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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer Real World MPG

51 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2012 at 5:34 PM

You are in the Ford Explorer Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Explorer Sport, Ford Explorer, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 5 of 6

#38 of 51 Reducing tire size for mileage feasible? by zevoruko

Jul 29, 2007 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: scinlaeca (Aug 29, 2007 1:06 pm)
I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport.
 
It still has the original Michelin 235/75R15 tires on it but after 6 years its time to change them.
 
That bring in 2 questions:
 
1)Is it possible to install thinner tires.. maybe like 215 or 205 if i respect the original height?
-Would this make the vehicle any less safe?
-Would they fit the original rims?
-Would gas mileage really be reduced a little bit?
 
None of the tires are too worn (Explorer was only driven 40K miles on them) yet the tires are 6 years old but only the front ones have little cracks on the side which make me uncomfortable to take the Explorer on the highway (usually drive only in city traffic).
 
2)The spare tire is brand new cause its never been used ... yet its been down under the Explorer for 6 years. If I only want to change the front tires for the moment could i use the spare and only buy a second tire or is it too dangerous and i should change all tires?
 
Thanks for the help!!!!

#39 of 51 Re: Reducing tire size for mileage feasible? [zevoruko] by tidester

Jul 29, 2007 (10:37 pm)

Replying to: zevoruko (Jul 29, 2007 8:03 pm)
Would gas mileage really be reduced a little bit?
 
I'm curious. What makes you think your mileage will change?
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#40 of 51 Drag by zevoruko

Aug 01, 2007 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: scinlaeca (Aug 29, 2007 1:06 pm)
Im wondering if thinner tires would cause less friction/drag therefore increasing mileage...

#41 of 51 Re: Drag [zevoruko] by tidester

Aug 01, 2007 (9:43 pm)

Replying to: zevoruko (Aug 01, 2007 6:15 pm)
If there is no adhesion between the tires and the pavement, then the coefficient of friction (rolling) should not vary with contact area. And if it does, the change will be negligible in terms of mileage improvement.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#42 of 51 Re: Drag [tidester] by gusgorilla

Aug 03, 2007 (9:16 am)

Replying to: tidester (Aug 01, 2007 9:43 pm)
There would be a slight reduction of friction between the tires and road surface. Slight being the key word, so slight that you would never notice it in a fuel mileage calculation. However the reduced surface area of your tires may Greatly impact your traction. Reduced traction will go unnoticed until you really need it. Situations like emergency braking, an evasive move in traffic, poor weather, will all bring it to your attention. Sure the ABS will still activate correctly but it will have just that much less area to work with. IMHO it's not worth the trade. As for the tires fitting the rim, any good tire shop would be able to tell you, I really don't know. As for the spare, it's the same age as the original tires, I'd leave it as is, as a spare. Good luck to you and I hope you can find a good deal on some tires.

#44 of 51 07 Eddie Bauer Explorer AWD V6 by hackd

Dec 19, 2007 (2:09 pm)

I wanted to see what others have recently been getting with the latest models. I currently get about 13-14 City and 21-22 Highway going about 65-70 MPH. Kind of dissapointed with city figures but when reviewing others mileage forums it could be worse. Mileage computer has definitely cured my lead foot as with certain techniques like coasting and keeping RPM's low I can get up to 15+ in City driving.

#45 of 51 Re: Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer: MPG-Real World Numbers [nfntruth] by dtownmil

Dec 28, 2007 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: nfntruth (Aug 13, 2006 8:16 pm)
98 Explorer Sport, 4.0L SOHC, 120,000 miles, 13 MPG in town, 16-17 highway. I think that stinks. I like everything else about this vehicle, except that the rear springs sag a bit. It even tows my 19' boat well. Cruddy mileage. I changed to synthetic oil recently, so I hope that helps a bit. I think it had 10W-30, now I put in 5W-30 syn.

#46 of 51 2001 Explorer Sport by dman446

Feb 23, 2008 (8:41 am)

I drove the truck from 84,000 - 106K miles.
stock 4.0L 203 hp V6 16/21 MPG
 
After adding:
Flowmoaster Catback system
removed radiator fan and converted to 16" Hayden electric fan
cold air intake
new plugs/wires
TPS Sensor adustment
 
ended up getting 19-20/25-26 according to the self installed information display i installed from a 4 door model.

#47 of 51 Re: Poor gas mileage... [coach8] by trailsandroads

Sep 27, 2008 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: coach8 (Jun 15, 2007 10:01 pm)
hey coach, If you never tried using a 100% synthetic oil, that will help your mileage. I use Amsoil now which I believe is a better oil than Mobil1 and it's close to .50 cents cheaper per quart depending how much you would buy. Synthetic oils are produced here in the U.S.A. and not imported from the mid east. If you have replaced tires, Did you get a heavy tire ? Any one who would buy Goodyear Wranglers Silent Armuors will get less MPG. The set I got for my mothers 2003 explorer, very seldom will you get 16MPG with good gas. It use to be with bad gas the least you got was 16MPG with the Michelin cross terrains. Maybe you need to get different gas as now ethenol is everywhere at the pumps mixed in the gas of 10% mix. Some people now say that ethenol has alot of less MPG we all are getting. Who knows. Now I'm confused.

Messages Page 5 of 6

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