2010 explorer xlt mpg sucks

We recently purchased a ford explorer and am wondering if we need to reset the mpg counter because it is saying we only get 12.1 mpg. we were told it would get at least 13-19 and could be more. we drive like old people. highway driving 17 miles to work and thats it. can our counter be faulty? can it be reset?

please tell me something good cause my husband is losing his marbles thinking about how bad the fuel economy is showing on the dash.

thank you.:crying:

Yes, it can be reset. The procedure is outlined on page 22 of your owner's manual:

AVERAGE FUEL XX.X MPG / (L/100km)
Average fuel economy displays your average fuel economy in miles/gallon
or liters/100 km.
If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing miles traveled by
gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled), your
figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:
• Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
• Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
• Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
• Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 gallon (liter)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the SELECT/RESET stem (press and hold for
two seconds in order to reset the function) after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.

-Rod