01 Automatic Mustang

[Gas]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I have glanced at a few postings so I decided to join.
I myself have a 01 mustang which my family has had since 2001 (only owners).
The odometer reads 225,000 miles but we had the engine rebuilt at about 215,000 miles.
The car is 100% stock and I have just recently ordered a scan gauge to monitor my output.
I was wondering what kind of mods would help increase my mpgs to right about 30 mpgs + (V6 3.8L)
Right now I average about 24mpgs with mostly highway.

[Mustang Dave]

Welcome aboard, fellow Mustang owner!
Please add your Mustang to the garage and maintain a fuel log.
Check 65+ Efficiency Mods and 100+ Hypermiling Tips for some ideas.
If you're exceeding the speed limit on the highway, KNOCK THAT S*** OFF!!
My primary hypermiling technique is DWB - Driving Without Brakes. Ever since I learned to drive my Mustang more efficiently, my F-250 has also been getting better fuel economy.

[Gas]

Hey, Thanks for the info. Is driving without brakes basically just coasting it to neutral and just letting momentum do its job?
I was also wondering about how to correctly use the Pulse & Glide Technique.

[theicecreamman]

3.8 V6 and 30 mpg with an auto? Newest 3.7 V6 Mustang does it, albeit with extra gears in a more efficient automatic transmission, VVT and other hyper complex doodads and jiggery pokery ( man I sound old ). I went on a trip in a 2013 convertible in February and averaged 29-30 mpg beating the snot out of that thing and using the cruise.

Anyway, service the transmission and rear, run synthetics. Make sure the front end is aligned properly. Replace any parts in the emission control system ( O2 sensors and clogged catalytic convertors definitely an mpg killer. )

Free up any restriction in the intake and exhaust.

Find a reputable tuner and do a remap, Fords are tuned on the rich side. Minor changes to lean out the cruise AFR and add timing works wonders for mpg. Search around the site for examples.

But until you want to go that far, just do the basics and adjust your driving style. Old 5.0L Fords could do 30 mpg pootling along the freeway in a car chassis, tuned properly.

[mcrews]

Welcome!!
MustangDave is your new best friend!
Read his posts.
Pump up the tires to 40+ psi
Get a scangauge (see first link in my sig)
Consider upsizing tires at next purchase. (at least 5% larger in diameter)

[Mustang Dave]

Thanks, Mark.
Yeah, get instrumentation. ScanGauge or UltraGauge to show instantaneous MPG, % load, engine temp, open/closed loop, et cetera. It WILL make a difference if you use it.

Originally Posted by Gas

... Is driving without brakes basically just coasting it to neutral and just letting momentum do its job?

No. That's engine-on coasting. I actually do very little neutral coasting. Coasting downhill in neutral is illegal in Arizona. ARS 28-895.

Read this ecomodder blog post for more information about DWB. I also downshift and engine brake (using Deceleration Fuel Cut Off) to avoid using the friction brakes.

I can drive down the road from my local ski area with my F-250 to the highway without touching the brake pedal until I have to stop at the bottom. This road has an average grade of 6% with some tight turns that can only be taken at 35 MPH. Posted speed limit is 30. Since I started DWB with my truck, the MPG has improved noticeably.

I also use cruise control extensively, and use the acc/dec buttons at speed limit changes.

Many hypermilers will tell you that cruise control and engine braking/DFCO are the wrong way to do it, but at 48.75% over EPA combined (lifetime average, and currently climbing), my technique doesn't seem to be COMPLETELY wrong.

[Gas]

Originally Posted by theicecreamman

3.8 V6 and 30 mpg with an auto? Newest 3.7 V6 Mustang does it, albeit with extra gears in a more efficient automatic transmission, VVT and other hyper complex doodads and jiggery pokery ( man I sound old ). I went on a trip in a 2013 convertible in February and averaged 29-30 mpg beating the snot out of that thing and using the cruise.

Anyway, service the transmission and rear, run synthetics. Make sure the front end is aligned properly. Replace any parts in the emission control system ( O2 sensors and clogged catalytic convertors definitely an mpg killer. )

Free up any restriction in the intake and exhaust.

Find a reputable tuner and do a remap, Fords are tuned on the rich side. Minor changes to lean out the cruise AFR and add timing works wonders for mpg. Search around the site for examples.

But until you want to go that far, just do the basics and adjust your driving style. Old 5.0L Fords could do 30 mpg pootling along the freeway in a car chassis, tuned properly.

I just ordered some new O2 sensors the other day hopefully they get here soon
Would a Tuner from BAMA do the trick? I was told it comes with free lifetime tunes but the price is a little steep. I was also thinking of doing a true dual exhaust swap but I'm not too sure if it will actually do much to fuel saving.

[Gas]

Thanks for the link to DWB
Hopefully applying all these newly found trick I'll be able to hit the 30 mpg mark.

[Mustang Dave]

Would a Tuner from BAMA do the trick? I was told it comes with free lifetime tunes but the price is a little steep.

It may or may not. I have a Hypertech Power Programmer on my Mustang that I installed at about the same time I found ecomodder.com and got my first 30 MPG fill-up. I haven't done any A-B-A fuel economy testing with it because driveability is better with it installed.

I was also thinking of doing a true dual exhaust swap but I'm not too sure if it will actually do much to fuel saving.

I installed a Ford Racing cat-back dual exhaust on my Mustang four years ago. No difference in performance or fuel economy, and it added 31 pounds to the car, but it looks cool and doesn't sound obnoxious.

[Mustang Dave]

Any results yet? My last tank started out badly... Dentist appointment that day at 11:00 - lots of city traffic; haircut appointment the next afternoon - lots of city traffic. Figured I'd be lucky to break 30 on this morning's fill-up. But I did. Lifetime average 29.754 MPG, and it's not even a Toyota!