Bad Gas?!?!
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New User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Michigan
Bad Gas?!?!
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">So I have been very upset with my '07 Trac & dealership lately. The dealership basically drags their feet and tells me to change my driving habits when I go in concerned about getting 7.8 mpg with only 6500 miles on the clock & original owner. I have been driving around for quite some time getting around these mpg, with very little change. I took in the ST and inquired about it and all they had to say to me was to change my driving habits...
. They never even looked at it.
After being overly heated about the whole situation (couple months), I took some time back to think about it (yeah it took me a while). I get gas at the same place almost all of the time. A light came on in my head, maybe I am filling up with bad gas all of the time. I emptied the gas tank, got some fuel injector cleaner, and filled up with Shell V-power at a completely different gas station.
Once I got in my ST I reset the info center to zero out the average MPG. I then took my Trac out for a nice winter joy ride for about 45 minutes through the city (which is where I drive the most). When I got back into my garage I checked the MPG again. It said I averaged 12.5. MUCH better then the 7.8 I have been averaging the past couple of months. IS it really that simple, just bad gas?
So I am much more happy with my ST again. I think I was in dismay that the dealership put forth NO effort to help me with my issue, not even go look into it. They flat out told me to change the way I drive, which IMO is a bunch of horse poop.
If my mpg stay at that or better, I may just hang onto the ST instead of trading her in this spring. I had big plans for her & was soured, but I am getting happier once again.
Now all I have to do is get the dealership to make my transmission stop thrusting me forward when I let off the gas....still not a fan of that.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
. They never even looked at it. After being overly heated about the whole situation (couple months), I took some time back to think about it (yeah it took me a while). I get gas at the same place almost all of the time. A light came on in my head, maybe I am filling up with bad gas all of the time. I emptied the gas tank, got some fuel injector cleaner, and filled up with Shell V-power at a completely different gas station.
Once I got in my ST I reset the info center to zero out the average MPG. I then took my Trac out for a nice winter joy ride for about 45 minutes through the city (which is where I drive the most). When I got back into my garage I checked the MPG again. It said I averaged 12.5. MUCH better then the 7.8 I have been averaging the past couple of months. IS it really that simple, just bad gas?
So I am much more happy with my ST again. I think I was in dismay that the dealership put forth NO effort to help me with my issue, not even go look into it. They flat out told me to change the way I drive, which IMO is a bunch of horse poop.
If my mpg stay at that or better, I may just hang onto the ST instead of trading her in this spring. I had big plans for her & was soured, but I am getting happier once again.
Now all I have to do is get the dealership to make my transmission stop thrusting me forward when I let off the gas....still not a fan of that.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Bad gas can really screw things up. Shell is one of the "Top Shelf" gas retailers. I always buy my gas from Sunoco and use only gas from that station when I can help it.
The first thing I would suspect is water in the gas. Gas now has a lot of Ethanol in it which is hydroscopic. (Attracts moisture) I would run some water remover such as "Heet" or "Nox-Ice" in several tanks of gas. Add the water remover before you fill your tank with gas to ensure mixing. Follow the directions on how much to add.
I would recommend getting the fuel filter replaced as well. Its a cheap. I would also find another dealer that is better if you can.
My neighbor had similar problems in his F-250. He had got a couple tanks of bad gas at a local station. Their gas was cheapest, but it was junk. It took many fuel filter changes and many bottles of water remover until his truck started to improve.
As for the transmission, I have the same complaint. My moms 03' Explorer does the same thing. The dealer isn't going to do anything about it. The only thing to do is to use a tuner to adjust the shift pressure or go to a custom dyno tuning outfit to have the computer reflashed to adjust firmness. A shift kit can also be installed at a transmission shop for around $300 installed. I'm getting the shift kit installed on my moms 03'. Its also supposed to help the tranny last longer.
The first thing I would suspect is water in the gas. Gas now has a lot of Ethanol in it which is hydroscopic. (Attracts moisture) I would run some water remover such as "Heet" or "Nox-Ice" in several tanks of gas. Add the water remover before you fill your tank with gas to ensure mixing. Follow the directions on how much to add.
I would recommend getting the fuel filter replaced as well. Its a cheap. I would also find another dealer that is better if you can.
My neighbor had similar problems in his F-250. He had got a couple tanks of bad gas at a local station. Their gas was cheapest, but it was junk. It took many fuel filter changes and many bottles of water remover until his truck started to improve.
