how can I increase my fuel efficiency?

[jd4242]

3.55 and 3.73 available for both 4.0 & 4.6.

Hmm i haven't seen any in a 4.6 and honestly haven't seen any 3.73 in a independent rear explorer either..everything ive seen has been 3.55

 

[Number4]

Hmm i haven't seen any in a 4.6 and honestly haven't seen any 3.73 in a independent rear explorer either..everything ive seen has been 3.55

My
'03 Mounty 4.6 is 3.55
'04 Expl 4.6 is 3.73
'05 Expl 4.0 is 3.55

I've not seen any 4.10's Don't know what my '94 Expl is.

 

[shane10]

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.

I bought it right when I got my license, first and only car, 7 years ago now at 55,x.. if I remember correctly, it's possible they were changed before I bought the truck, I assume not though.
I am really surprised at this too, especially if they weren't changed before i purchased. Like I said it's definitely overdue, but if all is running well and I'm getting good MPG's what's the rush?

 

[MrPulldown]

My
'03 Mounty 4.6 is 3.55
'04 Expl 4.6 is 3.73
'05 Expl 4.0 is 3.55

I've not seen any 4.10's Don't know what my '94 Expl is.

How do you know this. Is there a sticker in the door jam. What do you figure my 04, 4.6, Expl is. Only have the 1.25" receiver so I don't think I have a tow package.

 

[fordysenior]

My 2002 4.6L is the 3.73 and came with the larger Class III trailer hitch (I bought it as a second owner vehicle and seems to have been a custom order unit). Try this for help -- https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do;jsessionid=D052190E8A5AE275DD024D02CB60EA77.fcvas509

Put in your VIN number, it will tell you a lot.

 

[TechGuru]

Hmm i haven't seen any in a 4.6 and honestly haven't seen any 3.73 in a independent rear explorer either..everything ive seen has been 3.55

3.73 usually comes on the 4x4's

 

[Number4]

I stand corrected, my '03 Mounty has the 3.73.

On this sticker, see the code where "Axle" is, bottom middle? D4 is the 3.73 rear.

Here's a link to a thread that links to a thread.
5th post down. Follow the link from @BrooklynBay, it'll list vehicles next to codes.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...ited-slip-differential-how-can-i-tell.154008/

 

[2Trux]

My 05 explorer 4x4 4.6 has the tow package and 3.73 gears. With my wife driving, it averages about 14.5 MPG, city driving.

 

[MrPulldown]

I have a 46 rear diff. Open worn 3.73. Thanks for the link and info on getting that value. About to put 2k miles on the Expl. Will report some mpg numbers. Go 20..

 

[jd4242]

Geez all these 3.73 why couldnt i get that lucky..lol

 

[MrPulldown]

So I spent 37 hours in the Explorer last week. Drove it up to Canada and back. Logged about 2300 miles. Generally I will say that the truck gets 17-18 mpg on the open highways of the west. My best tank of gas was 19.5, and worst was 14.5. 19.5 was 2 passengers, light load, traveling roads with a 65 mph speed limit. If I was in 55 mph territory I think I could have topped 20 mpg. This was 100% highway. THe 14.5 mpg was 5 passengers, with ALL of our gear strapped to the top and some headwind. Going 80+ mph, you would only get about 16.5 mpg.

 

[davidmmm69]

Swapped my transfer case Thursday. No more binding issues. But vibrations now.
Anyway I got mine up to 12.7 but now back down to 11.6.


Although call me stupid but I wasn't putting two and two together because its still cold so I start mu mountaineer up 15 minutes before I go to work at night and my lunch time at 4:30am I sit there and it idles for 30 minutes.
I guess that's one reason why my mileage sucks so bad.
Although in the summer when I bought it the max was in the 13s

 

[MrPulldown]

Swapped my transfer case Thursday. No more binding issues. But vibrations now.
Anyway I got mine up to 12.7 but now back down to 11.6.


