between 9-14mpg during my 3 mile commute depending how many red lights I hit. Sounds like the best way to increase your MPG would be to get a garage. There is no reason to let a vehicle idle for more than 30 sec to a minute unless you just want to heat up the passenger compartment, which takes a lot longer at idle than just getting in and driving it.

 

[Ornery]

Thanks Scott,

It's not for the benefit of the truck to warm up, it's for my wife's sake. Heated seats are activated with the remote start as well. 10 minutes is the norm, I just happened to catch her on an off day. My big concern is that the sedans don't take that much of a hit from the idling. Basically the same engines, too. Like I said, I'll be happy to sacrifice some horsepower to save on the fuel. I'm seriously considering swapping this for something else. If I could get what I paid for it, I'd be sorely tempted. Not quite sure what to buy instead, but for damn sure it won't be a mini van!

 

[Kazer]

12 mpg combined (70/30 Highway/City) in my 2002 4.0 4x4. for the the horsepower/torque gained with the v8, i would gladly trade you vehicles

 

[Ornery]

Bah, ain't nothin' comparable. If I had my druthers, this thing would have been a loaded Town Car. But no, she wanted a mini van, so she could sit up higher... (insert roll eyes icon)

Just doesn't leave any other choice. The expensive repairs for this thing will just be insult to injury. I only hope they're spread out over many years to dull the pain a little.

Edit: I've had the final say in what vehicles we purchase for the last 35 years, and been pretty spoiled by the dependability of Ford's full size cruisers. I replaced my wife's '99 G.Marquis with a gorgeous '04 G. Marquis Ultimate, but she wasn't happy with it. So, when my '94 Town Car started showing signs of giving up the ghost, I figured I'd accommodate her wishes. The '04 would then be mine, and I'm THRILLED to have it. But, there was no way I'd take ownership of the FWD, unibody, minivan type vehicles she wanted. The Explorer was, and is, the only viable alternative. I'll repair as much as I can myself, but there are far too many issues on the horizon I won't be able to. I am NOT used to hefty repair bills at all. The most I've ever had to pay over the last thirty years was for a full dual exhaust replacement!

 

[Laserbait]

I have noticed my fuel economy suffer in the winter too with my '06 Mountaineer V8. It also took a bit of a dive with the slightly oversized tires that I got (265/60R18). If you're in the market for tires, make sure to get them the stock, or slightly skinnier side. Wider tires suck more gas.

I have not done this yet, but I am considering a SCT programmer from someone that offers an economy tune.

 

[edwx]

Yeah, the remote start warm-ups do a number on my average mpg's. At least gas prices are dropping. Only $57 to fill up last night!

 

[Flag Gibby]

Just my 2 cents, but when the winter gasoline blends kick in the ethanol content is at a constant 10% instead of around 6% for the summer blends and I notice a significant drop in MPG when that happens. So, some of your issues may have to do with the ethanol content of the gasoline. See if you can find some pumps in your area that carry ethanol free gasoline and run that to improve your MPG.

 

[Ornery]

Something is wrong!

Filled up last night (no ethanol free gas nearby), jumped directly on the freeway, locked in cruise at 65mph, drove 57 miles to the airport. Picked up my son, who became the fourth passenger with only carry on luggage, and drove directly home at 65mph on cruise. Airport is right off the freeway. Just topped it off this morning and calculated a mere 19.7mpg. %*!@$* :fire:

There has got to be a vacuum leak or some damn thing wrong here. What's the procedure to reprogram to an economy "tune". I gotta do something, and the sooner the better...

 

[NORDFORD]

Ornery, that is about as good as its gonna get. This is a V8 all wheel drive vehicle. I have an 07 limited V8. I drove about 180 miles to DesMoines and then 180 back this weekend. Cruise set at about 75, I got 15.7 mpg going over and 15.4 coming back. Hand calculated, not the computer telling me... I drive aggressively and I realize what the vehicle will do.

