how can I increase my fuel efficiency?

[mbed]

Tuner will help a little. And of course the normal stuff: air filter, synthetic lubricants, tire pressure, spark plugs, driving style, etc.

I put in a K&N filter charger which helped a bit....mpg avg isn't too great due to the continual AWD tho

 

[davidmmm69]

Just fixed my idling issue with a new tps and motorcraft IAC valve...
No more pulling to a light and 2500 rpms...

Next step is a new used transfer case to hopefully fix the viscous coupler being locked up...

If I can hit 13 mpg is be super happy as I'm hovering around 11 to 11.5 currently.

 

[drdoom]

You need to hand calculate. The message center is an estimate at best. Mine typically shows about .4 higher than actual. I log every fill up.

Absolutely Jake! I calculated my last two fill-ups, got 16.0mpg and 17.4mpg.

 

[shucker1]

Noticed that you are in Boston.

My F250 (6.2L Gas 10,000GVRW) down here in Louisiana gets about 13-14 Highway. If I go up North to work I get about 16-17 Highway.

I'm thinking it's a tune factor due to altitude and air density.

I'm not using dash numbers, I keep a log book with mileage Vs Fuel used.

Also noted: Cruise set on 70 vs 75 gets me about another 1 MPG.

I know we are not comparing apples to apples here, just saying.

 

[jd4242]

Efan and udder drive pulley..i have a aviator with 4.6 dohc and was getting average 13ish city and 23ish highway..im getting around 16ish city and 27ish highway now...also have more power.

Im 2wd tho

 

[Number4]

I put an E-Fan on and got just over1 mpg better. But after a couple of fill-ups, it went back to normal. Pretty sure the computer made an adjustment.

Get a standard tune and you can permanently increase power and fuel economy. So I've read.

 

[jd4242]

I put an E-Fan on and got just over1 mpg better. But after a couple of fill-ups, it went back to normal. Pretty sure the computer made an adjustment.

Get a standard tune and you can permanently increase power and fuel economy. So I've read.

The computer shouldnt have anything to do with the gains a efan gives you,not like the ecm can add that 25lbs back onto the belt system. .

 

[MrPulldown]

My computer says that I am at 17mpg. Have not had it long enough to get a good feel of what I really am getting.

Of all the stuff I have ever tried or read only 4 things seem to have a real effect. The first 2 are properly running car and driving style and condition. Next 2 are light tires with smooth tread, better yet some of those econ fuel sipping tires. And the finally is a dirty air filter. Less air mean less fuel, also less power, but power + burnt fuel.

 

[shane10]

I'm driving an 02' XLS 4.0. Getting about 22.5 MPG currently at highway (70-75) speeds cruise on. The only mod I have is an K&N "cold" air intake.
Things I have done is change all the fluids to high grade synthetics (front/rear diff, transfer case) I believe that gave me slightly better MPG as well as a quieter/smoother ride. I have also changed all 4 shock strut assemblies, along with various worn ball joints, I have a hard time believing this makes any difference other than ride quality. I have 178,x.. on the car, with original spark plugs, I've been wanting to change them out, but with no misfires and above average MPG, something is telling me not to.
Before the aforementioned changes, I wasn't keeping close track of my MPG, but I know i was getting around 18-19 highway.
Elevation definitely affects my averages, while on the west coast going over mountains/passes, I usually get average around 18-19. While in the midwest with virtually no elevation gain, I get 22's.

 

[Tech By Trade]

2wd without towing package shane10?

 

[fordysenior]

Elevation definitely affects my averages, while on the west coast going over mountains/passes, I usually get average around 18-19. While in the midwest with virtually no elevation gain, I get 22's.

Does elevation affect gas mileage,? or maybe it's just that terrible California gas (which does cause lower gas mileage)?

 

[shane10]

2wd without towing package shane10?

4WD, not sure about tow package to be honest I have never hitched anything up.
22.5 MPG is strictly highway BTW, only stops are to get gas, I do a lot of cross country.

 

[shane10]

Does elevation affect gas mileage,? or maybe it's just that terrible California gas (which does cause lower gas mileage)?

Higher elevation=less oxygen/thinner air, i know the sensors and computers compensate for that, but on the rare occasion I go above 8-9,000 feet, I do feel my truck is choking a little on power, even when roads are flat.
I was talking more so elevation gain, like going up a pass or mountain, which requires more HP, higher RPM's, which decreases fuel economy.
The 22.x MPG I get are usually places that are totally flat and require no RPM fluctuation while on cruise control

 

[jd4242]

2wd without towing package shane10?

Its a 4.0 sohc tho..not 4.6

 

[Number4]

I'm driving an 02' XLS 4.0. I have 178,x.. on the car, with original spark plugs, I've been wanting to change them out, but with no misfires and above average MPG, something is telling me not to.

How long have you owned the vehicle?
I changed my '05 4.0's OE plugs around 70k or so and they were so far out of gap it wasn't funny. If yours are still OE, I'm surprised they are firing at all.

 

[MrPulldown]

22.5 mpg . That is GREAT. We will see what our 4.6 yields. I wonder if the 4.6 is geared higher and might make up for some of the gas used by displacement with gearing. I'll will keep good track on this trip and report back. Would really like to be just around 20 mpg all highway.

 

[jd4242]

22.5 mpg . That is GREAT. We will see what our 4.6 yields. I wonder if the 4.6 is geared higher and might make up for some of the gas used by displacement with gearing. I'll will keep good track on this trip and report back. Would really like to be just around 20 mpg all highway.

I think they are..i havent found a 3.73 or 4.10 geared 4.6 yet

 

[MrPulldown]

Wonder what gear I have?

On the RAV4s, the V6 on paper get only 1 mpg less than the 4 banger. In real life you get reports of less to even more MPG than the 4.

 

[jd4242]

Assume the 3.73 is the regular and the 4.1 tow.
I don not have the tow as I only have the small 1.25" hitch receiver.

On the RAV4s, the V6 on paper get only 1 mpg less than the 4 banger. In real life you get reports of less to even more MPG than the 4.

Just depends...my aviator has the tow package and i have 3.55 it kills my city mpg..im about to put a set of 3.73 or 4.10 in but for power reasons not mpg

You can check your door for the axle code to find out what you have

 

[Number4]

3.55 and 3.73 available for both 4.0 & 4.6.

3.55 is better for gas mileage.