Getting the Best GAs Mileage

[Badali05]

What are some things to do to get better gas mileage on a V8?

Thanks, Derek

 

[Nicaraguense]

Higher grade gas

A higher grade gas helps. Keeping it properly tuned. A Performance Air Filter Kit (NOT A K&N DROP IN). Synthetic oil. An apten chip (less than you might thing and a bigger help than you might think.

 

[Nicaraguense]

Properly

Properly and Equally Inflated tires. Properly balanced rotated, and alligned.

 

[BradE.]

New spark plugs and wires, clean your Mass air flow sensor.

 

[MattStarr]

If you are going to use a higher grade gas, you need to get a chip so you can tell the computer this change. Your computer is set for low grade gas. The only think higher grade gas will do without a chip is hurt your wallot.

 

[Nicaraguense]

Whatever

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I used 93 on a few tanks and didn't notice any improvements in gas mileage. That's why I'm staying with 87 unless I'm cleaning the fuel injectors with Seafoam. Our trucks' computers are programmed with 87 gas instead of 93 so it's just a plain waste of money, IMHO.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

if you like the sound of 32.2 per gallon!!!!! look here.http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44372&highlight=quest+for

 

[espnfreak]

how about hmm, go easier on the throttle, coast up to red lights maybe lower your truck, put synthetic in. make sure your sensors are all good, that should get you some ideas

 

[Bill Kemp]

No one who answered has a 5.0. I do and I dont think there is anything else you can do, besides whats been suggested, other than alter your driving habits.
If I'm careful I can get 18 MPG 65%Hgwy ,35% city.
Like mentioned, try and coast a lot, and dont go to the drive-through. Walk in and get that burger. Dont let it sit in the driveway & "warm-up".
Only mods I have are a K&N w/drilled air box & duals (OEM muffler). 255-70-16 Tires @33psi

 

[X~FACTOR]

Re: Higher grade gas

Originally posted by Nicaraguense
A higher grade gas helps.

Most are very good suggestions. Also, getting rid of extra weight (junk) in your cargo area helps a bit also.

 

[Nicaraguense]

Well

I have noticed with higher grade gas I don't have as many pings (pre ignition knock) in a cold acceleration (especialy a pretty good acceleration i.e. not hammering it but easing on it) and I have also noticed increased gas mileage (yes it is very slight but I can't deny it exists) Maybe it is partly because of my being geared lower (3.73 posi track) it is more sensitive I dunno. But, I have noticed a slight difference.

 

[Maniak]

The higher grade gas on its own doesn't help mileage... But if you have other issues.. like pinging, the higher grade gas will cut down on that which should help mileage..

Pinging is when the motor fires are the wrong time... when it fires at the wrong time, you lose power and mileage...

So if you are getting pinging, higher octane gas will help the mileage, if you aren't getting pinging, it most likely won't help..

~Mark

 

[plrs x45]

I do have a V8. I am shopping for a new X or another vehicle. I get 14 mpg with properly inflated tires and a k&n filter (the K&N was worth 1mpg). These guys all have great ideas even though they are V6's. I am thinking of going back to a V6 except the new V6's are dogs compared to the new V8's. 18mpg is good. good luck.

 

[RiverRat]

Get a Civic CRX HF. Leave the V8 at home.

Use narrow street tires, inflate them up to the max, change gearing, remove extra weight, etc.

But doing that will make your X no fun to drive. 14-16 mpg sounds about right.

 

[briwayjones]

I'd have to disagree that higher grade gas doesn't get better mileage. I have used high grade gas for years in many different Explorers and get up to 2MPG better. Also many car computers are not just set to run on low grade gas but can actually sense what grade gas you are using and change firing accordingly. And even if it is just set to low grade gas the it should still run better and get better mileage from the slower longer burn of higher grade gas giving the pistons more kick.

 

[Maniak]

The way I undertand it (and I checked with a mechanic friend to be sure).. The computer doesn't advance the timing becuase of the extra octane, but it does retard the timing if it senses knock.

E.g. The car is designed to run with 92 octane gas, but you put in bad 92 or 87 octane gas in it. The computer will "hear" the pining (usually before a person can) and it will retard the timing. Soo, if the motor was pinging at all, the computer would pull back the timing which means no more pining, but also less power which is less mpg...

But if the car was made for 87 octane, and doesn't ping with 87 octane, then using 92 octane won't get you better mpg. But, if the motor did ping with 87 octane, the computer would pull back the timing which means when 92 was put in, and it didn't ping you would have more power and problably better mileage.

~Mark