My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[aldive]

My rear diff calles for 80w90 and i was wondering what you guys used for the mobil 1 synthetic. I was told be a ford mechanic NO 75w140
But i was thining about just using 75w90

what do u guy think?

I also use 75w90.

 

[zippee]

Al, something I meant to ask...anyone else chime in if you can.

What speed for you yields the best mileage? Your mileage runs are at 65-75 MPH. You get great mileage at 65-68. I know that wind resistance is higher at higher speeds, so it seems that you would get better mileage at 60. But, gearing is important also, and maybe the SOHC is happier over 2000 RPM.

Thoughts? I have a 97, 4x4 with SOHC, 5 speed auto, 3.73. I get 18-20 on my commutes and I'm taking a trip in the next few weeks. I've never really checked highway mileage and I'd like to see how well I can do. It's in very good tune, synthetic throughout. My next project is installing a modified valve body, then an electric fan. If I could get into the 20s on my commute and high 20s on the highway I'd keep the vehicle long term.

From a previous post I think you recommended a cat back system and intake after these mods. BTW...I see you are an Amsoil dealer, and will sell at cost. Can I pick that up at my local warehouse or do we have to ship?

Great work and great explanations. Those of us who recognize that also want to thank you for your patience in dealing with the thread morons...the ones who proclaim, "I think you're full of BS!" to the ones who ask, "What modifications have you made?"

Reading IS fundamental...

 

[shootthemoon]

Thanks

I would do the simple things first:

tire pressure
synthetic motor oil
synthetic ATF
synthetic diff oil
remove roof rack

thenj:

underdrive pulleys
cat back exhaust
air intake

then:

computer program

Hope this helps you.

Good luck ....

Well according to Zipee I am a thread moron i guess. and for that I am sorry. But I do appreciate you and Matt for your advice/responses. We have to start somewhere right? We arent auto mechanics at birth. Thanks

 

[mattferkey]

responce to zippe

Al, something I meant to ask...anyone else chime in if you can.

What speed for you yields the best mileage? Your mileage runs are at 65-75 MPH. You get great mileage at 65-68. I know that wind resistance is higher at higher speeds, so it seems that you would get better mileage at 60. But, gearing is important also, and maybe the SOHC is happier over 2000 RPM.

Thoughts? I have a 97, 4x4 with SOHC, 5 speed auto, 3.73. I get 18-20 on my commutes and I'm taking a trip in the next few weeks. I've never really checked highway mileage and I'd like to see how well I can do. It's in very good tune, synthetic throughout. My next project is installing a modified valve body, then an electric fan. If I could get into the 20s on my commute and high 20s on the highway I'd keep the vehicle long term.

sounds like you have the identical machine that i do... optimal mileage is acheived at the lowest speed in the highest gear. in my ex as with yours, i believe that the overdrive kicks in at 47mph.... so... in that respect 47 would be the optimal speed... but to account for head wind gusts and hills i would say 55 is a safe bet, so you can loose speed up hills or into the wind and resume up to 55 when the wind settles and when going down hills

hope this helps...


matt

 

[zippee]

Well according to Zipee I am a thread moron i guess. and for that I am sorry. But I do appreciate you and Matt for your advice/responses. We have to start somewhere right? We arent auto mechanics at birth. Thanks

Actually I thought your questions were intelligent. For the purposes of my post I identified two types of thread morons...first any guy (and they come regularly) who reads through two posts and then calls Al a liar. I appreciate what Al offers here and calling him a liar because they haven't taken the time to read is bogus.

Second...anyone who won't take the time to read, to discover they asked a question that has been answered fifteen times on the thread. Like the guy who said...gee, Al, why don't you make a list of your modifications?

I appreciate Al's willingness to share his results. My fear is that he's growing weary with the actions of a few.

 

[baseballX]

Great work Al, keep it up!

 

[aldive]

test

 

[mattferkey]

I am absoultly amazed with just how much driving style does affect mileage.... i have gotten 32 hwy nice and easy to 19 city with 2900 rpm shifts... amazing... and 2 nights ago I did the seafoam treatment, and i cant get over the difference... the truck always ran great... but now it is like new

 

[mattferkey]

Anyone else using 0w20 or similar viscosity oil in their own quest?

 

[aldive]

I am absoultly amazed with just how much driving style does affect mileage.... i have gotten 32 hwy nice and easy to 19 city with 2900 rpm shifts... amazing... and 2 nights ago I did the seafoam treatment, and i cant get over the difference... the truck always ran great... but now it is like new

Excellent mileage number; congratulations.

What mods have you done?

 

[aldive]

Anyone else using 0w20 or similar viscosity oil in their own quest?

I tested 0w20 once and got no better mileage than with 0w30.

 

[xpl951]

I am absoultly amazed with just how much driving style does affect mileage.... i have gotten 32 hwy nice and easy to 19 city with 2900 rpm shifts... amazing... and 2 nights ago I did the seafoam treatment, and i cant get over the difference... the truck always ran great... but now it is like new

?! how do u get that milage? I have a stock with K&N cai and i get about 14-15 and not sure on hwy but at 80 on cruise 18. and i already have 5w30

 

[mattferkey]

Excellent mileage number; congratulations.

