I think I bought the wrong truck

mtsoxfan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2020
Threads
36
Messages
576
Reaction score
1,015
Location
NEK VT
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger Lariat
I was convinced 6 years ago I needed to trade in my Dakota and get an SUV so we could move my step daughter to and from college comfortable. So, the 1 time we moved her it was great. She just graduated with her Masters, and I still have only moved her 1 time. She always had an apt. anyway, and as most of us may feel, moving blows. My wife wanted an all wheel drive, but not a new car, so she offered to take mine and let me buy a truck. (still can't figure out her end game) I've been quite happy with my purchase, although I read somewhere all the updates I needed to do, mud flaps, leveling kit, side step etc. Now this is not unusual to outfit a new vehicle with essentials. Now comes why I think I may have purchased the wrong truck...

I'm a conservative driver now a days, not OCD about it, but I like getting good gas mileage. I just can't see how I can do it in this truck. I push down on the gas, and the truck MOVES!! I feel like a kid again, and there is no sign of it letting up. Coming home from a BBQ Sunday, I took a dirt road over a mountain to get home. I thought I was driving normal, push on gas, and it MOVES!!! My wife looks over and says " are you trying to make this truck fishtail?" I really wasn't, but it was, and I was loving it. Reminds me of my youth racing down dirt roads, Dukes of Hazzard style. Rocks hitting step bar sounded like someone ringing a dinner bell. I had to hide my joy, but inside smiling from ear to ear.
I read all the posts about more better-faster etc. How about more gas mileage? I'd feel so much better knowing I could have my fun AND get good gas mileage. Only 500 miles, pretty much 400 around town, and I get 18..... Maybe I need to trade in my shoes for a lighter pair.
Sponsored

 

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
280
Messages
21,289
Reaction score
101,269
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
CEO of DeeZee
I was convinced 6 years ago I needed to trade in my Dakota and get an SUV so we could move my step daughter to and from college comfortable. So, the 1 time we moved her it was great. She just graduated with her Masters, and I still have only moved her 1 time. She always had an apt. anyway, and as most of us may feel, moving blows. My wife wanted an all wheel drive, but not a new car, so she offered to take mine and let me buy a truck. (still can't figure out her end game) I've been quite happy with my purchase, although I read somewhere all the updates I needed to do, mud flaps, leveling kit, side step etc. Now this is not unusual to outfit a new vehicle with essentials. Now comes why I think I may have purchased the wrong truck...

I'm a conservative driver now a days, not OCD about it, but I like getting good gas mileage. I just can't see how I can do it in this truck. I push down on the gas, and the truck MOVES!! I feel like a kid again, and there is no sign of it letting up. Coming home from a BBQ Sunday, I took a dirt road over a mountain to get home. I thought I was driving normal, push on gas, and it MOVES!!! My wife looks over and says " are you trying to make this truck fishtail?" I really wasn't, but it was, and I was loving it. Reminds me of my youth racing down dirt roads, Dukes of Hazzard style. Rocks hitting step bar sounded like someone ringing a dinner bell. I had to hide my joy, but inside smiling from ear to ear.
I read all the posts about more better-faster etc. How about more gas mileage? I'd feel so much better knowing I could have my fun AND get good gas mileage. Only 500 miles, pretty much 400 around town, and I get 18..... Maybe I need to trade in my shoes for a lighter pair.

18 still isn't all that bad......You could get a tune which will give you a little better mpg's but in your case I bet it'll be the opposite. ;) Unfortunately you can't have it both ways. Either enjoy the ride with a lead foot and get more Smiles Per Gallon or trade them in for some granny shoes and get more Miles Per Gallon. lol
 
OP
OP

mtsoxfan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2020
Threads
36
Messages
576
Reaction score
1,015
Location
NEK VT
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger Lariat
18 still isn't all that bad......You could get a tune which will give you a little better mpg's but in your case I bet it'll be the opposite. ;) Unfortunately you can't have it both ways. Either enjoy the ride with a lead foot and get more Smiles Per Gallon or trade them in for some granny shoes and get more Miles Per Gallon. lol
LOL I'm in too deep to turn back now... Unfortunately, the costs of MPG enhancements outweigh the actually cost benefits.
 

