K & N Air Intake Valve/gas Mileage

[luccianna]

2003 Ford XLT Explorer Sport Trac. This truck gets very poor gas mileage. I was thinking about the KN Air intake valve. Has anyone actually installed one in their truck and if it did give better gas mileage? Are they hard to install or does a garage need to do it? Or maybe someone has a better idea to improve the gas mileage. I keep the tires at the proper level. Times I only get 9 mpg around town and 11 interstate if I'm lucky. Thanks for the help

 

[Joe Dirt]

Are you talking about a K&N intake kit/filter? I've never heard of a valve. I guess the short answer is that if you expect anything more than a very small improvement in gas mileage, don't bother with a K&N. It's miniscule on it's own. Some have had some changes I guess, but every one I've put in I havent noticed any measurable difference.

What is your gas mileage, maybe you have another issue with your Ex...

 

[Boss X]

You must have some other issue with your ST or you are driving it too hard. Your mileage is not reasonable. Replace all filters (PCV) and change over to synthetic oil. That should be a good start.

 

[aldive]

An intake alone will provide little boost in mileage; they work best synergisticly with a cat back exhauster.

Good luck ....

 

[brianjwilson]

Something is wrong if you get 9mpg.
I get 14mpg in town with 33" tires and a roof rack with a spare tire on top. Driving agressively.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

It does sound like something else is wrong with your Sport Trac. Though my ST is 2wd, I typically average around 17 in the city and 21 on the highway with a not-so-light foot. I would get your truck scanned for any codes (not all will trigger a Check Engine light), then do a tune-up replacing your PCV valve, plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter (cold air intakes are typically a joke for the money they cost, usually resulting in small power gains and big gains in noise). Good luck.

Tom

 

[BIGHVM]

Our cars are known for poor mileage, but yours sounds really bad, Maybe just a good service would fix you up, new filter, oil, oil filter and good plugs should result in an improvement, its gotta be worth a try and would be cheaper than a performance air filter.

 

[TracSport]

I get the same gas mileage as you. Keep us informed if you find a way to improve your gas mileage. By the way, I replaced all filters, plugs, wheel alignment, synthetic oil, but still get the same sh!tty gas mileage. But it really doesn't bother me bc it's a fun truck to drive!

 

[m4dc0w]

I actually noticed a small change in milage for the better, but when I put my catback exaust in it did show more, plus more power.

Driving habits are the worst offenders of gas mileage losses.

-mc

 

[JohnnyO]

I put a K&N drop-in in the 4.0 SOHC Ranger I had before, I didn't think it made any difference in anything.
I put a Gibson cat-back on my '08 Sport Trac and it's picked up about 1 mpg on the highway and nothing in town.

 

[FordxMan]

Wow, your mileage is bad!!!! I got a V-8 and get 15mpg and better. I assume u got a V-6. Had a 99 explorer with a V-6 and got 20mpg all the time. You might have something else wrong with your EX.

 

[Blazepet7]

To answer your initial ques no its real easy to install an intake drop in or CAI As for the mileage it wont change it much Like everyone else has been saying you most likely need something more than a couple of mpg on your tank..you need about 10 miles more if its a v6 bout 5-6 if v8....thats HUMMER status.