My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[gavin]

Would anybody suggest its time for a custom tune to stop my issues?

yes.

those generic tunes can be flakey. Not to mention they are designed for vehicles that are otherwise 100% stock, so any additional performance upgrades can cause issues, since the tune is not designed for those.

 

[thomas.baker]

i get about 10 in my 93 eddie bauer explorer

 

[Fordexplorer140k]

i get about 10 in my 93 eddie bauer explorer

thats sucks, read this thread you could get at least 15 just buy doing some easy cheap mods that dont take much common sense to do.

 

[MrQ]

12 around town for me, but I am hard on the gas. On the highway cruising at 75, I made 25mpg.

 

[aldive]

when i tune the truck i get more power and better MPG but the light comes on.

Is this "flasher" calibrated to your box code?

When you say you tune the truck what exactly do you mean?

 

[Jakee]

That was the big key, and the big flaw. You cannot get any decent accuracy of data if you only test for one mile, whether they do it five times separately and add it up. Reliable fuel testing must be done over a far longer distance, like a controlled track environment. I like Myth busters, but they do often over simplify things. It is entertaining though.

I saw it and not only had the smoke test suggested the drag was less but also the road test. I think it was a 9 - 11 % gain? I didn't totally understand the pre-weight vs. 800 LBS heavier with non dimpled clay but I guess it could happen if they don't start testing until the vehicle reaches a constant test speed. (The test had nothing to do with start and stop) Think about riding a bike; it's tough to get the bike to speed but once you reach speed, it's easier to maintain as long as there's no incline or any other resistance. Add a 10 lb weight and as long as you're at a constant speed, it's not much harder to maintain speed.

My plan is not to dimple the outside of my truck, but to dimple the intercooler piping and turbo. I’ll then have the fastest explorer in the land….muhahaha

 

[dothedeww]

My plan is not to dimple the outside of my truck, but to dimple the intercooler piping and turbo. I’ll then have the fastest explorer in the land….muhahaha[/QUOTE]

wow...I like that idea of dimpling the intercooler piping and turbo...

 

[ShadyGrady]

another head ache message...get the meds!

hi folks, most will know this, so this is for them that don't.
if you change the operation or swap out a control device...reset the computer by removing the neg bat cable for about 30 secs...then replace it. yep you will need to endure a relearn period...but your new or modded stuff will be accepted by the obd-computer in the end...then you can start to see the results of your labors. yep this can be a painful time cuz relearn is all about driving it for almost 50 miles, with the worst MPG yet, if it is OBD-I. If it is a OBD-II then the relearn can be shorter time, and if it is after 2005 then you are at the new Can Bus system...there may or may not have a re-learn period...check up on this one.

The 9volt battery trick is good for keeping the radio settings intact...walmart sell them (they do where I live at least and for less than 6 bucks) I am sorry to say...whatever you try...you are the one responsible for it...so do your research.

Empty cats housings do offer a small degree of muffling...and is a Federal law breaker for sure...and you may have issue with the local guys too. Leave the state and you then take you crime across state lines adding to the list of offenses you are doing. I do not know of anyone who did this on the Privately Owned Vehicle -- that got into trouble for it...so just stop telling folks about the laws you break and only you will know...and that also
keeps the rest of us from being an accessory. (Rock on bro, do your thang).
I also want to add that cats do work, and while you can run clean without them with proper tuning, I still have not dumped mine out. I just don't think it is worth the work to do it...the gains are not enough...if I guy got big gains doing it...then the cats were most likely bad anyway. Cats are not that restrictive...you can get after market hi-flow generic brand for under a hundred bucks. I would go that route over the permanent no cat option if I had the money. Bad cats get restrictive and hinder flow.
There now we all can get clean again if -- we all that once said we would run with no cat -- agree that we have seen the error in our ways and now run with them...x I agree!!

I run no muffler! I go pipe after cat all the way to the back bumper!(in this vehicle that is). I put the better 4jet injectors on a while back, and they changed the sound of my truck to a dull hum, ( It is through better spray pattern, and thus better atomizing of the fuel -- making a better air-fuel mix requiring less fuel to do the same job -- resulting in less noise -- better economy -- maybe? I think so) and the idle is so much smoother then before...the noise is minor at it worst. It sounds a lot less than a flow master muffler system. I live on an AFB...the law is pretty strict in the military...I drive it daily...zero complaints. Most folk can not believe it has no muffler. Go ahead and say I lie...I reap the reward of a long lasting tank of gas!! I am not asking you to do what I do...just that if you can use something I post...and it helps...then It was worth it to me to spend the time to write it all here.

