Taking to shop for MPG issues; what to check?

[canyonslicker]

Yeah, actually in the meantime I thought of using my thermal camera as well, so that seems best


Yep, agreed, and thanks for the reminder/encouragement! I'm working my way through a list of things to check from this thread, eg checking plugs, so it'll take some time but there are actionable tests

If using a thermal camera you really need to know the emissivity of material. An easy thing would be to use some 3M 303 electrical black tape on your rims near the lug nuts. It has a 0.98 emissivity rating. Just a small strip. I can use the camera on my stainless steel bbq and it would say 160 degrees when it’s really 450 degrees.. so really need to know the emissivity of materials otherwise you can be way off and very inaccurate..

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[Gizmokid2005]

Thanks for sharing the amount of gas used in 93K miles...I think I'll just park my truck now...

And just think, that's with way cheaper gas too! (Though likely significantly worse mileage as well...)

 

[jblc]

If using a thermal camera you really need to know the emissivity of material. An easy thing would be to use some 3M 303 electrical black tape on your rims near the lug nuts. It has a 0.98 emissivity rating. Just a small strip. I can use the camera on my stainless steel bbq and it would say 160 degrees when it’s really 450 degrees.. so really need to know the emissivity of materials otherwise you can be way off and very inaccurate..

Yep, am planning to do something similar -- thanks for the reminder though, as it's a point many people don't know

 

[canyonslicker]

Yep, am planning to do something similar -- thanks for the reminder though, as it's a point many people don't know

Yeah my work had me certified in thermography so I could sell cameras. It really is a crazy field and most don’t know what they’re doing.. things like it won’t see through glass only reflection… I’m certified building, structural and electrical through the Snell group.

 

[canyonslicker]

Yeah my work had me certified in thermography so I could sell cameras. It really is a crazy field and most don’t know what they’re doing.. things like it won’t see through glass only reflection… I’m certified building, structural and electrical through the Snell group.

Are you using FLIR or Fluke?

 

[canyonslicker]

Are you using FLIR or Fluke?

Grayscale is my go to for best resolution but color is cool just too distracting for me.

 

[got3fords]

Yup. Fuelly is just fine. I started an excel doc back in like 2006 that I've just used ever since for all my vehicles, since before Fuelly was a thing, but it just does the same math for you without you needing to do any manual stuff. Just give it values and it spits out your result. It's a tool that's perfect for what it needs to be.

Nope! I use MPG tracking as a way to help budgeting for vehicle upgrades/replacements, as a very basic indicator of potential "non broken" issues with a vehicle as mileage is usually the first hit when something goes awry. It also helped me figure out brands with the "best" mileage potential (usually places like BP, Shell, Costco, and QuikTrip).

I too have been using a spreadsheet since about 2007. I have it so it continuously tracks calculated MPG, MPG from the display, tire mileage, and notes about any service done. Gizmod is right, it's a great way to see if anything is off or out of the norm. It's in a dropbox folder so I can access it from anywhere.

 

[got3fords]

If using a thermal camera you really need to know the emissivity of material. An easy thing would be to use some 3M 303 electrical black tape on your rims near the lug nuts. It has a 0.98 emissivity rating. Just a small strip. I can use the camera on my stainless steel bbq and it would say 160 degrees when it’s really 450 degrees.. so really need to know the emissivity of materials otherwise you can be way off and very inaccurate..

Be best if you can go to an area where you can coast to a stop. If you're using a IR like a Fluke, you can probably point it right at the brake disc. The actual temp may not matter, just see if one is hotter than the others.

 

[Msfitoy]

Something few people think about...

100,000 miles using approximately 6,000 gallons of gas = roughly $20,000!

?

 

[jblc]

Another item checked off the list: brakes.
Running list of what's been checked: spark plugs, brakes.
The brakes and rims look to be the same temperature after a long drive, with minimal braking to stop.

Example of front+back thermal camera images:

 

[yamahaSHO]

Something few people think about...

100,000 miles using approximately 6,000 gallons of gas = roughly $20,000!

?

So for most of my driving, a Tesla wouldn't break even (providing nothing broke) for 150k+ miles, for my usage. I am referencing my daily driving since I don't use the truck every day and the usage is not the same.

That said, I've been sitting at 28.x MPG on my display for awhile, but we'll see what it says when I fill it up.

 

[Tim H.]

I'm (yet again) taking my '21 XLT to the dealership, this time for MPG issues. MPG has always been really bad on this vehicle even when new, about 19-20 mpg highway (hand-calculated) at 65 mph and no wind, and stock 2wd. Adding a topper and new tires didn't change mpg.

Without any alteration since i got 19-20, the mpg has been steadily dropping to 17-18 over the past year, but more quickly over the past 6 months.

Is there any specific component I should ask them to check, relating to fuel efficiency?

Details:
(a) full-synthetic oil changes every 3k miles (8k miles total), and
(b) nominally-adjusted tire pressure as seasons change, and
(c) auto start/stop active, and
(d) 87 octane from quality station (California),

This is with gentle driving, mostly highway. I got 27 mpg on my '97 ranger, also with topper, so generally know how to drive efficiently and keep my vehicles optimally set up.


I feel like I've been taking this lemon in every two months since the month I bought it...sigh.
Welcoming any suggestions on this issue!

Interesting testing of different octanes

 

[ranger 2020]

From what I'm reading, I don't see where your mpg will increase. When I worked at Ford dealerships, we were told max mpg was not to be expected untill aprox 10k miles. If I'm reading your post right, you only have 8k miles in 2-3 years of ownership. That tells me that it sits a lot with quite a few short trips. My own 2wd s/c presently is getting the best mpg since I bought it 3 years ago. Odometer is presently at 23k.

 

[Gizmokid2005]

Interesting testing of different octanes

I love his videos, he's pretty methodical in his testing, unfortunately it has no real world application to forced induction engines like the ecoboost due to the electronics and built-in tuning that the ECU and modules do with different octane fuels.

Ford has noted officially that the rated HP/Tq numbers for the Ranger are done at 91+ octane, and that 87 octane, while still sufficient to power these trucks, will give you an appreciable hit to your power and efficiency numbers (it's also why they suggest premium when towing).

Page 142 of the manual:

 

[myothercarizahearse]

WOW, that's a great price for fuel! I'm over $5 for premium in Comifornia.

HAHAHA $2.65 the other day. you can keep your taxes and freedom stealing laws

sorry to others for going off-topic

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