new here

[FoMoCo_RANGER]

hello, i'm new here, my friend Chris D. told me about the site, so i figure i'd check it out, and see how i can change my driving habits, and eventually squeeze 32MPG out of my 2001 ranger 2.5L

[MetroMPG]

Hey FoMoCo - welcome.

Just had a look @ your fuel log. Based on that, 32 is a modest goal & you should have no trouble getting there.

Some questions: Have you got a ScanGauge?

How's your tire pressure?

And what kind of commute do you face?

[FoMoCo_RANGER]

i don't have a scan gauge, my tire pressure is around 35 PSI, and my daily commute is usually about 16 miles round trip, about 75% highway


i have lightened up the back of my truck up about 350 pounds, i had a factory tonneau cover that weighed about 200 pounds, they said in the manual that it saves fuel... yeah right, and i took some sandbags out of the back that i use for winter driving

[MetroMPG]

If you're doing mostly highway, I'd keep the tonneau on. Weight hurts most in city driving, aero helps most with what you're driving.

What speed are you driving on the highway? That's the key factor there.

[FoMoCo_RANGER]

i usually drive highway speeds... usually 55MPH

[MetroMPG]

Hmm. Maybe this is going to be harder than I thought. Usually suggesting people lower their freeway speeds is the first bit of advice, but you've already done that.

The next highway technique I'd suggest is "driving with load". Basically - let your speed fall on climbs (constant throttle, if you don't have a ScanGauge), and pick it up again on the descent.

For urban stuff, the biggest gains to be made are in avoiding using the brakes as much as possible (some call it "DWB", or driving without brakes). Coast in neutral when you need to reduce speed, or when approaching stops. If you're comfortable killing the engine when coasting down (PS goes out, PB dies after one or 2 applications), you'll net some good gains there as well.

I'd highly recommend getting a ScanGauge too.

We need to get our motherlist of driving tips posted...

[H4MM3R]

Welcome to the community.

[SVOboy]

Welcome to the site! I hope you can find something useful here,

[FoMoCo_RANGER]

i have found alot here already, and so far the biggest it the change in my driving habits