I have a 2006 Ranger XLT 4x4 with a 5 speed auto. I've been reading online that I should be getting between 15 to 18 MPG for this model. It has a towing package and 17 inch tires.
I've filled the tank up numerous times and have been watching my mileage and from what I see I'm only getting about 10 miles per gallon. The truck originally came out of Pennsylvania and I'm wondering if it had been programed for towing and not fuel economy. Other than that it runs fine and drives strait with no other issues.
Am I delusional or is it something else????

 

Welcome to the forum

First thing I would do is to check ODOMETER, if previous owner put on larger tires then odometer and speedometer will be off, will show lower miles than actually traveled
So if you use the odometer to calculate MPG..................then MPG will be lower than it is

There are Speed Apps for smartphones that can tell you speed and distance to check your trucks readings.
Or mile post markers on highways

If you look on the drivers door edge there will be a sticker/label that will have your Stock Tire size listed, thats what the speedo/odo was setup for, so you can see if you do have taller tires.
Computer can be reprogrammed for current tire size

Trailer package often came with 4.10 rear axle ratio which will have lower MPG at highway speeds, but only 1 MPG maybe 2

There is no change in computer software for towing, either for engine or transmission.

The mechanical issues like axle ratio, taller stance, tire width all make for lower MPG
Low to the ground vehicles and skinny tires get best MPG

 

That I'll do. I did goof up on the rim size, The tires are 16s not 17s, but the tires are fairly big and they are pretty new looking (deep tread). Might have been put on at the dealership before I bought it. Thanks for the input.

 

My 01 Ranger Edge 4x4, has a 4.0L SOHC, 5 spd auto, 4.10L (R6). It gets 20 mpg on the hwy @ 75 mph. It has the stock 16" wheels, & 245/75/16 radial A/T tires. The tires are approximately 30" tall. The engine turns about 2650 rpm @ 75 mph. Now if I put my 10' utility trailer, with my Garden Tractor, the mileage drops to about 14 mpg.

 

Found out the door sticker says the stock size is 255/70/r16, but mine are 265/70/r16.
I installed a speedometer app on my phone, checked it with the truck's speedo, it was on the money at 55 MPH and at highway 70 MPH.
Only thing I can think of is the gas gauge could be off.

 

255 to 265 is only 1/2" difference(30.1" and 30.6") so shouldn't throw off speedo/odo much at all

Gas gauge shouldn't come in to MPG calculation.
You fill up the tank to FIRST click off, don't add more gas after that, bad for EVAP system, expensive repair.
Then write down odometer miles or reset Trip odometer to 0 miles
Then drive truck until it is at or below 1/4 tank, whatever you feel comfortable with
Then refill tank to FIRST click off
Write down gallons of gas that when in
Write down Miles Traveled

So no gas gauge involved, the FIRST click is the reference point for gallons used since last fillup

Miles divided by Gallons = MPG
150miles / 10gallons = 15MPG

217 / 12.6 = 17.2 MPG

243 / 13.2 = 18.4 MPG


One "heads up", the filler hose that runs from the gas cap opening to the tank can leak, this should cause an EVAP code to come up because tank will not hold pressure, but not always.
It will often cause a "gas smell" when filling up but..............at a gas station that is not always noticeable.
And then when driving the gasoline sloshes around and some is lost when it sloshes up in filler tube.
If you notice a gasoline smell at anytime, then you are losing gas from a leak, which costs you money but more important is that it is dangerous for obvious reasons