Wanted Gas mileage seems less than usual

[64mechnate]

So my 01 sport trac is a beast for having 168,000 and runs great accept or lately it ha been sucking gas. I am about to put some plugs and wires but i know it is a lot lower than that should affect . What are some things I could run through and replace to increase mpg? Or even good other tips for mpg?

 

[gonenuke]

The one thing I did that increased mileage the most was the throttle cable mod. My throttle was only opening maybe 45% foot to floor, the throttle cable had streched over the years. I did the zip tie mod and picked up about 3 mpg.

 

[SoNic67]

O2 sensors (Bosch or NGK) and spark plugs (Autolite or NGK iridiums).
You can keep the existing plug wires if they don't look baked.

 

[swshawaii]

The one thing I did that increased mileage the most was the throttle cable mod. My throttle was only opening maybe 45% foot to floor, the throttle cable had streched over the years. I did the zip tie mod and picked up about 3 mpg.

How is this possible? Please explain.

 

[SoNic67]

That's not possible. The right thing to do when the cable is stretched is to adjust it from under the hood where the proper adjusting nuts are located.
I did add the zip-tie at some point, but it is just a lazy fix.

 

[gonenuke]

SoNic67 I would love to adjust using the proper method. Please explain where these adjusting nuts are.

swshawaii I was flooring the pedel sucking gas but only getting about 45% open throttle same with all ranges. After mod had to adjust my foot to be very light.

 

[yavapaires]

Adjusting for full throttle will allow you to accelerate faster to get into a higher gear, think O/D, quicker. Using lighter throttle when in O/D, will result in a slight fuel mileage improvement. 3MPG? maybe.

 

[swshawaii]

I was flooring the pedel sucking gas but only getting about 45% open throttle same with all ranges. After mod had to adjust my foot to be very light.

Your 3 MPG increase can probably be attributed to changing your driving style,
rather than the benefit of the zip tie mod. If there is a spring mounted on the
pedal end of the cable, you are wide open if it's compressing the slightest amount.
It's there to prevent strain and breaking. Never heard of cable stretching that much.

 

[gonenuke]

Ok I will except changed driving habits. Cable was stretched 1". Just know I have a faster response and dont use the pedel as much. I have been keeping track of mileage from 2004 when I got the truck and all of the diffrent things I have done to it. I happened to notice a 3mpg diffrence about 3 or 4 fill ups after the mod. Only other thing done after mod was shocks, still getting about 17.5 mpg compared to about 14.5 before.

 

[yavapaires]

Your mileage may vary. Well known statement from the manufacturer. My mileage varies too. Most of the time it is around 19 to 20 MPG. However, there are times when it is down to around 16 to 17 MPG. No apparant reason, it just varies. I think it is called a computer ( ECM ). IMHO

 

[Lanky]

I got 19.3 out of mine with 150 miles city driving and got fuel with 334 miles out of the tank. I have been only getting in the 16 mpg hwy range so I was shocked when the calculator showed 19!

 

[jimwww]

We have been having a lively discussion about the air conditioning on in this other thread.. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350275

I have been going through the same thing and just changed spark plugs and wires. I did not change my 02 sensor as it has been working (aircare here).

I also only use Chevron as I do find I get the most mileage out of that fuel and Esso/Shell I get the lowest mileage out of.

I recently put 'Techron' into my tank as well - fuel system cleaner. You might want to clean your fuel injectors.