Winters MPGs killing me!!!

[1996BLKBauer]

So as many of you might know, it was COLD last week, in my area reaching as cold as -45 degrees with the wind chill. I really didn't notice anything as far as my Explorer not wanting to start, but I know it is tough on this old truck. One thing that I did notice was that once I stated my Ex('96 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD) that it just idled at 2k for almost 10 minutes then went back down, it did this on 3 separate occasions. Anybody had this issue? I really don't think it was an issue, but more of a programming thing when it is that cold.

Anyway my average MPGs for my Explorer over the winter has been really bad, over the last 6 weeks it has been at 11.48MPGs, now I know that this is due to the more volatile winter gas, but, really? How has everybody else been lately? So with Tax return season coming up soon, I am wondering about increasing my MPGs some way, yes I know it is a big box with a V8 and AWD, but hey, it's worth a shot, right?

So what has everybody done, that actually works, as far as increasing MPGs??

I am running Synthetic fluids in my Engine, and both diffs, and have a K&N filter, What I really want to do it get some TM Headers, but I doubt I can get my hands on a set of those.(if you got a pair for internal EGR, let me know), but what I really think will help would be the 4406 T-case swap... Yes I know both things above are on the more costly end of things, so lets start with something cheap and easy, you know, if it actually works.

My situation has me driving about 250-300 miles a week for work and school, on a part time budget, getting a new vehicle is not an option, for two reasons, my emotional attachment is too much, and two I like the space of my Ex. I am very Mechanically inclined, with access to lifts, plenty of tools, and knowledge, from Alldata, and from Senior Techs from where I work.

so what does everybody suggest?


Thanks, Harold.

 

[colintrax]

300 miles a week is nothing haha try 100 miles round trip to school.

As I've said before. Driving habits. Look on ecomodder.com for some ideas. A grill block will help ya out, and an e fan. Anything else is gonna cost more than it saves

 

[1996BLKBauer]

300 miles a week is nothing haha try 100 miles round trip to school.

As I've said before. Driving habits. Look on ecomodder.com for some ideas. A grill block will help ya out, and an e fan. Anything else is gonna cost more than it saves

I know it isn't bad, but I went from driving under 100 miles per week, to that, so my gas cost nearly tripped since November. I'll check out that site.

On my way to Indy over the summer I averages 18MPGs, now I don't expect that, but anything would be better, I drive like a grandma, so I doubt my driving habits are killing it that much. Cost is not an issue, as long as I see change, I plan on going 300,000+ Miles with this truck.

thanks, Harold.

 

[colintrax]

Driving like a grandma could be hurting you. Do LOtS of reading about driving habits. I had started to write a thread on the topic of mpg but I haven't finished it yet. I'll shoot you a pm when I do

 

[pbnj22]

So as many of you might know, it was COLD last week, in my area reaching as cold as -45 degrees with the wind chill. I really didn't notice anything as far as my Explorer not wanting to start, but I know it is tough on this old truck. One thing that I did notice was that once I stated my Ex('96 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD) that it just idled at 2k for almost 10 minutes then went back down, it did this on 3 separate occasions. Anybody had this issue? I really don't think it was an issue, but more of a programming thing when it is that cold.

Anyway my average MPGs for my Explorer over the winter has been really bad, over the last 6 weeks it has been at 11.48MPGs, now I know that this is due to the more volatile winter gas, but, really? How has everybody else been lately? So with Tax return season coming up soon, I am wondering about increasing my MPGs some way, yes I know it is a big box with a V8 and AWD, but hey, it's worth a shot, right?

So what has everybody done, that actually works, as far as increasing MPGs??

I am running Synthetic fluids in my Engine, and both diffs, and have a K&N filter, What I really want to do it get some TM Headers, but I doubt I can get my hands on a set of those.(if you got a pair for internal EGR, let me know), but what I really think will help would be the 4406 T-case swap... Yes I know both things above are on the more costly end of things, so lets start with something cheap and easy, you know, if it actually works.

My situation has me driving about 250-300 miles a week for work and school, on a part time budget, getting a new vehicle is not an option, for two reasons, my emotional attachment is too much, and two I like the space of my Ex. I am very Mechanically inclined, with access to lifts, plenty of tools, and knowledge, from Alldata, and from Senior Techs from where I work.

so what does everybody suggest?


Thanks, Harold.

synthetics all around should be a big help. tm headers like you said. 4406 swap would be good slightly opened up exhaust and intake. new plugs and plug wires. electric fan conversion. electric steering conversion get low rolling resistance tires. lose your spare if you dont need it. get rid of heavy things in your car if you carry heavy stuff around. dont have your ac or heat on drive like a grandma dont heat up your car in the am befor eyou leave get a tune from James at Henson performance (search him on here)
get an ultra gauge and use that.. i got one and i bet it has paid for itself in a month.
really depends on how far your willing to go and what your willing to spend. i dont think you will ever recoup what you put into it but it is fun as a hobby and if i had unlimited money i to would do all these things and keep going just for the fun of it.

 

[meyek91974]

Colintrax, how is driving like a grandma counterproductive to mpg? What's the study your doing or whatever looking up?

