hi all newbie here. I have an 2008 ford ranger sport 4 wheel drive , the truck has 115000 kilos so about 60000miles, any ways fuel mileage dropped off considerably the last month so I changed plugs ,air filter ,fuel filter, cleaned maf sensor, the mileage has not improved and I want to know what to check next, not getting any codes, would it be worth it to change the o2 sensors? I know I was getting around 21 on the highway and that has dropped to about 13 so it is getting pricey lol, any help appreciated , thanks also where and how much are o2 sensors puchased

 

What area are you driving in? Has the temps dropped within the past few weeks? Has the gas changed? In Florida when the weather begins to cool, the gas stations start supplying the "winter blend". Not sure at all if this would/should change gas mileage at that rate you are experiencing though, or even at all.

Did you recently change to a larger tire/ Any recent mods done to the engine?

 

in Canada and yes temp has dropped a bit but I have owned this truck since new, so I haven`t done any mods , but after doing the plugs ,fuel filter and so on I will go on the highway this weekend and check the exact mileage at 100 k or 60 miles an hour and report back, also looking at the wire harness to change the o2 sensors looks like it might be an afternoon of cursing, oh and there is 4 of them even better lol

 

What brand of plugs and wires. Rangers don't like anything but OEM

As for temp change, yes it affects rangers quite a bit, but not that much.

 

motorcraft plug wires and ngk plugs which from what I have read I`m going to swap those out

 

only use the motorcraft iridium spark plugs ( ask me how i know )

plus almost any fuel that is 87 or 89 octane has ethanol mixed in with it

most gas companies also add alcohol into the fuel for the fuel ( winter mix )

the engine computer was not programmed to read exhaust emmissions from fuel that has both ethanol and alcohol mixed together with regular 87 octane fuel

 

Have your computer reflashed. Helped mine.

 

Do you have to go to the stealership to get it reflashed?

 

I don't see how that's necessary....

 

The dealership has a flash that helps mileage and power. Was $75.
My truck was sluggish seemed to have lost its pep. Helped a lot. I believe its a TSB.

 

His truck was recently fine. I highly n doubt some overpriced magical dealer flash will help.

 

Sometimes I stand in front of the truck with a hand full of chicken bones (saved from the last time I went to Hooters); I toss the bones in the air and chant; "cast ye demons from this engine", all while I dance in a circle.

The neighbors love this. I've only been called an ambulance once to carry me away.

My truck is still running though.

 

some of the 2008 rangers models and lower did not have the engine computers programmed to read ethanol in the exhaust emissions

a ECM re-flash will help to regain fuel economy

 

Except this drop only happened recently.... Meaning he was running ethanol fuel just fine and getting 21 mpg.....

And that a total BS. There's nothing to "read" regarding 10% ethanol.

 

that`s right ,just happened within the last month, and going to change both o2 sensors but from under the truck looks like it is going to be a fun job unhooking the wiring from them

 

Same. Mine was running fine too before it happened. Its the same thing when people buy a program for more power or to change shift points. You reflash. Or when you unplug the battery, the trans has to relearn again. (This may help you)
You were asking for help. I let you know what fixed mine. You just threw $200 in parts at it. This is only $75.

 

A waste of $75 lol. Sucker born every minute.

 

By chance have you been running the truck with "flex fuel", and perhaps your truck is not setup for that type of gas? My 2000 can run on both, but it has the setup for it.

Maybe the gas station you are using recently changed who they are getting their gas from, and it contains more than 10% ethanol. Might want to try a different gas station.

 

just got back from a long highway trip and got 16.96 mpg going into a 40mph wind so I think that is not too bad

 

My truck has done the same thing over the last month or so too. It went from around 15mpg to around 13. I'm going to try no ethanol gas next fill up and see if that makes a difference.

Oh, I found this site that lists clean gas stations. Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

you will have to fill up twice and drive as long as possible to a near empty tank to clear out any remaining ethanol in the fuel tank

i usually take my mileage reading after the 3rd tankful is used up

 

Yep..here to...do you think they are messing with the formula of the gasoline??? I got rid of my Ranger and bought a 07 Motego...it got all the bells and whistles and I've been playing around with the MPG average tab daily..and last week I only averaged 19 mpg's verses 23 mpg's the fill up before. Nothing out of the ordinary between the two fill ups. I know its not 100% accurate but doing the math on how much I put in verses how far I drove it was only 1.5 mpg's off. I had my wifes Saturn Vue the last few days picking up a few things and hers seem to be getting less too. The colder air helps with fuel economy but living in state that changes fuel spec's because of EPA having its nose where it dosen't belong might get the ok to start some sort of different make up for the winter. I'm really good at up keep with our cars so it not my lack of maintenance causing any mpg loss...

 

the newer computer controlled fuel pumps can mix any of the 3 grades of gasoline together at any time the gas station desires , to increase profits for them and decrease fuel economy for us

ever notice that the computer screen the attendant uses , that is how they mix the different grades together , at a touch of a screen icon

 

Yeah, I figured give it a couple of tanks before I know for sure. I'll dump in a bottle techron fuel system cleaner too. I'm going to change my fuel filter tomorrow just to eliminate that possible cause as well.