Any mods to improve gas mileage?

[96ExplorerV8]

Hey. I'm looking into making my Explorer as fuel-efficient as possible. I'm not sure what Ford changed in the V8 since 96 but I saw that even the 00 V8 Explorers were getting around 18 MPG for the Highway. Are there kits or certain bolt-on parts that I can use to increase fuel-efficiency? Thank you for your help. Good day.

 

[aldive]

Several things you can do include:

removal of roof rack
lower the truck a couple inchs
front air dam
change all fluids to synthetic
KKM intake
custom cat back exhaust

driving style

Good luck, I have gotten 32 MPG on the highway in my SOHC.

 

[jssong]

32? omgosh.. did u put it in neutral on downhills or tailgate 18wheelers? haha..

 

[leenjen]

gears play a part. my explorer (3.27 gears) would get over 20 MPG average without any mods (and i also had really heavy systems in it ranging from one to four subwoofers and enclosures taking up the whole cargo area). and i have a 4X4..

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by 96ExplorerV8
Hey. I'm looking into making my Explorer as fuel-efficient as possible.

sorry to have to tell you this, but an explorer is not the best vehicle choice for fuel efficiency... A Geo Metro or a Honda Civic will get you fuel effieciency

 

[RoadEnforcer]

i took off my roof rack and havent noticed any improvement yet!

 

[InS0mNiAc]

Z-MAX, THE TORNADO!!

 

[KEbert]

Z-Max and that Tornado thing are just gimmicks. The best way to get good mileage is to drive slow and efficient. Slow accelerations and about a max highway speed of 65 mph. A KKM will help as an exhaust will also. The less you have to put your foot into the throttle to accelerate, the better your mileage will be.

 

[96ExplorerV8]

Hey guys. Hmm, I guess my post didn't go through. Anyway, wow 32 MPG? I think I can do the intake route but it seems pretty basic. Do you guys notice any whistling with the KKM intake? I'd think so since it uses an open-element K&N style cone filter.

Yes, I know my car's not a Civic but... the newer Explorers (before the current model) with even the V8's had better gas mileage than my year's. I'm guessing it may be from retuning the ECU and/or other adjustments. I feel my truck is already slow so I'm not even going to try to make it go fast. It'd just be nice if the city driving I do gets a better gas mileage.

Um, what gear are you talking about, leenjen? Axle ratios? Final drive ratio in the AT? Clarify please.

I also think I'm losing a lot of gas mileage from our huge tires. All that flexing in the tire must waste the gas up.

I hear Tornado is a total waste of money. Some of my colleagues have tried it and reported absolutely no gains, but a lighter wallet. Perhaps I should give the truck a tune up, though it's only at about 80K. Good old copper plugs should do the trick. Better spark and less fuel. Hehe, anyway thanks for your suggestions. If anything new pops up, let me know please. Bye.

 

[aldive]

Re: Re: Any mods to improve gas mileage?

Originally posted by jimabena74
sorry to have to tell you this, but an explorer is not the best vehicle choice for fuel efficiency... A Geo Metro or a Honda Civic will get you fuel effieciency

Any vehicale's mileage can be improved. I have picked up over 10MPG in my Explorer.

Don't listen to the ney sayers.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by InS0mNiAc
Z-MAX, THE TORNADO!!

A complete waste of money.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by RoadEnforcer
i took off my roof rack and havent noticed any improvement yet!

This will only help with highway driving. A good long road trip should show somw some results.

Good luck......

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by 96ExplorerV8
Hey guys. Hmm, I guess my post didn't go through. Do you guys notice any whistling with the KKM intake? I'd think so since it uses an open-element K&N style cone filter.

Yes, I know my car's not a Civic but... the newer Explorers (before the current model) with even the V8's had better gas mileage than my year's.

Um, what gear are you talking about, leenjen? Axle ratios? Final drive ratio in the AT? Clarify please.

I also think I'm losing a lot of gas mileage from our huge tires. All that flexing in the tire must waste the gas up.

it's only at about 80K. Good old copper plugs should do the trick. Better spark and less fuel. Hehe, anyway thanks for your suggestions. If anything new pops up, let me know please. Bye.

I hear no additional noise with my KKN when driving normally. When you get on it, it makes a deep throaty sound.

The newer models have better aerodynamic characterizes.

The gears that are referred to are the rear end. I have 3.73 in mine.

Your “huge” tires will definitely cost you mileage.

New plugs and some Jacobs or Magnacore wires should allow you to get the best mileage possible.

Good luck……

 

[InS0mNiAc]

wow, it wuz a joke....lighten up all of u

 

[96ExplorerV8]

Hi there. That's good to hear that you don't experience the whistling phenomenon. I may try it then. Hmm, good suggestions. Thanks. Keep them coming please.

About your joke... hehe, I thought that there would still be suckers out there since the infomercials look pretty promising. I just couldn't tell you were joking... no hard feelings. Have a great holiday guys! Later.

 

[drnaline]

15 to 23

When I got my 98 5.0. I got 15 mpg highway or city. Put my own 3" air intake pipe, K&N, cut air box, super chip, custom exhaust with only two converters in place and a single 3" outlet. Average gain is 18 mpg with highway from 19 to 23. Depending on driving style.
Driving style I believe has alot to do with your average. I have one of those trip/ maintenance computer and I run it on instant milieage and you would be amazed at what you see.