Gas Milage... How to get the best?

[jremington59]

11 MPG with a 4.0 is really bad and something is wrong.

Change the plugs, wires, cap,air filter, make sure the tires are properly inflated and clean the MAF sensor. And make sure you don't have a brake dragging. Something is deffinately wrong. You should be getting at least 18, and that isn't good for the 4.0.

I have a 5.0 and now the weather has gotten warmer I'm back up to 16. My old 4.0 used to get 20.

Are you showing any codes?

 

[1996X]

I dont know if it is or not. How do you tell? I am planning on checking my Oxygen Sensors sometime and see if one or so of them are bad but just havent had time to do it. It gets really expensive at the pump so hopefully I can get something fixed so I can get better gas mileage.

 

[Allmost 50]

I am interested in getting more mpgs. Not much city driving here. I use synthetic oil. Around 19 mpg average. I did get 21.5.
-I run 38 psi in the front and 34 in the rear tires.
-When approaching a red light or stop sign I remove my foot from the go pedal as soon as safely possible. That meaning when an 18 wheeler is behind me I keep a safe speed.
I run 65 mph on the interstate when safe to do so. Sometimes slower when less traffic. I have owned this xls for 4 months and it does not coast nearly as far as my 96 Regal 3.8.
-Don't let it idle for more than 5 minutes on the mornings.

 

[FIND]

bugger, you are correct, this means that my current 18mpg needs to do 36 mpg,

with the thinest oil, the lightest throttle and the strongest following wind I can't see this happening.

Having a 2wd really helps mileage too

But if you really want to get 36mpg or better the easy way.....

Put a diesel in it.

Cummins 4bts and Isuzu 4bts are pretty common in delivery trucks, and you can find other small diesel engines that will work too. Plus, all that sexy torque.

 

[corkey]

i would say ,
clean the Mass Airflow Sensor in the intake throat first, than the Idle Air Control Valve,than take off the intake tube and clean the throttle body all up, that should help a bunch too ,

 

[jremington59]

I dont know if it is or not. How do you tell? I am planning on checking my Oxygen Sensors sometime and see if one or so of them are bad but just havent had time to do it. It gets really expensive at the pump so hopefully I can get something fixed so I can get better gas mileage.

Is the check engine light on?

 

[jremington59]

Is the check engine light on?

I dont know if it is or not. How do you tell? I am planning on checking my Oxygen Sensors sometime and see if one or so of them are bad but just havent had time to do it. It gets really expensive at the pump so hopefully I can get something fixed so I can get better gas mileage.

 

[1996X]

Nope the engine lights not on.

 

[1996X]

11 MPG with a 4.0 is really bad and something is wrong.

Change the plugs, wires, cap,air filter, make sure the tires are properly inflated and clean the MAF sensor. And make sure you don't have a brake dragging. Something is deffinately wrong. You should be getting at least 18, and that isn't good for the 4.0.

I have a 5.0 and now the weather has gotten warmer I'm back up to 16. My old 4.0 used to get 20.

Are you showing any codes?

Thank you for telling me to clean the MAF sensor. My brother had been driving it to college and getting just about 17 mpg on open highway. He took it after i cleaned it and he set a new record with it 19.6 mpg. I was very pleased. Now to see what it gets with all in town driving for a week.

 

[masospaghetti]

I would expect much better with the 4.0, I average consistantly over 20 mpg city and around 25 highway.

Of course, i have a 2-door, 2WD, street tires, and a 5-speed manual, with full synthetics, K&N, and air dam.

I would change to synthetics, pump ur tires up to ~35 psi, K&N cone filter (don't need the whole intake, just a good filter - you can get adapters to use these cheap on eBay), and a tune. Should help considerably.

 

[beach]

So far after switching to Mobil 1, with exhaust/intake as well, averaging 18-19mpg at about 70 (ranges from 65-75 depending on traffic). Mix of about 25/75 for city/highway. Never avg more then 16 before switching to full synthetic. Pretty good for a 5.0

 

[gijoecam]

A brick is a brick is a brick... No matter what you do, you're still trying to push a 4500lb brick through the air. If you want great fuel economy, sell the Explorer and buy a Civic. Seriously....

If you just want to maximize your fuel economy with what you have, then yes, follow in Aldive's footsteps... But using a 4.0OHV motor to do so, you'll never see 30... that engine just doesn't have the power and efficiency to make it happen.

 

[IZwack]

A brick is a brick is a brick... No matter what you do, you're still trying to push a 4500lb brick through the air. If you want great fuel economy, sell the Explorer and buy a Civic. Seriously....

Totally agree with you 100% (since I have a Civic) -- but I think you and I better put on our flame suits cauz here come the arguments that oh a Civic can't do this or carry such and such item.

 

[jremington59]

While we're on the subject of gas mileage, does anyone know anything about the 69 dollar chips that are being advertised here now?

http://rs4performance.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=43

 

[1996X]

Going to be doing a small tune up soon. Got my new plugs (Bosch Platinum +2) and planning to get some new wires. Hopefully this might help a little with mileage too. I dont know how old the spark plugs that are in it are. I bought it in July 09 and the guy before me had it since 2003. Dont know if he changed the plugs are not. Anyone know much about the plugs i got? Are they good?

 

[trailblazer295]

i still think if you want mileage, buy a prius... If you want to drive an SUV around and look cool, rock the Ex and don't worry about the pump...

Some of those numbers are unreal. Our gallons here in Canada are bigger so we get "better" mileage as far as MPG goes. I've never checked the Explorer...

I get 30 out of my 2.3, 2wd, 5 spd ranger... and 40+ out of my '08 Mazda 3 GT

Not exactly, enjoy the vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOvp69lnZbA

 

[BullGawd]

how the ##### you delete this sh*t

 

[BullGawd]

hey guys i got the 1998 4.0L EFI sport how much change should i get from changin to the synthetic oils and as for the underdrive pulleys, custom PCM tunes how long would it take to do it myself?

and what about this chip is it worth it??? (if its only $70 and gives you 6 more mpg)
http://rs4performance.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1100

 

[aldive]

hey guys i got the 1998 4.0L EFI sport how much change should i get from changin to the synthetic oils and as for the underdrive pulleys, custom PCM tunes how long would it take to do it myself?

Take a look at My Quest for 30 below.

and what about this chip is it worth it??? (if its only $70 and gives you 6 more mpg)
http://rs4performance.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1100

Dream on.

 

[corkey]

$70 for a resistor that fools the timing into thinking it isn't right is,,,,


WELL, just not right, !!!

i would spend the money on better things, like a good air filter and some sybthetic fluids, for maybe the diffs and T case,, that will save you some money,