1997 AWD 4.0 Gas Mileage

[Jack4161]

1997 Explorer AWD 4.0 Eng. 101000 miles

Here is my story and I’m sticking to it. I bought it used a couple of years ago and it runs well but the gas mileage was terrible and getting worse so I would use it as little as possible. I mostly rode a motorcycle or my wife’s car. I was going to tow a trailer so I checked the mileage first and I was getting 11.8 MPG. I decided to flush the tranny before pulling the trailer. It was also time for inspection so I pulled the front wheels and the brakes were almost gone. They were replaced last year and I probably got less than 5000 miles on them. I noticed that the brakes were dragging so I replaced the calipers and pads. Way under 2 hours labor for both sides. Mileage now 20.81 MPG. Don’t know if the tranny flush did anything to increase the mileage but those caliper pucks will recede back into the calipers easily with the tool when changing the brakes but don’t let that fool you. Spin the wheel first before you swing the caliper off to see if they drag. Time to sell your EXXON stock

[virgamanda]

I have the exact same truck and mine has always consistently gotten around 18 mpg. I have replaced the pads as needed but never had a caliper problem.