As a side note, I have LT235/85R16 on my '99EB and I air to max psi for trips; 85psi. My dash computer says I get between 28-33mpg when I set cruise to +/-58-63mph

 

[pbnj22]

and i know you said you have an emotional attachment and you CANT afford a new car.. but driving 1000 to 1200 miles a month means your using 87 to 105 gallons of gas each month or 280 to 340 dollars a month in gas. something like a no thrills focus, civic, corolla getting 30 mpg would be 33 gallons to 40 gallons or 106 to 129 dollars a month
so saving 174 to 211 dollars in gas each month. surely that could get you into a brand new or slightly used car. not to mention everything new is maintenance free for 2 to 3 years. so while in the explorer you might have a bad battery or alt or tie rod or ripped seat or leaking water pump or radiator stupid little things that costs money in a 17 ish year old car but with a newer car that shouldn't happen
that being said i still drive my 2nd gen 5.0 to school and to work every day
but i also have about a 15 mile round trip each day

 

[colintrax]

Hitting the brakes ruins gas mileage, so you wanna take corners fast, roll stop signs (illegal...) and accelerating slowly takes you longer to get to the taller fuel saving gears. Unless of course a stop sign or red light is coming up. Then you should accelerate slowly

PM did a test a year or 2 ago that proved it

 

[pbnj22]

Colintrax, how is driving like a grandma counterproductive to mpg? What's the study your doing or whatever looking up?

As a side note, I have LT235/85R16 on my '99EB and I air to max psi for trips; 85psi. My dash computer says I get between 28-33mpg when I set cruise to +/-58-63mph

i have an "instant mileage calculator" and while accelerating through gears driving like a grandma will get SLIGHTLY less mileage than maybe 60 percent throttle.. but once you get into 4th gear the slight nudge of the throttle can take you from about 10 mpg to around 25 ish.. and in the 60s if you let off the gas for a second.. granted these are MY numbers and yours will be different based on tires weight wind altitude hills how well maintained vehicle is etc..
i am guessing that is what he meant?

 

[colintrax]

i have an "instant mileage calculator" and while accelerating through gears driving like a grandma will get SLIGHTLY less mileage than maybe 60 percent throttle.. but once you get into 4th gear the slight nudge of the throttle can take you from about 10 mpg to around 25 ish.. and in the 60s if you let off the gas for a second.. granted these are MY numbers and yours will be different based on tires weight wind altitude hills how well maintained vehicle is etc..
i am guessing that is what he meant?

Not even sure what you're trying to say. How does more throttle = better instant gas mileage. Accelerating faster to get to the taller gears makes your average better at the sacrifice of instantaneous

 

[pbnj22]

Not even sure what you're trying to say. How does more throttle = better instant gas mileage. Accelerating faster to get to the taller gears makes your average better at the sacrifice of instantaneous

sure.. but once you get to 4th gear is when you can make up your ground.. 1st 2nd and 3rd gear, no matter how you baby it or slam on the throttle will only fluctuate by a few mpgs.. 4th gear will fluctuate by about 10 mpgs.. so yeah the faster you get to 4th the faster you can get your average up from the other gears...

 

[2TimingTom]

You said it idles high for 10 minutes before going down. Here's a fix: don't let the engine idle for more than it takes to scrape your windows. While idling, you are getting ZERO mpg, and if the idle is high, it's even worse (worse than zero?!?!?- you know what I mean). Best way to warm up the engine and the other fluids is TO DRIVE. Start off slowly. It'll warm up much faster than by idling. And it's not going to hurt it if you take it easy at first.

And I second getting a second car. Do the math. It'll pay for itself quicker than you might think.

 

[colintrax]

^not always. I bought my Ranger to save money... so far I've only been losing. It's broke down again.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I understand it is stupid to own a vehicle that uses so much gas, but, I drive around people all the time, I like the driving position, and i really enjoy showing my buddy that I used over 400 gallons of gas in the past few months, and like I said the emotional attachment is far to great, so another car is never going to happen. But i can certainly roll stops signs, blow through red lights, and do those other things if it means I get a few extra MPGs, lol. Heck I already have 5% tinted windows, 10 forward facing lights, and a loud Stereo, this should be fun. I also understand the whole getting up to speed thing, i'll try to get up to cruising speed a little quicker and see if that helps. tire PSI is also one of the things not going to happen, over inflating expensive tires is another cost I don't need, no offense, but I see it all the time at the dealer I work at.


Thanks guys, keep it coming.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Also, I'm a pussy, I have to warm up my car for at least 10 minutes... i make things hard on my self I guess, lol.

 

[colintrax]

Also, I'm a pussy, I have to warm up my car for at least 10 minutes... i make things hard on my self I guess, lol.

Idling for 10 minutes no wonder you're only getting 11mpg. Put a small heater in the truck. When you'd normally go crank the truck up, turn the heater on. Let that sit for 10 minutes and you might even have a reshaped seat

 

[corkey]

my biggest gain in the cold was to put a wind deflector over the grill so the engine could retain some of the heat it was making,,
i drive a bunch in the real cold ,and it not only helps you turn down the heater taking drag off the alternator , cause at high the fan draws lots, add to it the rear defrost,than a stereo with a small amp,and headlights, that makes the alternator work a bit harder, so it uses more energy to spin it,
your EB should even have a fan for the back section, and it running on high is draw too,

there are all kinds of ways , drive like there is an egg under the pedal, add a bit of octane boost every fill, even get a shorter belt, take the a/c out of the loop for the winter, that will help,, so don't be afraid to try stuff, it won't get any worse than that,
i get at the least 15-16 mpg ,and at best 18-19 , but comparing apples to oranges is not even fair , you have the v8 , i have the ohv 6,
but every little bit helps,

 

[corkey]

i have a thread somewhere with a pic of the wind deflector, maybe i could find it so you can try it too

 

[2TimingTom]

^not always. I bought my Ranger to save money... so far I've only been losing. It's broke down again.

A Ranger? Not exactly what we had in mind when talking about a commuter car.

 

[colintrax]

A Ranger? Not exactly what we had in mind when talking about a commuter car.

1991 2.3 4cyl, stick shift, 2wd, standard cab, short bed, no AC, no PS, no carpet or headliner, 195/75r14 tires
It's a pickup truck but it does get over 30mpg when it runs. A car would be pretty useless for me so it's a commuter car