My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[aldive]

New mileage data

A round tripto Bonita Springs of 221 miles.
Speed: 62 MPH
Computer tune: custom mileage 89 fuel
Fuel used: BP 87

Mileage: 34.2 MPG

 

[Joey P]

New mileage data

A round tripto Ft Myers of 175 miles.
Speed 72 MPH
Computer tune: custom mileage 89 fuel
Fuel used: BP 87

Mileage: 28.7 MPG

Notes: speed kills gas mileage

That's great! It's funny, you have the note about speed killing MPG in this thread so many times that when I finally listened to it, I upped my gas mileage by 2-3 MPG! That there was the best tip I ever received about MPG. I mostly drive city but I'm around 15-18 depending on which route I take and how many Lights I'll hit in the commute. NO SPEEDING though.

 

[Lloyd10977]

My recent roundtrip info:

Nanuet NY - Atlantic City NJ
Total: 287.54 miles (GPS recorded)
Fuel: Regular Exxon, Delta, BP
MPH average: 68.3
Air temp: 36-41*F
No tunes, 40psi in tires

MPG: 26.1

 

[aldive]

My recent roundtrip info:

Nanuet NY - Atlantic City NJ
Total: 287.54 miles (GPS recorded)
Fuel: Regular Exxon, Delta, BP
MPH average: 68.3
Air temp: 36-41*F
No tunes, 40psi in tires

MPG: 26.1

Excellent.

 

[aldive]

New mileage Data

A trip to Ft Myers for dinner with friends.

Mileage: 172 miles
New mileage computer tune that I just wrote
Average speed: 68.7 MPH ( GPS determined )
Fuel: BP 87

MPG: 31.9

 

[CDW6212R]

Why did you go back to 87 octane gas?

 

[aldive]

Why did you go back to 87 octane gas?

Gee, that's a simple one even I can figuer out.

Its $0.20 a gallon cheaper.

 

[CDW6212R]

That is a poor reason, we had this conversation long ago. Gas is within 10 cents per gallon here for all grades, why are you paying the premium price for mid grade?

The higher compression 9.7:1 is better suited to 89 mid grade or a premium fuel. I thought that you made many comparisons long ago showing better savings from 89 than the other fuels. What has changed, and I understand that if you are stuck with a 20 cent greater cost for 89 than 87, that may be the difference?

 

[aldive]

Sure I get better mileage with 89 and 93 but simply will not pay the $0.20 per gallon difference in 87 and 89.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Was this new tune specifically written to be used with 87 octane? How would this tune work with 89 or 93 (the same or better than the previous tune for those octane levels)? I understand that the previous tune was written for 89 octane. BTW, how much do you pay per gallon for 87?

 

[markogman]

tornado fuel saver gave me about 4 miles per gallon!

 

[BrooklynBay]

The Tornado was proven to be defective. Al has dyno test data to prove it.

 

[aldive]

tornado fuel saver gave me about 4 miles per gallon!

Impressive.

 

[SCB2525]

Aldive, I'm amazed you're getting anywhere near as good of gas mileage as you do. Considering some of your best figures, you should change it to quest for 40!

Have you ever consider more aggressive aerodynamic modding experiments? Like fender skirts or moon caps (smooth wheel covers)? I know it would take away from the sporty look but other forums I've seen, (not Ex's though) indicate fairly good MPG gains.

There's a site I came across that lists a ton of possible mods:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/fuel-economy-mpg-modifications.php#13

Ones that stand out as possibilities on an Ex (that I don't think you've already employed):
-Belly pan
-Partial Kammbacking
-solar panel assist
-LRR tires/lightweight wheels
-front wheel arch gap fillers

Interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[twolfe98]

T The only comfort I can take is that we have a gas war going on in town between Wal-Mart and Sheetz, and right now I'm only paying .77/gal

I miss getting gas for under 1 buck..

and first post..

 

[aldive]

Just got back from an Atlanta trip.

Evaluated 4 new computer tunes. Fuel used BP 87. The results follow:

1 miles 258 avg speed 68.3 MPH 32.4 MPG
2 miles 246 avg speed 68.9 MPH 34.6 MPG
3 miles 255 avg speed 69.3 MPH 31.6 MPG
4 miles 261 avg speed 68.5 MPH 31.0 MPG

 

[inh]

Quest for 40 MPG....

 

[aldive]

Quest for 40 MPG....

Its always on my mind.

 

[4Doors]

Is there any way you would share some information about those tunes so that others could learn and possibly be more successful in their attempts?

 

[inh]

Speaking of tunes, what air:fuel ratio do you aim for at part throttle cruising? Or do you not really have a way of measuring?

In the honda world I would run 17-20:1 AFR in the cruise portion of the maps, which would easily add 10mpg.