I filled up tonight, and checked my gas mileage...I got 21.8mpg. On this tank, I took it real easy, rarely ever floored it maybe 2 or 3 times. Tried to keep my foot as light on the gas as I could to use the least gas. Put it in nuetral and coasted every chance I could. Normally, when I dont take it easy at all (gas pedal to the floor while leting rpms climb 3-4k rpms most of the time while accelerating, downshifting to slow down), will get me about 22.5-23mpg. I actually got worse......I know thats only from one tank, but still, I was expecting a wee bit better mpg than that. lol I had been averaging about 22-23 for several tanks on that driving style. Now, im not sure what rpms the 4 cyl likes, but on this tank, I was keeping them pretty low the whole time, including accelerating. (maybe 2-3 max, course thats by ear, cause I dont have a tach). Someone explain how I got worse this time.

 

your right foot was to heavy

 

Well, if you read what he said, that obviously wasn't the problem...

I don't know man, I sugest doing it again for another tank and see what happens? Maybe its time for maintenance?

 

No, I took it nice and easy this tank and got worse than I did when I had a heavy right foot.

 

Never judge fuel economy by one tank because refilling variations can make a big difference in the calculation. Instead, average it over at least three tanks. Then you will have reasonably reliable data.

 

I've been using the same pump at the same gas station.

 

could have just been a fluke, but im with bob.

the pump can change within the last time you filled up there. could have been recalibrate as well

 

It doesn't matter. Even an ambient temperature variation or a change in the fuel volatility can cause them to click off differently from one fillup to the next.

 

by 1/2-1 gallon of gas? Maybe im shifting too early?

 

bogging down the motor using more fuel then you think. also the computer is used to you hamming it and then driving like a grandpa it might not understand...

but **** 20+ out of a ranger i am happy hell i get 17-19.8 with my truck on 32's not bad really... last tank i just filled up today was 18.9 and i even drove like a moron..

 

ok, well I guess i'll go back to the "pedal to the metal" driving style since thats was I do best. lol and it seems to get better mpg like that.......maybe I try this again if gas goes up again. Im real happy with my 22mpg......sure is a whole lot better than my last truck......which was 11mpg. Thanks for the answers.

 

Aggressive driving uses more fuel than conservative driving. Your result show the opposite because it was an uncontrolled test based on a single set of data points.


This a common misconception. The Ranger PCM does not adjust to an individual driver's habits. Its adaptive strategy optimizes and remembers a few key values to compensate for component variation and wear, nothing else.

 

Its the weather! lol. THats weird.

 

its been pretty warm here lately......around 70-75 degrees.

 

these 4-cyls like to be over 2500 RPM especially when accelerating. cruising between 2500 and 3000 RPM is the best for them and pushing them to 4000-4500 when accelerating is not a bad thing. driving them and pushing them between 1500 and 2500 RPMs is one of the worst things you can do for gas mileage and the life of the engine.

 

Ford Motor Company says that optimal fuel economy is attained by smooth, moderate acceleration, early shifting and reduced overall speeds. I agree and would like to see hard data that proves otherwise.

 

TireIron,
i shift at 2000rmp most of the time. am i killing my engine? i get about 30mpg like that. one i get close to empty i will take it up to 3000 and have a little fun before i fill up. i go about 70-75 in the highway. i do more highway then city. i spend 75% highway and 25% city.

 

Care to back that up? My 92 2.3 was getting 31.x mpg. Was driven like that since day one, had over 150k on it when it was rear ended and totaled.

A friend of mine wont keep his foot out of it and gets an average of 18mpg.

 

was driven like what since day one?

 

It was babied.

Do you want to back up your gas mileage numbers?

 

well, with 4.10s, 31s, a transfercase, and 319,xxx miles on my engine I'm still getting 22MPG and I don't go very easy on things. If it were still a little stock thing with 27s and no t-case and under 200,xxx miles on the engine it would probly be over 26MPG easy.

 

I wished my 94 2.3 got that. I am at best 20.5 and that is driving like a granny. I will never go above 55 mph, and give myself ample time to slow down and brake.


This is the same situation I am running into. I am going through each part of the engine externally to see if it is bad or good. I have sense cleaned the entire throttle body and bypass valve, cleaned the MAF sensor, replaced the IAT sensor, replaced the cracked exhaust header gasket, replaced the spark plugs and wires, replaced the air filter, replaced the serpentine belt, and am about to change the O2 sensor due to a "System Lean" check engine code.

The only thing left that I can think of would be bad vacuum hoses, but i wouldn't know where to start with those. I have checked for signs of a cracked head gasket, but nothing is showing that it is bad. I guess just general wear and tear bring the mpg down over time. I have 150K on the odometer and she still runs alright. maybe this might give you some ensight. who knows.

 

I filled up again, and got an awesome 19.5mpg! lol Of course, I was in the go pedal ALOT, and its starting to get cold now. plus I let it warm up 5mins in the morning......that mpg figure was after I adjusted for the 1.5" smaller tire size......

 

that warm up time is murdering your fuel mileage.

 

Keep tires up, and get some decent rear end lube in there. I also had a 5speed which helped a bit.