I think I bought the wrong truck

[HenryMac]

We're averaging 25 MPG FX4 Scab XL... over 6,000 miles (Auto Start/Stop disabled). I use cruise control 95% of the time..... the other 5% "I mash the go pedal to the floor".

When it comes to mpg it's a mind over matter thing "If you don't mind, it doesn't matter".

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[Michel Jeanneau]

Funny y'all mention this; last weekend on our drive back from camp I treated the wife to a sudden acceleration experiment, merely to demonstrate how to properly pass a slow poke going 5 under the limit on a 2-lane 55 MPH road.....uphill...I blinked and I was doing 85 while the Mrs is clutching the oh$hit handle, followed by a "don't drive like a maniac with the kids in the car" look...which I ignored since I know they like it; the closest thing to being strapped to an ACME rocket a la Wile E. Coyote

Then, pointing out that we got almost 26 MPG on the ride back...love that truck!

 

[Tracy Bowman]

I feel the same. I'm even contemplating adding those 3 stripes(I call tiger stripes) above my driver side headlights. My family & co-workers will think I've lost my 57y/o mind! Love driving this truck!

 

[Dr. Zaius]

And no one has even mentioned to the OP yet how installing a tailgate damper will add 100HP and 20MPG...

 

[Lost19Ranger]

I’m averaging 21 mpg right now but I idle a lot when I am out working. But if I ran auto start stop and if it wasn’t always hot I’d be able to breach 23-24 easy.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

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.

i pulled off the lot and hated my frontier. it was awesome on the test drive and went down hill quick

 

[RANGER_MARC]

"Eco or Boost" is what it is. When I first got the truck, I made a real effort to keep it over twenty MPG, which is not hard to do, just keep it in Drive, drive conservatively, accelerate slowly after lights, let auto start/stop do its work, don't punch it on those mountain roads or the freeway. After a few months of that, I just found auto start/stop too annoying, and so started routinely turning it off, I started using Sport on freeways, and then nearly all the time, in short, I just fell in love with the boost aspect, of which our trucks have plenty! So, I'm having a lot more fun driving my truck, and I still make mileage in the 18/19 range, which I am happy to accept. (The Ford Performance Tune is coming in early June, and I am not expecting that to help my mileage either!)

 

[Arc Ranger]

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.

Don't worry about the gas mileage, it will improve over time. I was shocked when I first bought my truck, I was getting about 16 mpg! I was like wtf there must be something wrong. I think the CPU in the truck sort of calibrates itself over time to optimize power to mpg because after a couple of months I was averaging over 20 mpg, and now I consistently get 22mpg.

 

[Shomare]

22 MPG at 75 with A/C running on a truck that has less than 1000 miles on it. I'm good with that.

 

[SRAces]

It's all about driving technique, topography (how much you drive uphill) and speed. I have over 21,000 miles now. Averaged 24.6 mpg the first 20,000 miles. Reset my Trip #2 to evaluate the next 20K run. Getting 26.5 mpg so far. I have tweaked the computer down to where it matches my manual fuel calculations on each tank. Can I hit 30 mpg? Yes...on fairly level back roads at 55 mph and cruise control for 20 miles after filling up. But start/stops start to eat into that especially if you don't have a lot of miles on the tank after a reset.

I have found that the sweet spot for me is on cruise control and 57 mph when I am hauling my kayak each weekend to the Gulf and back. Roughly 120 miles round trip.

For those with low mileage trucks, the mpg does improve with mileage as the truck breaks in. I rarely use Sport mode and even when I am towing my dual jet ski trailer with 2 Kayaks, I don't use trailer tow mode. It's not needed as the truck pulls the trailer with 2 kayaks with ease.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

OP - look up hyper-mileing techniques on google if you want the MPG

I can't seem to get better than 15-18 the way I drive. Except on a long distance trip I averaged 25.5

 

[Langwilliams]

one thing I noticed is, if that instant mileage is remotely accurate, my truck hates a headwind. I was doing 65 into a strong headwind on a flat highway an was showing 15/16....at least a 6 mpg drop. Since the weather has warmed up an the winter blend of fuel is gone I've gained an easy 3 or 4 mpg compared to what I was getting over the winter.

 

[GrayGen]

Don't know what the wife's end game is? Maybe, just maybe she wants you to feel and act 16 again. Go find a secluded spot and put a blanket down in the bed. Lay down with her and look at the stars then work on that "end game". ?

 

[GaryMc]

I just passed down my 2007 Sport Trac Limited I'd been driving for 13 years to my 17 year old granddaughter. I held out for years hoping Ford would bring back the Sport Trac, but finally gave up and bought myself a new Ranger Lariat. After driving a 6 cylinder all these years I was disappointed that a 6 wasn't offered in a Ranger . . . UNTIL I drove one. I was AMAZED at the power and acceleration this truck has. At 68 years old, I still have some lead foot left in me and with this truck, and the current gasoline prices, who cares about mileage. Give me the BOOST every time!!

 

[Ace Holliday]

I just passed down my 2007 Sport Trac Limited I'd been driving for 13 years to my 17 year old granddaughter. I held out for years hoping Ford would bring back the Sport Trac, but finally gave up and bought myself a new Ranger Lariat. After driving a 6 cylinder all these years I was disappointed that a 6 wasn't offered in a Ranger . . . UNTIL I drove one. I was AMAZED at the power and acceleration this truck has. At 68 years old, I still have some lead foot left in me and with this truck, and the current gasoline prices, who cares about mileage. Give me the BOOST every time!!

I am just a baby. A whole year younger than you! And I agree......gimme the boost baby!

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