Mpg question For my Ford explorer(HELP!!)?

[jessi1980]

Ok look I have a 2004 Ford Explorer Limited Edition 4.6L V8 4X4 and look I GET 10.8 On mpg look overdrive is always on like to turn it if i have to push on the button. but if i turn the truck off and turn it back on it goes back to overdrive Ok look my owners manual says that it saves gas when on overdrive but when i ask other people and online They say that it wastes gas and Look WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS OF IMPROVING mpg on my explorer like anything BECAUSE 10.8 MPG is bad and like i know air filter is one but im wanting to put a good filter what kind of brand of filter should i put on like K&N or specture or what !!?? IM SERIOUS I NEED GOOD ANSWERS!!

thank you

 

[Rckslick333]

I have an 03 4.6 and I get about 12. Maybe 15 hwy if I'm lucky

 

[Styx]

Driving habits make a huge difference on fuel economy as do road conditions. a K&N filter will help but it will take years to get your money back out of it... Keep it tuned up and drive smoother... Best anser I have other than selling it and getting a small car...

 

[Mr Dubya]

I think 10.8 for an explorer even with a v8 is preposterous. Mileage will never be miraculous, but 10.8 is far lower than what you should expect.

The reason why you're not getting good mileage is because something is preventing it from working more efficiently.

...now, you may think I'm being a wise-ass, but I'm actually quite serious.



Think about it. There isn't one be-all-end-all answer anyone will give. You will have to educate yourself on the fuel delivery system, combustion system, and steering/suspension system to allocate the problem.

I would say take the front-back-bottom approach.

Start from the front - how is air getting in? Is it being impeded? Perhaps a new/better filter is necessary.

Then from the back - is the fuel not being delivered from the tank efficiently? Your fuel filter may be in desperate need of replacement (they should be changed far more often than most of us actually do). Mine just hit almost 100K and the filter was never changed by the previous owner.

Then from the bottom - how is the truck contacting the ground? Are the tires properly inflated? How is their tread depth? How is the alignment? Is the suspension in good shape?

From the front, back, and bottom there are quite a few more things to consider (such as an engine wearing out, driveline components not doing their best, etc - I mentioned the big ones you encounter first.

Find a place where your engine is being forced to work harder to compensate for something, and then alleviate it.



And the big answer nobody likes to ever hear, is driving habits. You may be someone who naturally drives with quick starts, less coasting, etc. You could have the most efficient truck and it would have drastically different mileage according to who drives it.

There will never be a single go-to answer for fuel economy.




-Dubya

 

[Limited02]

First, I would manually calculate your gas mileage instead of using the onboard meter.

Second, what % of your driving is in town (stop and go) and hwy? Judging by how poorly you are doing, I'd say you drive mostly in town with a lot of stop and go.

Third, if you haven't, you need to change your fuel filter, spark plugs and air filter. Check your tire pressure as Mr Dubya said and look into getting an alignment.

Lastly, I have an '02 Limited 4x4 V8 and I average 16.5mpg and that's about 80% hwy driving. My mods are catback exhaust, K&N CAI and tune. I drive aggressively and could get closer to 18mpg if I wanted.

 

[Rckslick333]

First, I would manually calculate your gas mileage instead of using the onboard meter.

Second, what % of your driving is in town (stop and go) and hwy? Judging by how poorly you are doing, I'd say you drive mostly in town with a lot of stop and go.

Third, if you haven't, you need to change your fuel filter, spark plugs and air filter. Check your tire pressure as Mr Dubya said and look into getting an alignment.

Lastly, I have an '02 Limited 4x4 V8 and I average 16.5mpg and that's about 80% hwy driving. My mods are catback exhaust, K&N CAI and tune. I drive aggressively and could get closer to 18mpg if I wanted.

Jesus, Time for a tune up for me then. I do pretty much 95% hwy and I average maybe 15 on the hwy if im lucky. I dont remember the last time I did a check of plugs and wires plus I have no idea about the fuel filter. Im harassing mine