4.0 vs 4.6 mileage difference?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Near Green Bay
4.0 vs 4.6 mileage difference?
Hey everyone~
I am going to be in the market in the next 2-3 months for a '03-'05 Explorer/Mountaineer. I currently have a '04 F150 SCab with the 4.6. I currently get 17 mpg all around. I would love to get around 20-22 mpg with my next vehicle.
What kind of mileage can I expect with the 4.6 in the Explorer? With the 4.0? I drive mostly 2 lane highway.
If there isn't a huge difference between the two I would love to have the additional towing power, but I would only need it a few times a year.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
I am going to be in the market in the next 2-3 months for a '03-'05 Explorer/Mountaineer. I currently have a '04 F150 SCab with the 4.6. I currently get 17 mpg all around. I would love to get around 20-22 mpg with my next vehicle.
What kind of mileage can I expect with the 4.6 in the Explorer? With the 4.0? I drive mostly 2 lane highway.
If there isn't a huge difference between the two I would love to have the additional towing power, but I would only need it a few times a year.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
My previous '02 XLT with the 4.0L V6 got 1mpg better mileage around town than my '04; the '04 gets the same highway mileage when not towing and 1mpg better when towing (both had the tow package with 3.73 LS rear gears). Get the V8!
Steve
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Hi - I have a 2003 Explorer, 4.0 with 3.55 gears, so only the class 2 towing package - the little hitch. Make some couple hundred mile flat terrain drives a few times a year and I have heard the same thing about the 4.6V8 - very little penalty for going with the V8.
That said, I think 18 all around would be good. You might get 20 on the road empty and at 70MPH or less, but it's hard work. Did I81 in Virginia and got just under 20, well, really 20 at 70MPH at about 2000 RPM. Just a lot of vehicle and turning driveline to do much better.
On secondary highways with lots of police - ie 62MPH, yes 21 or 22 is possible for me, but even then if I hit traffic I am back down to 20.
In a land far away with older Explorers, my old 1995 Sport (smaller vehicle) with the 4.0 OHV, 5 Speed manual, 3.73 gears and Mobil 1 oil and back then, the ability to turn off the Control Trac 4 Wheel Drive, sure 23/24 MPG at 62 MPH.
Just my experiences
Thanks
Mike
That said, I think 18 all around would be good. You might get 20 on the road empty and at 70MPH or less, but it's hard work. Did I81 in Virginia and got just under 20, well, really 20 at 70MPH at about 2000 RPM. Just a lot of vehicle and turning driveline to do much better.
On secondary highways with lots of police - ie 62MPH, yes 21 or 22 is possible for me, but even then if I hit traffic I am back down to 20.
In a land far away with older Explorers, my old 1995 Sport (smaller vehicle) with the 4.0 OHV, 5 Speed manual, 3.73 gears and Mobil 1 oil and back then, the ability to turn off the Control Trac 4 Wheel Drive, sure 23/24 MPG at 62 MPH.
Just my experiences
Thanks
Mike
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
2002 Explorer 4.0 liter mpg
I bought my 2002 Explorer used last September and have been tracking the mileage very closely. On HWY averaging 70-80 mph you can expect just over 21 mpg. I'm very conscientious of my tire pressure and regular maintenance and have been running my tires a pound over the recommended 30 lb (F) and 35 lb (R) (driver door sticker) for the last 4 tanks of gas. I haven't had enough samples to see how much of a difference its making, but expect to see another 0.5 to 1.0 mpg. Since September, my median gas mileage over 47 fill ups has been 16.46 mpg. That includes all seasons and driving environments. During the winter you can expect to get 13 to 15.5 mpg and during summer expect a fairly consistent 16.5-17.5 mpg. I live near <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[img] /><st1:City w:st=[/img]Detroit</st1:City> on relatively flat terrain. Hope this helps.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
My '03 Limited AWD 4.6 gets around 21-23 highway (65-72 mph) and 17 +/- around town. Even at 75-80 I get 20-21, but a lot of stop and go and it can drop down to 15. My average per tank has been 20-21 over the past 2.5 years, but we have some steep grades that hurt it on our daily commute.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Near Green Bay
Thanks everyone... I guess it sounds like I might do a bit better, but will be in about the same boat as my F150.
Wolverine~ what engine/rear gear do you have? 4x4/AWD/4X2?
So it doesn't sound like the rear gear makes much difference?
And I was nervous about getting an AWD model, since I only need it a few times a winter and that is a lot of rotating mass., but it sounds like it is all about the same.
If anyone else would like to chime in that would be great!
Thanks!
Mike
Wolverine~ what engine/rear gear do you have? 4x4/AWD/4X2?
So it doesn't sound like the rear gear makes much difference?
