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  #16  
Old 02-14-2011, 02:18 AM
chazzone chazzone is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

If temps in MN have been as cold as it has been here in Indiana, then its not surprising that the truck has been getting worse mileage than normal.
Mine certainly has.
At the same time, if the alternator was going bad, that could definitely be a contributor.
One thing I always do in cold winters is simply put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator.
Ford EFI V-6 and 4 cylinder engines run best when they can get to operating temp, and many times, when it is especially cold, it's hard for these little engines to keep enough heat, so they'll run rich, which is why the mileage goes down in winter.
Just be sure that you take it out when it starts to warm up.
Tire pressure should be what it says on the door pillar for best mileage/handling.
The number on the side of the tire has nothing to do with the best inflation for the vehicle.
Overinflating the tires might buy you a little mileage, but it'll wear the tires faster, and negatively effect the handling, including braking/steering, which could cost your or someone else their life.
This is an especially bad idea on trucks, which have issues with braking, anyway.
If you really want to dial in inflation pressure above what is recommended by the factory, then the chalk-mark method is one of the simplest and most reliable methods that you can use to do so.
I'd hate to think that you're afraid of a simple tune up.
Its not that difficult, and although a fresh air filter can help with performance, it wont do a thing to boost mileage on an efi motor.
A new set of Motorcraft plugs and wires will definitely make a difference, and if yours hasn't had a tune up with all those miles, it is due.
Just take your time, and make sure that the plugs are gapped properly.
Also, don't get suckered into buying some lame assed multi plug, or anything but Motorcraft or Autolite equivalent.

-zz
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  #17  
Old 02-14-2011, 10:34 PM
shadyroids shadyroids is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

well talked my father who owned it before me had motorcraft plugs new wires too put in 40k miles ago i have a k&n rechargeable air filter recently recharged oil changed 1000miles ago has no problem stayin at opperating temp or getting there at all
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  #18  
Old 02-15-2011, 12:25 AM
chazzone chazzone is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyroids View Post
well talked my father who owned it before me had motorcraft plugs new wires too put in 40k miles ago i have a k&n rechargeable air filter recently recharged oil changed 1000miles ago has no problem stayin at opperating temp or getting there at all
The K&N can definitley cause problems with the MAF sensor. The oil from the filter will foul the sensor, and that's only one reason that they are bad for a street engine.

Clean the MAF with a good cleaner designed for that purpose.

I'd never run one of those on a street motor. They do nothing for the performance on a stock/street engine, and until they are partially filled with particulates, will pass more dirt than a paper filter.

There is nothing better than a NAPA Gold airfilter for a street engine, and they have zero potential negatives.

-zz
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  #19  
Old 02-15-2011, 09:16 AM
shadyroids shadyroids is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

i didnt even get it for "proformance" i got it so i wouldnt have to keep buying new ones
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  #20  
Old 02-15-2011, 03:04 PM
zymmer4 zymmer4 is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

my 4.0 gets 20 mpg on the highway..17 around the county..the 3 liter may do worse where I live..My sisters' 3 liter Escape got 16..I did better with the 4.0
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  #21  
Old 02-15-2011, 03:09 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by TurdFX4 View Post
Don't feel bad, I'm getting 12mpg (4.0, 33's, 4.10's)
shit im going to be runing 31s with the 4.10s (3.0 engine) i sure hope my mpg doesnt change that much! i get 16 city/hwy
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  #22  
Old 02-15-2011, 03:32 PM
Rangerinpa Rangerinpa is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

12-13 now in the wintertime, lots of hills and mountains where I live tho and mostly shorter trips.

Edit: All Stock.
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Last edited by Rangerinpa; 02-15-2011 at 03:34 PM.
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  #23  
Old 02-15-2011, 04:36 PM
bassplyer92517 bassplyer92517 is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

Wow, I never realized how lucky I was, I get 22 city/highway with probably about 60% of it being city. I have the 3.0 and if I take my truck on a trip I can get up to 28 easy. This is all stock, but all the maintenance is kept up and a lot of preventative maintenance is done too.
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  #24  
Old 02-16-2011, 06:21 PM
jcostin jcostin is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

Wow...I don't feel quiet so bad averaging 16.5 mpg...of course, I would like to bump it up to around 20...I miss the 27 I was getting on my 2.3 5speed 96!
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  #25  
Old 02-17-2011, 11:55 PM
chazzone chazzone is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

When it's not OMG! cold, I average 20 mpg on an '89 BII w/ 5" of lift and 29" tires, and gotten as good as 24...and she has over 325,000 miles on her.
I use synthetic lubes, and make sure she's always tuned up and running right, so it's possible to get decent mileage out of these trucks.
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'89 EB BroncoII, 2" body/3" suspension lift by Duff. D35 front/8.8 rear swap, Camcraft cam, Pacesetter headers, 4.0 radiator,P235 75 15 Michellin LTX
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  #26  
Old 03-05-2011, 09:45 AM
brandonovich brandonovich is offline
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Default Re: Bad gasmileage

Well I'm kind of upset hearing the one guy talk about 27 mpg. I have an 03 with a new synchronizer, fuel filter, and full tune up, and i'm getting about 16 mpg, and I've been driving pretty conservatively, just to see how much I'm getting. Pretty disappointing. This is 50/50 highway city, Houston, TX.
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