Although call me stupid but I wasn't putting two and two together because its still cold so I start mu mountaineer up 15 minutes before I go to work at night and my lunch time at 4:30am I sit there and it idles for 30 minutes.
I guess that's one reason why my mileage sucks so bad.
Although in the summer when I bought it the max was in the 13s

So did you use the special XL-12 or whatever special ford transfer case fluid.

Read that "warming" a car up is bad practice. Unless you do it for creature comforts it is better just to hop in and drive it gently till it warms up.

 

[davidmmm69]

So did you use the special XL-12 or whatever special ford transfer case fluid.

Read that "warming" a car up is bad practice. Unless you do it for creature comforts it is better just to hop in and drive it gently till it warms up.

No just mercon v

I work overnights and live on the third floor so I start it from my apt. And get to work 30 minutes early and watch tv in it as it idles.
Maybe 60 minutes total each day it idles

 

[Number4]

So I spent 37 hours in the Explorer last week. Drove it up to Canada and back. Logged about 2300 miles. Generally I will say that the truck gets 17-18 mpg on the open highways of the west. My best tank of gas was 19.5, and worst was 14.5. 19.5 was 2 passengers, light load, traveling roads with a 65 mph speed limit. If I was in 55 mph territory I think I could have topped 20 mpg. This was 100% highway. THe 14.5 mpg was 5 passengers, with ALL of our gear strapped to the top and some headwind. Going 80+ mph, you would only get about 16.5 mpg.

Something has to be wrong. I avg. 19-20 mpg driving from Atlanta to Cincinnati at 80-85 mph with 6 people and luggage. Nothing on top though.

 

[MrPulldown]

Something has to be wrong. I avg. 19-20 mpg driving from Atlanta to Cincinnati at 80-85 mph with 6 people and luggage. Nothing on top though.

No way in my rig. I ran through maybe 10 tanks of gas, and kept track. my one 19.5 mpg tank was some grandpa driving with 60-65 mph speeds. One section of highway with the 2 of us had a 70 mph speed limit, thus I was pushing 75. Strong headwind. Only 16 mpg on that one.

If you read all the other post in this thread, it seems that I am on par or slightly ahead with the MPG others are getting. You would be at the top of the curve with those MPG numbers. I am running winter tires too, so more drag??

On another note. THe computer estimated MPG is very good. Consistantly 0.2 mpg above the actual (calculated per tank/fill up).

 

[drdoom]

No just mercon v

I work overnights and live on the third floor so I start it from my apt. And get to work 30 minutes early and watch tv in it as it idles.
Maybe 60 minutes total each day it idles

I would use the XL-12, definitely not MercV. Dex/Merc is OK also I believe.

 

[philbert57]

At 65 mph on the freeway with the cruise set, I will get 22-23 mpg. At 70-75 mph, that drops to 19-20 mpg. Overall, highway and city, I'm at a consistent 16.5.

 

[davidmmm69]

I would use the XL-12, definitely not MercV. Dex/Merc is OK also I believe.

Was mercon atf and the mercon v replaces that.

I believe I've read mercon v

From what I read and it recommends that xl12 and not mercon anymore because it isn't a ford licensed product anymore

Basically ford cant say the mercon v anymore
Guess they don't want to pay the money anymore. Basically the same stuff with different name.

The only difference between T-case fluid and Merc V is T-case fluid has limited slip friction modifier in it to help with engagement of the gears and operation of the magnetic spin-up clutch. And about $6 on the price of a quart.

Especially where dealers use v in transfer cases

 

[MrPulldown]

At 65 mph on the freeway with the cruise set, I will get 22-23 mpg. At 70-75 mph, that drops to 19-20 mpg. Overall, highway and city, I'm at a consistent 16.5.

Hopefully with aummer/all season tires and non winter blended gas I will see 20s. This is the spare car so I don't get to drive it much. Except on killer road trips.