My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[aldive]

Back from the Atlanta venture.

Here in Sarasota, they recently started adding ethanol ( 10% ) to our gas. This was my first run with the weak gas, cold weather and the new tune to run 87 fuel.

Well, the results were abominable. The first leg of 415 miles, netted me 25.9 MPG. Ouch. I stoped all milegage testing until I could get some real gas ( alcohol belongs in booz not fuel ).

I filled with real gas ( 87 octane ) and since the weather was quite warm , i tested the mileage on the return leg.

I was able to get 27.8 MPG.

I am going to rethink the new tune using 87 fuel. The same trip using 89 and that tune netted me over 32 MPG.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You might still get a lower than average efficiency for a while since the gas tank will have a mixture of 87 with ethanol, and 89 gas without ethanol. It might take a few more fill ups to get everything out. Where will you get gas without ethanol now if the stations are using ethanol in your area? Did you factor ethanol gas into the tune before you made the trip or was the tune just for 87 without ethanol?

 

[aldive]

You might still get a lower than average efficiency for a while since the gas tank will have a mixture of 87 with ethanol, and 89 gas without ethanol.

Not when you run till empty.

Where will you get gas without ethanol now if the stations are using ethanol in your area?

Georgia

Did you factor ethanol gas into the tune before you made the trip or was the tune just for 87 without ethanol?

No.

 

[Gln]

Computer Tune????

Appologies for this basic question but, what is the computer tune you created? Hardware? Software?

 

[aldive]

Appologies for this basic question but, what is the computer tune you created? Hardware? Software?

Its software.

I use SCT's Advantage III software to write the tune(s). They are then loaded into my XCal2 and from there loaded into the truck.

 

[joefnh]

Al any updates with HHO on long trips?

--Joe

 

[aldive]

No, sorry.

 

[timex129]

For what it's worth, I was getting almost 25 MPG before I the front wheel hub started going. I have a K&N air filter, a modified air box, and I use the Tornado. I'm now planning on doing a cooling fan swap to electric and replacing the hubs in the spring (it gets cold here in Canada). I'm also trying to convince the wife into letting me do a complete exhaust from the manifold back. I'm also wondering if removing the 3rd cat (the rear most one before the muffler) yielded any better results? I lost about 1MPG when I made the switch from the Michelin's XTL to Toyo's Open Country A/T. But I need a more suitable all-terrain tire for my area, and going up to the cottage.

I'm also looking for ideas for a good wiring kit for an electric fan hook up that has the option for a manual override, can still be adjusted, and work with the A/C when turned on.

 

[aldive]

and I use the Tornado.

Why?

I'm also wondering if removing the 3rd cat (the rear most one before the muffler) yielded any better results?

No; leabe the cat(s) alone.

I'm also looking for ideas for a good wiring kit for an electric fan hook up that has the option for a manual override, can still be adjusted, and work with the A/C when turned on.

I use the controller from FAL and it does what you want flawlessly.

 

[timex129]

Why?

I use the controller from FAL and it does what you want flawlessly.

The reason I use the Tornado, is because I do see better 1.5MPG mileage when towing things around, plus I did have 1MPG change for normal day to day driving in town.

Thanks for the advice with the fan controller. I'll see if the part store here in town can get one.

 

[aldive]

The reason I use the Tornado, is because I do see better 1.5MPG mileage when towing things around, plus I did have 1MPG change for normal day to day driving in town.

Wow. You must be the only one who has seen anything positive about the device.

I tested it in my truck and found absolutly no difference in gas mileage. Further, I also tested it on a dyno and found no RWHP gains.

 

[timex129]

To help Al out with all of this with the non-believers of the 30+MPG. Here are some fuel burning facts.

The more efficient you make you engine run = more fuel to be use to turn the wheels.
The less drag on the vehicle = less fuel needed to sustain speed.
The Lest amount of weight = less fuel to accelerate and sustain speed.
The Lest amount of rolling resistance = better fuel consumption.

