I need some help/opinions with my ranger suffering from bad fuel economy. I drive my ranger in the winter and store it in the summer. So the truck is stored inside for 5 months. I took the truck out in October and I saw a MASSIVE decrease in fuel economy.

Before i was getting 16-18mpg or average 400-450km's per tank. Now im down to 10mpg and 200-250km's per tank.

I know I have to factor in winter gas here in Canada, Also around the same time I put on larger tires. But I suspect there is something else going on here.

I have done a few simple things trying to fix the problem,

-lighter foot on throttle
-air filter
-fuel filter
-oil was just changed
-different gas
-cleaned MAF

Nothings helped. Next I'm looking at plugs & wires.

Is it possible that the combo of winter gas and larger tires are 100% at fault? Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

seems like too big of a jump.
is it stuck in 4x4?

 

Definitely not stuck in 4x4, check that by putting the back end out in some snow.

 

fishtailing doesnt mean its out of 4x4. gotta remember the front diff is open.

thats about all i could think of. unless theres a nest in your air box.

 

How much bigger are the tires?

 

255/70/16 stock to 265/75/16 ... Based on what other are experiencing with the same set up it shouldn't all be the tires.

 

nope something mechanical is causing the problem.

clean the IAC, clean the MAF sensor and the throttle position sensor. check for a plugged cat, change all the fluids. after that there isnt much i can suggest. unless an injector is stuck open dumping into the cylinders. use a ratchet extension, and place it on the injector. then put the other end to your ear. see if you can hear each on clicking. if one doesnt, its sticking.

 

There's no codes being thrown right? Change plugs and wires also.

 

The truck is 2009 I would think the cats would be OK. I Don't notice any exhaust in the cabin or around the truck,

I will clean those sensors but i have no idea how to check injectors, Any how-to's?

Thanks for the ideas.

Plugs and wires I will do soon. No check engine light has come on, Does this mean no codes thrown?

 

bad gas? how full was the tank when you parked it?

 

Maybe a silly question but does it feel like it coasts as well as it should or does it come to a stop to quickly? Also I would run seafoam through everything before you change anything. Might help some.

 

How many tanks of fuel have you put through it to get these figures? How many miles on your truck?

I'm on 265/75R16s and I get anywhere between 10 and 18 miles per US gallon depending on driving conditions and what type of driving/length of trips.

Did you correct the speedometer for the tire size? Is it accurate?

Try some fuel injector cleaner.

Are your tires adequately inflated?

Perhaps you have a dragging caliper or a stuck park brake. Lift the truck up and spin each wheel, see if any one has unusual drag.

Have you been idling more than usual? Like a new remote start or something? Excessive idling is hard on fuel economy, as in ZERO miles per gallon!

 

what brand of fuel are you using

petro-canada / shell / esso /

octane level of fuel