Caliper sticking?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Monroeville, AL
Caliper sticking?
How would I check for a sticking brake caliper? My mileage on my wife's 05 XLT Sport is not what I'd hoped for. We get between 17 and 22 mixed driving and it's rated for 22/25. There is ALOT of brake dust on the front rims and I was wondering if maybe the calipers are dragging? I'm going to buy a set of Kleen Wheels (I think that's the name) to help with the infamous brake dust but maybe it's trying to tell me something!
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
You could jack up the front end after removing the tires. Try to spin the wheel by hand. If it is REALLY hard to do you COULD have seized up calipers.
But that mileage sounds about right. They ALWAYS exagerrate a little with the numbers. They aren't "REAL WORLD" figures.
-Matt
But that mileage sounds about right. They ALWAYS exagerrate a little with the numbers. They aren't "REAL WORLD" figures.
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Most likely calipers are not the problem. Depending upon your driving style and such, that may be your mpg rating. My 02 V6 Escape would get 24 to 24.5mpg but that's on a 120 mile daily commute with one light each way. If you think that was bad, we just dumped the wife's 02 Accord (3.0 V6 200hp) that was rated at 26mpg but all I could get was 21mpg on the same commute. CAFE numbers are self reported by the manufacturer. Put an Escape on a test track with a constant speed at 55mpg and you'll probably get 27mpg in a perfect environment. My 05 Escape gets 27-28mpg but it's the I4.
Brake dust - well, the 01 through 04 was worse. Either use a good cleaner or you'll need to upgrade to a non-OEM low dust pads. I see many models that are real bad - Expeditions and BMWs are very noticable.
Brake dust - well, the 01 through 04 was worse. Either use a good cleaner or you'll need to upgrade to a non-OEM low dust pads. I see many models that are real bad - Expeditions and BMWs are very noticable.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines
MPG blues
I have a 2004 XLT and I get 17 MPG mixed driving and 22 on trips. I've tried maximizing the air pressure in the tires and going without AC in the summer. No real effect. I'm afraid those are the numbers we are stuck with. 