Basically, what I'm trying to get across is that the most fuel efficient car uses about 90% fuel in wasted energy and 10% by the time the power gets to the roads. I'm not saying it affects horsepower or torque, just the amount of fuel burned just to move the vehicle. So, to make an engine more efficient is to reduce friction, heat, and accessory drag on the motor. Next is rolling resistance, anything that takes the power from the engine and transfers it to the ground is included in this. So a lighter driveshaft helps, but it really comes down to gearing, size of your tires, wheel weight, and the type of tread on the tires. Next is aerodynamic drag, which is the natural way air flows around the vehicle. There's a couple more I think, just can't remember them, would have to take out the text book. These are the reasons why it's hard for most of us to see 30+MPG in our brick of a truck.

Al what you are doing is a great piece of information to us all. With all the things your putting on here, we can decide for ourselves/ask for help on what we should do just for a better gain. I'm in the Canadian army as a vehicle technician I have time and knowledge to work on my vehicles, but not the cash.

 

[timex129]

Wow. You must be the only one who has seen anything positive about the device.

I tested it in my truck and found absolutly no difference in gas mileage. Further, I also tested it on a dyno and found no RWHP gains.

I think it's due to the fact I'm above sea level where I'm at that I saw the gains, plus the terrain here may be another factor here to and also my driving habits. I tend to get into the throttle all to often, but I do take my time on longer drives. It's real nice to be travel with a friend (Windstar) and he has to stop for gas before me. The kicker, he has a bigger tank. I burnt $30 dollars less then he did, and we both drove the same speed.

But I am looking at a throttle body spacer, because my buddy noticed a bigger difference when towing and a slight gain when driving around.

BTW. Did you install the Tornado before or after most of your mods? I'm starting to find out it's playing less of a gain once I added the K&N filter. So I'm guessing that the more you do, the less the point is to use one. I'll probably take it out once I can get a cat-back.

 

[aldive]

But I am looking at a throttle body spacer, because my buddy noticed a bigger difference when towing and a slight gain when driving around.

Another device that will provide no power improvement. At one time when I evaluated one, I precevied a slight power injcrease, however, the dyno proved me wrong.

Also, when I had one, I got better gas mileage. Yet, the mileage stayed the same after removing the device. My gains were due to driving style not the device.

BTW. Did you install the Tornado before or after most of your mods? I'm starting to find out it's playing less of a gain once I added the K&N filter.

It was installed and tested with some mods. Further, I tested it on a bone stock Explorer with the same negative results.

So I'm guessing that the more you do, the less the point is to use one. I'll probably take it out once I can get a cat-back.

I see no point whatsoever in using one.

 

[timex129]

Has anyone here heard good things about JBA's Cat-Back Exhaust system. I know Gibson's is a good brand, but it's really hard to track down here. Basically the shipping is the killer. The JBA system is almost $300 cheaper here, so any help with this would be great.

I'm hoping that doing some mods, I'll see around 26mpg.

 

[blackhawkmatt25]

I just got my '01 Explorer Sport 4WD. I made about 22 MPG on a 315 mile trip from OK to KS. I had just bought the vehicle and was rather impressed ( I think I was expecting far less). However, to get 30 + MPG would be freakin' great. Do you guys think a cold air intake would help on fuel economy or just with extra power?

 

[aldive]

An open air intake in combination with a cat back back exhaust will definitely improve gas mileage as long as you don't drive aggressively.

Good luck ....

 

[timex129]

I was going through an older issue of Popular Mechanics (misplaced the copy) I came across an ad for Pulstar plugs. I found a website that can be seen through this link http://www.pulstar.com

The plugs come with a hefty price tag of $25 per plug. But there also seems to be a lot of info on their site.

I'm just trying to find out if you Al or someone else ever used these plugs, or even considered trying them out. I'm right now debating on whether or not throwing them in due to my current situation. I might end up doing it in the summer, provided I don't have to move.

 

[aldive]

I have not tested them, nor do I intend to do so.

 

[blackhawkmatt25]

I hadn't really given much thought to a cat back exhaust system yet. However, after doing some reading around this site and others I think it would be a great improvement. Now I have the dilemma of which system will be the most bang for the buck. I'll gladly take any suggestions. Thanks