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Gas Milage - computer and sticker wrong

Garrabrant19

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Good morning. I’ve got a 2019 Ranger with 104k miles. During the life of my truck I have recorded and logged every drop of gas I have put into the truck and the mileage I did it at, so I have an incredible picture of what my ACTUAL fuel mileage is. But I want to know if anyone actually gets the advertised 24 highway and 20 city.

The lifetime average for my truck is 19.9mpg. My daily commute is 44 miles, with 42 of that being smooth flowing interstate driving. The lifetime average does include idling and towing which would lover the average but it also includes the many long distance trips which would raise it.

I have only gotten 24mpg out of 4 tanks of gas the entire time I’ve owned it. That requires me to be on the highway the entire tank, with the cruise set at 70 or less (anything above 70 and you really experience a drop off) AND the weather has to be mild. My fuel economy is highest in the spring and fall. The cold really drops the fuel economy and the heat of summer impacts it negatively as well but not as much as the cold.

I will also state that the calculated gas mileage on the dash is usually about 10% higher than the actual gas mileage I get when calculated by hand. The screen is great for telling you if you are getting good milage or not, but be aware the values it gives are not the most accurate

.
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Dereku

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Everything you said is accurate. I set my cruise at 72 and almost always see the sticker mpg. Drive at 80+ like most people do and you wont get there. Its not a civic its a truck. EPA test is done at slower speeds too.

A hill, a headwind, cross wind, rain, snow, winter gas, cosmic radiation, proximity of the earth to the center of the galaxy, that taco you ate last night, or fat friends all contribute to less MPGs.

Eco happens when you drive slowly and nicely, the boost fills in the rest. Anyone can hit the sticker number, are you willing to do what it takes? Most say no….
 

AzScorpion

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Good morning. I’ve got a 2019 Ranger with 104k miles. During the life of my truck I have recorded and logged every drop of gas I have put into the truck and the mileage I did it at, so I have an incredible picture of what my ACTUAL fuel mileage is. But I want to know if anyone actually gets the advertised 24 highway and 20 city.

The lifetime average for my truck is 19.9mpg. My daily commute is 44 miles, with 42 of that being smooth flowing interstate driving. The lifetime average does include idling and towing which would lover the average but it also includes the many long distance trips which would raise it.

I have only gotten 24mpg out of 4 tanks of gas the entire time I’ve owned it. That requires me to be on the highway the entire tank, with the cruise set at 70 or less (anything above 70 and you really experience a drop off) AND the weather has to be mild. My fuel economy is highest in the spring and fall. The cold really drops the fuel economy and the heat of summer impacts it negatively as well but not as much as the cold.

I will also state that the calculated gas mileage on the dash is usually about 10% higher than the actual gas mileage I get when calculated by hand. The screen is great for telling you if you are getting good milage or not, but be aware the values it gives are not the most accurate

.
You can set the fuel calculation using this thread here. I did this on both my Rangers because they were about 1-2 miles off from the factory and now it's dead on. It does take several (sometimes 6+) full tanks to get a consistent reading so give it time after every adjustment. I started at 944.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fuel-calculator-adjustment.2996/
 

Grumpaw

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What you have done is a cumulative average over the life of the truck.
To get a correct average you must do/drive the exact same for a number of fill-ups.....
The same gas, the exact amount of fuel pumped, the same exact amount of fuel used....
Same miles driven over the same roads, same temps, same exact speed, same time of day, same traffic, same number of stop/go cycles, same load, tire pressure...
Everything must be the same.....
Almost impossible to do
Simple math....to get an accurate "average" all values must be the same....
Even two trucks built right next to the other with the exact same equipment will have different "values"
 
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Rp930

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My truck with no modifications except a tonneau cover gets 20.5mpg combined probably 80% city.
 

Racket

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1000002956.webp

I have mods to improve gas mileage and corrected the onboard computer. This is from a couple hundred mile trip over fairly level roads using midgrade gas and the cruise control at 70 MPH. Could have done better at lower sustained speed and if I hadn't raised the front to level the truck. No tonneau cover.
 

Joeiconic

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I’m just over 40k and the computer says I’m getting 22.4 combined. This is in north Georgia, which is generally hilly. I guess I’ve never been interested enough to hand calculate ?

IMG_0153.webp
 

Tom_C

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I never calibrated the mileage computer, and I never hand calculate. When I need gas, I buy it. I look at the dash values as a general guide. I know I get better mileage on trips, and if I don't speed, or use the AC, or tow something.

And, since the beginning of the listed mileage on the sticker, when has it ever been true?
 

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Something to keep in mind when looking at the good old sticker on a new vehicle on the MPG. It will state that the advertised average is what testing was able to get and that your actual results may vary depending on conditions. A great example since you are in Tennessee is the good old hills and mountains there. Can't forget about wind as well. The little 2.3 Ecoboost will be affected easily by wind that MPG can drop.

Depending on how you drive and the condition of the vehicle overall will make a difference as well.
 

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What!?!?!?!?! No tailgate strut assist!!
That would add weight and also change the weight distribution of the truck by adding the weight to the rear, thus "raising the front" thus changing the airflow dynamics of the truck...more than likely reducing mpg's.....
 

hughesjv

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Good morning. I’ve got a 2019 Ranger with 104k miles. During the life of my truck I have recorded and logged every drop of gas I have put into the truck and the mileage I did it at, so I have an incredible picture of what my ACTUAL fuel mileage is. But I want to know if anyone actually gets the advertised 24 highway and 20 city.

The lifetime average for my truck is 19.9mpg. My daily commute is 44 miles, with 42 of that being smooth flowing interstate driving. The lifetime average does include idling and towing which would lover the average but it also includes the many long distance trips which would raise it.

I have only gotten 24mpg out of 4 tanks of gas the entire time I’ve owned it. That requires me to be on the highway the entire tank, with the cruise set at 70 or less (anything above 70 and you really experience a drop off) AND the weather has to be mild. My fuel economy is highest in the spring and fall. The cold really drops the fuel economy and the heat of summer impacts it negatively as well but not as much as the cold.

I will also state that the calculated gas mileage on the dash is usually about 10% higher than the actual gas mileage I get when calculated by hand. The screen is great for telling you if you are getting good milage or not, but be aware the values it gives are not the most accurate

.
I am at 24.3 overall but I am an easy on it until I need to be aggressive.
 

Retirednavy2010

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My truck with no modifications except a tonneau cover gets 20.5mpg combined probably 80% city.
I'm old (68) and drive responsibly and get right around 19.5 to 20 mpg in town and 22-23.5 on the highway staying in the right lane at 68-70 mph. My 2017 Tacoma V6 and 2019 Frontier V6 got about the same in town and on the highway. It's a truck, at least you're not getting 12.5 like my 1976 Chevy C10.
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