Horrible MPG's

[Johnpenn]

Both, daily... I actually didn't specify earlier....

I'm going to experiment with a couple of variables as mentioned through the replies. I'm at 33 PSI and going to shoot for 36 this week. Run the whole tank of 89 octane and maybe even go to 91 since it's in the triple digits here daily (book says 91 for hot weather and towing).

Not sure what else I can change.... If it stays the same its back to stealership!

Do you ever watch the instantaneous MPG on the display? If you do that and try to keep it in the 20-25MPG area you will discover how to drive this truck economically. You might be surprised. Don't make a bunch of changes like fuel and tire pressure until you have done this. The gage will top out when coasting and drop quickly when you get on the throttle. It doesn't take much throttle to make the instantaneous go below 15MPG.

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[Ranger12]

Have nearly 10K on my Ranger. Consistently getting 25-27 mpg on highway and 22-23 in city driving. Mileage definitely improved after first 3K

 

[Polar Bear]

Do you ever watch the instantaneous MPG on the display? If you do that and try to keep it in the 20-25MPG area you will discover how to drive this truck economically. You might be surprised. Don't make a bunch of changes like fuel and tire pressure until you have done this. The gage will top out when coasting and drop quickly when you get on the throttle. It doesn't take much throttle to make the instantaneous go below 15MPG.

Good info! Thank you sir, will give it a try!

 

[Polar Bear]

Have nearly 10K on my Ranger. Consistently getting 25-27 mpg on highway and 22-23 in city driving. Mileage definitely improved after first 3K

Good to know! - Rolled past 3100 this morning.

 

[Hounddog409]

braking
/ˈbrākiNG/

Learn to pronounce

noun
noun: braking

1. the action of making a moving vehicle slow down or stop by using a brake.
   "avoid harsh acceleration and braking"

Your definition of normal braking.

If you hit brakes on highway.....when you are close to a light.....coming up begind another vehicle.....you are wasting fuel.

 

[Polar Bear]

Your definition of normal braking.

If you hit brakes on highway.....when you are close to a light.....coming up begind another vehicle.....you are wasting fuel.

Well, since my tires, rotors, drums, pads have always lasted at least as long as manufacturer specs I'd say I'm not over braking. I've had one accident in 20 years so I'm likely not under braking either.

In all seriousness I get it and I brake responsibly, coast and use the engine when I can, and typically avoid jarring type maneuvers as a whole. Someone, in the comments, above left an account of a "nameless family member" that believes one or the other pedal should be pushed at all times. Let it be known I am not that family member!

 

[khyros]

I know you have an XLT and therefore the non-digital cluster, but I will say that on my Lariat it shows me the average for the last 6 minutes. And it's quite interesting how drastic the effect is between the first 6 minutes of warm up and driving around town, the next 6 minutes of still driving around town, the bit of highway that I go 70 on, and the bit of highway I go 80 on. My daily commute averages around 22mpg, but in those 6 minute chunks are more like 10mpg, 16mpg, 28mpg, 22mpg. So, if I was only doing a 10min city drive to work, I'd be getting like 13mpg.

So, with the comment that your average speed is 16mph, it seems that you focus more on city driving. Are you doing a ton of short stops? Are you blasting the AC throughout the drive? I know you said you disabled the S/S, which I read by some magazine 5 years ago when the feature first started getting popular that it could increase your FE up to 15% depending on drive cycle... Do you sit in the parking lot and idle while you wait for the lady to "just put on her shoes?" Do you remote start it a lot?

If you're 100% confident that your drive style AND drive cycle aren't contributing to it, two things I could recommend... Can you take a test drive in another one through the same route and compare? And can you take yours on a nice weekend trip where it's primarily highway cruising? The first option should let you know if it's your truck, while the second could let you know if it's your drive cycle.

 

[Polar Bear]

I know you have an XLT and therefore the non-digital cluster, but I will say that on my Lariat it shows me the average for the last 6 minutes. And it's quite interesting how drastic the effect is between the first 6 minutes of warm up and driving around town, the next 6 minutes of still driving around town, the bit of highway that I go 70 on, and the bit of highway I go 80 on. My daily commute averages around 22mpg, but in those 6 minute chunks are more like 10mpg, 16mpg, 28mpg, 22mpg. So, if I was only doing a 10min city drive to work, I'd be getting like 13mpg.

