Hey all,

I got a new 2008 Ranger XL, 2.3L, rwd, 5speed manual

I'm testing the best mpg's on her, and want to know if it's bad for the truck when I shift a bit earlier and get a bid of vibration

Those who drive stick should know what I'm talking about. The tranny and clutch are all perfect, it's just the driving method. Of course 1st gear doesn't have this, but if I shift to other gears at low enough rpm's to save on gas, there can be some vibration (not grinding, just a low vibration) until the rpm's pick back up. I would usually shift around 2k rpm, but any earlier and I'll get that vibration, especially in 3rd-5th gear. Also, if I shift to 3rd for a turn, instead of 2nd.

Is this a good practice or bad?

Thanks
Nick

 

That vibration is the engine bogging down. I doubt it's saving gas at that point. Ford recommends the optimal rpms for shifting during acceleration and cruising in the owner's manual. Do what Ford says if you're that worried about it, but don't expect 30 mpgs out of a Ranger.

 

That is what I call 'short shifting'. This is usually a good way to increase gas mileage but lugging the engine is not good. If you are getting this vibration (lugging) at low rpm, you are shifting up too soon or letting the rpm drop to much before shifting into a lower gear. Lugging over-stresses every in the drive-train including the engine by sending continuous shock loads though it.

 

Vacuum gauge on the dash is the best way.
Don't "bog down" the engine, choose the right gear, "bogging" means low vacuum so less MPG.

Don't "coast" downhill, leave it in gear clutch pedal out.
One of the benefits of fuel injection is that fuel can be shut off when fuel isn't needed, even when engine is running.
The computer does this with in a few parameters.
If you are going downhill and engine RPMs are say 2,000, and you take your foot off the gas pedal, the computer will shut off the fuel injectors.
If RPMs get down to 1,400 the computer will restart injectors at idle level.

So if you coast downhill(foot off the gas pedal) in 3rd, 4th or OD and RPMs stay above say 1,800 you will save more fuel than if you were to shift into Neutral and coast with engine idling(burning gas).

In a carbed engine air flow set fuel use so leaving it in gear with higher RPMs while coasting downhill used more fuel, EFI is the opposite

 

Learn something new every day. Great information.