Deleted member 1634

18 still isn't all that bad......You could get a tune which will give you a little better mpg's but in your case I bet it'll be the opposite. ;) Unfortunately you can't have it both ways. Either enjoy the ride with a lead foot and get more Smiles Per Gallon or trade them in for some granny shoes and get more Miles Per Gallon. lol
Exactly. It's an Ecoboost, which means it's either eco OR boost, you can't really have both at the same time, but you can have either at any time. I'm not sure of any other truck out there that would get better mileage with the same speed, power, and "fun". Most trucks have neither eco (they get worse mileage no matter how you drive) or boost (gutless no matter how hard you push the pedal).

If you try hard and really commit to an eco driving style, you can get mid to upper 20s mpg on the highway like I, and a handful of others, do on a regular basis. Heck, my wife and I just went exploring in the national forest yesterday to celebrate the trucks 1 yr anniversary. Dirt, pavement, two-tracks, and washed out roads, we saw it all. And when we got home, we'd done 180 miles, used 1/3 of a tank, and got 26.8mpg. I was taking it easy, but still thrashing it around the gravel corners like I used to in my stick-shift Focus when I was a kid at times too.

In essence you just need to get used to the way this truck works, then you can really dial in your driving style to get what you want from it. 500 miles is nothing. It gets better and both you and the truck learn. Have fun!
 

Texasota

Well-Known Member
First Name
Al
Joined
Jan 27, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
933
Reaction score
2,964
Location
Rochester, MN
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XLT, 2023 Escape PHEV
That’s one of the best things about this truck. You can get good mpg if you want or you can let her rip!

Two days ago on an empty road I stopped and then mashed the petal to show my copilot what he could do. After getting pushed back into the seats she told me in clear terms she did not enjoy that! I could not wipe the grin off my face! She quickly forgave me for acting 18 instead of 62.
 


CO2Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
34
Messages
1,094
Reaction score
2,090
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURD / Former: 2021 Ranger Lariat FX4
I'm sure your mileage will improve over time. Many on here, including myself, have seen it increase as the truck breaks in a bit. Also, a little youthful mischief can make you feel young again, if only for a few miles at a time.

Continue enjoying it!
 

Jon Olivier

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jon
Joined
Dec 7, 2019
Threads
1
Messages
213
Reaction score
896
Location
Bishop, CA
Vehicle(s)
2019 XLT 4x4 - Hot Pepper Red, 302A, Sport Appearance, FX4, Tow Package,
Occupation
IT Specialist - CA Dept of Transportation
That’s one of the best things about this truck. You can get good mpg if you want or you can let her rip!

Two days ago on an empty road I stopped and then mashed the petal to show my copilot what he could do. After getting pushed back into the seats she told me in clear terms she did not enjoy that! I could not wipe the grin off my face! She quickly forgave me for acting 18 instead of 62.

Lol! I did the same with my wife as copilot yesterday. Getting on the highway, I floored it, and she instantly grasped at the grab handle. Only in D mode, and it took off like a jet. Thinking back, I should have put it in S mode. Next time!...
 

NickTheEnforcer

Well-Known Member
First Name
Anthony
Joined
Jul 4, 2019
Threads
5
Messages
653
Reaction score
1,093
Location
Northern Illinois
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 4x4, 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid SE Sport AWD, 2009 Dodge Ram Big Horn Crew 4x4 HEMI
Occupation
Residential Construction Project Development & Purchasing.
JMO
20.2 average, 12k miles after nearly a year, 20 min commute home to office. I'm rarely in the field anymore. I'd consider a next-gen Ranger if they come out with a hybrid. Had a HEMI, kinda still do b/c my son drives my 11 y.o 1500 now. Love to go fast but love saving money more these days!

Still a MOPAR lover at heart and if/when they come out with a smaller truck I will at least drive one.
cheers!
 

