Crappy Gas Mileage

[gfisch]

What kind of mileage does everyone get on their explorers? I get less than 15 around town, and a max of about 17 on a long highway drive. Is that normal? Or is there something I should be looking at replacing/fixing.
Ive got a '98 XLT w/ about 100k miles on it.

Thanks,
Greg
'98 XLT

 

[expo5.0]

what engine do you have?

 

[gfisch]

4.0L SOHC

 

[expo5.0]

wow, that is bad- thats worse than my 302 with 280 hp from a bunch of mods and a new cam.

you might want to replace plugs and wires (motorcraft platinum plugs, any 8mm wires). and a k and n drop in filter couldn't hurt- and would be real cheap.

if you really want to improve your gas mileage get a cat back exhaust, a k and n or kkm fipk, and a new chip or reprogrammer. i know those really helped me as long as i kept my foot off of the go pedal/

 

[gfisch]

Havent taken it in yet for the 100k tuneup yet, think that should help it alot?

 

[expo5.0]

going to the dealership for that? yes i believe they will do some of the same things that i suggested when you go in for that.

 

[gfisch]

Well, i dont know. Id do it myself, but dont really have the time between school and parting out my other car.
What would the dealer do for a tune-up like that? Anyone know exactly whats they do so I could do it all myself??

 

[SanDiegoExplr]

i have the same engine (4.0L SOHC) and i get bad mileage too.
I have an fipk and new exaust system...
i get around 13-15 around town (mainly what i drive).

course i think my problem may be constant driving with the windows down(hey....its 80 degress here in San Diego in the middle of winter) and also my tendency to have a lead foot.

the sohc's have a tendency to rev even if you drive like a normal person. LoL.
take a week and try to get the best mileage possible. keep yer rpms below 2500 as much as possible, no fast acceleration, windows up, ect.
report back and tell us the results. Im doin the same thing this week so ill let ya know when i find out

happy trails!

 

[ok89]

i get that low mileage too. I tried driving with windows up and no lead foot and got 16 mpg. Now i drive windows up with a little lead foot and am back to ~14.5

 

[aldive]

I just got 32 MPG on a long road trip with my 4.0 SOHC; it can be done.

 

[Jason_25]

Change spark plugs and wires. Also, if you wanna start spening real money you can start replacing 02's. Sometimes they can perform poorly but not trip the CEL.

 

[KMac]

Originally posted by aldive
I just got 32 MPG on a long road trip with my 4.0 SOHC; it can be done.

32 ?????????


That's a typo, right?

You sure that ain't kilometers per gallon?

 

[gfisch]

If youre gettin that then either you did something amazing to your truck or mine is really, really messed up.
I get about half of that.

 

[ga_sport4X4]

15 city and 19 hwy is what my window sticker from the dealer states. So 15 city really isnt that bad at 100 miles and no tune up. I'm getting 14.5 on the last 3 tanks of gas, and i'm at 65k miles.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by KMac



32 ?????????


That's a typo, right?

You sure that ain't kilometers per gallon?

NOPE, thirty two (32) MILES per GALLON (MPG ).

 

[Texan01]

my 95 OHV gets 16 in town and 19-21 on the highway, with 107,000 on the clock.

I've replaced the thermostat and cleaned the MAF sensor and the intake temp sensor, and cleaned all the sludge out of the cooling system. Probably wil l tackle the O2 sensors when I get a chance.

 

[Gonzo]

Aldive, HOW did you get that kind of mileage? You gotta tell us. Some of us would kill to get that kind of mileage!

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by Gonzo
Aldive, HOW did you get that kind of mileage? You gotta tell us. Some of us would kill to get that kind of mileage!

2WD!!!!!!!!! Take out the 4x4 and you gain 5+MPG

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Gonzo
Aldive, HOW did you get that kind of mileage? You gotta tell us. Some of us would kill to get that kind of mileage!

The following is a list of modifications that have resulted in the mileage reported on my 99 4.0 SOHC:
Mobil 1 5 w 30 synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 ATF in auto tranny ( a complete change )
Mobil 1 in the 3.73 rear end
KKM Tru Rev intake
Custom cat back exhaust system
Remove roof rack
Many coats of Zaino polish
Tire pressure 40 psig
Explorer Express X Spec air dam
Amoco 87 octane gas
Secondary tranny filter ( don’t know if this helps )

Driving habits help also:
No race like starts
Windows up always - usually with AC on
Keep top speed at or below 70 MPH

 

[gfisch]

I just called the dealer aand they said it should only get around 16-19 new, so i guess its really not that bad. thought it wouldve been better.
Definately gonna try some of those things you posted aldive, maybe we can bump it up a bit.