What mods have you done?

ngk tr55ix plugs and motocraft wires
k&n fipk
b&m shift kit for 5r55e
bfg allterrain ta ko at 42 psi
mobil 1 0w20 in motor
amsoil atf in tranny
amsoil atf in transfercase
amsoil 75w90 severgear in diffs
envirosafe in ac system
blackmagic 150 electric fan
brembo rotors and ceramic pads
flowmaster 50 suv dual dual exhaust
voltage stabilizer

and im sure theres a few more i cant remember

 

[mattferkey]

?! how do u get that milage? I have a stock with K&N cai and i get about 14-15 and not sure on hwy but at 80 on cruise 18. and i already have 5w30

as al has always said " speed kills"


read one of my previous posts
"sounds like you have the identical machine that i do... optimal mileage is acheived at the lowest speed in the highest gear. in my ex as with yours, i believe that the overdrive kicks in at 47mph.... so... in that respect 47 would be the optimal speed... but to account for head wind gusts and hills i would say 55 is a safe bet, so you can loose speed up hills or into the wind and resume up to 55 when the wind settles and when going down hills

hope this helps...


matt"

 

[aldive]

ngk tr55ix plugs and motocraft wires
k&n fipk
b&m shift kit for 5r55e
bfg allterrain ta ko at 42 psi
mobil 1 0w20 in motor
amsoil atf in tranny
amsoil atf in transfercase
amsoil 75w90 severgear in diffs
envirosafe in ac system
blackmagic 150 electric fan
brembo rotors and ceramic pads
flowmaster 50 suv dual dual exhaust
voltage stabilizer

and im sure theres a few more i cant remember

Please tell us about the voltage stabilizer.

You do not have a computer tune?

 

[aldive]

?! how do u get that milage? I have a stock with K&N cai and i get about 14-15 and not sure on hwy but at 80 on cruise 18. and i already have 5w30

Just think what you could get at 65 ....

 

[MoMike]

NOOB Questions

OK Everyone, I've made it to the first 10 pages, and have some questions up to this point. Mainly, what are some of the definitions being used, and some of the parts. As I'm living in a small town, I'll probably have to mail order, so if there's a decent manufacturer, I'd love to know their name (and perhaps contact info, if the company isn't easily found online).



--Apten chip?
--MAF? Someone mentioned Granatelli...
--TB Spacer?
--Intake; are people taking about just the air filter, or is there something else to this? Will changing just the filter help much (a friend of mine used to try this with a '66 Mustang)
--Exhaust: Bigger, smaller? Just the tailpipe, or everything changed out?

Thanks!

 

[aldive]

OK Everyone, I've made it to the first 10 pages, and have some questions up to this point. Mainly, what are some of the definitions being used, and some of the parts. As I'm living in a small town, I'll probably have to mail order, so if there's a decent manufacturer, I'd love to know their name (and perhaps contact info, if the company isn't easily found online).



--Apten chip?
--MAF? Someone mentioned Granatelli...
--TB Spacer?
--Intake; are people taking about just the air filter, or is there something else to this? Will changing just the filter help much (a friend of mine used to try this with a '66 Mustang)
--Exhaust: Bigger, smaller? Just the tailpipe, or everything changed out?

Thanks!

I shall be happy to try to answer your questions.

First of all, stooping at page 10 does not tell the tale; you really need to read the entire thread.

Apten chip: a computer chip made by a company no longer in business. Old technology. Current thinking is to use a SCT XCal2 tuned by Doug at Bama Chips ( http://www.bamachips.com/ ).

Granatelli MAF: Again old thinking; the best MAF out there for a relatively stock truck is the stock Ford Electronics in a C & L MAF housing ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136883&highlight=maf ).

TB spacer: Again, old thinking; I no longer use one.

Intake: Generally regarded as the pipping from the TB to the air cleaner.

Exhaust: Generally from the cat back. I use 2 1/2" inch pipe with a Flowmaster 70 muffler.

Hope this helps; all questions are welcomed.

Good luck ...

 

[mattferkey]

Please tell us about the voltage stabilizer.

You do not have a computer tune?

i did not really notice any measurable results with the stabilizer.. maybe .1 mpg... but it was not consistant enough to give the seal of approval... what i did notice though is that before i did the seafoam treatment it did help with the idle quality and the headlights didnt dim when the ac compressor kicked in... for 70$ i think it was worth it but not in a mileage point of view...

No i do not have a computer tune... i am always envious of the stories of yours, but i just dont have the funds avaliable to me to purtchace the programer. There is no way to tune without a programmer? i assume?

matt

 

[mattferkey]

I think one of the most important things to do increase mileage, is to make sure the truck is aligned... with ball joints that are prone to wear quickly... the truck will just be fighting itself to keep moving....

matt