I know you love the big cruiser cars. Look at how they are shaped, how low they are the road, the gearing in the transmission and rear ends... All of those are very different and account for the better fuel mileage.

If it is a problem, you would be better off taking a bath and trading for something that will get decent fuel mileage. Make sure to look at the manufacturers fuel ratings when you are shopping. My explorer window sticker only shows 21mpg. That is usally figured on a calm, 72 degree day, perefectly flat road at 55mph.

I'm not trying to be rude, just letting you know you will not EVER consistently get 20+ mpg in this vehicle.

 

[Fordracing17]

i have a 2006 v6 without the tow package and without using 4wd and i have been averaging 9.7 MPG... i consider you lucky to have the v8 haha

 

[Town]

That 19.7 mpg translates to 11.9 liters per 100 kilometers in the winter time with winter gas and extra ethanol and 65 mph. That is good, my car averages about that in the winter time over thousands of kilometers (computer readout and manual calculation). The problem with a one time check is that the fuel level is rarely the same. You need to do it over time.

The EPA says 13 mpg in town and 15 combined and 18 mpg highway for your vehicle (which is probably summer time and not with 10% ethanol). They say the real world average is 15.2 mpg.

If you want to check for a vacuum leak use a vacuum gauge. At idle the reading should be about 17 to 21 inches of mercury and be steady. Ford have a vacuum readout chart if you are interested.

The problem with a tune is that the Explorer has separate PCM and TCM software that is coordinated, so you need an expert tune to avoid shifting issues.

Good luck.

 

[Ornery]

I could have sworn a few folks around here mentioned getting a helluva lot better than 20mpg. Like mid twenties. You're saying we have some "exaggerators" around here?

Honestly, I'd rather have a Town Car, but this isn't mine. My wife would be happy with a loaded mini van, I kid you not. I don't even want to think about messing with an engine shoehorned into a tiny compartment along with a tranny. Friend of mine told me his 500 had to remove the intake manifold to get at some of the plugs! This is getting STUPID!

I can't think what vehicle would make a good replacement. I don't need to tow. 4WD is a plus on our winter roads. She has struggled with the panther chassis on snow, but I now use studded snows on the rears with sand bags over the rear axle. I could add studded snows to the front as well, which I did to my youngest son's '95 G.Marquis. That thing can stop & go nicely.

But, she wants to sit "up high". I had an '88 E-150 conversion van for a few years, and she liked that. But, that was a knuckle buster under the hood, and talk about cumbersome. What to do, what to do?

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

If your getting 20 thats all your probably going to get unless you spend lots of money to see a couple of mpg better. which will never pay itself off.

Might want to check your wifes driving habits, my wife complains about our fuel mileage but i get between 18 and 20 she gets like 14 ( all highway always minimum of 20 miles) seems she likes to put her foot in it because it takes too long to get up to highway speed if you keep rpms around 2000. if you figure out a magic cure to up your mpg's let us know.

 

[Davidm53]

I get excellent mileage on my V6 Explorer when I drive my old Lincoln instead.

Have seen 20 on the highway, maybe 21 at times with the EX. I have the worst combination with the V6 and tow package.
When I gas up,the average is 15.5 city/highway.

No long highway trips with it sofar.

 

[Ornery]

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to my wife. She gets to keep the Explorer. Just got done washing it at 35° and it's really a pretty machine. A pleasure to drive, too. We're blessed to be able to own it and keep it. There's still a lot of people struggling, so I sure can't complain.

Thanks for all the suggestions, help and humor. Merry Christmas to you all!

 

[V8Pete]

Idling to warm up, you're getting 0 mpg. That's going to affect your average

My wife drives ours around town. We don't let it warm up - just drive it gently 'til it's warm - and it gets around 12 mpg. On the freeway, it's a whole 'nother story; it'll get 21 mpg all day long at 70 -75 mph, and more if we slow down. Our '96, also a 2WD V8, was similar.