My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[aldive]

Hypermileage trail underway. Results in a day or so.

 

[aldive]

Hypermileage trail underway. Results in a day or so.

The results are in - take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196792&highlight=hypermileage post # 36.

 

[USS RIGHTEOUS]

Here's a good way to get high mileage. Find out what RPM your maximum torque is developed. Then drive at about 100-200 RPM below that. Maximum efficiency is right below maximum torque RPM. I've done that in several cars of mine and have found that puts me around 52-58 MPH depending upon rear gearing. That's a biggie. If you can slow down the engine than obviously it's gonna use less gas. Also I have come to find that running on midgrade gives you the most bang for your buck. Low octane gas is okay if you drive a lot of flat out driving, but I live in the mountains and you really need that little bit extra or you'll be having to mash on the gas just to get up a hill. I also get about 2MPG better with midgrade, so it pays for itself. It also allows me to bump up the timing a few clicks also. Water injection counteracts any pinging to allow for even more advancement. My daily drive to work is 180 miles round trip. I have a little Toyota that gets 40 MPG. It has a 4-speed that I want to replace with a 5-speed. I'm also putting in an electric water pump drive and electric fuel pump. (It's carbon-dated). I recently installed aluminum wheels to lower unsprung weight. My goal is to get 45MPG. That would be cool. I do this not only to save gas, but to stick it to the man & show him that we can adapt to the outrageous gas prices. I just got my Explorer and curious to see what I can do with it for fuel economy. Think I'll start with a conical air filter....

 

[Sundance2007]

Top 5

What would you say are the top 5 or 6 modes that can be done to improve gas mileage?

Thanks

 

[aldive]

Also on the upcoming trip I plan to test spark plug gap size.

Since I installed the Screamin’ Deamon coil ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169182&highlight=spark+plug+gap ). I have yet to change spark plugs ( or wires ) or regap the plugs.

The manufacturer suggests gapping the plugs at 0.065.

I will be installing new Magnecore wires as well as new Autolite double platinum plugs prior to the trip.

The first leg of about 750 miles will be run with the new plugs ( and wires ) gapped at 0.065 whereas the return trip will be done with brand new plugs gapped at stock spec of 0.054.

The results are in ….

The first leg of the trip ( 527 miles ) was with the new Motorcraft plugs gapped at 0.065”. The average speed was 67.2 MPH as determined by GPS. The net mileage was 34.7 MPG.The final leg of the trip was with new Motorcraft plugs gapped at the stock 0.054”. Te plugs were changed at a friend’s home in Atlanta. The average speed for 504 miles was 66.0 MPH. The net mileage was 31.4 MPG.Comments:

I could not tell ( by subjective means ) any difference in the two plug gaps. The truck, as always, cranked on the first touch of the key.

The mileage data supports the contention that the wider gap produces better gas mileage.

The reduced mileage on the return leg COULD be due to winter blend gas purchased in Atlanta.

 

[aldive]

What would you say are the top 5 or 6 modes that can be done to improve gas mileage?

Thanks

Great mileage is the result of driving techniques and the synergistic results of all the mods.

Individually the mods with the most dramatic effect of mileage are as follows:

underdrive pulleys
e fan
computer tune(s)
synthetic fluids everywhere

 

[Glen4X4]

Thats some good mileage ya got first round.

 

[Redtrac01]

So do would you recommend this coil, new wires and wider plug gap to improve mileage? This looks like a siginificant gain. Do you plan to regap the plugs to .065 and test some more?

 

[aldive]

So do would you recommend this coil, new wires and wider plug gap to improve mileage?

Definately recommend the wires and new plugs. If you can afford it, I recommend the coil also.

This looks like a siginificant gain. Do you plan to regap the plugs to .065 and test some more?

Yes; already did it. I reinstalled the plugs from the first leg of the test.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I came across this thread before: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199625. It has a mod for saving gas which was proven on a Ranger. In the link in that thread, it explains that he cut the wire going to the A/C compressor clutch, and installed a switch. He leaves it off in the winter months to prevent the A/C clutch from cycling when it's not necessary.

 

[frickea86]

thats actually a really good idea, anyone know what the full purpose is of the cycling with the defrosters? I have always said they do it to keep the freon circulating every now an again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I think it adds a lot of unnecessary wear, and tear on the clutch, and makes the truck run rough for those brief periods of time.

 

[Redtrac01]

thats actually a really good idea, anyone know what the full purpose is of the cycling with the defrosters? I have always said they do it to keep the freon circulating every now an again.

It's a dehumidifier. You may not need it in Florida, but when it's cold and humid outside, you need it to unfog the windows inside. It still would be nice to have a dashboard switch to turn it off sometimes, like my old Ranger had.

 

[Glen4X4]

I kinda wondered that too....I had my compressor unhooked in my 92 because it doesn't work anyway but I know in the malibu and the 96 it kicks in here and there.

 

[ThePhoenix]

i am getting 260 out of a tank on mixed use driving...with a/c on and not so rabbit like starting all the time

 

[aldive]

Iand makes the truck run rough for those brief periods of time.

My truck does not run rough when the AC kicks in.

 

[aldive]

I came across this thread before: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199625. It has a mod for saving gas which was proven on a Ranger. In the link in that thread, it explains that he cut the wire going to the A/C compressor clutch, and installed a switch. He leaves it off in the winter months to prevent the A/C clutch from cycling when it's not necessary.

Doubt its value here in the Sunshine State where we use AC for well over 340 days a year.

 

[sunstar667]

hello

thanks for all the great info, I have enjoyed reading most of this posting.

I was curious if anyone knew about the fuel flex engine. engine 'k' , on my manual it says SOHC but I can also use E85, although thats not available locally and it says in the manual lowers mpg 30% so whats the point. Anyway how will this engine effect my ability to improve my gas mileage?

My truck is a 2004 explorer sport trac xls, normal driving I get around 19 mpg but on the highway have gotten up to 22 & looking to improve up over 25 mpg

thanks again

 

[Rosscup]

wow i wish! i get 200 miles out of a tank if im lucky...how can i fix that?

 

[aldive]

wow i wish! i get 200 miles out of a tank if im lucky...how can i fix that?

Its very difficult to get great mileage out of a first generation, however, you can indeed do much better.

Read this thread.