My First Ford!! 2016 Explorer!!

[IzzyBear]

Hello All!

New Member here and A Ford Virgin too!!!

So last weekend I bought my first Ford...ever!!. (I've always driven Hondas) While I absolutely loved my 2007 Pilot, I wanted something newer and I can't stand what they did to the 2016 Pilots...so I started shopping around. I decided on a brand new 2016 Explorere 3.5L V6 (no ecoboost)

While I love it so far ...I do have one complaint....the gas mileage is horrible! I'm getting 14 mpg. The sticker says 17 for the city and I'm nowhere near that?

Is there some secret Ford gas button that I don't know about ??

Am I driving wrong? My Pilot was getting 19 so this feels like it's guzzling gas.

Thanks!!!

 

[OzzieMike]

My 2013 XLT w/AWD averages 19.9 on the display. Have you tried resetting your MPG average on your display?

 

[peterk9]

Hello All!

New Member here and A Ford Virgin too!!!

So last weekend I bought my first Ford...ever!!. (I've always driven Hondas) While I absolutely loved my 2007 Pilot, I wanted something newer and I can't stand what they did to the 2016 Pilots...so I started shopping around. I decided on a brand new 2016 Explorere 3.5L V6 (no ecoboost)

While I love it so far ...I do have one complaint....the gas mileage is horrible! I'm getting 14 mpg. The sticker says 17 for the city and I'm nowhere near that?

Is there some secret Ford gas button that I don't know about ??

Am I driving wrong? My Pilot was getting 19 so this feels like it's guzzling gas.

Thanks!!!

Welcome to the Forum.:wavey:
The Explorer has a 'learning' transmission which will adjust to your driving style over a short period of time. Also, the Owner's Guide says to not judge the mileage until you have several thousand miles on the engine. Can't recall the figure quoted.
Also it would be very helpful if you add the 'model' of your Explorer to your profile so it always shows in the margin.

Peter

 

[IzzyBear]

OOOOH ok...gotcha...I've also never had a brand new car either....I shall give it time...I don't mind. I love driving it.

Thank you!

 

[IzzyBear]

This may be a stupid question...but since I have never owned a Ford...is there any advice or forewarnings maybe?

I know I probably sounds like the biggest dork...but I can't stop looking at it...I love the fact I can start her from my desk at work...so the a/c is nice and cold for the drive home...and bluetooth! I've never had a car with it..I take the long way home so I can drive it longer....it's so exciting!

btw? is it bad to always start the car that way...via the transmitter?

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

No there shouldn't be any issue but depending on how long you are leaving it running could be part of your MPG Welcome to Ford and nice XLT!

 

[IzzyBear]

Thanks! The most I've had it run is 5 minutes.

I can't wait to make it more custom..getting the front tint done tomorrow. Rim shopping Saturday!

 

[veloduffer]

This may be a stupid question...but since I have never owned a Ford...is there any advice or forewarnings maybe?

I know I probably sounds like the biggest dork...but I can't stop looking at it...I love the fact I can start her from my desk at work...so the a/c is nice and cold for the drive home...and bluetooth! I've never had a car with it..I take the long way home so I can drive it longer....it's so exciting!

btw? is it bad to always start the car that way...via the transmitter?

The car will shut itself off after a specified time if you leave it running. I think the default is 10 minutes but you can change it in the vehicle settings (left dashboard settings).

 

[s2upid]

Congratulations! I moved over from Honda to Ford recently too... absolutely loving it.. having the same issues with gas mileage being pretty $hit, but as these fine people above has clarified, I think the car can't be trusted in the first couple thousand kms.. (currently only have 500kms on it haha).

I'm loving how smooth the ride is.. and nimble the steering feels.

 

[ToxDoc]

Congrats on the new car. I am new to Explorer too. My first two cars were Fords though (91' Probe and 94' Mustang I think).
As far as gas mileage goes, I am doing OK. I have a 3.5L V6 Limited. I mostly drive highway, 70-80 mph. I already have around 1200 miles. The total average is 21.5 miles/gallon at the moment. It has been slowly creeping up.
My biggest complaint is that the gas tank is smaller than what was in my Cadillac SRX...

 

[Ecobeast]

This may be a stupid question...but since I have never owned a Ford...is there any advice or forewarnings maybe?

I know I probably sounds like the biggest dork...but I can't stop looking at it...I love the fact I can start her from my desk at work...so the a/c is nice and cold for the drive home...and bluetooth! I've never had a car with it..I take the long way home so I can drive it longer....it's so exciting!

btw? is it bad to always start the car that way...via the transmitter?

1. Don't judge the mileage for at least the first 1000 miles
2. Sitting idle for long periods of time will affect your mileage read-outs.
3. Fuel is different in different parts of the country and from station to station. Get to know your vehicle and what fuel in your area you seem to be getting the best mileage from. I only run Top Tier fuels in my EB.
4. Enjoy your new ride. The 2016 is one of the nicest looking vehicles on the road and equally as fun to drive. I get a combined 18 in mine, but I don't have the naturally aspirated V6, but the ecoboost. That's a lot of stop and go driving. When I'm on the highway, I get up to 25 plus. The Explorer weighs almost 1000 lbs more than the pilot. That is a lot more weight to push around and should probably not be compared to the Pilot in that aspect.

 

[CorryBasler]

My 2015 Base the sticker says "17 City 23 Highway" I am at 1100 miles now, and i finally get between 22-23 on the highway, my last 100 mile highway trip i actually got 24mpg.

But city is the opposite, I don't drive it hard by any means, ive been trying to "grandma" it and that is hard for a 22 year old man lol. I get no more then around 13mpg in the city, i live in a small town so its not even much stop and go, only go though 1 stop light on the 1.5 mil drive to work every day.

 

[sr71_1]

This may be a stupid question...but since I have never owned a Ford...is there any advice or forewarnings maybe?

First off - Congrat's - welcome to the club. This is one of Ford's better vehicles. The Explorer is however, deceptively wide (you realize that once you're inside). I notice a lot of drivers favoring the right side of the lane. Do yourself a favor (pretend you're a new driver) and test yourself to make sure you've got her centered.

 

[Halwg]

You will find your mileage improves and settles in about 7,500 to 8,000 miles. From there on, you won't see much change. Right now, with 16,000 on my 3.5L I'm getting 17 in town and 25 in the highway at 70 mph. It's much better than the previous generation Explorers where I averaged 14 in town and 18 on the highway.