how to save gas
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Coastal North Carolina
If you dont race, fourwheel, drive over the speed limit, accelerate fast, rev the engine at stoplights, or anything else that is fun, you will save gas. 
BUT IT IS ALOT MORE FUN TO BURN IT!!!
But if i could burn less, and still do all these fun things, that would b really good.
BUT IT IS ALOT MORE FUN TO BURN IT!!!
But if i could burn less, and still do all these fun things, that would b really good.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta area
Saving gas
One thing I did to save gas was to have a coolant heater installed. This cuts the time that the engine is running rich (open loop, I believe) considerably. My engine is up to normal operating temperature within two minutes as opposed to 4-6 minutes when it isn't used. Saving 4-6 cold starts per tankful can make a difference.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
haha wow my dad has an 89 ford ranger 5 speed with studded snow tires on for the winter and somehow he managed to pull of 21 mpg which i couldnt believe at first because my ranger which is a 94 only gets 14 mpg and alls i have on is two snow tires on the back and two all weather tires on the front
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: FTDIXNJ & BELLE VERNON PA
ACTUALLY COASTING IS ILLEGAL IN ALOT OF STATES! DEFINITION OF COASTING: OPERATING A MOTORIZED VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHILE MOVING(DO NOT QUOTE ME ON ACTUAL LANGUAGE. I DO NOT HAVE A N.J. VIOLATION,S OF MOTOR VEHICLE CODES HANDY)BUT IN LAYMENS TERMS YOU ARE IN VIOLATION IF YOU ARE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND"COAST". I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANYONE ACTUALLY CITED FOR THIS THOUGH.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 4
From: Jefferson, Iowa
it would be no different than pushing in the clutch. I have heard the same thing. I am raising the B.S. flag on this one, that the dumbest thing i have ever heard, right behind chevy better than ford. I would like a cop to prove something like that, i would be fighting that one.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I have a 2001 4X4 w/4.0L Automatic and I'm lucky to get 15mpg. Truthfully I expected more. Everything is stock. I"m thinking of getting better exhaust or a performance chip. I"m looking for suggestions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Down the road,Tx.
Re: Saving gas
Originally posted by Houckster
One thing I did to save gas was to have a coolant heater installed. This cuts the time that the engine is running rich (open loop, I believe) considerably. My engine is up to normal operating temperature within two minutes as opposed to 4-6 minutes when it isn't used. Saving 4-6 cold starts per tankful can make a difference.
One thing I did to save gas was to have a coolant heater installed. This cuts the time that the engine is running rich (open loop, I believe) considerably. My engine is up to normal operating temperature within two minutes as opposed to 4-6 minutes when it isn't used. Saving 4-6 cold starts per tankful can make a difference.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 4
From: Jefferson, Iowa
One thing i do not understand here. I am not trying to bash ford, just makes me think. My 97 chevy gas 350 now gets 13, and it is a 3/4 ton truck. I just have a really soft foot, and that is with a bad MAP sensor. GM says i should be getting 16-18 with the good MAP sensor. I do my calculation by hand. Do all of my maitnince. 3.5 or so gear gears, stock tires, stock exhaust, no mods. My diesel gets 18 -20. My 76 390 with a cam dual exhaust, headers, and a edelbrock 750 carb gets 13. How come these rangers are getting so low? Something is wrgon here, is ford just not designing these engines right or something. Does anyone have a chart of the 4.0 SOHC? Are these top end motors?
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I kind of have to agree - I was getting 15mpg w/ my 97 Explorer 5.0 V8 All Wheel Drive. I didn't expect to get great mileage, but better than the Explorer, especially since I don't have full time four wheel drive, smaller vehicle and smaller engine. My 2003 Bonneville w/ 3.8L gets 30 on the highway and 22-24 around town. I noticed at 75 mph the rpm runs at 1800-2000 rpm. On my Ranger at 70 mph I'm running 2500 rpm. At first I didn't think the overdrive was working. Maybe I should think about changing the rear end gearing, but not only is that expensive, but messes with the power band. I usually pull about 750-1000lbs of sailboats on the highway, so I'm not too anxious to do that.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
Originally posted by 78fordman
How come these rangers are getting so low? Something is wrgon here, is ford just not designing these engines right or something.
How come these rangers are getting so low? Something is wrgon here, is ford just not designing these engines right or something.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: MN
How do you guys determine what gas milage you get? grrr... math stuff.
Drive and burn fuel.
When you need gas, fill up all the way and note how much you put in and the milage on the odometer.
Subtract the milage from the first fillup from the milage at the second fill up.
Then divide that number by how many gallons you put in.
EXAMPLE- I fill a 20gal tank with 100 miles on the odometer.
At 400 miles, I fill up. I put 10 gallons in it. So in 300 miles (400-100) I burned 10 gallons of fuel. So 300/10= 30mpg (I wish!)