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Last post on May 27, 2013 at 6:07 PM
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#4433 of 6386 1996 Ford Explorer
by dlynn2
Sep 26, 2005 (9:45 am)
I have a 96 ford explorer V6 4 wheel drive. Recently, it started staying first gear too long. If you let off the gas, then hit the gas again it will shift into 2nd...sometimes it skips 2nd and goes directly to 3rd. It then shifts fine throughout the rest of the gears. It doesnt slip or anything like that. Also, the OD light is flashing at me. Anyone have any suggestions?
#4434 of 6386 Re: 2005 Explorer, Poor Gas Mileage [jetranger430]
by fordexp1
Sep 26, 2005 (11:31 am)
I am right there with you, unfortunately. I have a 2005 Explorer, V6 4X2 with about 9000 miles on it now and i get anywhere between 9.0 miles per gallon to 12 in the city and about 15-18 on the highway. I posted back a few months ago and told anyone who was thinking about purchasing one, to get the V8, you don't lose any miles per gallon and can have a little more fun.
Ford is useless in trying to find the problem. The dealership (not just one, two of them) tried to get me to pay to have the computer hooked up to scan for problems if they didnt find anything wrong with it. They know the mpg in the V6 suck, and aren't helpful at all in figuring out why!
At least you probably got the employee discount. I bought mine at the beginning of the year right before ford started offering them. If I had known about the piss poor mpg, I would have gone ahead with the expedition, it gets relatively the same as my V6 explorer.
If you find out the reasons behind the low mpgs. please let me know
#4435 of 6386 Re: 2005 Explorer, Poor Gas Mileage [fordexp1]
by chuck1
Sep 26, 2005 (2:39 pm)
My wife w/the V6 (it's an 2001) never got more than 14 mpg city. On the highway we got around 20 mpg as long as you don't exceed 75mph or so. She drives very conservatively. I can see if you "hot-dog it" how you mpg could go below 14mpg/city. Honestly, how is your driving style?
As far as paying to have hooked up to the computer, I guess this isn't covered by the warranty? If not, it may be worth an hours labor charge to find out if it's your driving style or the car.
#4437 of 6386 Re: 2005 EB Explorer V8 roar noise from front area [nvbanker]
by dmatt131
Sep 26, 2005 (5:41 pm)
Thanks so very much for the information relating to my problem. I met with the service staff today and they were really interested in your reply. Hopefully, later this week they will replace the expansion valve on my Explorer. This was news to them. However, they were very receptive to anything that may correct the problem.
So far a really good service advisor and manager. Many thanks again for the quick response.
#4438 of 6386 Re: 2005 EB Explorer V8 roar noise from front area [dmatt131]
by nvbanker
Sep 26, 2005 (9:37 pm)
You're welcome. I hope I'm right.
#4439 of 6386 Re: 2005 Explorer, Poor Gas Mileage [chuck1]
by fordexp1
Sep 27, 2005 (8:48 am)
My father purchased a 2005 Expedition with the 5.4L V8, he is getting around 14-15 mpg in the city, so I asked if we could trade vehicles for a week to determine if it was my driving style that was causing my low mpg. Guess what happened, he still got around 14.8 mpg in the city with me driving the same ole way I normally do. While he was driving my explorer he told me he was getting around 12mpg. So that solved that assumption, which ford keeps telling me, its all about driving style, bs. There is some flaw in the V6, either its not a large enough engine to move this new explorer (with the third seat and overhead a/c, that rarely gets used)or there is something wrong with it, which ford hasn't stood behind. I've had it hooked to the computer and they say everything is in the parameters that ford gives them, if that helps.
#4440 of 6386 Re: 2005 Explorer, Poor Gas Mileage [fordexp1]
by chuck1
Sep 27, 2005 (9:06 am)
"There is some flaw in the V6, either its not a large enough engine to move this new explorer (with the third seat and overhead a/c, that rarely gets used)"
Like I mentioned, I had an '01 equipped the same as yours. These are identical vehicles. I got 14/city-20 hwy. So it may be a flaw in your particular vehicle. But these motors generally get 1 to 2 mpg better than the V8. I traded mine in at 45K. I needed a tow vehicle. The motor was reliable up to that point. The rear-end and it's issues are a different story.......
You have to ask yourself if the approximately 2 mpg you are getting (less than everybody else) is worth the frustration you are experiencing. If the dealer said it's within specs, then you are at the end of your rope. You can't evoke the lemon law or bring a court case over this issue. These things are so judgemental. it's nearly impossible to solve by legal action.
My advice would be to accept the current situation and move on-or simply get rid of the vehicle. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's reality.
Good luck to you!
#4441 of 6386 Re: 2005 Explorer, Poor Gas Mileage [chuck1]
by bioman
Sep 27, 2005 (12:15 pm)
Maybe I missed something along the way. Did anyone, dealer, other mechanic, etc, check out other systems that might be causing the poor mileage? Are the brakes hanging up on the rotors? Is the parking brake adjusted properly? Is the transmission slipping? What tires are on the truck? Sounds like you need a real good problem solver type mechanic rather than a code reader who works for Ford.
#4442 of 6386 1996 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTING PROBLEMS
by dlynn2
Sep 27, 2005 (12:25 pm)
I have a 96 ford explorer V6 4 wheel drive. Recently, it started staying first gear too long. If you let off the gas, then hit the gas again it will shift into 2nd...sometimes it skips 2nd and goes directly to 3rd. It then shifts fine throughout the rest of the gears. It doesnt slip or anything like that. Also, the OD light is flashing at me. Anyone have any suggestions?