I call BS (30 MPG Ford Explorer)

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

The OVERALL problem is that EPA does their MPG testing predominately at 55 mph, not at 75 mph, where most people drive on highways.

I thought they were not allowed to do that anymore?

[gone-ot]

Nope, they only "briefly" (and only VERY briefly) hit 60 mph during their dyno-testing for emissions & economy, with most driving less than 50 mph, because the final "average" is only 48.3 mph!

[iveyjh]

Originally Posted by d0sitmatr

aside from the weight, height, and engine size ?

Id love to know how you reached 30mpg in the ranger ?
I havent been able to get 30 even drafting semi's the entire time

I get 34 mpg on my last two Ranger 2.5 4 bangers with no p&g, just conservative eco driving.

[carolina guy]

I would vote that your 2002 Explorer has something wrong...my 2004 F-150 Supercab 4.6 with 230k and 0 eco mods other than 40psi in the tires gets 22/23 mpg at 75mph on my SGII. Our 2004 Mountaineer AWD 4.6, roof rack, step boards, etc, with 4 kids me and the wife, A/C on at 75mph gets around 20mpg with the cc engaged. With only myself, at 55mph and no A/C it will usually get about 25mpg on cc.

Time to get the 2006 GrandCaravan back on the road...going slower with a grille block, it was getting around 30mpg without much effort. :-)

[saturndude]

This has been an interesting read.
Just to add to the discussion, I have a 1991 explorer XLT 4 door with 5 speed and 4x4

I used to think all explorers were pieces of **** #1 cash for clunkers turn in. But I’ve learned, since taking on my wife’s explorer that some of them are damn capable and pretty reliable and decent vehicles.

First off it should be known that there are two different 4.0 V6 engines. The original one is a push rod OHV, the later one a SOHC. They were simultaneously offered from like 95-99 or something.

The OHV is reliable AF. The SOHC makes much more power and potentially better mpg but it’s multiple timing chains are almost ticking time bombs.
The were both made in Germany.

Mine has a Japanese M5OD Mazda 5 speed that is original and works great with 225k miles on it.

It has a real truck frame and mine is rated to tow 4K lbs and mine has done so a few times. It has real 4WD and will easily outperform any AWD in serious conditions / off roading.

It’s slow, the Speedo goes to 85 but I keep it well under 80mph
Taking it easy @65mph highway I get 20mpg. Around town it’s 16mpg. Towing a 20’ travel trailer I got 14mpg. Towing a 22’ sailboat I got 16mpg.

It’s shorter and narrower than our 2006 Honda Accord which gets 30mpg.

Did I mention it’s super duper reliable and always starts and gets you where your going no matter how long it’s sat?
I usually commute on my electric bike luckily :-)

But really 20mpg ain’t all that bad for a vehicle that can do as much as it does.
I’ve never put any effort in to improve it, I wonder if a spoiler in front of my factory roof rack would help?

[oil pan 4]

Yeah I had the pushrod 4L with automatic transmission. It was a turd.

[redpoint5]

Quite the necropost, but a good post anyhow.

My buddy seems to be equal parts dummy and genius. The dummy part was when he worked for years delivering for Pizza Hut in a Ford Explorer. He called me up one day saying he needed a ride after his late 90's Explorer blew up on the freeway. He coasted it off an offramp and into a gas station lot. I think he spent more in gas than he got paid.

He negotiated with various wreckers and I think got $600 for the thing, including having them get the car. While the tow truck was enroute, we removed the aftermarket stereo, hitch, spare, and battery.

He drives a Golf GTI now.

Speaking of delivery, it amazed me when I lived in an apartment how frequently people had Dominoes delivered. They are doing something way too important to walk across the street and get it themselves? This is why they don't own the roof over their head.

I ordered delivery for the first time in my life a few months ago when I worked late and unexpectedly in CA. Doordash had free delivery for first use, so I had Taco Bell delivered.

Grocery list making, and shopping, and transporting, and storing, and making is a huge PITA... so I'm sympathetic to delivery. Unsurprising who doesn't have money when we see how it's utilized.

[oil pan 4]

Yeah I see idiotic FB groups posting something like "if I can afford $1,250 rent why can't I afford a $750 a month mortgage". Of course I can't resist the troll.
I am compelled to remind them they aren't responsible enough to scrape together the 20% down payment their credit probably sucks and the only place they will find a $750 a month mortgage some where they would actually want to live is about 15-20 years ago.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Yeah I see idiotic FB groups posting something like "if I can afford $1,250 rent why can't I afford a $750 a month mortgage". Of course I can't resist the troll.
I am compelled to remind them they aren't responsible enough to scrape together the 20% down payment their credit probably sucks and the only place they will find a $750 a month mortgage some where they would actually want to live is about 15-20 years ago.

Once upon a time I was told I couldn’t afford a mortgage while at the same time I had enough money in the bank to purchase the home outright.

It’s like they don’t want to make money (or perhaps if you pay too reliably they don’t make enough)