My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[exgmman]

Some people like loud mufflers, loud sound systems, mucho horsepower, etc; I like the challenge of maximum fuel economy.

Its the results that are important to me, not necessarily the cost. I will spend hundreds to gain small amounts of mileage.

Many if not all of the mileage enhancing mods also boost horsepower; a plesant bonus.

Its a challenge for me, a quest...

Of all the mods you did, which ones would you say gave you the most notable improvements? (soory, too lazy to read through over 20 pgs of this thread...

Glad to see somone keeping track of mileage and how it changes with various mods and improvements....

 

[DCExplorer]

Does running on a more 'full' tank result in lower gas milage due to the excess weight of the gas compared to an empty tank?

A car and a plane are very different when it comes to gas mileage.

First, at constant highway speed [edit] the weight of extra gasoline [edit] has no effect on gas mileage, other than the minor increase in drag caused by the added rolling friction in the tires. Where a car's weight really hurts gas mileage is during acceleration from a stop. So in city traffic the added weight may make a very small difference. So with a car the the effects of the added weight are different whether you are traveling at a constant speed or starting and stopping a lot.

Planes don't start and stop in the air, so if you apply the rules from a car you might think the weight doesn't make a big difference. However, when you add weight to a plane, you must generate added lift to keep the plane in the air. To increase lift a combination of two things can happen. The plane can pitch its nose up and/or increase its air speed. Both of which burn more fuel. So basically the plane is SOL when it comes to saving gas with added weight.

 

[Faded]

Good Info!

New to the board and just wanted to say thanks to everyone, especially Al for the tips provided. Just had a buddy buy a '98 EX 4x4 and was complaining of the 14-16 MPG he's getting. Armed with some of the info in this thread I think there is definately room for improvement.

Just a couple of questions;

Is there any other way to tell the difference between the OHV and the SOHC besides the "X" in the 8th space of the VIN?

Where's everyone getting thier acetone?

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[Rhett]

Is there any other way to tell the difference between the OHV and the SOHC besides the "X" in the 8th space of the VIN?

Yes. They look different under the hood. From the outside? Hmm..
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<rhett thinks for a long time (a rarity)>
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hmm I would say from the outside you can't tell an OHV from a SOHC. I don't think there's any "SOHC" badging...

 

[spindlecone]

Yes. They look different under the hood. From the outside? Hmm..
...
...
<rhett thinks for a long time (a rarity)>
...
..
hmm I would say from the outside you can't tell an OHV from a SOHC. I don't think there's any "SOHC" badging...

AU Contrere
Some of the 03 SOHC EXs are badged in a differant than the norm manner

 

[Faded]

Yes. They look different under the hood...

Thanks for the reply. I pulled up some pics of the SOHC and can definately say my buddy is SOL because his is an OHV. :fire: But, according to some posts here low 20's doesn't sound entire impossible, so maybe there's hope.

 

[Dre]

Thanks for the reply. I pulled up some pics of the SOHC and can definately say my buddy is SOL because his is an OHV. :fire: But, according to some posts here low 20's doesn't sound entire impossible, so maybe there's hope.

getting 14 mpg is not unusuall... although I just got 18.5 mpg out of my 03 Mounty which has a V8 under the hood... so as you can see, it's possible.

 

[Maniak]

Our '92 X is now averaging 18-20mpg on the highway... (v6, 4.10 gears, 32" tires, 700r4 tranny, 315k miles on the motor)

the biggest improvment came from slowing down. I now drive 72mph using the cruise control instead of 77mph. At 77mph I was getting 15-16 mpg.

This is without a/c but with 2 windows rolled down (a/c isn't working right now)..

~Mark

 

[Rhett]

Thanks for the reply. I pulled up some pics of the SOHC and can definately say my buddy is SOL because his is an OHV. :fire: But, according to some posts here low 20's doesn't sound entire impossible, so maybe there's hope.

22-23 mpg is very reachable highway mpg with an OHV, with the right mods.
It can't compare to the SOHC though in terms of mileage.

 

[Faded]

22-23 mpg is very reachable highway mpg with an OHV, with the right mods.
It can't compare to the SOHC though in terms of mileage.

I won't compare it to the SOHC's mileage then, but if we can get it to pull low 20's at close to freeway speeds (75mph) then I'm sure he'll be happy. So, I'll work on getting him to slow down and we'll let the mods begin!

 

[n3m3s1s]

you will get much better mileage at 65mph compared to 75mph. something like 10-20%, it's probably covered earlier in this thread, if you click search this thread near those stars at the top.

 

[aldive]

you will get much better mileage at 65mph compared to 75mph

A definite fact.

 

[spindlecone]

A definite fact.

And even better at 45 VS 110, trust me on that

 

[n3m3s1s]

you will also get better mileage if you dont let al's son drive

think i could sell this sticker to all the bunny-huggers that drive hybrids?

'Drive it like your grandma stole it!'

 

[Rhett]

And even better at 45 VS 110, trust me on that

...fewer tickets too...

 

[n3m3s1s]

^^ i think you mean less jail time...

 

[exgmman]

These tips might help, clicky here:
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/driving/autosmart-methods.cfm?attr=8

 

[aldive]

The first 1000 mile plus trip with the new C & L MAF ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136883&highlight=MAF ) will be conducted over the 4th of July.

Very curious to see how this MAF affects gas mileage. I will run one leg (500 plus miles ) with Doug's dyno tuned 93 tune and the return leg ( 500 miles ) with Doug's 89 tune.

I will not be using acetone on this trip in order to evaluate the MAF only.

Data soon .......

 

[Faded]

Have you entertained the idea of using syn ATF in the power steering? Less parasitic drag from the pump = more power/mileage. Not sure what Ford's spec is on thier PS fluid and/or what would be a compatible syn alternative... Just putting ideas on the table.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

I bet aldive's already got Amsoil power steering fluid in there.