Expected MPG's

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Chris Fine 2

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Hello all. I'm just checking in with the collective brain to see where I stand on MPG's. I've got a 2007 Limited (4.6L, 4x4) with about 138,000. I just replaced my two front wheel hub assemblies and reset my MPG calculator. I do about 50/50 highway/city driving. I'm sitting at about 16 mpg. Is that where I should be? Everything on the truck is stock. If that is low, what should I check to improve efficiency? If that is about right, what mods could I look at doing to improve?



Thanks,



Chris
 
Sounds about right to me for mixed. Mine does OK around town but really shines on the highway. I got 24.5 MPG on a trip back from Buffalo NY! Pretty impressive for a 2 ton, 4WD, V8 truck IMO!
 
I don't have much faith in the on-board mileage calculator. Better to do it the old fashioned way by dividing actual miles driven by the amount of fuel used.

To improve your fuel mileage you could install a better air filter or a CAI (Cold Air Intake), a less restrictive exhaust system and a computer re-calibration. However, those mods also make the vehicle sound better and be more responsive which can lead to temptation...:driving:
 
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Roger,

I agree with you. My '88 5.0L T-Bird would indicate 27.5 to 28 mpg on the highway. When I calculated it with math. It was more like 22 mpg highway. Tire diameter was oem and gears also at that time. So I quit looking at the on board fuel metering. IMO, too many electronics are turning us into stupid drivers.:banghead:
 
I've just started using the Fuelly app to actually calculate it myself. I'll have my first calculation this weekend when I fill up again. I'll post those results here.



Thanks,



Chris
 
Simple solution is to get a Ultra-Gauge or Scan Gauge that allows you to calibrate your speedometer/odometer. Factory speedo's and gas guages are often way off and cannot be relied on for accurate gas mileage calculations. These guages also include instantaious mileage read-outs that show you when those driving habits that are giving you your best gas mileage.



I have a Utra Gauge that I used in my 2002 Toyota Highlander and was easily able to improve my driving habits to increase my gas mileage from 21 MPG to about 27 MPG.



The problem with most driving conditions is that you don't have a clue as to how much gas you are using. Even if you drive the same route to work, day after day, your mileage can vary a lot from day to day. A few extra cars in the traffic flow, or a waiting a at a traffic light when you normally make that light can really eat up your gas mileage. With an Ultra Gauge, you can quickly see how quicker acceleration from a stop light can really eat into your gas mileage....far more than most people would believe.



Any gauge that tells you how well you are doing while trying to save gas will make a big difference in your gas mileage.



....Rich
 
One of the best fuel mileage aides I have seen was the OEM boost/vacuum gauge on the Thunderbird SC I used to own. If it was reading low boost or high vacuum that indicated minimal throttle application and therefore maximum fuel mileage. Unfortunately it was may more fun to watch the boost side of the gauge climb.
 
Roger,

Yes, years ago a number of vehicles came from the factory with Vacuum gauges...or what they often called "Economy Gauges". They certainly did work if you how to use them.



With the new Ultra-Gauge and SmartGauge, it takes all the guesswork out of getting the best mileage since they give an instantaneous MPG read out. I have seen my Ultra-Gauge go from as little as 4 MPG to over 120 MPG...but both readings are very brief, only lasting a second or two. With modern technology, you can see MPG changes simply going up a very slight, gradual slope that you may not recognize that you are going up hill. You can also see the effects of wind on your vehicle as well as minor chages in your cruising speed.



...Rich
 
So......



By the time I filled up the truck told me I was getting 15.2 MPG. Fuely told me 15.1 MPG based on miles driven and fuel quantity at fill up. The on board calculator seem pretty accurate to me.



I'm going to install a CAI in the next couple months and I will report back on the results of the increase, or at least I hope increase.



Thanks,



Chris
 
I have this 07 with 84,200 miles ,and around town I have been getting between 15 and 16 says my dash gauge .For some reason it has been reading 14 and still runs as good as before so I don't understand that .Maybe I need to get it on the highway and run it a while then see what it will read after doing that. Open for suggestions too.
 
Hello all. I'm just checking in with the collective brain to see where I stand on MPG's. I've got a 2007 Limited (4.6L, 4x4) with about 138,000. I just replaced my two front wheel hub assemblies and reset my MPG calculator. I do about 50/50 highway/city driving. I'm sitting at about 16 mpg. Is that where I should be? Everything on the truck is stock. If that is low, what should I check to improve efficiency? If that is about right, what mods could I look at doing to improve?



Thanks,



Chris

I have 2008 Adrenalin with 4.0 v6, auto 4x4, 85,000 miles. I did the exhaust system project to free up pressure and make the sound better. I did the throttle body mod too. I use a programmer which really changed the way the engine operates. I purchase 100% gasoline with no ethanol added. The gas allows me to get around 18 - 19 around town and 21-23 on the highway. I love outside DC (nearly 50 miles) so there are gas stations that offer ethanol free gas which is more costly but I use it for all my yard engines and my Sport Trac. All of these changes have added to better mileage, better sound, better performance. I also changed out the tires with wider 20" Bridgestone rather than the stock 20" that come with Adrenalin. The shocks were swapped which made a HUGE difference in ride and comfort. Other mods include changing the gear shift to match the more modern Ford Edge gear shifter. I also swapped all the bulbs to LED's and changed headlights and fogs to be HIDs. Can you tell I love my Sport Trac Adrenalin? I'm adding word grain trim in the next few weeks.
 
I have 2008 Adrenalin with 4.0 v6, auto 4x4, 85,000 miles. I did the exhaust system project to free up pressure and make the sound better. I did the throttle body mod too. I use a programmer which really changed the way the engine operates. I purchase 100% gasoline with no ethanol added. The gas allows me to get around 18 - 19 around town and 21-23 on the highway. I love outside DC (nearly 50 miles) so there are gas stations that offer ethanol free gas which is more costly but I use it for all my yard engines and my Sport Trac. All of these changes have added to better mileage, better sound, better performance. I also changed out the tires with wider 20" Bridgestone rather than the stock 20" that come with Adrenalin. The shocks were swapped which made a HUGE difference in ride and comfort. Other mods include changing the gear shift to match the more modern Ford Edge gear shifter. I also swapped all the bulbs to LED's and changed headlights and fogs to be HIDs. Can you tell I love my Sport Trac Adrenalin? I'm adding word grain trim in the next few weeks.
 
Hi Chris, I would say your good at that MPG.I have a 2007 trac 4.6 with 84,200 all local driving and was at 15 and 16 but have dropped to 14 MPG . I need to take it out and give mine a long drive at 70 mph get the cobb webs out . I haven't done anything to my engine except maintain it .
 
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