New goal hit - 570KM Ford Escape V6 3.0L

[colinr]

Hi, I'm new to the forums but have been lurking for a long time.
I just wanted to share my recent success that I hit this week.

I hit 570KM/tank in my 2005 Ford Escape V6 3.0L.
I'm now up an extra 80KM/tank! That is an entire one way trip to work for me, pretty pleased with that.

Here is what I've been doing.
-New oil change with 100% synthetic for high mileage cars.(Penzoil -Got it on a very cheap 40% off sale + $5 off coupon! Score!)
-New oil filter for high mileage.(Fram, also luckily on sale)
-New high flow air filter.(Fram)
-Coasting, put the car in neutral when going down hills.
-Going to neutral when at a stop/long line at red lights. No active load on the engine/brakes.
-Actively trying not to exceed 2000 RPM.(the car wants to change gears at about 1800-1900 RPM, so 2K was a good max limit)

Basically most of the things you would do without noticing in a standard transmission car, just in my lumbering thirsty automatic.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for getting just that little bit more out of the tank?

-Colin

[mikeyjd]

Max sidewall psi in the tires + a grill block should get you a couple more mpg.

[colinr]

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

Max sidewall psi in the tires + a grill block should get you a couple more mpg.

I'll check out the tires, good thought thanks for that one. I know what I'm doing tonight

I've read about the grill block and it seem a little counter intuitive to proper cooling of the radiator and fluid, the airflow is there for a reason for the most part in my opinion.
I live an a wildly swinging climate, -20 in the winter, +40 in the summer with 70-80% humidity, a grill block in the summer would probably cook my engine pretty quick, but would probably be worth it in the winter.

Anyone have experience with a blocker in these climates?
Southern Ontario, Northern NY(Buffallo-ish) area?

[Daox]

The reason for the grill block is that your cooling system is designed so your car can drive through the desert on the worst day of the year using A/C and still cool everything adequately. In winter, the cooling system is incredibly oversized for its application, and in summer its still quite oversized. Thus, in winter you can block off a ton of grill area and get away with it. In summer, you can also block off a fair amount.

[colinr]

Originally Posted by Daox

The reason for the grill block is that your cooling system is designed so your car can drive through the desert on the worst day of the year using A/C and still cool everything adequately. In winter, the cooling system is incredibly oversized for its application, and in summer its still quite oversized. Thus, in winter you can block off a ton of grill area and get away with it. In summer, you can also block off a fair amount.

Hmmm, neat. Something I'll have to look into

[chumly]

I have a 2006 Escape with the 3.0 v6 and automatic and it can get over 32 mpg under the right conditions. I have the tires aired up to the max, upper grill completely blocked off with duct tape, smooth wheel covers, enlarged front air dam, vg's on rear and scangage. When coasting in gear the indicated mileage is better than when in neutral according to scangage. My average mileage could be better but my wife and daughter usually drive it. No overheating problems at all even in the brutal St.Louis area summers. Chumly

[chumly]

I hit 570KM/tank in my 2005 Ford Escape V6 3.0L.
I'm now up an extra 80KM/tank!

-Colin[/QUOTE]

What is that in mpg?

[colinr]

Originally Posted by chumly

I hit 570KM/tank in my 2005 Ford Escape V6 3.0L.
I'm now up an extra 80KM/tank!

-Colin

What is that in mpg?[/QUOTE]

A quick rough Google conversion has it sitting around 30mpg I guess. Could be off by a little bit.
It's averaging about 13KM/L right now.

[Oceanic815]

I wish I got that kind of mileage in our 2002 Escape with the 3.0 v6... we are lucky to get low 20s in it.

I know where some if it is going- we have the No Boundaries extendable roof rack as well as a light wing with 2x offroad lights... it's about what the EPA says we should be getting and tough to get this rig better without physical mods.

[statichead2k]

I have a 2006 3.0 auto too.
I'm not to sure about coasting in neutral with the auto trans. I've watched my scan gauge and neutral seems to use 0.05-0.10 gph more when coasting than drive from higher speeds. My guess is that there is a bit more vacuum when coasting in drive, lower map = less fuel. I usually pop it in neutral as it goes under 10 mph. I've only had the gauge for a tank and half though so I don't really have enough data. I will watch it more on big hills in and out of neutral and report back.