Performance Q's re new '08 Explorer
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Performance Q's re new '08 Explorer
I just traded off my '95 Explorer on an '08 Explorer 4x4 (new). It's a 5 speed auto with standard 4.0 liter V6. Mileage is terrible, but I assume the full time 4WD is part of the cause. Window sticker said 13m/g city and 19m/g highway. Having driven it about 600 miles, I can't figure out what RPMs for 4th or 5th gear should provide peak fuel economy. On the 1st leg of a 300 mile roundtrip I tried to keep right around 1500 rpm (about 55mph). On the return, I ran with the traffic about 70mph (65mph speed limit), around 2 grand on the tach. I left the default Auto Overdrive turned on throughout the trip. I usually turn it off around the city so that it never shifts higher than 4th gear. On board computer said mileage going down was just over 14m/g and return mileage about 15 1/2m/g. Its been a long time since I had a virgin vehicle and don't know if the current generation "breaks in" before stabiling in performance. Are there performance curves available somewhere (performance and/or fuel efficiency)? Any and all thoughts greatly appreciated. Barry
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
All new cars seem to need a break in period, maybe 5000 miles or even more, before gas mileage stabilizes... The engine and the rest of the drivetrain needs to be "polished out" and even brand new tires seem to squirm and stick more than when they have a few miles on 'em.
I'm not sure where you are, but the winter gas (with 10% ethanol) in Michigan these last two years seems to lose me about 2 real mpg in my E150 (13.5 vs 15.5 city, and 16 vs 18 on the road). Used to be that stations used to have to advertise alcohol content, but this law is no more.
As for optimum mileage, I would think that 55 mph in 5th should give you better mpg than 70 mph because of wind drag, even though your experience was different in this one trip. But I have a hard time driving "hypermile" style and would have been going 70 mph anyway. I think the rule of thumb has been that revving the engine as little as possible without lugging it gives the best mileage.
Good luck with the new Exploder...
George
I'm not sure where you are, but the winter gas (with 10% ethanol) in Michigan these last two years seems to lose me about 2 real mpg in my E150 (13.5 vs 15.5 city, and 16 vs 18 on the road). Used to be that stations used to have to advertise alcohol content, but this law is no more.
As for optimum mileage, I would think that 55 mph in 5th should give you better mpg than 70 mph because of wind drag, even though your experience was different in this one trip. But I have a hard time driving "hypermile" style and would have been going 70 mph anyway. I think the rule of thumb has been that revving the engine as little as possible without lugging it gives the best mileage.
Good luck with the new Exploder...
George
