Abysmal Fuel Mileage

[HDEO]

If your commute is only 6 miles maybe consider an electric bike. I rode my e bike to work yesterday and my commute is more than 13 miles. With traffic it’s actually almost same time. Plus little stress and I get exercise. Just a thought.

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[Deleted member 1634]

not around here. red lights dont apply to cyclists apparently. they zig zag and weave there way through in some way.

Yeah, same in most cities it seems. When I ride in city traffic, which is maybe once every few years for me, I'm always so much more cautious and diligent to the rules than I usually am riding elsewhere. I don't understand the carelessness of riders in cities.

OP if you do commute on a bike, don't be like that please.

 

[Ryandude2448]

I live 7 miles from where I work. In the truck I would average about 16.5mpg on my commute due to lights and traffic (two school zones).
I got a motorcycle in December and ride it nearly every day. I get 85mpg on it. I nearly broke my neck yesterday when I saw gas prices, then remembered I filled up the truck 3 weeks ago ?

 

[DonB]

I have been watching my fuel mileage over the last couple months as gas has been rising. Lie-o-meter says 13.8 MPG and hand calculated says 14.86. My commute is 6 miles in bumper to bumper, stop light to stop light, traffic. Last 2 weeks been driving it like a grandpa and still haven't crossed 15 MPG. Even with a terrible traffic, stoplight commute I feel like I should be doing better than sub-15. Or should I just start considering a N/A gas engine or hybrid for my commute?

Two biggest issues here.
Cold trucks burn more gas warming up and the stop and go.

 

[Gsxrdoug]

This truck wasn't designed for city driving. I too only get about 16-17 if lucky, with traffic on my 8 mile commute.

 

[Aonarch]

I have been watching my fuel mileage over the last couple months as gas has been rising. Lie-o-meter says 13.8 MPG and hand calculated says 14.86. My commute is 6 miles in bumper to bumper, stop light to stop light, traffic. Last 2 weeks been driving it like a grandpa and still haven't crossed 15 MPG. Even with a terrible traffic, stoplight commute I feel like I should be doing better than sub-15. Or should I just start considering a N/A gas engine or hybrid for my commute?

I put your problem in bold.

Anticipate light changes more with braking and acceleration.

Creep instead of hitting the throttle to pull forward in bumper to bumper, aka just let off the brake.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

For what it is worth, this just in from my local Ford dealer: Simple Ways To Go Further On A Tank Of Gas | Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center in Chadds Ford, PA (quicklanepa.com)

 

[cfhgarza]

I don't know what you need to do with your truck but have you looked into a Maverick Hybrid?

I got a Honda Grom a couple months ago and it's averaging 100mpg. It's tiny and easy to ride

 

[GTGallop]

Right now I could easily sell it for more than I paid for it. Question is on a replacement what I would pay and if that's worth it.

Without knowing what your needs are, I can tell you that when I sold my Titan (back the last time gas was $4.50 in 2013), I got a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I paid that Fusion Hybrid off QUICK with the savings from the gas. Continued to drive it up to 2020 when I got the Ranger. It was great on fuel - 43MPG. Your logic is solid.

You can get a USED Nissan Leaf for $15k to $25k depending on your expectations.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...Entity=d2077&zip=85086#listing=331971700/NONE

It will get you 6 miles from A to B just fine. Zero dollars on Gas.
I'd sell the truck.
Buy the leaf.
Pocket the profits and put it away in an account you don't touch.
Drive that Leaf for 3 to 4 years.
Sell it and go buy a truck again.

 

[Zvedza]

Stop n go killed the mpg on the tremor too.

Also have to wonder about oil dilution with such short trips too with it being direct injection based on some posts people mentioned in here.

 

[KA5CVH]

2021 XLT FX2 ... My commute is ~11 miles each way, Mostly city boulevard type roads. Mostly 40 MPH short run of 50 MPH. I average ~21 MPG around town and I've seen ~26 on the highway, sustained ~70 MPH. Now if I push it over 70 it drops off to about 23 @ 80 MPH.

 

[Apples]

First, buy a gasoline test kit from Amazon, and test your gasoline. You might be surprised at the outcome. Remember, gasoline may contain UP TO 10% ethanol. Some premium gasoline doesn't have any ethanol, but may show some small content due to mixing of regular and premium for the mid range gasoline.

Too much ethanol is not a good thing, unless you own a flex fuel model, which the current Ranger is not! I don't know who tests the gasoline at the refinery, but some of the cheap brands have somewhat more ethanol than 10%.

 

[EJH]

OP are you using premium gas (91-93) or regular (87) or ?

My experience is premium yields much better milage and performance. My MPG with premium vs regular is greater than the cost difference (if you convert to gas cost per mile). YMMV.

 

[JesseS]

I'm not in the OPs shoes but as an E bike owner, I can tell you 6 miles is done quickly and way more fun on a bike than in a car. I have a Rad Power Bike, the Rad Rover fat tire model. I like to cheat on hills but you get as much of a workout as you please by choosing the tiers of pedal assist. If you want no workout or sweating on a commute, set pedal assist high.

Doability has everything to do with your comfort level, safety, etc. Bike lanes are a plus. If its plain murder and mayhem, then I'd waste gas in the safety of a car.

Just want to point out you can zip off 6 miles in no time on an E bike, but you're still waiting at the red lights I suppose.

We also have RAD Power Bikes, since 2019, and I have over 1500 miles on mine, saved over $300 in gas, and had a blast doing it. (also helped me in staying healthy)
Photo at Fallen Leaf Lake in the Tahoe Basin.
I am getting 18-20 MPG on the Ranger, and don't baby it, has the FP tune.

 

[9zero1790]

anyone remember how they got the diesel to crank in the movie operation petticoat ? witch doctor dance! thats how you get better mileage in the ranger...

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