????How to get better MPGs????

[prodigy9904]

I have a 2003 xlt 4.0 90,000 I have owned this rig since new. MPGs when new 21/17 very consistantly now 17/14. My family and I went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nat. Parks for Vacation in August Alt. 6000'-8500' during the trip I aveaged 23mpgs why/how??? In one of our trips we drove from Jackson Hole to Old Faithfull and back 45mph start/stop/uphill/sight/seeing(buffalo, moose, pronghorn, elk, sceenry, etc.), filled up in Jackson Hole before we started, 367miles later at the same gas station at 8:36pm filled up again 14.6 gallons 25.1 MPG so amazing to me I saved the reciept and now would like to know how I can make my Explorer get this kind of MPG all the time. There must be a way.

 

[briwayjones]

This thread is the place to start on how to get better MPGs. All the information on the site on how to get better MPGs is in there.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&highlight=quest

 

[CALDWELL]

yea follow ALDIVE's tips...

also reaching 90K some of the components of your X are starting to get up there in age...

if you really dont like the performance upgrades, best bet would be to have a solid tune up done.

synthetic oil's ( engine / transmission / diff's )

transmission flushed

coolant flush

spark plugs / wires - your getting close to replacing time...

k&n air filter

replace rotted hoses

replace belt ( if needed )

check your tire pressure - find your max tire pressure, and fill 5lbs below that


just some thoughts that might help you get your mpg back up...


performance mods are terrible, cause they will turn into crack. modding becomes addicting...

 

[NHarris]

One thing about what caldwell said with the tire pressure. If you have a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitering System) you probably need to keep it around 35 PSI or the sensor may freak out.

 

[adam2kgt]

Sensors won't freak out unless you run 45psi or more, or you run 40 psi and tow a heavy load down the interstate. Ask me how I know, lol.

 

[waskly]

I have a 2003 xlt 4.0 90,000 I have owned this rig since new. MPGs when new 21/17 very consistantly now 17/14. My family and I went to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nat. Parks for Vacation in August Alt. 6000'-8500' during the trip I aveaged 23mpgs why/how??? In one of our trips we drove from Jackson Hole to Old Faithfull and back 45mph start/stop/uphill/sight/seeing(buffalo, moose, pronghorn, elk, sceenry, etc.), filled up in Jackson Hole before we started, 373.8 miles later at the same gas station at 8:36pm filled up again 14.8 gallons 25.7 MPG so amazing to me I saved the reciept and now would like to know how I can make my Explorer get this kind of MPG all the time. There must be a way.

winter blends vs summer blends, 10% ethanol vs mstb, or mtsb, cant really remember the old ancronym before they swapped to 10% ethanol.

also these trucks take a while for baro to actually work.... they had a few quirks. which causes the sloppy or weird fuel mpg.

 

[NHarris]

Sensors won't freak out unless you run 45psi or more, or you run 40 psi and tow a heavy load down the interstate. Ask me how I know, lol.

I know too because I was running my tires at 40 PSI. They look too low at 35.