MPG dropping

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Feb 13, 2008 | 10:41 PM

Cpuslayer

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MPG dropping

I seem to loosing some MPG on my 2001 ranger 4x4 4.0L. I use to average 16mpg with lumber racks installed which is still low, but now the last couple of tanks I am hitting 13.5 MPG and i'm easier on the gas. It is 30-40F here and I am using the same gas stations as before.

Before my last fill up with gas, I changed out spark plugs, changed oil, idler pulley, tensioner, changed transmission filter & oil, fuel filter, air filter is clean, and it runs good. It still didn't increase the MPG. In past winters my MPG went up because i'm easy on the throttle, but now it has gone way down. Any ideas?

Last edited by Cpuslayer; Feb 13, 2008 at 10:45 PM.

Feb 14, 2008 | 12:10 AM

Bear River

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From: Salt Lake City, Utah

Bad thermostat or ECT can cause poor economy by fooling the ECM into thinking the engine is colder than it really is. It will run in warmup mode longer, or stay in warmup mode all the time.

If the O2 sensor hasn't been replaced in the last 80,000 miles, it probably wouldn't hurt to replace it too. Besides, if you leave them in too long, they get stuck and won't come out.

Feb 14, 2008 | 05:10 AM

wendell borror

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Also alot of states run winter blends, they pollute less but get worse mpg as well. I allways get worse mpg in the winter here in Ohio than I do in the summer.

Feb 14, 2008 | 09:01 AM

sfcwoodret

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Try a tank of premium gasoline and see what it gets on that. That may tell you something.

Feb 14, 2008 | 09:41 AM

Bear River

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From: Salt Lake City, Utah

Premium gasoline won't help. Premium gasoline isn't better, its just higher octane. Higher octane is harder to burn, so if anything, it will reduce the fuel economy of an engine that does not have a high enough compression ratio to burn it. And it will cause carbon deposits, which can gradually cause additional problems. Use the octane rating recommended in your owners manual

Feb 14, 2008 | 12:07 PM

nelstone74

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From: Roseville MN

Check the tire air pressure. The pressure can drop as it gets colder

Feb 14, 2008 | 03:39 PM

wtroger

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You are seeing the results of the addition of Ethanol to your gas as an octane booster. They had to quit using mtb. Almost all gas has ethanol in it now and it will hurt fuel mileage.