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  #1  
Old 01-11-2017, 05:49 PM
dmayhem716 dmayhem716 is offline
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Default My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

My 2.3 liter 2wd ranger is getting 15 miles per gallon it runs great. I just got a check engine light and am looking to check it. I was wondering if any one knows what I can do. I heard of using Lucas in the gas tank to clean the injectors. Has anyone had any luck with that. Also may be spark plugs and wires? May be some sensor along the intake or exuast. I am new to Fords and like mine just disappointed in the fuel mileage. Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 01-11-2017, 05:52 PM
ford4thot ford4thot is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Check the code before anything else
How long have you had the truck? Has it has poor fuel mileage since you've owned it? Or just since the code popped up?
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  #3  
Old 01-11-2017, 06:58 PM
Fasttrackranger Fasttrackranger is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

If you have a throttle body spacer it could wreck your mpg. I got 3 mpg more without it on my 4.0l. My 2.3 got better mileage with bosch 4 hole injectors but it was a 1988 model so it wasnt great to begin with. Get that light read because if its an o2 sensor or something itll destroy mpg.

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  #4  
Old 01-11-2017, 07:14 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmayhem716 View Post
My 2.3 liter 2wd ranger is getting 15 miles per gallon it runs great. I just got a check engine light and am looking to check it. I was wondering if any one knows what I can do. I heard of using Lucas in the gas tank to clean the injectors. Has anyone had any luck with that. Also may be spark plugs and wires? May be some sensor along the intake or exuast. I am new to Fords and like mine just disappointed in the fuel mileage. Thanks in advance.
X4 get the codes read. What year is the truck and what size are the tires?
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  #5  
Old 01-11-2017, 09:14 PM
aroundincircles aroundincircles is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

something as simple as a minor vacuum leak can destroy your mileage as your fuel injection system tries to compensate a lean situation, and dumps in all the fuel.
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  #6  
Old 01-12-2017, 07:37 AM
dmayhem716 dmayhem716 is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by ford4thot View Post
Check the code before anything else
How long have you had the truck? Has it has poor fuel mileage since you've owned it? Or just since the code popped up?
i just bought the truck so i dont know how long its had this problem

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Originally Posted by stateranger View Post
X4 get the codes read. What year is the truck and what size are the tires?
the previous owner put on slightly wider tires.
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  #7  
Old 01-12-2017, 07:38 AM
ford4thot ford4thot is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

You didn't answer any of the questions. Be more specific

Get the code read

Last edited by ford4thot; 01-12-2017 at 07:42 AM.
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  #8  
Old 01-12-2017, 11:39 AM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmayhem716 View Post
My 2.3 liter 2wd ranger is getting 15 miles per gallon it runs great. I just got a check engine light and am looking to check it. I was wondering if any one knows what I can do. I heard of using Lucas in the gas tank to clean the injectors. Has anyone had any luck with that. Also may be spark plugs and wires? May be some sensor along the intake or exuast. I am new to Fords and like mine just disappointed in the fuel mileage. Thanks in advance.
a) Perform a basic visual inspection under the hood for obvious problems that would impact powertrain, fix if any are found.

b) Pull the code, find the cause for it, and repair. If you have one of the kids at Autozone pull the code for free, buy NO PARTS at that time, instead, learn what can cause the code first (too many children working in parts stores today selling sensors to people to replace a sensor in their vehicle that isn't bad and thus, won't cure a problem but hey, that's what you get at Autozone or the likes).

c) If you are objection to gas mileage and you haven't checked mileage over three full tankfulls, then your number is probably wrong. This because, it's pretty much impossible to fill the tank due to a vapor cavity in there that will adversly affect ability to fill it. Keyword = fill

d) You mentioned the owner changed tire sizes. If he changed the diameter of the tire and did nothing more, then this will affect the mileage on your odometer, which is probably what you are using for a MPG calc.

*If you want to check gas mileage over shorter distances (and pull codes, and pull real time engine operating data, and pull fuel trims, etc etc) you can get an app for your Android phone for free or next to it and an ELM327 adapter to tap into the engine management system. The results are hit and miss but they start at ~$10 on ebay and go up from there to ~$80 for the OBDlink MX. The app will be free to ~45 and Torque is not only popular but well supported. Please post your results or thoughts/ideas/concerns when folks suggest something that can help you, this will help them to better help you.
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Last edited by cowboybilly9mile; 01-12-2017 at 11:42 AM.
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  #9  
Old 01-12-2017, 12:41 PM
dmayhem716 dmayhem716 is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

ill pull the codes to find the problem. i'll check some of the normal maintenance items. i've looked under the hood every thing is dry and running well. the problem isn't the tires they are the same height just slightly wider. i'm debating to buy a code computer i dont want to take it to my local parts store they have no idea what they are doing.
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  #10  
Old 02-20-2017, 05:21 AM
bgbevan bgbevan is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

You might also want to be aware that the A/C compressor can continue to cycle when you might think it's OFF. In my 1999 XLT the A/C compressor cycles on and off in unexpected positions of the A/C-Heater dash switch. *Even when you have the temp turned up and are heating the cab the A/C compressor can continue to cycle. *I don’t have a manual but here’s what I found by experimenting a little.

