My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[zippee]

You realize, of course, that you're just heightening expectations?

 

[mattferkey]

I recently went on a 724 mile trip and used 20.76 gallons of regular unleaded averageing 65 mph (cruise set and A\C the whole way) braking my old record of 32mpg.. On this trip I reached 34.87MPG. Not too bad for a 97 4x4. Has anyone else with a 4x4 broke 35??? I would really like to do a computer tune to see what can be had out of a 4x4.

1997 explorer xlt sohc 4x4
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


Matt

 

[zippee]

That's incredible. I don't think any other 4x4 comes close.

 

[Burns]

Well ill add to this thread by saying that just by keeping up with regular maintance i am getting 16 to 17 miles per gallon on my 36s.

 

[aldive]

I recently went on a 724 mile trip and used 20.76 gallons of regular unleaded averageing 65 mph (cruise set and A\C the whole way) braking my old record of 32mpg.. On this trip I reached 34.87MPG. Not too bad for a 97 4x4. Has anyone else with a 4x4 broke 35??? I would really like to do a computer tune to see what can be had out of a 4x4.

1997 explorer xlt sohc 4x4
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


Matt

Amazing.

 

[MadExplorer93]

Wow that is amazing... gives the entire run down of your truck and specs, not just a short list like above...

I find 87 Octane here in Canada Burns like nothing compared to Premium Gas.. meaning Premium 92 Octane last a lot longer for me. The manufacturers books states 87 Octane only, but if pinging occurs use a higher grade, well some 87 Octane here causes pinging for me.

 

[mattferkey]

an entire rundown? I bought it 2 yrs ago.. it had 117000mi on it but due to metal shavings in the oil the motor was replaced somewhere around 15000. the motor only had 102k mi on it... other than that ive just gone over the entire thing and repaired or replaced anything that needed it... just basic maintnence stuff. its real claim to fame as far as mileage goes was with the new balljoints and alignment. otherwise just playing around with it like al does... the truck curently has 141k mi on it... in the pic its filthy... and the turn marker bracket broke... otherwise theres the 35mpg 4x4

 

[MadExplorer93]

I mean't all that you had done to it to increase the mileage and what driving habits you do to help.

Nice truck want to sell it?????

 

[mattferkey]

I mean't all that you had done to it to increase the mileage and what driving habits you do to help.

Nice truck want to sell it?????

the list that i had left is what i have done... driving habits are what u would expect easy on the throttle anticipating stops ...

and yes...i am looking to get rid of it... i started a thread with it for sale if anyone is interested

 

[MadExplorer93]

About the voltage stabilizer what brand and where can i get one as i am interested in knowing if this really help in a great adjustment for spark and control of all sensors to get 100% proper voltages.

bfg allterrain ta ko i want those tires too for my Ex as i hear they are really really good for off roading and snow and such..

k&n fipk is this a standard filter or did you do a cone mod filter?

 

[BrooklynBay]

A voltage stabilizer is basically a DC to DC PWM converter. You could only connect it to certain things, but not everything (starter for example). They are usually rated up to 50 amps. The starter circuit should not be connected to this. I think B & M makes one. It might be listed as a voltage stabilizer for a fuel pump or headlights. That model might be the one which increases the voltage to 16 volts from 14 volts. That voltage range is not recommended for everything. Some batteries (Optima AGM for example) could get damaged from running at a 16 volt range.

 

[mattferkey]

About the voltage stabilizer what brand and where can i get one as i am interested in knowing if this really help in a great adjustment for spark and control of all sensors to get 100% proper voltages.

bfg allterrain ta ko i want those tires too for my Ex as i hear they are really really good for off roading and snow and such..

k&n fipk is this a standard filter or did you do a cone mod filter?

the voltage stabilizer i use is manufactured by Bellon. It helps with the headlights dimming when the ac compressor kicks in and out.

The tires are amazing... in snow it is like there are chains on them... while others are sliding around in the ditch they hold the road like it was dry pavement. I can not complain... i bought them after about 7 months of owning the ex and about 2 weeks after i bought them firestone sent me a letter making sure that i didnt have any defective tires .... the spare was one that was prone to blowout.. i sent them a copy of my recept for the new tires and they reimbursed me 100%

the fipk is a k&n cold air intake kit... tube heat shield and cone filter...

 

[zippee]

Mileage check

Took a drive today to simply test for mileage.

All highway, 62 MPH, no air, 174.7 miles, 7.1 gallons.

24.6 MPG...I thought I'd do better, based upon recent mileage results.

I filled at the same pump/station, but topped differently. Relatively small fillups distort any discrepancies in that.

 

[mattferkey]

i just made a 155 mile trip with a flat bed trailer and a 1996 honda civic 4dr behind me... and still got 18.7mpg

 

[aldive]

i just made a 155 mile trip with a flat bed trailer and a 1996 honda civic 4dr behind me... and still got 18.7mpg

That's great.

The best I have done when pulling the Jeep on a tandem trailer is about 15 MPG>

 

[zippee]

What can I say, matt...youdaman!

 

[X-North]

I dont know in miles but I do 300 kilometers with less a half of tank.I'm stock and geared with 3.27 rear differential on automatic a4ld transmission and stock tires.

 

[zippee]

Mileage update

I didn't use a consistent filling technique on my last mileage check, so yesterday I did so in a very deliberate way. Same station, same pump, let run until auto shut off. Let sit for 10 seconds, started nozzle again until it shut off; .5 gallon additional. Noted same on refill. All highway miles, 62.0 MPH.

188.3 miles, 7.1 gallons, 26.5 MPG.

This is as good as it gets, I think, for this vehicle as currently configured. I'll next establish a baseline for 65 MPH with A/C usage, as that best reflects my typical highway usage. Since it's overwhelmingly used in town I will focus on that as I try to increase mileage.

I would have never guessed 26+ was possible. I don't even have any real modifications yet.

Thank you Al, for making us dream...

 

[X-North]

Hey guys do you have a site where i can transform liters/km on mpg ???
I want to follow thius threads but thats gonna be useful for me to know how much you get in mpg. Thank you

 

[aldive]

Hey guys do you have a site where i can transform liters/km on mpg ???
I want to follow thius threads but thats gonna be useful for me to know how much you get in mpg. Thank you

First convert l to gal ( http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/ncrick/converters/volume.html ) and then km to miles ( http://www.convertunits.com/from/miles/to/km ) and then get MPG by dividing miles traveled by gallons used.