So, with the comment that your average speed is 16mph, it seems that you focus more on city driving. Are you doing a ton of short stops? Are you blasting the AC throughout the drive? I know you said you disabled the S/S, which I read by some magazine 5 years ago when the feature first started getting popular that it could increase your FE up to 15% depending on drive cycle... Do you sit in the parking lot and idle while you wait for the lady to "just put on her shoes?" Do you remote start it a lot?

If you're 100% confident that your drive style AND drive cycle aren't contributing to it, two things I could recommend... Can you take a test drive in another one through the same route and compare? And can you take yours on a nice weekend trip where it's primarily highway cruising? The first option should let you know if it's your truck, while the second could let you know if it's your drive cycle.

I've actually considered much of this... I started thinking a lot after such great replies and Ive come to this:

I do go to work on the highway daily (70-80 MPH and 10 miles there an back, so short trip). I also go to mom n dad's daily as they're both in need of physical help with day-to-day stuff. My neighborhood and most of the surrounding town is 25MPH strictly enforced and theirs is 30, also strictly enforced. The temps since I got it are upper 90's and triple digits daily so I do run the air during the day - I love windows down in the morning and after dark but my day generally takes place in between. I use remote start sporadically (if I couldn't grab a shady spot at work) but never let it go past 5-7 minutes. Sadly I have not had the opportunity to get in a good long highway trip away from the Metroplex. That is much needed for my sanity as well. I'll bet the truck is fine...... 2 things now top the list. Good long highway drive and if that doesn't give me some needed info then testing a similar Ranger along my routine route..... I really appreciate all the great insights!

 

[DakotaGuy]

I absolutely HATE that feature..... It's permanently with the Autostop Eliminator. hmmm.....

Well if your doing much city driving and trying to get better MPG I'd give it a try if you still can. Maybe you've eliminated it for good? I had a '16 F150 2.7 with it and I forced myself to use it even though I hated it at first. Now I don't even think about it anymore.

 

[Polar Bear]

Well if your doing much city driving and trying to get better MPG I'd give it a try if you still can. Maybe you've eliminated it for good? I had a '16 F150 2.7 with it and I forced myself to use it even though I hated it at first. Now I don't even think about it anymore.

Well all I'd have to do is uninstall the Autostop Eliminator under the console. But, it literally makes me angry every time it cycles. Irrational? Yes, but still......

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Road trip, driving 70 to 75 mph, not trying for mileage, Eliminator is installed

 

[Hllll]

Well if your doing much city driving and trying to get better MPG I'd give it a try if you still can. Maybe you've eliminated it for good? I had a '16 F150 2.7 with it and I forced myself to use it even though I hated it at first. Now I don't even think about it anymore.

In the F150, eliminating the start stop system is super easy, right under the steering wheel there are 3 connectors - remove the small one that is in the bottom and boom.....auto stop/start is disabled :-D...

I.e. your mpg is bad...I have a 19 F150 2.7L crew 4x4 and get 20mpg in the city...

 

[Spiritfish]

Average 22.2 around town...26.7 highway on extended drives. 4x4 Supercab...bone stock. I buy gas where its reasonably priced and burn 87 octane. I can easily pull mileage down to 17 by hammering onramps and doing hard starts from stoplights...wear a 13EE shoe but drive with bare feet (just kidding)...it's all about how/when you apply power. I do drive fast but I don't do the zero to infinity accelerations. I do have the Auto Start/Stop engaged by the way. It works fine and doesn't bother me one bit...I pay attention to the traffic lights and let off the brake slightly just before my light turns green so motor is on and ready to go.

 

[Stan McKinney]

I get 16 MPG driving in the city with a FX4, where I do most of my driving. Think lots of traffic and start/stop.

However on mostly highways I get 19-21 MPG.

Just did a 180 mile trip, about 20 of that in the city and got 25.9. Truck has about 1700 miles on it.
I don’t know what to tell you. Perhaps have your dealer check it out.

 

[Mark Lally]

It sounds like it's your drive cycle that's the main culprit. Just curious, is there any soot present in your tailpipe ? Mine is clean as a whistle.

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