What's up with the MPG on my 98 XLT?

[jagarundi]

I have a 98 AWD XLT I just bought in december of last year. I have to drive to work everyday and I'm finding that I'm spending up to $80 per week to fill up this damn tank! Why the hell is this truck drinking so much gas? If I fill the tank on a Monday morning, by the time I get home at night, the tank is on half! This is absolutely ridiculous!! If no one in this forum can tell me why this truck is gobbling gas, I'm getting rid of it by next month! It has 8 cylinders.

 

[Alec]

What is the mpg and what kind of driving are you doing?

 

[sean4385]

there are many things that effect mpg. First, try checking your tire pressure, if its too low (less than 30psi) this can greatly decrease your mpg.
Also is it automatic? if so is your overdrive on? if its manual maybe you are waiting too long to switch gears...?

Thats the only not-too-technical solutions i can think of for now.
Next time you fill up your tank reset your tripometer and dont get anymore gas until your at E, then divide the total number of miles on your tripometer by the amount of gallons yer tank can hold. If its around 13 or 14 or higher, then get use to it, or buy a more fuel efficient vehicle. If its less, than there actually is something wrong and something needs fixin.

but like i said, there are lots of things that can be done to effect your mpg. switching to synthetic fluids can help, adding mods such as an intake can help, taking care of things that need cleaning/replacement can help.

hope this helps,
later,
Sean

 

[X~FACTOR]

You have to take into consideration how much mileage you put on with your full tank. My wife, for example, complained endlessly that she uses two full tank every single week. She complained that her 4 cylinder Rav4 uses too much gas. So I did some calculation and found out she was getting 27 to 28 mpg! The woman had nothing to complain about. She was just driving way too much!

 

[sean4385]

actually i think i may know the problem.
does the gas level decrease greatly between the time you go into work and the time you come out to leave? if so there is a crook siphoning away your gas. i suggest hiding in the dumpster with a bat.


hope this helps,
later,
Sean

 

[jagarundi]

I drive to Long Island from Brooklyn and it's 50 miles going to work and 50 miles or so coming home. I'm using 87 octane. My tires seem to be alright but my steering feels funny and everytime I hit the slightest bump, I bounce all around my cab. The front shocks also make a groaning sound when they go over bumps slowly and when turning. Can this be the culprit?

 

[Garth]

500 or so miles a week assuming that you work only 5 days.

100 miles of extreme stop and go daily depending on the time of day that you travel.

Stating the obvious

 

[Alec]

100 miles a day in city traffic, a half tank is a bit below normal, but not too bad.

 

[jagarundi]

Mind you, this is city driving in the beginning of the morning, followed by highway driving at 80 - 90mph later on. It appears that everyone here thinks that the mpg is about normal. Should I just suck it up and face the reality or try looking for a 6 cylinder suv? If so, would the 6 make a difference at the gas pump?

 

[Alec]

If you're really concerned, get a car or a cute-ute (4cyl).

 

[sean4385]

i could be wrong but i really doubt bad shocks could harm your mpg.

from the sounds of it there is something wrong, unless you were just exxagerating when you said going to and from work(100mi) would eat half a tank. 200 miles per tank would be pretty low for me, and my tank is smaller than yours i believe (17gal) cause i got a 2 door.
i usally get 240mi/tank or around 14mpg. Lets just say your tank is 20gal, that would only be 10mpg, which most definately sucks. But this is based on a probable exxageration and an estimated tank size, so it doesnt really mean much, just an example

First things first, just find out what your mpg is and let us know.

later,
Sean

 

[BradE.]

Well, going 80-90 MPH isn't exactally fuel efficient either.

It could very well be your driving style.

 

[Alec]

His tank is 19.

And even though you're on the highway later, 80-90 mph will suck almost as much gas as city. And I know how NY'ers drive; your mileage sounds almost normal.

 

[jagarundi]

I do have somewhat of a lead foot when it comes to that gas pedal. That's how I've always driven and it's going to be hard to break that habit. Thanks fellas. I guess I'll just have to get used to high weekly gas bills until I get a little hoopty to go back and fourth.

 

[sk8volcom14]

i have a 98 v8 xlt, with a chip, intake and exhaust, and i still get around 13 mpg.

 

[sapogmxr]

I think i definetly have something wrong with my truck, but i have no clue what it is. I have 31's and 5 inches of lift. I know that would effect my MPG, But 11.24 avg-come on. That sucks.. Alec you got that with a supercharger. What would i get with one of them 9??? I changed my plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter upgrade, everything... And my driving is good. I actually get better mpg around town than on highway. I dont know how that happens.. Im only going 65 on the Highway.

 

[95limited]

Stop and go is a killer because it takes a lot of energy to get an Explorer moving. Because they are shaped like a box, the wind is a real killer of mpg, especially at higher speeds. Also if you do a lot of slow down speed up on the freeway, it eats gas everytime you have to push on the gas.

I was able to increase my milage by cleaning the MAF and IAC.

 

[jagarundi]

Why can't Ford do something about this low gas mileage? I never wanted an explorer in the first place. This type of gas mileage is similar to the Yukons. What 4x4 out there has better gas mileage and once again, would a 6 cylinder show better results?

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

A lot of members reporting the mileages on V8's are similar and sometimes even better than the V6's. If you're really concern about the gas mileage, I recommend you to get a cute-ute.

 

[Alec]

Originally posted by jagarundi
Why can't Ford do something about this low gas mileage? I never wanted an explorer in the first place. This type of gas mileage is similar to the Yukons. What 4x4 out there has better gas mileage and once again, would a 6 cylinder show better results?

Powerful motors + heavy brick-like truck = low mpg. Simple physics.

The automakers are just providing what the public wants.