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I have a 2000 Mazda B3000 4x4 (extended), thats the 3.0 Ranger engine with the auto trans, I was wondering what the stock thermostat temp rating is, which is probably the one still in there and if I should replace it with one that runs a little warmer for better gas mileage. I have read on this forum that lower temp thermostats do not encourage better mileage so if thats the case which themostat rating should I replace it with? My mileage sucks and I have replaced the plugs (dble plat) and air filter, the truck has only 60,000 miles and otherwise is flawless. I am also working on babying the gas pedal, but it is a truck after all.
all responses greatly appreciated,
MHitlow
Mostly city driving, 14-15 mpg, By the way the temp gauge is alway less then at the half way point like between the 1/4 and 1/2 way point on the temp gauge. Is that the way its supposed to read?
Also is the fuel filter easy to get to? I have replaced them before on other vehicles, I guess Ill pick up a manuel. Thanks Ranger Pilot.
Your mileage may suck, but thats about normal for a 4x4, auto tranny and 3.0. I swapped to synthetic fluids in the engine, tranny, t-cast, and rear diff, I believed it helped. I did some other things a round the same time, so can't tell what helped the most. When the truck was new and stock, I was getting 18/21 and now get 22/24, but I do no city driving, my low number is country roads and small town. Also the sohc motors get better mpg than do the ohv like your 3.0. It will never be good on gas, but you may find some things to try to help a bit, but don't expect miricles.
The k&n will probobly start a flame war, it's a touchy issue here, you have those for and against. I say try it, if nothing else, you won't have to buy another air filter. I have had good luck with k&n over the years. I now use aem, because I don't have to oil it, but I have an intake and use a cone filter. AEM doesn't make a pannel filter. Another filter you don't hear much about but gets great reviews in testing, is amsoil filters. Not only do they increase airflow, they filter better than k&n according to test. The test was done my JP magazine, november issue. I belong to L.O.S.T, a jeep liberty site. The guy's there, say by adding an aem intake and borla catback, their mpg has gone up by 2 mpg, several people has reported this. Your free to scan the site, All vehicles are different, so it may not help your ranger, but I believe it has helped mine, a long with some other things, I wasn't after better mpg, it was just a welcomed side benifit.
Thanks for the feedback Wendall, I checked the K&N and AEM site for their products but none offer a package for a 3.0 engine, which is what I seem to remember about the cold air intake boost accesories namely they are for the 4.0 engines. However amsoil makes the oilwet panel airfilter that I believe offers more air and fits into the existing housing, I can also probably change the exhaust as well to a borla as I believe they fit anything. I am willing to try. Thanks again.
Matt, the inside temp is fine very warm, so I am guessing the thermostat is not running to cold, and supplying enough engine warmth for peak MPG performance. Thanks didnt really want to change out the thermostat if I diddnt have to.
Mhilow
Check www.jusnesmodified.com, They are a sponser here, they had intakes that would fit your 3.0. They were by k&n, volant and AFE. They have the volant on sale for 209.00$ and it fits 98-2001 3.0. Volant is a quality intake and perfered by a lot of our users. The also has catbacks for your truck, and the ranger famous bama programer. I hadn't mentioned it before, but just about everyone who has the bama programer has gotten better mpg and for sure more power and torque. Bama is the real deal, it's by far the best product I've gotten for my ranger. Doug at bama can even create a mpg tune for you on 87 octane. Jusnesmodified also has under drive pulley's for the 3.0 that can help with mpg and e-fans. Like I say, by doing some of these mods, I went from 18/21 to 22/24, so they do help. You may not need an intake, just a good filter, but the 3 things that I feel would help for sure, are the bama programer, udp and synthetics, a catback may help, but it sure gives your truck a nice rumble if nothing else. Jusnes has great prices and he's the only one that can sell bama programers other than bama it's self.
My 2002 calls for a 197 degree thermostat, and my gauge is always right in the middle, if it's 20 degrees outside, or 125 degrees going up a grade with the A/C on, it doesn't budge. I replaced my Thermostat, spark plugs, wires, and changed all my fluids and filters at 50k, just so i have piece of mind. I don't like the new ranger, so i want to make sure mine lasts a long time.
thats because the 2002 guage is what i call an all or nothing guage. its got something of 3 positions. cold, normal and hot. its not a variable guage
Matt
I don't think that is true. The oil pressure gauge is that way, due to the sending unit being a normally open switch, but I believe both coolant temp
sending units (for PCM, and gauge) are analog.
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