2001 Ranger
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 10
The obvious questions:
Is it a 4x4? That brings down your mileage. I get about 17 mpg on mine, lower than any other version of that era.
Is it loaded? If you're driving around with a 5,000 lb trailer or 700 lbs in the back, that will drag down your mileage.
Are your tires properly inflated?
Do you have the Check Engine Light on?
Has your air filter been replaced recently?
Do you have any kind of damage, fascia, or a utility bed that could negatively impact aerodymanics or weight?
Highway or in-town mileage? If highway, what's your average speed?
In terms of normal bed aero dymanics, if I remember correctly, you get the worst mileage with the tailgate down or missing, better with the tailgate up, better still with a tonneau cover, and best with a cap.
Is it a 4x4? That brings down your mileage. I get about 17 mpg on mine, lower than any other version of that era.
Is it loaded? If you're driving around with a 5,000 lb trailer or 700 lbs in the back, that will drag down your mileage.
Are your tires properly inflated?
Do you have the Check Engine Light on?
Has your air filter been replaced recently?
Do you have any kind of damage, fascia, or a utility bed that could negatively impact aerodymanics or weight?
Highway or in-town mileage? If highway, what's your average speed?
In terms of normal bed aero dymanics, if I remember correctly, you get the worst mileage with the tailgate down or missing, better with the tailgate up, better still with a tonneau cover, and best with a cap.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
As Torgmada has suggeted we'll need more info about your ride, like engine & tranny, mileage on it, maintenance/repair history, where you now are on past & present due scheduled maintenance items, like fuel & air filters & what type air filter your using.
Are you running over sized tires????
Did this mpg problem come about slowly over time, or suddenly after some event????
Do you have a CEL lit????
More queations to maybe help narrow down your mpg trouble shoot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,147
Likes: 0
I had an 04 4x4 ranger with the 4.0, manual tranny and 4:10 gears and I was getting 22 mpg city and 24-25 highway. I had some engine mods and ran synthetic fluids. I live and work in the country, so I do no real city driving, maybe small town at best. My mileage was awesome, however not the norm. 18 mpg is about the norm for a 4x4 ranger with the 4.0 in local driving. If your getting only 12, there is a problem. If your truck has oversized tires, this can throw off the speedo as well as your calculations. So please, give us some more info on your truck and maybe we can figure this thing out.