As for the transmission, I have the same complaint. My moms 03' Explorer does the same thing. The dealer isn't going to do anything about it. The only thing to do is to use a tuner to adjust the shift pressure or go to a custom dyno tuning outfit to have the computer reflashed to adjust firmness. A shift kit can also be installed at a transmission shop for around $300 installed. I'm getting the shift kit installed on my moms 03'. Its also supposed to help the tranny last longer.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
12.5 mpg is still WAY lower than you should be getting IMO. im assuming you have the v8 and 4x4. if so, you should be getting around 14. i'd suspect something else is wrong besides the bad gas. anyway, i avoid shell at all costs with my 97. for some reason they are the only gas that makes my truck run poorly. not only low mpg, but the engine runs louder and harsher, seems to not make as much power (lots more downshifting when going up steep hills then with chevron or mobil, which is my personal fav.).
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New User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Michigan
The next dealership is at least another hour away, I don't even know where
I feel sick about it all right now, literally sick to my stomach.
I feel sick about it all right now, literally sick to my stomach.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Michigan
Last fill up was at 6505 and it is at 1/2 tank with 6575, so 70 miles for 1/2 tank so far from hand calculating, yet Ford tells me there is nothing wrong and to change my driving habits....FORD probably never again. 
I hate being new here with nothing good to talk about.
I hate being new here with nothing good to talk about.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Heres what autozone is saying:
1 Inspect Fuel Injector Fuel injectors leaking fuel
2 Inspect Knock Sensor Improperly connected or faulty knock sensor.
3 Inspect Fuel Pump Loose or poorly connected fuel pump or fuel line connections.
4 Inspect Spark Plug Wire Loom - Performance Improperly adjusted or worn/malfunctioning carburetor.
5 Inspect Fuel Injector Pressure Regulator Faulty fuel injector pressure regulator or circuit.
6 Inspect Spark Plug Fouled, damaged or broken spark plug(s).
You will also experience poor mpg if there is an intake leak or an exhaust leak. These conditions cause the computer to compensate for the extra air in the system by adding more fuel to the cylinders... I know what you're thinking, how can I have one of those in my 2007? Its brand new. If you hit a splash of water while the engine was really hot, water could have splashed onto the manifolds and caused one to crack. You wont see a check engine light if the crack is small, but you will defintely notice a drop in fuel economy. These are of course, suggestions. Take them as purely speculation
1 Inspect Fuel Injector Fuel injectors leaking fuel
2 Inspect Knock Sensor Improperly connected or faulty knock sensor.
3 Inspect Fuel Pump Loose or poorly connected fuel pump or fuel line connections.
4 Inspect Spark Plug Wire Loom - Performance Improperly adjusted or worn/malfunctioning carburetor.
5 Inspect Fuel Injector Pressure Regulator Faulty fuel injector pressure regulator or circuit.
6 Inspect Spark Plug Fouled, damaged or broken spark plug(s).
You will also experience poor mpg if there is an intake leak or an exhaust leak. These conditions cause the computer to compensate for the extra air in the system by adding more fuel to the cylinders... I know what you're thinking, how can I have one of those in my 2007? Its brand new. If you hit a splash of water while the engine was really hot, water could have splashed onto the manifolds and caused one to crack. You wont see a check engine light if the crack is small, but you will defintely notice a drop in fuel economy. These are of course, suggestions. Take them as purely speculation
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia, TX
Originally Posted by Bootsy
Last fill up was at 6505 and it is at 1/2 tank with 6575, so 70 miles for 1/2 tank so far from hand calculating, yet Ford tells me there is nothing wrong and to change my driving habits....FORD probably never again.
I hate being new here with nothing good to talk about.
I hate being new here with nothing good to talk about.
CMOS
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Michigan
I am going to drop her off at the local dealership tomorrow and make them look at it somehow. The last time I took her there a brick managed it's way into my passenger side door....darn small towns. I'll keep you posted on what they say to me or do to my ST. Thank you all for your input!
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New User
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From: Michigan
Haven't had the expected time to drop off my ST, been sitting home for a while. BUT today when I took her out I now have a clicking in my steering colum. What would that be?
Oh yeah, gas mileage is sucking again....literally.
Oh yeah, gas mileage is sucking again....literally.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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The one thing I truely hate about my ST is the gas gauge is so inacurate they could have just left it out. Check your mpg from full tank to full tank only. I'm thinking intake air leak. I know its new and yes the dealer should fix it but maybe do a little investigating yourself. Pull a plug and see how it looks. Check for intake leaks with starting fluid or propane and let us know the results.