97 5.0 AWD

[RobA]

New to this site, am looking for input from anyone who has experience & tips for long term happiness w/ this model. Strictly "road warrior" use, 40K miles/yr. Is my 4th Explorer, but 1st V8 & AWD. Live in the NW so do alot of mountain, rain, snow, & dry road conditions. Any "good" tricks to improve mpg? Currently running @ 17-18mpg. My 4.0 was @ 19mpg so really cant complain. Ideas out there? Thanks

 

[Brian97V8]

No complaints with mine. I do have a K & N and that helped a little. Never had a problem in rain or snow. I have gone mudding a few times and not a problem there either, except I was a little limited without the 4 low but not enough to stop me.

 

[RobA]

97V8 AWD

Brian, how much improvement w/ the K&N filter? Worth the money? I have heard "mixed" results for these filters. Thanks for the info.

 

[Brian97V8]

Rob,

Here it is straight out. I think it cost around $45 for that I never have to replace it. As far as improvement goes I am sure the MPG went up a little but I really cant tell. I tend to stop on it at the lights and I have noticed it does jump a little more as well as move a little faster. I think i saw a guy trying to sell one on this site not to long ago. It was the flat one which is what mine uses. I can tell you this though. The next Explorer I buy will have a K&N in it.

 

[kilroy]

17-18? damn thats good mileage!

Mine has been running good and strong so far, although I have noticed a cold start problem lately. It seems to crank a little more than it should and occasionally backfires a bit. I think a module is going, but I have no codes.

Then again it could be this S***y reformulated gas.