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Ford Expedition Improving Gas Mileage

43 messages, Last post on Jul 23, 2009 at 6:00 PM

You are in the Ford Expedition Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, SUV

Outline

Messages Page 5 of 5: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; Prev; Next; Last

#34 of 43 Re: One thing that may help _ Expedition [harborharley] by tidester HOST Jun 12, 2009 (6:57 am)
Replying to: harborharley (Jun 12, 2009 4:17 am) How do you increase speed when at full stop at idle? Normally, I put the car in gear and press the gas pedal. tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper Replies to this message: harborharley (Jun 13, 2009 4:49 am)
#35 of 43 Re: Mileage When Towing a Trailer? [harborharley] by buffalojoe Jun 12, 2009 (7:42 am)
Replying to: harborharley (Jun 12, 2009 4:33 am) I've been pulling the same trailer with my '86 F250 diesel and that's how I do it there. It's nice to know that the technique for pulling trailers is universal! Thanks for the help. Replies to this message: harborharley (Jun 13, 2009 4:56 am)
#36 of 43 Re: One thing that may help _ Expedition [tidester] by harborharley Jun 13, 2009 (4:49 am)
Replying to: tidester (Jun 12, 2009 6:57 am) Very Good! have a nice day!
#37 of 43 Re: Mileage When Towing a Trailer? [buffalojoe] by harborharley Jun 13, 2009 (4:56 am)
Replying to: buffalojoe (Jun 12, 2009 7:42 am) Good luck with the trailer and MPG. You will find out soon! Always be careful towing. I was in a near accident with a friend years ago. He nor I had done much trailer towing. He was driving, forgot about the camper popup and made a sharp move to pass. The trailer broke off, flipped upside down but we were Ok. The trailer was a total loss.
#38 of 43 Quest for better MPG by buffalojoe Jul 05, 2009 (8:19 pm)
I have a '99 XLT with the 5.4L engine. What do you think of passenger tires ('P') versus light truck ('LT') tires? I bought this used and it came with a set of Goodyear Wrangler P tires. Would the LT's give better MPG since they're stiffer? Also, what about putting in Bosch Platinum 4 plugs? Would that help? I'm trying to do all of the gentle driving I can but I'm also looking to improve whatever mechanical parts I can too. Thanks! Replies to this message: harborharley (Jul 13, 2009 7:57 am) buffalojoe (Jul 13, 2009 2:14 pm) harborharley (Jul 14, 2009 5:52 am) and 2 more...
#39 of 43 Re: Quest for better MPG [buffalojoe] by harborharley Jul 13, 2009 (7:57 am)
Replying to: buffalojoe (Jul 05, 2009 8:19 pm) I put General Grabber HTS tires on mine from Tire Rack. They are just fine and more of a street tire. If you don't off road and street drive, don't get the Wranglers. Mine wore out because of wear pattern and still had good tread. Balancing did not fix the problem but the new tires took care of it! Plugs. Go with STOCK is my advise. I did the plugs on my 4.6 at 90,000 miles. The gap was real big! It took me about 6 hours to do, a bitch of a job especially on right rear plug. I replaced wires at the same time. The dealer charges over $600 for a plug job. You will see why! If you go with another plug type other than stock and they don't work out right, you will be real pissed at having to do the replacement again, believe me! Make sure you have a good set of sockets, ratchets, variety of extensions, angle connections to get to those plugs. This is a job for one with experience at this. Otherwise go to your dealer and plop your $$ down and come back and drive away happy!!! Replies to this message: buffalojoe (Jul 13, 2009 2:14 pm) harborharley (Jul 14, 2009 5:52 am) buffalojoe (Jul 23, 2009 9:35 am) and 1 more...
#40 of 43 Re: Quest for better MPG [harborharley] by buffalojoe Jul 13, 2009 (2:14 pm)
Replying to: harborharley (Jul 13, 2009 7:57 am) Yeah, I had a look under the hood and I groaned when I saw what was there. Did the replacement of the plugs help your mileage? I'm still trying to figure out if I want to try it or take the smart way out. As far as tires, I hate Goodyears in general and am glad I'm not the only one. Thanks! Replies to this message: harborharley (Jul 14, 2009 5:52 am) buffalojoe (Jul 23, 2009 9:35 am) harborharley (Jul 23, 2009 6:00 pm)
#41 of 43 Re: Quest for better MPG [buffalojoe] by harborharley Jul 14, 2009 (5:52 am)
Replying to: buffalojoe (Jul 13, 2009 2:14 pm) The manual says to replace plugs at 100,000 miles. When I measured the old plugs the gap was almost 1/8", pretty big and plugs were worn to some degree. I would say the engine runs better, smother with the new plugs, idles just great. You can do the plug job but take your time. If plugs have never been replaced and you are at the 100K mark do it. Also you may damage wires so consider replacing them at the same time. The plug wire boots are quite long and were difficult to remove without damaging them. If not up to the job, let the dealer do it. I did the job over a two day period to ease my back from bending over those fenders! The Generals HTS seem to be quiet, smooth riding and handle well. I do mostly street, hi-way driving. Check the Tire Rack site for reviews on them. These tires were so new when I got them, my garage smelled like fresh rubber for 2 months! I think i paid $550 for 4 balanced and installed at Tire Rack here in South Bend, IN. Let me know how you did on the plugs. Replies to this message: buffalojoe (Jul 23, 2009 9:35 am) harborharley (Jul 23, 2009 6:00 pm)
#42 of 43 Re: Quest for better MPG [harborharley] by buffalojoe Jul 23, 2009 (9:35 am)
Replying to: harborharley (Jul 14, 2009 5:52 am) I finished the plugs over the weekend and it took me a total of 7 hours (2 hours one night after work and 5 more in a straight shot on Saturday). I don't have the angled socket extenders so I was splayed out over the engine with the ones nearest the firewall. What a pain. The interesting part is three of them had corrosion on the higher part of the threads and the nut. I'd never seen that before on any of my vehicles. I have the 5.4L with coils but none of the rubber looked damaged enough to leak. I don't see any white smoke so the head gasket must be okay. It's a bit weird, though. The plugs looked as if they were wearing normally. There wasn't any fouling or anything that appeared out of the ordinary. We'll see if this helps the mpg. Replies to this message: harborharley (Jul 23, 2009 6:00 pm)
#43 of 43 Re: Quest for better MPG [buffalojoe] by harborharley Jul 23, 2009 (6:00 pm)
Replying to: buffalojoe (Jul 23, 2009 9:35 am) Ok on doing it yourself. I may have taken 5 hours total, I forget now. How was the plug on the passenger side rear? There have been some problems with the threads on the head on some 4.6 engines. This plug has actually blown out of the head in some cases. I did squirt some WD40 in the plug holes before I tried to remove them. I think I let it sit over night and soak in. Anyway good deal, you saved some money doing it. As I mentioned with 90K miles on mine the plug gaps were way out of spec, much opened. I have a 99 Expedition and it's almost show room condition! I get around 17 to 18 mpg on the hiway conservative driving.

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