Hey folks. I just wanted to get some opinions about my gas mileage. I have a 2001 ford ranger xlt ext. cab with a automatic and 4.0 v6 and just hit 22,000 miles on it (yeah 22 thousand). I'm the origanal owner and am baffled with the MPG. I'm getting about 32-40 miles on a 1/4 of a tank and around 200 miles to a tank. So far on this tank I filled it up and now down to a 1/4 and went 158 miles so it's looking like I won't even make 200. I drive it back and fourth to work but it seems like I'd be better off driving my expedition or excursion. I know the 4.0 probably doesn't get great mileage to begin with but geez

At what RPM is it shifting at through each gear? I let my 4.0 SOHC auto trans shift at around 2500 for 1st and 2nd, and 2000-ish for 3rd and 4th. Without knowing how you drive it, it's tough to say how much you could improve the mileage by easing up your right, but it sounds like you may have other issues.

When I first got my Ranger, I was only getting around 220 miles per tank and around 12-14mpg. I haven't changed anything on the truck, only my driving style, and I'm now getting up to 350 miles on a tank and 20mpg in all city driving. That just goes to show that how you drive can make a HUGE difference.

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Has it always gotten horrible mileage or is this something recent? If it's recent, I'd look at the transmission - maybe it's slipping, maybe the torque converter is bad. That's just a guess, but I'll be following your thread, as I just bought a '00 4.0L 4WD today.

-Mark

have you been using e 85 that kills your milage. it's not worth it to make the hippies happy

i just bought an 01. 4.0 off road and i just find it hard to believe how poor the gas mileage i get is. I'm guessing 10-12 mpg . has anyone found a cure?

check air and fuel filters as well as spark

[QUOTE=Jay FX4;12536]At what RPM is it shifting at through each gear? I let my 4.0 SOHC auto trans shift at around 2500 for 1st and 2nd, and 2000-ish for 3rd and 4th. Without knowing how you drive it, it's tough to say how much you could improve the mileage by easing up your right, but it sounds like you may have other issues.

how can you control the rpm,s at shift intervals with an auto transmission ?

a programmer. what is the area you travel like all hills?

FYI - I looked up the EPA for my '00 4.0L 4WD....14 city / 17 hwy...ouch.....

Here's the link for the numbers:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/bymake/bymanuNF.shtml

Scroll down if you don't see your year

Just by how fast or slow you accelerate. Even though it's an auto you can still pretty much choose what rpm you want it to shift at. It's just knowing the characteristics of the truck and manipulating the gas pedal.
I can get up to 22mpg city so I must be doing something right!

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Hmmm, Idle smooth?, accelerate clean?, shift clean?, tires inflated properly?, Alignment straight?, excess black soot in exhaust pipe?, fluid habits?, There is a sensor or two that could be behind this but need the info to go about this the right way. Are you 16 yrs. old and doing 40 by the time you get through the intersection from a red light? My ranger was tip top when I got it and my marks were close to yours. It all checks out and it has a clean bill of health, so I just checked the tires, ran 3 tanks of system cleaner and started upgrading the motor. It is doing much better, but I do have to say that this is a torque'y motor and you have to be mindful of take offs it does make a significant difference from my experience. Others have claimed numbers that make me question the state of my vehicle, but I am just monitoring it closely and will eventually post my findings after enough time.
Honestly I would say you'r tires style and compound could be a good part of it plus driving habits, but that's just me thinking, until I can figure out why I was/am getting the numbers I am.

thanks all for the tips this is now a work in progress, will keep posting the good and not so good.

That sums it up right there. Before my 4.0 Ranger, I drove a 2.0 Escort ZX2 for 7 years. BIG difference between the two motors. I had to put the pedal half way to the floor in my ZX2 to accelerate at the same rate as the Ranger, so you're right about the torque. It accelerates so effortlessly and at such low RPM that I had to totally adjust my driving and just back off on the throttle. You're right about the take offs as well. I drive 5-10 mph over the speed limit, but I take my time getting up to speed, and that makes all the difference in the world.
It's MUCH easier to get BAD gas mileage in the Ranger, but it's possible to get very good mileage if you really want it. Of course, everything has to be in proper working order.

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being very new to ranger i just found that disengaging the overdrive is probably a very good mileage enhancer

yes and help your tranny life. that's common for people to do in push button o d trannies. My dad didn't think it made a diff. and burnt 2 trannies untill ford told him to look in the owners manual.