My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[gavin]

I believe that a 3.55 and a 5R55E is a better combo for 70mph than your 3.73 and a 4-speed. Sorry. I bet you know better than the Ford engineers.

experience and experimenting has proven that Ford put out a very inefficient (relatively) vehicle.

experience and experimenting can prove more useful than a computer simulation.

wait.. and didn't somebody say they were only getting 18mpg with 3.55 gearing?
that's only 2mpg more than an AWD V8 Explorer. So, what's a better combo now?

 

[SLVRTRC]

my mustang had the 4.0L with a manual trans and 3.33 gears ran on the highway at 1800 RPMs 64mph and got 28mpg all day long higher RPMs resulted less mileage

 

[aldive]

why would this be? Numerically higher gears will make your engine run higher rpms more rmps means more gas how is this more efficient?

The engine must be operated at the most efficient RPM band.

 

[aldive]

Absolutely not, but i am very interested in trying this. Does this reduce the speed of the accessories? what can be gained from it, what kind of negative impact may it have on my engine?

The UD releives the motor of parasitic loss from driving the accessories. This nets more usable HP as well as significantly better gas mileage.

I have a UD crank pulley ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1377150#post1377150 ) as well as an UD water pump pulley ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1394998#post1394998 ). To overcome a diminished charging at idle, I installed an Overdrive alternator pulley ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1406278#post1406278 ).

Here in the blistering Florida heat, I have never had any cooling issues with the UD water pump pulley nor have I had any issues with the AC.

Without a doubt, underdriving is the best bang for the buck that I am aware of.

 

[CDW6212R]

I believe that a 3.55 and a 5R55E is a better combo for 70mph than your 3.73 and a 4-speed. Sorry. I bet you know better than the Ford engineers.

Ford engineers do not drive the vehicles, they just right the books that you pray to.

Long ago(1991-1993) Ford finally learned to install higher gear ratios in the trucks. That resulted in better acceleration, and fuel economy. I have two perfect examples, both identical weighted Explorers.

My 91 XLT 4WD 4dr. with 3.27's got no better than 20mpg ever on the highway. My 93 4WD 4dr. with 3.73's got easily 21-22mpg on the highway loaded down.

The gearing is critical, too high or low is bad for efficiency. The OHV 4.0 engine likes the 3.73 gears better than any others for general use. If you never drove in the city, a 3.55 would help very slightly. The 4.10's cost you gas if you get on the highway much.

 

[aldive]

Sorry. I bet you know better than the Ford engineers.

No, I am not an engineer and have no engering degrees, my degrees are all in microbiology and biochemistry.

Could I design a vehicle from scratch. absolutly not. But you bet your bippy I can modify one.

A perfect example of your engineering hero design ( flaws ) occurred to me last week ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247519&highlight=throttle+bracket ). I could quote you a plethora of others.

I am sure everyone of the knowledgeable folks on this board can tell you of things the Ford engineers have blundered on.

My heros are the hot rodders who make Detroit iron better.

 

[Neil1750825]

No, I am not an engineer and have no engering degrees, my degrees are all in microbiology and biochemistry.

Could I design a vehicle from scratch. absolutly not. But you bet your bippy I can modify one.

A perfect example of your engineering hero design ( flaws ) occurred to me last week ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247519&highlight=throttle+bracket ). I could quote you a plethora of others.

I am sure everyone of the knowledgeable folks on this board can tell you of things the Ford engineers have blundered on.

Problems like your throttle stuff is wear. Manufacturing and design flaws are far different. The engineers at Ford gave you the Explorer that you have right now. It has some highly technical and advanced pieces for its day and I don't think you can rag on Fords engineers for making a few flaws in a vehicle that has upwards of 10,000 individual pieces. If you don't like Fords designs, you might want to try your luck with a Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy.

 

[aldive]

Problems like your throttle stuff is wear. Manufacturing and design flaws are far different.

Wear? There is no wear on this component. It is a stationary component and does not ever move ( until it falls off ).

If you don't like Fords designs, you might want to try your luck with a Chevy Blazer or GMC Jimmy.[/QUOTE]

All of them have their engineering blunders.

 

[SLVRTRC]

at 70 MPH with my 3.73 gears and stock size tires, I turn approximately 2300 RPM.
.

so when you are cruising at 55-60 do you take it out of OD?

 

[Neil1750825]

Because numerically lower gears require more torque from the engine to maintain speed, requiring you to use more throttle.

Peak torque for the SOHC is at 3000 rpm....

 

[aldive]

so when you are cruising at 55-60 do you take it out of OD?

Never. Why would one do such a thing?

 

[aldive]

Peak torque for the SOHC is at 3000 rpm....

Take a look at the published dyno charts on this site.

 

[Neil1750825]

Wear? There is no wear on this component. It is a stationary component and does not ever move ( until it falls off ).

Wear can occur on stationary parts by way of stress and strain. What would you call it when a driveshaft snaps in the center?

 

[SLVRTRC]

Never. Why would one do such a thing?

because 70mph you run @ 2300 RPMS cruising at 55-60 not in OD would put your roughly in the same rpm range you run at 70.

if that is your most efficient rpm range wouldnt you want to run that all the time

 

[Neil1750825]

You mean this site?

www.fordpowerproducts.com/FordPowerProducts/.../SOHC_640Leaflet_4_2003.pdf -

 

[aldive]

because 70mph you run @ 2300 RPMS cruising at 55-60 not in OD would put your roughly in the same rpm range you run at 70.

if that is your most efficient rpm range wouldnt you want to run that all the time

Running 50-60 MPH is vastly more effecient for gas mileage than running 70 MPH.

 

[SLVRTRC]

Running 50-60 MPH is vastly more effecient for gas mileage than running 70 MPH.

right.

so if you claim (not saying you dont) to get 30+ mpg @70mph with 3.73 and OD and run at 2300 rpms.

this being so... you should get 35+mpg at 55. possibly better

Automobiles are most fuel-efficient between 45 and 60 mph. Large trucks lose fuel efficiency over 50 mph.

At 65 mph you're burning 10% more fuel than at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17% of your fuel economy, and at 75 it’s 25%. The numbers get worse from there.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/best-gas-mileage-drive-55-461130#ixzz0Jq80g8Gn&C

 

[Neil1750825]

I agree with SLVR.

 

[gavin]

right.

so if you claim (not saying you dont) to get 30+ mpg @70mph with 3.73 and OD and run at 2300 rpms.

this being so... you should get 35+mpg at 55. possibly better

Automobiles are most fuel-efficient between 45 and 60 mph. Large trucks lose fuel efficiency over 50 mph.

At 65 mph you're burning 10% more fuel than at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17% of your fuel economy, and at 75 it’s 25%. The numbers get worse from there.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/best-gas-mileage-drive-55-461130#ixzz0Jq80g8Gn&C

that would be true, except you are forgetting about the gearing of the transmission.

 

[SLVRTRC]

that would be true, except you are forgetting about the gearing of the transmission.

ya we are past that.... its been said that 3.73 give you better mileage running at 70mph and 2300 rpms but leaving the trans in OD while cruising 55-60 your rpms will be much lower and from the logic found here you would get better mileage taking it out of OD at those speeds...

but the truth is you will get better mileage at the lesser speed and at the lower rpm range.