Abysmal Fuel Mileage

[HDA]

Stupid question, but do you reset your mpg tally at every fill up? Do you run premium fuel?

My engine runs more efficiently with 92 octane, it could be a placebo effect but I do see an increase of mpg and overall engine responsiveness with premium fuel. I baby mine because I'm always watching the mpg meter and I average around 23 mpg in the bay area, and 27 mpg on long road trips.

My total average on the "lie-o-meter" states 22.7mpg at 20,000miles, I've never reset that one.

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[JohnnyO]

Make sure your speedometer/odometer is correct. Check the speed against the speed on your GPS. If you put on larger tires it will record less miles than you actually travel and throw off the mpg calculation.
City traffic is a killer.
Some parts of the country use oxygenated fuel in the summer and that hurts your mileage.

 

[deleriumtremor]

That mileage seems REALLY bad. I drive about 80% in town, stop sign to stop sign (pretty much the same as stop and go) and I am averaging 21.4 MPG (the 20% highway miles really helps, I average about 25 MPG in that mode at 65 MPH). If I don't have any highway miles, my average is more like 18 MPG (that is all hand calculated). I am calibrating my on board computer right now to get the reported mileage to match my hand calculated mileage.

Do you have large tires on your truck? Any other mod that would remove 4 MPG?

 

[Frenchy]

In bumper to bumper stop and go traffic you will always use more fuel. That is why the MPG rating for city is lower than HWY. Mind you depending on your foot it may be lower or higher since many things will change the results. Not much else to say here.

 

[Langwilliams]

I don't drive in any stop an go traffic but if I spend any time in drive thru lines the avg starts dropping after a few minutes. It's probably the nature of the beast for your driving conditions.

You could do an experiment an fill up an reset the trip meter on a weekend day an hit the highway for cruise. Go 30 miles or so then come back at the speed limit an see what you get. If it's around 22 or better your gauge is pretty close.

Adding a second gas saver would take forever to recoup the expense in saved gas. Best bet might be to get a maverick hybrid or preorder a hybrid ranger.

 

[JasonTremor]

If you are getting 14-15mpg in 6 miles of bumper to bumper stop light to stoplight traffic, I'd say you are doing pretty good. With what I imagine in that description, I cant visualize you getting past 3rd or 4th gear at best.

How many red lights in the 6 miles and how long does the 6 mile commute take you?

 

[Utope]

Keep in mind if you’re using ASS there is a break even time that the engine needs to remain off. If you are creeping every 1 or 2 seconds after it shuts off you will use more gas.

Some other tips, if you see brake lights ahead take your foot off the gas. You’re better off coasting at 10mph than driving 35mph up to traffic or a red light, stopping, then idle.

 

[Wytchdctr]

F it.. Yolo... hit boost in between each bumper to bumper stop.

On a serious note: Check how much more a hybrid is over a non-hybrid apples to apples comparison car and see how long it takes to break even vs the battery's life. The same if you are buying a second car to save money. Trading in because our trucks have great trade in - I would go with a slightly used Toyota Corolla if you want good gas mileage and no joy in life (not even the fun of a break down from time to time)

 

[OFC Ranger]

Can you explain why this would increase fuel efficiency? Why would you not use 10th gear on the highway?

Specifically with city driving, I would never hit 6/7-10 anyway. What does locking those out achieve?

Locking out to 7th gear keeps me right about 2100rpms around the city. No chuggin on grades or hills.

My average increase in MPG around town was 1-2 once I started doing this. Plenty of threads on it.

Also, its not secret, but generally a tuner, even with a 93+ one, will net you better MPG. The stock transmission mapping and fuel systems are retarded for some reason.

Factory MPG estimate tests are some of the biggest bunch of bologna allowed to happen. Go look up how they are done. Lets just say its nothing like real world driving.

If you modify your tire size, or raise your height, or any of a number of other things, kiss your MPG goodbye (in relation to "estimates" from the manufacturer)

 

[Cabose-1]

Sounds about right. Nothing wrong with the truck. Lots of idling and going nowhere.

 

[9zero1790]

Make sure your speedometer/odometer is correct. Check the speed against the speed on your GPS. If you put on larger tires it will record less miles than you actually travel and throw off the mpg calculation.
City traffic is a killer.
Some parts of the country use oxygenated fuel in the summer and that hurts your mileage.

i bet that nailed it. i bet the odometer and speedo are not accurate and its throwing things off.

 

[halligan1201]

I don't drive in any stop an go traffic but if I spend any time in drive thru lines the avg starts dropping after a few minutes. It's probably the nature of the beast for your driving conditions.

You could do an experiment an fill up an reset the trip meter on a weekend day an hit the highway for cruise. Go 30 miles or so then come back at the speed limit an see what you get. If it's around 22 or better your gauge is pretty close.

Adding a second gas saver would take forever to recoup the expense in saved gas. Best bet might be to get a maverick hybrid or preorder a hybrid ranger.

The NA hybrid Ranger is still speculation at this point. Ford confirmed it for Australia but hasn't mentioned it for NA yet. I'd be surprised not to see one but I'm also betting Ford internally has some fighting going on between Maverick and Ranger groups because they won't want those products more closely competing with each other and cannibalizing sales from each other.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

If it's just 6 miles, and in California weather, get an e-Bike and just ride to work. Can get a decent commuter one for a couple thousand or less. Keeps you fit, saves on gas, and with the electric assist you can save enough energy to not be sweaty when you get to work. Plus, if it truly is that much stop and go traffic, you might not take that much longer on the bike to get to work.
If it wasn't winter 6+ months a year here, and my route wasn't along highway shoulders, I would definitely just commute with an e-Bike.

 

[lazynorse]

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.

If it's just 6 miles, and in California weather, get an e-Bike and just ride to work. Can get a decent commuter one for a couple thousand or less. Keeps you fit, saves on gas, and with the electric assist you can save enough energy to not be sweaty when you get to work. Plus, if it truly is that much stop and go traffic, you might not take that much longer on the bike to get to work.
If it wasn't winter 6+ months a year here, and my route wasn't along highway shoulders, I would definitely just commute with an e-Bike.

 

[Langwilliams]

My son rode his E bike year round here in Ohio unless the road was covered in snow. I think he said the power delivery was something like 10% assist to 90% assist. He built his but now wishes he bought a purpose built one. His technically should have license plates since it will hit 40 mph at 90% assist with him pedaling as fast as he can.

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