Fuel milage
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I made an appointment to get it checked out.I drive half interstate half secondary roads 7 miles each way to work and I am using over a gallon a day.I go the speed limit and do not gun it.With the price of cheap gas nearing 1.70 in my area I can't afford to keep it if that is all I will get.My old four cylander ranger got 25 average with the same driving conditions.My 98 has less than 30000 on it and the mileage sucks.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, WV
I'm getting about 18 to 19 (around 17 when it's cold). And I drive almost 50/50 local and interstate.
Fuel mileage improved after 2 tanks of Chevron Techron and 1 tank of Mystery Oil (MMO). The MMO also got rid of the last of my engine knock and I'm back to running 87 octane (low grade).
I also wonder if folks are calculating correctly. I try to fill up at exactly the 1/4 tank mark. Then I record the gallons that I put in and when I go to fill up the next time (again at 1/4 tank) I write down my tripometer reading. The gas gauge is just too inaccurate when you get down near the empty mark. My "low fuel" light comes on with about a 4 gallon 'reserve'.
Fuel mileage improved after 2 tanks of Chevron Techron and 1 tank of Mystery Oil (MMO). The MMO also got rid of the last of my engine knock and I'm back to running 87 octane (low grade).
I also wonder if folks are calculating correctly. I try to fill up at exactly the 1/4 tank mark. Then I record the gallons that I put in and when I go to fill up the next time (again at 1/4 tank) I write down my tripometer reading. The gas gauge is just too inaccurate when you get down near the empty mark. My "low fuel" light comes on with about a 4 gallon 'reserve'.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I put fuel in when it was down to half a tank.I had written down the miles on the odometer when I got fuel the last time and subtrac. the mileage and divided by gallons it came to 13.25.
The specs say I should be getting a min of 17 and a max of 27.
The specs say I should be getting a min of 17 and a max of 27.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Coastal North Carolina
Hey that was 99ranger i am 99xlt lol
I get 18 MPG on mine combuned 50/50 driving, and that was after fourwheeling several times. To calculate my mileage, i fill it up and record the odometer reading. Then i drove for about 1000 miles and wrote down how much gas i added everytime. Then i filled up the last time. Added up all the gallons i used. Then divided the miles but the gallons. 18.3 is what i get.. Probably better if i drove it easy. And my truck has 65k on it. The last owner didnt mainatin it at all except change the oil (at a garage) I get 350 miles per tank. (18.3 times 19 if you want to check)
And BTW a chip doesnt help mileage at all , in fact it hurts it. I can give you the link so you can read it for yourself, but all you have to do is go to where you bought your chip from and read the fine print.
I get 18 MPG on mine combuned 50/50 driving, and that was after fourwheeling several times. To calculate my mileage, i fill it up and record the odometer reading. Then i drove for about 1000 miles and wrote down how much gas i added everytime. Then i filled up the last time. Added up all the gallons i used. Then divided the miles but the gallons. 18.3 is what i get.. Probably better if i drove it easy. And my truck has 65k on it. The last owner didnt mainatin it at all except change the oil (at a garage) I get 350 miles per tank. (18.3 times 19 if you want to check)
And BTW a chip doesnt help mileage at all , in fact it hurts it. I can give you the link so you can read it for yourself, but all you have to do is go to where you bought your chip from and read the fine print.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta area
It's the driving . . .
I drive half interstate half secondary roads 7 miles each way to work and I am using over a gallon a day.
A 7 mile commute doesn't even give your engine time to burn off the water a cold start creates. This is severe duty driving and hopefully, you will change your oil accordingly.
Worth considering: Ford makes a coolant/battery heater ($65-70) for your engine. If you can park near an outlet, using it will help you considerably reduce the warm up time for the engine and the consequent water that forms in the oil.
Last edited by Houckster; Jan 24, 2004 at 03:47 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Coastal North Carolina
Yeah that is a problem.
Also your oil in the rear-end and tranny doesnt have time to warm up and it is thicker (Harder to turn the tires).You could let it warm up before you drive to work, but that would burn gas sitting there. It might be better on the engine though.
Also your oil in the rear-end and tranny doesnt have time to warm up and it is thicker (Harder to turn the tires).You could let it warm up before you drive to work, but that would burn gas sitting there. It might be better on the engine though.
