Horrible MPG's

[CoastieN70]

Except, this truck is rated at 20-21mpg city, and if we do use best practices and still don't come close I see a reason to at least discuss it. Just bashing people (not saying you specifically) because they experience different real world fuel consumption is unnecessary and unproductive.

I get really good mileage considering my relatively heavy foot, but I can say without hesitation that even with the best driving techniques there is no way I am going to get 20 - 21 mpg out of my LOADED Lariat FX4. Just too much truck for that.

But if I had a stripped down, basic if you will, 2WD Ranger I suspect it might be humanly possible to get close to those numbers...

BTW I run 93 Octane because I have a LIVERNOIS tune installed BUT even if I didn't have the tune installed I would run higher than 87 octane for added power and likely better mileage.

For those that run 87 octane, I suggest you try 89 octane for a tank or two and check your millage. My bone stock 2017 Mustang gets noticeably (3mpg) better mileage on 93 vs 87 octane and wayyy more power....

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[Roofhopper]

These trucks definitely prefer higher octane fuel, I have been running 93 octane the past 6k+ miles and have noticed huge improvements in both economy and drive ability. No tune just yet but the higher octane did correct the low end hesitation and shutter at idle for me

 

[erhoth]

Ok I feel the need to chime in here. Just bought my Ranger (Lariat, 4x4) Tuesday. Defected from a 2016 Taco. I commute round-trip approximately 70 miles round trip to work with an 800 ft climb and then descent in elevation in the hilly eastern slope of Colorado. I have 380 miles on the truck and am getting 23 mpg solidly and it is slowly climbing. There are numerous factors that contribute to mpg's. I learned this the hard way with the Tacoma which I was only getting 19 mpg on the same route. Weight, all of these aftermarket accessories that add weight to the vehicle will affect mpg's. Especially heavier tires and wheels. The stock Hankook tires are very light around 35 pounds or something like that. If you switch to an E rated tire that is 50 pounds it is going to affect your mpg's. Wide tires (more rolling resistance) will also have a negative affect as will taller tires that are typically heavier and have different rolling revolution numbers. Tire pressure will have an effect. Heavy winches/bumpers, racks, etc will have an affect. In the Ranger manual it states how much weight will cost you 1 mpg somewhere I saw. Aerodynamics also play in. A bug deflector changes the aerodynamics adversely and a tonneau cover can help improve it. Then there are driving habits, city versus highway, fuel octane, etc. I was concerned by all of the complaints that i read about the Ranger's poor mpg performance, but so far from my limited experience with it, it is right as advertised. If your Ranger is completely stock and you are getting 16 or 17 mpg's then I would have the dealer look into it. Something isn't right.

 

[Lunchbox88]

Ok I feel the need to chime in here. Just bought my Ranger (Lariat, 4x4) Tuesday. Defected from a 2016 Taco. I commute round-trip approximately 70 miles round trip to work with an 800 ft climb and then descent in elevation in the hilly eastern slope of Colorado. I have 380 miles on the truck and am getting 23 mpg solidly and it is slowly climbing. There are numerous factors that contribute to mpg's. I learned this the hard way with the Tacoma which I was only getting 19 mpg on the same route. Weight, all of these aftermarket accessories that add weight to the vehicle will affect mpg's. Especially heavier tires and wheels. The stock Hankook tires are very light around 35 pounds or something like that. If you switch to an E rated tire that is 50 pounds it is going to affect your mpg's. Wide tires (more rolling resistance) will also have a negative affect as will taller tires that are typically heavier and have different rolling revolution numbers. Tire pressure will have an effect. Heavy winches/bumpers, racks, etc will have an affect. In the Ranger manual it states how much weight will cost you 1 mpg somewhere I saw. Aerodynamics also play in. A bug deflector changes the aerodynamics adversely and a tonneau cover can help improve it. Then there are driving habits, city versus highway, fuel octane, etc. I was concerned by all of the complaints that i read about the Ranger's poor mpg performance, but so far from my limited experience with it, it is right as advertised. If your Ranger is completely stock and you are getting 16 or 17 mpg's then I would have the dealer look into it. Something isn't right.

You have a 70 mile highway commute, seems like your fuel economy lines up with EPA estimations. I dont think many people are complaining as much about the highway mileage. but its always good to have more data points.

My truck is completely stock, with tonneau cover, 93 octane fuel, and driving mildly with no WOT pulls or anything Im getting like ~17.5mpg on my city commute.

 

[Hounddog409]

These trucks definitely prefer higher octane fuel, I have been running 93 octane the past 6k+ miles and have noticed huge improvements in both economy and drive ability. No tune just yet but the higher octane did correct the low end hesitation and shutter at idle for me

I run 89 octane in my supercab 4x4 and am averaging over 26 mpg.

Doubt if 91 would improve on that, though i will run 91 when towing for the little extra power.

 

[Roofhopper]

You have a 70 mile highway commute, seems like your fuel economy lines up with EPA estimations. I dont think many people are complaining as much about the highway mileage. but its always good to have more data points.

My truck is completely stock, with tonneau cover, 93 octane fuel, and driving mildly with no WOT pulls or anything Im getting like ~17.5mpg on my city commute.

Did you notice any difference after installing tonneau?

 

[Lunchbox88]

Did you notice any difference after installing tonneau?

Ive had it on since the first week I got the truck so I didn't really have a before comparison without it installed.

 

[Roofhopper]

I run 89 octane in my supercab 4x4 and am averaging over 26 mpg.

Doubt if 91 would improve on that, though i will run 91 when towing for the little extra power.

I’m planning on a lot of engine mods in the future so I’m just feeding it a diet of what it will ultimately end up needing

 

[erhoth]

You have a 70 mile highway commute, seems like your fuel economy lines up with EPA estimations. I dont think many people are complaining as much about the highway mileage. but its always good to have more data points.

My truck is completely stock, with tonneau cover, 93 octane fuel, and driving mildly with no WOT pulls or anything Im getting like ~17.5mpg on my city commute.

Is the auto/stop start feature enabled?

 

[Lunchbox88]

Is the auto/stop start feature enabled?

Yes

 

[erhoth]

At a loss then.....

 

[Polar Bear]

These trucks definitely prefer higher octane fuel, I have been running 93 octane the past 6k+ miles and have noticed huge improvements in both economy and drive ability. No tune just yet but the higher octane did correct the low end hesitation and shutter at idle for me

Agreed!

 

[Lunchbox88]

Did you notice any difference after installing tonneau?

Thought you might find this interesting.
Link to a study SEMA did about the effects of tonneau covers on drag. And a review that kind of summarizes it:
https://www.agricover.com/downloads/pdf/2007_windtunnel.pdf (PDF warning)

Summary
https://tundraheadquarters.com/the-tonneau-cover-fuel-economy-myth/

 

[Roofhopper]

Thought you might find this interesting.
Link to a study SEMA did about the effects of tonneau covers on drag. And a review that kind of summarizes it:
https://www.agricover.com/downloads/pdf/2007_windtunnel.pdf (PDF warning)

Summary
https://tundraheadquarters.com/the-tonneau-cover-fuel-economy-myth/

This is what I was driving towards in trying to figure out if there was a change after cover was installed. I put one on my full-size GMC years back and noticed my mileage tanked right after

 

[RedlandRanger]

This is what I was driving towards in trying to figure out if there was a change after cover was installed. I put one on my full-size GMC years back and noticed my mileage tanked right after

I did not see any noticeable improvement (or decline) in MPG after I installed my Extang Solid Fold 2.0. It is still worth it to me as I now have a place I can store things out of the rain without putting them in the cab.

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