Floyd

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2019
Threads
38
Messages
2,064
Reaction score
3,113
Location
illinois
Vehicle(s)
'19 Ranger SCab,'16 Connect,'95 MustangGT,'50 Ford
Seriously,
If you want unbelievable mileage with your Ranger, you need to forget a few things and learns a few new ones.
I have found that in suburban and local rural driving I can get as high as 28MPG or as low as 15MPG.
Pretty much by choice and technique.
The most effective key to higher mileage takes a little practice.
First , turn on your gear display.
With the truck in drive, start off from a start with a moderate but brisk momentary acceleration, then just lift a little while in first gear. You will have enough momentum at this point to allow the transmission to shift up easily without sensing a demand for speed.
After that watch your gears and let the the truck "have its head".
Maintain moderate speeds and let the truck coast a little when approaching a stop, then brake late.
A little practice can yield amazing and consistent results.
I don't do this often, but when I do, it works.
Still, the most important thing is to practice that off the line technique.
A little practice will produce new habits.

Even light but constant acceleration can cause the ten speed to use every gear and the engine to seek the power to accommodate it.
This truck "wants" to read your mind, and you must learn its language.
 
Last edited:

Ace Holliday

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott K
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
405
Reaction score
885
Location
South Kalifornikstan
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger XLT Super Crew
Occupation
Aerospace Machinist/CNC Programmer - Retired
I was convinced 6 years ago I needed to trade in my Dakota and get an SUV so we could move my step daughter to and from college comfortable. So, the 1 time we moved her it was great. She just graduated with her Masters, and I still have only moved her 1 time. She always had an apt. anyway, and as most of us may feel, moving blows. My wife wanted an all wheel drive, but not a new car, so she offered to take mine and let me buy a truck. (still can't figure out her end game) I've been quite happy with my purchase, although I read somewhere all the updates I needed to do, mud flaps, leveling kit, side step etc. Now this is not unusual to outfit a new vehicle with essentials. Now comes why I think I may have purchased the wrong truck...

I'm a conservative driver now a days, not OCD about it, but I like getting good gas mileage. I just can't see how I can do it in this truck. I push down on the gas, and the truck MOVES!! I feel like a kid again, and there is no sign of it letting up. Coming home from a BBQ Sunday, I took a dirt road over a mountain to get home. I thought I was driving normal, push on gas, and it MOVES!!! My wife looks over and says " are you trying to make this truck fishtail?" I really wasn't, but it was, and I was loving it. Reminds me of my youth racing down dirt roads, Dukes of Hazzard style. Rocks hitting step bar sounded like someone ringing a dinner bell. I had to hide my joy, but inside smiling from ear to ear.
I read all the posts about more better-faster etc. How about more gas mileage? I'd feel so much better knowing I could have my fun AND get good gas mileage. Only 500 miles, pretty much 400 around town, and I get 18..... Maybe I need to trade in my shoes for a lighter pair.
There will be no having your cake and eating it too I'm afraid. But I can relate closely with your story.
 

Ronbo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Threads
14
Messages
614
Reaction score
3,198
Location
FL, CT, TX
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger XLT FX4+
Occupation
Retired LEO Sgt., USAF & USA Veteran.
Vehicle Showcase
1
Exactly. It's an Ecoboost, which means it's either eco OR boost, you can't really have both at the same time, but you can have either at any time. I'm not sure of any other truck out there that would get better mileage with the same speed, power, and "fun". Most trucks have neither eco (they get worse mileage no matter how you drive) or boost (gutless no matter how hard you push the pedal).!
Great comment and great observation. It's either Eco or it's Boost. The adult in me would love to drive more Eco, but the kid in me just can't give up on the fabulous Boost. No matter how hard I try, this truck just wants to go and it's hard to hold it back. Like the OP, I too came out of a Dodge Dakota pick-up truck. It was a V-8 and it was neither Eco, nor Boost, but I still loved that truck.... until I drove this Ranger.
 

Dr. Zaius

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dennis
Joined
Dec 20, 2019
Threads
61
Messages
4,732
Reaction score
27,782
Location
GA
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger XLT FX4
Yep, I have 3200 miles/smiles on mine and it is still a treat to drive.

By this same mileage with my 2018 Frontier I already despised just looking at the thing.

Very fun truck to drive.
 
 



Top