And I was nervous about getting an AWD model, since I only need it a few times a winter and that is a lot of rotating mass., but it sounds like it is all about the same.
If anyone else would like to chime in that would be great!
Thanks!
Mike
Last edited by topdeadcenter; Oct 2, 2006 at 06:55 AM.
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Well, my truck is quite a bit older than what you are probably looking at, but I'll put in my 2 cents anyway.
I have a 1992 XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 OHV and an auto tranny with 3.27 gears and a silly moonvisor from the previous owner.. I can nail 21mpg in that truck doing 70mph down the interstate. Not too shabby considering that its an auto with the OHV motor. The only thing I have done to the truck is an electric cooling fan which seems to have helped with the mileage as well as around town power. Around town I tend to average 14.5 or 15mpg. (Not positive on that, I'd have to check my spreadsheet) All things considered, I would get the 4.0 again but in the SOHC flavor. The SOHC motor is a helluva motor with a lot of power. I guess it boils down to which one you prefer. Go drive one with the 4.0 and go drive a 4.6 and buy which ever one you like the most.
I have a 1992 XLT 4x4 with the 4.0 OHV and an auto tranny with 3.27 gears and a silly moonvisor from the previous owner.. I can nail 21mpg in that truck doing 70mph down the interstate. Not too shabby considering that its an auto with the OHV motor. The only thing I have done to the truck is an electric cooling fan which seems to have helped with the mileage as well as around town power. Around town I tend to average 14.5 or 15mpg. (Not positive on that, I'd have to check my spreadsheet) All things considered, I would get the 4.0 again but in the SOHC flavor. The SOHC motor is a helluva motor with a lot of power. I guess it boils down to which one you prefer. Go drive one with the 4.0 and go drive a 4.6 and buy which ever one you like the most.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Texas
AWD Requirement???
~And I was nervous about getting an AWD model, since I only need it a few times a winter and that is a lot of rotating mass., but it sounds like it is all about the same.~
You'd be surprised how secure AWD feels in the rain, too. It really has year-round advantages!
JS
You'd be surprised how secure AWD feels in the rain, too. It really has year-round advantages!
JS
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Just picked up an 03 Explorer Eddie B. with 96k on it and it's getting 21 Hwy. 4.0L not sure on the gears. I don't think thats too bad considering it has every option on it. My boy loves watching Baby Einstien cruisin down the road. Fitty
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: "Garden State"
Wife had a 2002 base XLT with the 4.0 V-6 and got 16 mpg for "everyday" driving and 21 mpg on long highway trips at 70-80 mph. She got a 2005 Eddie Bauer loaded Explorer with the 4.6 V-8 and gets 15 and 20 mpg under the same driving conditions. The V-8 has some major noticeable power compared to the V-6. In my opinion the 1 mpg penalty for the V-8 is worth it. Both are fitted with the 3:55 diff gears and the same 5 speed auto tranny. I'm in NJ so we have the crappy oxygenated gas that kills your mpg compared to "real" gas 
.
Whimsey
.Whimsey
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2005 Explorer, 4.6 V8, 3.55, ClassIV Hitch
City/Suburban: 14mpg-15mpg
Highway: 16mpg-17mpg (65-75mph)
I rented an 2006 Explorer V6 recently, and found the V6 had slightly better, but not outrageouly better, mpg than the V8.
I hadn't the opportunity to measure rigorously, but I got some anecdotal numners which apeared to be in the range
City/Suburban: 15mpg-16mpg
Highway: 18mpg-19mpg (65-75mph)
Given the modest difference in mpg, I, personally, would go with the V8.
The biggest difference I saw in the V6, vs the V8, was on the freeway. The V6, after about 55mph, I found to be a brick. Around town it's ok.
My V8 will move swiftly from 55mph to 80mph, without effort. Good passing power.
City/Suburban: 14mpg-15mpg
Highway: 16mpg-17mpg (65-75mph)
I rented an 2006 Explorer V6 recently, and found the V6 had slightly better, but not outrageouly better, mpg than the V8.
I hadn't the opportunity to measure rigorously, but I got some anecdotal numners which apeared to be in the range
City/Suburban: 15mpg-16mpg
Highway: 18mpg-19mpg (65-75mph)
Given the modest difference in mpg, I, personally, would go with the V8.
The biggest difference I saw in the V6, vs the V8, was on the freeway. The V6, after about 55mph, I found to be a brick. Around town it's ok.
My V8 will move swiftly from 55mph to 80mph, without effort. Good passing power.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Stanly County N.C.
1993 4.0 with a 5 speed manual, not sure on the gearing but they are desert gears. Avg 18-21 around town and 23-25 hwy driving normally and not going over 70 MPH. Wish I had a choice of the V-8, This thing is a slug and the V-8's are so much smoother.