Gas Mileage ??
tripod12133
01-13-2009, 02:48 PM
I just bought a 95 Ranger, 2.3, 5 speed, 2 WD. I'm averaging about 18.7 MPG, including the highway. Is that normal, or is that a little low? What does everyone else average? In what ways can I improve the gas mileage on my truck? I put a K&N air filter on it... but I just did that last night so I'll have to wait and see. Thanks guys.
Davescort97
01-13-2009, 10:15 PM
That mileage is a little low. Shouild be getting around 25 to 30 mpg on the highwy. If you computed your mileage on short trips you shouldn't expect to get more than you do. To get better mileage....
1. Put the maximum load rating pressure in the tires.
2. Make sure the air filter is clean.
3. Use fuel injector cleaner in the gas.
4. Drive with low rpm's in each gear
5. Take your tools, golf clubs etc. out of the bed
6. Buy regular fuel not 10% ethanol
7. Jack it up, spin tires and make sure brakes aren't dragging
8. Combine your short trips into one longer trip
9. Put a 210 degree thermostat in it.
10 Drive in the R lane and avoid jack rabbit starts.
11.Before a long highway trip steer L then R and back to neutal to reduce rotor drag on the pads.
12.If you are stuck in traffic longer than a minute or so shut the motor off and restart. .
13.Replace the plugs and wires with platinum or iridium plugs and OEM wires.
14.Use SAE 5-20 or 5-30 synthetic oil.
15.Shut off the AC compressor until you get up to speed.
I agree that some of these things are a bit of trouble, but you can still get good mileage by picking the things you want to do and leaving out the others. 6. 10% ethanol gets 1-2 mpg less than straight unleaded in a car that gets 30 mpg. . 8. An engine gets poor mileage when it is cold and warming up. 9. A hotter engine is more efficient than a colder engine. 11. Unless you are a fanatic about gettng good mileage you don't have to do this. 14. low viscosity oil has less drag than thicker oil. 15. This helps if your vehicle is small and underpowered.
1. Put the maximum load rating pressure in the tires.
2. Make sure the air filter is clean.
3. Use fuel injector cleaner in the gas.
4. Drive with low rpm's in each gear
5. Take your tools, golf clubs etc. out of the bed
6. Buy regular fuel not 10% ethanol
7. Jack it up, spin tires and make sure brakes aren't dragging
8. Combine your short trips into one longer trip
9. Put a 210 degree thermostat in it.
10 Drive in the R lane and avoid jack rabbit starts.
11.Before a long highway trip steer L then R and back to neutal to reduce rotor drag on the pads.
12.If you are stuck in traffic longer than a minute or so shut the motor off and restart. .
13.Replace the plugs and wires with platinum or iridium plugs and OEM wires.
14.Use SAE 5-20 or 5-30 synthetic oil.
15.Shut off the AC compressor until you get up to speed.
I agree that some of these things are a bit of trouble, but you can still get good mileage by picking the things you want to do and leaving out the others. 6. 10% ethanol gets 1-2 mpg less than straight unleaded in a car that gets 30 mpg. . 8. An engine gets poor mileage when it is cold and warming up. 9. A hotter engine is more efficient than a colder engine. 11. Unless you are a fanatic about gettng good mileage you don't have to do this. 14. low viscosity oil has less drag than thicker oil. 15. This helps if your vehicle is small and underpowered.
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