14mpg with windstar in the city?

[desimunda]

or is it just my van! i have a 2002 sport edition. on the highway I have noticed it will never go past 20mpg!

tune up done few months ago new wires new plugs new ignition coil and the isolator bolt fix done too!

mechanic told me a while ago i could replace my oxygen sensor or just leave it...could that be another culprit?

tires are good air filter less than six months old most fluids changed periodically what am i missing?????

[lidation]

In the locals, 14MPG is very normal. Depending on the traffic conditions, in some areas I can only do 10MPG. But on the highway, I consistently get 25MPG. Sometimes even higher. But I drive my '98 WS mostly all by myself and I don't have spare tire nor do I have the center seats.

[PTG1212]

I have a 2001 Windstar. I just took it on a 1300 mile roundtrip vacation. I got between 22 and 23 mpg on the highway. That was driving 75 mph on I95. When my wife drives it locally around town (35 mph) we get 14 mpg. In mixed driving of mostly local some highway we get 16-17 mpgs. It's certainly not a mileage champion.

[green_van]

14 seems pretty low unless you are in a big city where you end up idle a lot, although I can imagine it getting that bad if you have 10% ethanol gas.

Normal for us is around 18 in mixed driving, rarely breaking the 20 MPG barrier when travelling.

[desimunda]

well i guess i'm within the range guys, and no green_van no ethanol for me.

so the oxygen sensor wouldn't be anything to worry about?

[12Ounce]

If you had a sensor issue, you would get a code.

Your city mileage is about right. Depends so much on conditions (is your township hilly?) and driving practices. Highway mileage should reach mid 20's for pure expressway driving... if you're driving moderately and not van's too loaded. Past 70mpg ... forget it!

Use oil of proper viscosity. I like synthetic at 0W-40 or 5W-30, whatever is lowest in price. Keep the tires at rated pressure or slightly higher, don't exceed tire manufacturer's recommendations. Stay on top of fuel filter and air filter changes. Keep the sliding brake components clean and lubricated ... make sure hand brake components (such as cable) are not causing any rear brake drag.

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

If you had a sensor issue, you would get a code.

you mean like the amber check engine light would be on eh?

is there anyway 'they' might have disabled it?

yes got new fuel filter but i am going to check the brakes before the winter is here just to make sure.

also you are right there are so many variables and i don't drive it so not too sure if we follow the best driving practices! but no hills in this town and van is not too loaded other than all seats and upto 4 good sized people riding in it sometimes.

just wondering for gas mileage when doing highway driving you want to keep your RPM to the lowest right so instead of doing 120km/hr if rpm is lower will 110 that would improve mileage by much?

[12Ounce]

Other than disconnecting the lamp itself, they would have to be some pretty hi-tech nerdy folks to fool the PCM. Hopefully such folks will try to solve some major wordly issues ... rather than this.

Consistent driving at 110 - 120 should give good MPG .. the more consistent the better. Anything faster ... pay at the pump.

[s1120]

Without trying I get about 21mpg. Thats a mix of hiway, and intown. And thats not trying. Big factor is how your driving. Lots of stop and go, leaving it running at the store, or long warmups, high speeds on the hiway etc.

[lapin_windstar]

Don't panic! I drive like the proverbial grandmother with a 50/50 split of urban and highway, and I get 16 combined mpg. Around town it's usually 12 or 13, on the highway it's 24 mpg on a good day - and that's when I'm 60mph on cruise control.

Windstars are not fuel efficient - but remember that continuing to use an older car is much "greener" than buying a new one. The amount of energy that goes into manufacturing a new car is gigantic (think of all the steel that has to be dug out the ground, processed, stamped...).

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by lapin_windstar

Windstars are not fuel efficient - but remember that continuing to use an older car is much "greener" than buying a new one. The amount of energy that goes into manufacturing a new car is gigantic (think of all the steel that has to be dug out the ground, processed, stamped...).

now this is true that is why i drive a POS 94 ranger!

but really if ford offered me good trade in value i'd pick up on of the newer vehicles. but dreams don't always come true! i know ford could use the sales though. Down double digits I read in the paper yesterday.

[s1120]

Well with just trying to drive better, and about 75% hiway, 25% city/town, I just got almost 25mpg on my last tank. So it is possable to get good MPG out of these things.

[MARZBX157]

Now Ive seen commercials about fuel saving devices which claim to increase MPG's, especially the Tornado Fuel saver. Has anyone on this forum ever use this device and see any real life improvements in MPG's? I'm skeptical about these things but would like any input from other people on this forum. As far as the Windstars go, here's a tip on saving gas, Strap a horse to the front of the van.LOL

[lapin_windstar]

Originally Posted by MARZBX157

Now Ive seen commercials about fuel saving devices which claim to increase MPG's, especially the Tornado Fuel saver.

If it doesn't turn out to be complete baloney, I'll refund your money! If it were so great, Bosch/Texaco/Ford/whoever would have bought it years ago.

[wiswind]

Most of the fuel saving devices that are marketed will not save you any money.
The vehicle is super computer controlled to maintain the ideal air / fuel mixture.
If the air / fuel mixture gets out of wack, you will get a check engine light.
This is why most state emissions testing on OBDII vehicles consists of just hooking up to the OBDII port and checking for codes....along with physically checking to see if the catalytic converter(s) are present and checking the gas cap to make sure that the fuel system is properly sealed.

With that in mind, the best that you can do is keep the vehicle tuned up, tires properly inflated, make sure that the brakes are not dragging, and drive it like grandma.

This is THE time of year to get the vehicle ready for winter.
So getting on top of any tuneup items that you have put off would be good.
Also, a can of the Berryman's in the gas tank to clean the fuel injectors and give you the correct, consistant spray from each injector will do a lot more than any turbulator or other gaget......for a LOT less money.