Dash switch position(moving clockwise). ON means the A/C compressor cycles on and off every 5 secs or so.

Max A/C: ON
A/C: ON
Lower vents: OFF
Off: OFF
Upper/Lower vents: ON
Upper vent: OFF
Upper vent/Defrost: ON
Defrost: OFF

This means you can be driving around with the heat on and the A/C compressor will continue to cycle ON & OFF. *This going to trash your gas mileage. *Somebody said “it’s a Ford thing” and that it’s documented in the owner’s manual. *I say it’s a stupid thing. *I only know how my ’99 works and don’t know what other model years this affects. *You can verify this by turning the switch when you are parked and idling. *Turn the Heater-A/C dash switch and you can hear the compressor kick in and out in each different switch position. I will probably rewire the switch when I get some time and a schematic.
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  #11  
Old 02-20-2017, 08:22 AM
aroundincircles aroundincircles is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgbevan View Post
You might also want to be aware that the A/C compressor can continue to cycle when you might think it's OFF. In my 1999 XLT the A/C compressor cycles on and off in unexpected positions of the A/C-Heater dash switch. *Even when you have the temp turned up and are heating the cab the A/C compressor can continue to cycle. *I don’t have a manual but here’s what I found by experimenting a little.

Dash switch position(moving clockwise). ON means the A/C compressor cycles on and off every 5 secs or so.

Max A/C: ON
A/C: ON
Lower vents: OFF
Off: OFF
Upper/Lower vents: ON
Upper vent: OFF
Upper vent/Defrost: ON
Defrost: OFF

This means you can be driving around with the heat on and the A/C compressor will continue to cycle ON & OFF. *This going to trash your gas mileage. *Somebody said “it’s a Ford thing” and that it’s documented in the owner’s manual. *I say it’s a stupid thing. *I only know how my ’99 works and don’t know what other model years this affects. *You can verify this by turning the switch when you are parked and idling. *Turn the Heater-A/C dash switch and you can hear the compressor kick in and out in each different switch position. I will probably rewire the switch when I get some time and a schematic.
ALL cars run the ac compressor, regardless of temp the dial is set to if its in a mode to defrost/defog a window. Why? because you need nice dry air to defog something, and the way to get dry air is to run it over the ac condenser because it.... Condenses the water out of the air. its not a ford thing, its a physics thing, and every car I've owned (and I've owned a few dozen in my life), run the condenser when the defrost is turned on. Now I've owned a couple of cars that did not have A/C or at least working a/c, and I'll tell you, they were not half as good as cars with working A/C at defogging a window.

if a condenser cycles on and off, it probably means that you're low on refrigerant, and need to get that checked. it should not be doing that, at least not every 5 seconds.
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  #12  
Old 02-20-2017, 09:39 AM
mecman99 mecman99 is offline
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Posts: 166
Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgbevan View Post

Dash switch position(moving clockwise). ON means the A/C compressor cycles on and off every 5 secs or so.

Max A/C: ON
A/C: ON
Lower vents: OFF
Off: OFF
Upper/Lower vents: ON
Upper vent: OFF
Upper vent/Defrost: ON
Defrost: OFF
Well i don't know about running every 5 seconds BUT I do know it is always on in defrost. It does not run in panel only, floor only, and off. All other settings use the AC. The MAX AC position closes off the outside air and recirculates inside air. It also closes a valve for the hot water to the heater core.
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  #13  
Old 02-20-2017, 09:54 AM
whiskeymike whiskeymike is offline
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Posts: 427
Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Most if not all cars run the compressor in any defrost setting

Regardless, the a/c compressor isn't going to drop a healthy 2.3 to 15 mpg.
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  #14  
Old 02-20-2017, 10:08 AM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

OP never did answer my question regarding how he calculated MPG so at this point and for all anyone knows, he was one of those who either guessed how many gallons it burned or did a "test" over 100 miles and predictably came to a (wrong) conclusion.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmayhem716 View Post
i've looked under the hood every thing is dry and running well.
That info is useless. Look for lose hoses, wiring, etc etc, things that could be related to causing the issue (the CEL, because right now I"m not convinced MPG was calced correctly).

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmayhem716 View Post
the problem isn't the tires they are the same height just slightly wider.
How about posting the tire size as taken from the door sticker as well as the tire size on there now.




*Please answer questions so people can help you, otherwise everyone is just wasting time.
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  #15  
Old 02-20-2017, 12:15 PM
hyghwayman hyghwayman is offline
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Posts: 120
Default Re: My truck is getting horrible gas mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by cowboybilly9mile View Post
OP never did answer my question regarding how he calculated MPG so at this point and for all anyone knows, he was one of those who either guessed how many gallons it burned or did a "test" over 100 miles and predictably came to a (wrong) conclusion.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowboybilly9mile View Post
*Please answer questions so people can help you, otherwise everyone is just wasting time.
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