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  #1  
Old 01-27-2014, 10:35 PM
bc31 bc31 is offline
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Unhappy Incredibly Awful Gas Milage (8 MPG)

First post guys, be gentle!

So I just inherited this Ranger from my grandfather (2000 auto 3.0 XLT supercab 4x4), and it's really a great little truck. That is, until I went to the gas station.

115 miles from full until the "Check gauge" light came on... which came out to around 7.7 miles per gallon . That's worse than a hummer, and a few MPG's better than what my uncle gets in his Volvo with a sleeper cab and 9 speed transmission.

Anyways, sometimes when I drive it almost feels like the parking brake is on, but its not. It's like a dragging feeling from the rear of the truck, and also when coming to a stop the truck shudders(?) a little bit. Like a smooth linear slowing then a few bumps before stopping completely. The truck also seems to have no power. I took it onto the interstate today, set the cruise control at 60, and the engine was revving at over 4k rpm just to maintain speed.

My grandfather did very little maintenance to this truck but was also very gentle on it... I don't think it ever exceeded 50 mph in his 7 years of ownership. I'm really at a loss as to where to begin to try and diagnose what is wrong with it, any tips would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 01-27-2014, 10:56 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: Incredibly Awful Gas Milage (8 MPG)

Check the tranny fluid. Is the check engine light on, if so get the codes read.
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  #3  
Old 01-27-2014, 11:08 PM
jmb94 jmb94 is offline
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Default Re: Incredibly Awful Gas Milage (8 MPG)

Bad brake dust? steering issues? could be a sticking caliper/drums
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Old 01-27-2014, 11:11 PM
GLH GLH is offline
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The rear end might be about dry or going out. Could actually be the rear drum brakes dragging.
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  #5  
Old 01-27-2014, 11:32 PM
lone_bull lone_bull is offline
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Release the E-brake...

Just messing theres a multitude of things that could be wrong but like others have said, check all your fluids, make sure your fuel/air mix is right, check the air box (damn squirrels), and worst case scenario you could have a 'dead' cylinder (unlikely unless it feels like a truck with parkinsons). Not an expert just throwing out possibilities, maybe itll spark an idea or start ya somewhere

Forgot to mention, like the last guy said, check your drums, especially if it feels like its dragging.
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Old 01-28-2014, 06:39 PM
JerZDevil81 JerZDevil81 is offline
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Default Re: Incredibly Awful Gas Milage (8 MPG)

I know that I'm against the norm here of not just throwing money at a truck, but whenever I buy a used vehicle (from whoever, even friends/family) I spend about $100-150 on basic tune up parts.

This includes:
Plugs $25
Wires $35
PCV Valve $5
Fuel Filter $10
Air Filter $15
Oil change $25
Can of MAF Cleaner $5
Can of Seafoam $5

For $125 and a few hours time you could really be helping your truck breathe better.

It could be seized/leaking wheel cylinders, but you would notice the fluid level in the Master Cylinder going down. Maybe stuck parking brake, but after awhile you'd wear out the shoes.

Depending on mileage, maybe cat blockage but that would generally throw a code.

My guess is she just wants to BREATHE!
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Last edited by JerZDevil81; 01-28-2014 at 06:48 PM.
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  #7  
Old 07-12-2014, 11:04 AM
Deryl Faison Deryl Faison is offline
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Default Re: Incredibly Awful Gas Milage (8 MPG)

change all the necessary things to change that we normally do when we get a vehicle from someone and it still is getting horrible gas mileage what could it possibly be put 40 dollars worth of gas in it and barely got back to Lakeland from Orlando any suggestions
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