How can I improve MPG on my used 2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L with 85k on it. I was getting 10 MPG. Things I have done my self is new Spark Plugs but not the wires, new o2 sensor, cleaned MAF, changed the oil/filter from 10W30 to Motorcaft 5W20, tire pressure is 31. My MPG is now 15. What should I look at next. How about the EGR, Fuel Filter? The truck is used for my landscape maintenance. So some days I'm going a few blocks or a few miles, so a lot of short distance drives. With that driving in mind can I get more then 15 MPG.

 

Check odometer, make sure you are basing MPG on actual miles driven, most highways have mile posts, you can use these to check odometer.
There are also free GPS apps for smartphones that can tell you miles driven

Cold engines have poor MPG, not much you can do about that, if doing short hops
Idling is 0MPG so even worse.

Weight lowers MPG, the lighter the load the better the MPG

2008 Ranger 2.3l claims 21MPG

Neighbor with siphon hose lowers MPG, lol

EGR will make engine run rough, so noticeable if there is a problem
Dirty Fuel filter would INCREASE MPG, lol, but engine would run poorly while that was happening

Pull a can of Seafoam or similar injector cleaner in the gas tank once a year, that helps clean out engine when its doing short hops

 

Its definitely not a neighbor with a siphon house. The previous owner put a lock on the fuel cover. The weight of me and the equipment is around 330-400lbs. I know I will not get the 21MPG but I'm hoping to get a few more maybe 17-18. I did buy Marvel Mystery Oil, but need to wait for next fill up.

 

Bump tire psi to35-40. Its what I run on my 01 edge.

Yea short trips that are all acceleration you wont see great results.

MMO should help.

 

 

Tire pressure is drivers choice
28psi gives better traction and bump absorption
32psi gives better MPG but stiffer ride and less traction

35psi would be the limit but would give better MPG

Thinner tires give better MPG because there is less tire touching the road so less rolling friction, which is why the 35psi helps, less tire is touching the road, but also less traction with less tire touching the road

Pull out a spark plug and look at its tip, white to light brown coloring means good clean burns, not running Rich, so not a MAF or O2 or computer issue
If its darker brown or blackish then there is an engine issue

 

A few weeks ago I filled up my truck with 16 gallons and added 4oz of Marvel Mystery Oil. I still need to do a lot more driving but I might be getting 20MPG or more. I have driven 36 miles and have not hit the 2.125 gallons mark. If I was still getting 15MPG I would have hit the red line I added to the image with the 36 miles I have done. But like I said I have a lot more driving to do before knowing for certain the new MPG.

 

Looks good

Just FYI, fuel gauges that use Floats on an arm and that have curved edges on the tank are not all that accurate in small increments
i.e. if you have a 20gal tank, 3/4 on the gauge is not 15gal left, 1/2 "might be" 10gal left, but it can vary by as much as 2 gallons
This is partly because Empty is not empty of gasoline, just very low, lol, people call it a Reserve, it isn't really, just that float gauges are not all that accurate and bottom out when there is still gas in the tank.
So you can't divide gauge into degrees using Empty mark as 0, because it ain't 0 gallons

Best practice is to track miles down to 1/4 tank and refill, at medium speed, to FIRST "Click off", don't add more, its bad for EVAP system and gas tank connections on the top.
Write down gallons added, reset trip odo, then do it again, down to 1/4 tank or so and refill stopping a FIRST click OFF
That will give a pretty accurate MPG