Lucky7auto injector on ebay will sell you the improved(I got mine from these guys, saved money, and over all happy with the result...I had no idea I would have such a positive side effect -- like less noise! I was looking for more MPG, but I changed them because I had one injector go bad...i change things like this in sets, not just one...if my wallet lets me that is)(I think they from a different newer year and model vehicle & refurbished) I think from a 3.8 liter v6 car but I am not sure where they come from...these guys recycle, flow match, and resell them...I paid $100 for 6 including a small s/h price...my average MPG is a solid 18 city I can get 20 if I try real hard, and keep my foot out of it! I do not use any sort of additives to help my MPG figures, and my truck is a POCrap!! It still has a few mechanical needs...i am a cheap ******* so I just tell it like it is...like me or not...that is YOUR problem...I get about 32 highway...imagine when I get the skinnier tires: 215/80R15, and lower it 2 inches, and get that alignment...it will be so good on gas...it might be worth it to get'er painted!!

 

[2000StreetRod]

Start new thread

. . . I run no muffler! I go pipe after cat all the way to the back bumper!(in this vehicle that is). I put the better 4jet injectors on a while back, and they changed the sound of my truck to a dull hum, ( It is through better spray pattern, and thus better atomizing of the fuel -- making a better air-fuel mix requiring less fuel to do the same job -- resulting in less noise -- better economy -- maybe? I think so) and the idle is so much smoother then before...the noise is minor at it worst. It sounds a lot less than a flow master muffler system. I live on an AFB...the law is pretty strict in the military...I drive it daily...zero complaints. Most folk can not believe it has no muffler. Go ahead and say I lie...I reap the reward of a long lasting tank of gas!! I am not asking you to do what I do...just that if you can use something I post...and it helps...then It was worth it to me to spend the time to write it all here.

Lucky7auto injector on ebay will sell you the improved(I got mine from these guys, saved money, and over all happy with the result...I had no idea I would have such a positive side effect -- like less noise! I was looking for more MPG, but I changed them because I had one injector go bad...i change things like this in sets, not just one...if my wallet lets me that is)(I think they from a different newer year and model vehicle & refurbished) I think from a 3.8 liter v6 car but I am not sure where they come from...these guys recycle, flow match, and resell them...I paid $100 for 6 including a small s/h price...my average MPG is a solid 18 city I can get 20 if I try real hard, and keep my foot out of it! I do not use any sort of additives to help my MPG figures, and my truck is a POCrap!! It still has a few mechanical needs...i am a cheap ******* so I just tell it like it is...like me or not...that is YOUR problem...I get about 32 highway...imagine when I get the skinnier tires: 215/80R15, and lower it 2 inches, and get that alignment...it will be so good on gas...it might be worth it to get'er painted!!

I am very interested in how you were able to achieve 32 mpg on the highway but this thread is about how Aldive did it. Please start a new thread explaining your improvements so it can be discussed in the appropriate location.

 

[aldive]

I too am very interested in your accomplishments.

I have never heard of a Gen 1 Explorer getting anywhere near the mileage you report.

 

[Fordexplorer140k]

Is this "flasher" calibrated to your box code?

When you say you tune the truck what exactly do you mean?

Plug the device in under my truck. select program. it will show me a disclaimer message. Then tell me turn on my key and turn it back off. Ask me for options like fuel octane and stuff, I do 93 tune, sometimes ill choose to make it run lean or rich. it will say checking for storage and then tuning ECU. Even when i program to run it rich, it still says the system is running lean. when i run it really lean it says its running lean.

 

[aldive]

I would ditch that generic stuff and get a real tuner with real custom tunes.

Good luck ...

 

[joefnh]

ShadyGrady you mentioned in your post here that you used a better fuel injector. Can you provide some info on where to buy these?

I am at a stage of needing to replace 2 of them and I would rather replace the set with something better than factory

--Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

It looks like a lot of tires are designed to have low rolling resistance to save on fuel. Is the traction in any of these tires lower in comparison to a standard tire? This link has some information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-rolling_resistance_tires

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link is loaded with information: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm

 

[SCB2525]

imagine when I get the skinnier tires: 215/80R15\

Where do you plan on getting tires in such an odd size?

 

[CDW6212R]

That's just about an F78-15 that used to be stock on cars of the 70's.

 

[the.cats.pajamas]

hello aldive,

i was wondering if you could be a good sport and make a new thread on JUST your mpg/efficiency tips. reading through 102 pages of posts will take hours.

im sure an admin will give it sticky status.

im on my way got a k&n cold air intake, iridium plugs and msd wires, royal purple 5w30, k&n oil filter.

im going to get a throttle body spacer, my big blazer had one and it made a nice difference for 60$ and i plan on doing a complete flush of everything and getting a new pcv valve

what am i missing

please, be a pal and make a big list with some tips, you will be a hero to the forum

 

[aldive]

what am i missing

A lot.

Just read the thread; its all in here.

Good luck

PS: lose the lift and the 33s. Forget the TB spacer.

 

[CDW6212R]

A lot.

Just read the thread; its all in here.

Good luck

PS: lose the lift and the 33s. Forget the TB spacer.

Ditto, and junk the K&N air filter. Keep the air cleaner, but swap the air filter for a brand which cleans the air far better. Regards,