My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[fuzzie]

The mechanic said he scanned the whole computer for any codes, and none showed.
Perhaps I should just replace all the 02 sensors and see what effect comes of that?

 

[aldive]

The mechanic said he scanned the whole computer for any codes, and none showed.
Perhaps I should just replace all the 02 sensors and see what effect comes of that?

You need to scan for O2 sensor function, not codes.

Don't replace good sensors; scan first.

 

[RV Wrench]

I know this is probably comparing apples to oranges, but I had a similar very large drop in gas mileage in my van lately. I have a '00 Chevy Venture that dropped from 22mpg to 17mpg around town. Everything seemed fine and no codes were tripped, but a live scan showed the operating temp at 175 degrees. My thermostat was evidently opening 20 degrees too soon, and the engine would never heat up to proper operating temp (above 180).

New thermostat installed, gas mileage instantly restored.

 

[joefnh]

What other Mods

Al, in a previous post in this thread you state that "Almost all" of the mods are listed.

Can you fill us in on the rest?

At this point I have all the mods that you have listed, and have experimented with a few others and can not get over 24.2MPG

I admit I do have a 4x4, but its hard to believe that thats reducing the MPG by ~ 8MPG

--Joe

 

[CDW6212R]

Gearing I'd bet Joe, Al has 3.55's I believe. My 4.10's and 4x4 will never get great mileage. What's your gear ratio, and what air dam/ride height do you have?

 

[MNHawk]

Holly smokes

After reading all the mods done to this ride, no wonder this thing gets that kind of MPG. You should do some write ups on the mods and post them with pics and prices. Those gages are sick (about 320 per). Got to love the digital world.

Congrats on a sweet ride and very well done work
also quad thumbs up on the amsoil use (smiles) also use loads of the stuff myself

 

[zippee]

He Has!!!!!

 

[msmith65]

Technique matters. Here's a guy who gets 50-100 mpg in small cars rated at half that.

 

[aldive]

Recent road trip to Ft Myers, FL ( 140 miles ) netted 36.8 MPG.

I was using a 93 octane dyno tuned tune, BP 93 gas, 42 psig in the tires, but the main factor was speed. I tried to run 55 MPH but the trip average was 62.1 MPH ( all GPS determined ).

This definitely show that speed kills mileage.

This trip will be repeated next with a new computer tune that I have developed ( for gas mileage, not power ).

 

[techieman33]

Wow, it's really starting to turn into the quest for 40 now. Congrats

 

[BrooklynBay]

One thing which is surprising to me is that when a vehicle gets old, it is less efficient, but your vehicle gets more efficient. I wonder how many more MPG you would have gotten if you did all of these modifications when it was brand new?

 

[r37ribution]

Yeah how many miles you got on that thing now?

 

[Skydmark1]

Al have you tried putting in new plugs gapped to .060 for use with the screamin demon coil pack. I'm curious as to if thsi helps at all because I'm considering doing it in the very near future.

 

[aldive]

Al have you tried putting in new plugs gapped to .060 for use with the screamin demon coil pack. I'm curious as to if thsi helps at all because I'm considering doing it in the very near future.

Not yet, however it won't be long.

 

[aldive]

Recent road trip to Ft Myers, FL ( 140 miles ) netted 36.8 MPG.

I was using a 93 octane dyno tuned tune, BP 93 gas, 42 psig in the tires, but the main factor was speed. I tried to run 55 MPH but the trip average was 62.1 MPH ( all GPS determined ).

This definitely show that speed kills mileage.

This trip will be repeated next with a new computer tune that I have developed ( for gas mileage, not power ).

Another fuel mileage test ….

A 156 mile trip up to the Tampa area ( to Kayak the Hillsborough River ) netted 30.2 MPG.

Speed was 71.4 MPH average ( GPS determines ), 42 psig in the tires, BP 93 gas and a 93 dyno tuned tune

Speed kills; compare this mileage to that quoted above.

 

[kdailey4315]

Another fuel mileage test ….

A 156 mile trip up to the Tampa area ( to Kayak the Hillsborough River ) netted 30.2 MPG.

Speed was 71.4 MPH average ( GPS determines ), 42 psig in the tires, BP 93 gas and a 93 dyno tuned tune

Speed kills; compare this mileage to that quoted above.

Isn't 42 psi kinda high? You are not worried about blow outs? I thought 32 was the norm. I could be totally wrong though.

 

[Rhett]

42 shouldn't hurt. That's not a super-high figure.

The thing to worry about with overinflation is uneven tire wear. Since Al knows what he's doing, I assume he's figured out (via chalk test and experience) that 42 isn't wearing his tires in the center.

 

[CDW6212R]

Tires come in many different max pressure ratings. Al likely has 44psi max tires, most common today. Tire pressures should be altered when you are unfamilier with your vehicle and its pressure needs. The best pressures are those that give the best tire wear, versus mileage and handling. Regards,

 

[jc_663]

Some observations on the use of the underdrive pulleys …

(1) The mileage gains netted by using theses pulleys were better than expected.
(2) During the traffic jam, doing only stop and go, 1 MPH speed, the alternator was putting out only 11.2 volts/ This low voltage caused the AC blower to provide diminished air flow ( the temperature was fine. )
(3) The coolant temperature elevated to 216 F, but could be reduced rapidly by revving the motor in neutral. This was monitored via my OBD II scanner. This elevated temperature caused no problems and was reduced to 192 F almost immediately upon the return to normal highway speed.
(4) The ATF temperature went to 180 F during the standstill. This also returned to normal ( 130 F ) after returning to highway speed.

I want to retest with the stock water pump pulley and see what happens with both the temperature as well as gas mileage.

I know that you have experience more than me in the explorers, and I assume that you changed the Crank pulleys...am I right? If YES, did you change the alternator pulley? If YES and the answer that you used the pulley which came with the pulley kit, then you should take it out and go to any machine shop and make another new pulley with smaller diameter.
I had this problem with my racing Grand Cherokee and I solved it with this solution. It settled @ 13.2 after the custom pulley.

If you done that, then just disregard this.

Cheerz

 

[Spdrcer34]

JC....I can see your new....so I won't be too harsh....BUT...a little searching would have netted the answers to all the questions.

So here it goes:

1) Yes he changed the Crank Pulley...read here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1377150#post1377150

2) Yes, he changed the Alternator Pulley...read here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1406278#post1406278

In the process he also changed the water pump pulley..read here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1394998#post1394998

You can read just about EVERYTHING that was ever done to his X, or links to what he did...here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137531 Which is also in his signature

Ryan