gas mileage is very ugly 97 explorer 5.0, please help!!!

[93explorereb]

Greetings:

I have 2 explorers one is a 1994 V6 4.0, it runs very well! My other explorer is a 1994 explorer, it runs very well. Gas mileage is ok. My other one, 97 explorer 5.0 V8. Most all of my driving is hwy 99%.

 

[robertoa1a]

Welcome to the explorer lifestyle. Are you saying that you have two wonderfull explorers without issue. Cool!

 

[Aricjm15]

I have had my 97 explorer with the 5.0 for about two weeks, best I have seen it display on the screen is 21mpg while cruising at 60mph. To me out of an older v8 pushing a brick wall down the road that isn't all that bad. Average it shows about 14mpg. I'm not to sure how accurate that is though because I have not been able to make it through a full tank of gas yet without the truck breaking down.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I have had my 97 explorer with the 5.0 for about two weeks, best I have seen it display on the screen is 21mpg while cruising at 60mph. To me out of an older v8 pushing a brick wall down the road that isn't all that bad. Average it shows about 14mpg. I'm not to sure how accurate that is though because I have not been able to make it through a full tank of gas yet without the truck breaking down.

14mpg is pretty close to average mileage. 16 is just about tops for combined mileage.

 

[jremington59]

I've been trying different things and the best I can manage is between 14 and 15 mpg combined. It beats the 10 or 11 I get with my truck.

 

[shadowless127]

i get about 13-14mpg combined. best hwy mpg's i've seen is 21mpg @ 65mph.

 

[robertoa1a]

Does the exhaust smell like un-burnt fuel? Got good plugs?

 

[Electrohacker]

i've gotten 21 with no wind at 75, 17 combined, 12 city... I just seafoamed, but i still need to fix an exhaust sensor then i'll get back to you with what it does now, probably he same.

i also just picked up a message centr from a wrecking yard, cant wait to install it and play

 

[robertoa1a]

I'm getting around 20 with the v8. and having the engine maintenance is a big deal. Changing filter, using the appropriate plugs, cleaning the MAF, know that O2 sensors are working, repacking wheel bearings, make sure alignment is good, brakes are not dragging, and adequate air is in the tires.

With that said if you spend half the time idling at traffic lights, fuel is being burned but, you aren't actually going any where.

I have heard of people gaining 2-3 mpg by changing the fluid in the rear end and trans to Royal Purple synthetic fluids. I would get everything else up to spec first.

If you have an all wheel drive vehicle, I have heard of people disabling the front drive by installing a switch on the brown wire of the transfer case, but you will have to research that as I dont have that set up. It cost a few mpg to have the front wheels driven.

 

[Aricjm15]

I'm getting around 20 with the v8. and having the engine maintenance is a big deal. Changing filter, using the appropriate plugs, cleaning the MAF, know that O2 sensors are working, repacking wheel bearings, make sure alignment is good, brakes are not dragging, and adequate air is in the tires.

With that said if you spend half the time idling at traffic lights, fuel is being burned but, you aren't actually going any where.

I have heard of people gaining 2-3 mpg by changing the fluid in the rear end and trans to Royal Purple synthetic fluids. I would get everything else up to spec first.

If you have an all wheel drive vehicle, I have heard of people disabling the front drive by installing a switch on the brown wire of the transfer case, but you will have to research that as I dont have that set up. It cost a few mpg to have the front wheels driven.

The AWD setup cannot be disabled, its a completely mechanical system. As far as I know the only wires going to the transfer case are for the vehicle speed sensor.