My quest for 30 MPG - Ford Explorer Gas Mileage Tips

[aldive]

When I returned from the ranch today, UPS had left a box containing my new Granatelli MAF.

Will install in the morning and do a road test.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by aldive
When I returned from the ranch today, UPS had left a box containing my new Granatelli MAF.

Will install in the morning and do a road test.

i thought they only made the granatelli one for the OHV? besides, ive heard a lot of negative things about the granatelli mafs (i dont remember exactly what i heard, but i remember it was bad enough to just keep in mind that i shouldnt get one) -- any thoughts?

i know troll and blk mk8 can get other brands for the SOHC.

 

[aldive]

YES, you can get one for a SOHC. I got mine from Performance Products ( with a 15% discount ).

If you believe everything somebody tells you.....

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by aldive
YES, you can get one for a SOHC. I got mine from Performance Products ( with a 15% discount ).

If you believe everything somebody tells you.....

i love that perf. prods. 15% off (i just got the edelbrock shocks.)

i dont always believe everything that i hear, but if im gonna pay upwards of $300-$400 for an maf, that most people (imcluding myself) claim has negligible effects anyway, i wanna get one from a company that has a good reputation, but ill just wait till you get yours and see how you like it; maybe youll change mine and some other peoples minds.

 

[aldive]

I have NO interest in changing anyone's mind I am getting the MAF in my quest for fuel economy.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by tbomb
i love that perf. prods. 15% off (i just got the edelbrock shocks.)

Is it just 15% off of everything? What is this deal you two talk of?

 

[FourXFred]

I get around 15 or so im my truck, just like pretty much everyone else does. I was just looking out the window at my 91 Ex and i think i realized why they get bad mileage. My truck is shaped like a Cinder Block. There are almost no rounded corners at all on the first gen explorers. Its like ford designed it and THEN put it a wind tunnel, only to realize it was as areodynamic as a School bus, then they got lazy and sold it anyway. Oh whel, i still love the truck and dont mind filling it up every day.

 

[aldive]

Just returned from a weeklong trip to the Atlanta area and the friggen cold.

Anyway due to recent eye surgery, my son did all the driving ( a scary thought indeed ). The first leg was Sarasota to Atlanta ( 512 miles ) and as determined via GPS, our average speed was 84.7 and the mileage dropped to 24.7 MPG. Speed kills…..

On the next leg of the trip we went to a family Christmas party in South Georgia ( and back to Atlanta ). We averaged 81.7 MPH and mileage went to 22.3 MPG. I wonder if the gas obtained in GA was some winter blend.

Next leg of the trip was from Atlanta to Telleco, NC, for a jeeping trail run ( my son, not me ). He averaged 62 MPH and got 19.7 MPG.

The return trip to Sarasota netted 85,1 MPH and 18.2 MPG. Speed kills…….

It will be back to good mileage on the next trip in early January with me driving; he drives like a bat out of hell at all times.

 

[CobraXP]

If my X ever got 30mph, even when it was stock, first thing I would do is pop the hood and change the injectors and then the fuel pump - because something would be wrong. They would have to be clogged and not spraying enough fuel, thus tearing up something.

Now, I have everything against me for good mileage - large injectors, engine mods, weight, wide tires, etc. But then again, I believe what my ole' grand-pappy used to say: "If you can't afford the gas, you don't need the car." hehe - always loved pappy's old sayings...


Congrats on the mileage. When I want that kind of mileage, I drive the wife's car...

 

[Katmandu]

Explorer Express X Spec air dam and X Spec lowerin kit.

I think a couple HUGE points are playing in favor for Aldive here.

#1 Being driving style. Do you use the "Egg between the Foot/Pedal style Al ??

#2 AERODYNAMICS !!! Al's X has an AIR DAM and is LOWERED. How much difference(s) did you notice after installing these (2) items Al ??

What type Cat back system are you running ??

Also, what size/brand tires are you running ??

What about a gear drop to 3.27s or 3.08s in your quest for MPG ?? Anyone with 4.0s running these gears (or higher) ??

 

[MO_GUY]

"Just returned from a roundtrip to the ranch. Got 20.1 on the way up at an average speed of 68.9 MPH"

First you say this....which the 20.1 is actually supposed to be 30.1 to you

"Next leg of the trip was from Atlanta to Telleco, NC, for a jeeping trail run ( my son, not me ). He averaged 62 MPH and got 19.7 MPG."

then you say this and that speed kills the MPG.....

what was the factor that changed the MPG down to 19.7 when going 62 MPH, when you got 30.1 going 68.9 MPH, almost 7 MPH faster yet you somehow got more than 10 MPG going faster

 

[aldive]

It has a lot to do with the way one gets to speed, ie, rapid accelleration vs easy accelleration.

 

[Katmandu]

Driving style....

Do you use the "Egg between the Foot/Pedal style Al ??

 

[Coke734]

Aldive, or whomever chooses to respond:

I'm looking for ways to inprove mileage (just like everyone else here, I see) and you have many different things listed that you've done, but what do you think made the most difference? Which mod gave you the biggest jump in mileage? ...other than less speed cuz I'm already working on that Thanks, Chris

 

[aldive]

Single items add a little but the real boost is the synergistic effect of all the mods working together.

The first thing I would suggest doing is a complete fluid change to synthetic.

Good luck and keep us posted......

 

[Majisto]

Aren't you supposed to keep the SOHC at about 3400 RPMs while acclerating since that is the torque peak? I know that I can accelerate upto 55 MPH or so easily without breaking 2K, but 3,400 gets me there a lot faster

 

[Coke734]

Okay Aldive, you suggest I start with the synthetics... which fluids need to be replaced and what brand/grade/type do you recommend?

 

[DocVijay]

The consencus seems to be that either Mobil 1 or Amsoil are the way to go. I have Mobil 1 tranny oil fluid and engine oil. I use Amsoil in the differential.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by Coke734
Okay Aldive, you suggest I start with the synthetics... which fluids need to be replaced and what brand/grade/type do you recommend?

I used Amsoil 0w30 for all previous tests; I am now ising Amsoil 5w20 ro see what it yields ( no data uet ).

I use Mobile 1 in the tranny as well as the rear end. Will be changing to Amsoil soon.

 

[aldive]

Just back from an 1100 mile run to Atlanta. The trip up yielded 28,57 MPG and the return netted 27.50.

I saw no difference with the 5w20 oil on this test.