going on a 2,200 mile trip soon

[cullinan18]

I've taken multiple 600+ mile trips in my Expy to AR, but I'm taking the family to CT and Long Island soon. Since I work from home, I was only expecting to put on miles like ExpeditionAndy. Little did I know business trips and the family just loving the Expy would drastically kick up my annual mileage.

Anyway, it's a great vehicle and even the dog loves it.

With this long road trip coming up, I went to get my 2 year free service oil change. I let the dealer talk me into getting BG115 MOA additive to my oil. From a few articles on the web, it seems like it might be useful. I skipped the fuel additive treatment (which was about $50).

Any experience with oil additives or fuel additives? Would a catch can negate the "need" for MOA?

Have a great day folks.

 

[Habbibie]

Hey before you go on that trip make sure your spare tire can be released from the bottom of the car and that it is at the correct psi.

Personally I don't use additives I try to run synthetic anything if its available, the only additive I support is a direct into the fuel rail injector cleaner

 

[07xln]

Not familiar with BG115 but from what I’ve read it looks like it just helps extend the oil life so you don’t have to change it as often. Not sure if extended drain intervals is your thing or not. If not then imo it was a waste of money. Fuel additives will be a waste on your truck because it’s direct injection. Maybe an injector cleaner every now and then will be alright but that’s about it. Use a good synthetic oil and drain it every 5k miles and you won’t need any of that other crap

 

[cullinan18]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

Habbibie - Thanks, I didn't think to check if the spare can be released. I always carry an inflator in my vehicles (VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor) and usually a can of Fix-A-Flat / Slime.


07xln - yeah, i don't think BG115 it's really worth it. I am now doing some reading about fuel injection cleaners.

 

[cmiles97]

The only additive I'm using is octane. I recently switched to 93 as the owner's manual says it's a good idea when towing or it's hot out. Well it's getting back into the 90s here.

I'd be grateful if you let us know what gas you use and tracked your mileage & speed. Even just reset one of your trip meters would be fine.

Mine got just short of 18mpg using 87octane on a round trip from Montgomery Alabama to Roanoke VA during Easter. 80 mph when I could and quite a few completely stopped traffic accidents or construction. With the 28 gal tank, I stopped at rest areas more often because the truck didn't need fuel. Also the lack of downshifts going up mountains was a pleasant surprise.

Enjoy the trip and let us know how it goes.

 

[Plati]

I've taken multiple 600+ mile trips in my Expy to AR, but I'm taking the family to CT and Long Island soon. Since I work from home, I was only expecting to put on miles like ExpeditionAndy. Little did I know business trips and the family just loving the Expy would drastically kick up my annual mileage.

Anyway, it's a great vehicle and even the dog loves it.

With this long road trip coming up, I went to get my 2 year free service oil change. I let the dealer talk me into getting BG115 MOA additive to my oil. From a few articles on the web, it seems like it might be useful. I skipped the fuel additive treatment (which was about $50).

Any experience with oil additives or fuel additives? Would a catch can negate the "need" for MOA?

Have a great day folks.

OK, I'm jaded but thats what I think of the "free oil change" from dealers. An opportunity to get your vehicle in there and then they sell you all kinds of things, being a dealer probably things you dont need.

Again ... jaded (sorry) but I'm always baffled by posts like this or "which should I buy, the 2015 or 2016?". You should check and maintain your car EVERY day, not just for a trip. Check tire pressure, tire wear, and oil level ... but they should be right all the time. Air cleaner, brakes ... oil & filter changed regularly. Is your registration & insurance current and do you have paperwork inside the vehicle? All the fluids. Do you have a cooler full of beer, maps & directions, all the normal things.

 

[powerboatr]

check the spare, but hey you have roadside help as part of the warranty...
i carry extra bug washer fluid and one qt of oil just in case on long trips.
93 octane whenever i can get it. and drive as fast as traffic allows

 

[Plati]

I took my spare tire off the 2014 last week for the Krown treatment. Steel rim was starting to rust so I painted rust conversion on that to slow that down. The tire was down to 22 psi, pumped that up. I also wanted to make sure I knew how to pull that and use jack tools in case the need be, so now I know it's all there and how it works. I liberally greased the mechanism.

Have never pulled spare from 2003. It looks so rusty now its scary. I'm wondering if I should pull that or leave be. Tire is valve stem down so I'm going to at least check pressure.

 

[cullinan18]

Again ... jaded (sorry) but I'm always baffled by posts like this or "which should I buy, the 2015 or 2016?". You should check and maintain your car EVERY day, not just for a trip. Check tire pressure, tire wear, and oil level ... but they should be right all the time. Air cleaner, brakes ... oil & filter changed regularly. Is your registration & insurance current and do you have paperwork inside the vehicle? All the fluids. Do you have a cooler full of beer, maps & directions, all the normal things.

MrSticker, I understand what you're saying, but I was only asking a question about fuel / oil additives and their usefulness and if a catch can would negate their value. The rest of my post was only to express a love of the vehicle and surprise at the mileage I put on it.

I eyeball rotors and pads, along with tire sag, all the time and check more thoroughly when something looks off. I check wipers and air filters. Honestly, it didn't occur to me to check the spare. I just checked all the tires since the dealer rotated the tires and the write up indicated they check the tire pressure. I haven't checked the lugs to ensure the dealer actually tightened them, but i will do that this afternoon.

Again, thanks for all the input folks.

 

[1955moose]

Don't use fix a flat ever! It not only corrodes the air pressure sensors, it keeps any shop from doing a repair on that tire. I'm with the rest, no additives, and don't run oil past 7,500, 5,000 is better still. Dirty oil plugs up passages that affects cam advancing sensors, and all kinds of other small critical orifices. Remember $50.00 for a oil/ filter change is way better than ponying up 5 large for a new motor! What gear is your expedition? I'm assuming no more than 3 years old or so, due to you have a oil change arrangement.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[cullinan18]

Moose,

Come on, I took the time to make the sig file, I hoped it would be read.... J/K.

2017 with 3.73. You're right about the oil change at every 5 - 7.5k is much cheaper than a new engine and much less of a hassle than the walnut shell blasting.

 

[1955moose]

Hey Cullinan what the heck is a sig file? I'm just a 45 year in the Auto/ motorcycle repair business stubborn Moose! I spend way too much time on the net, and this website. This site is addictive. So what did I miss?

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Oops... let me try again

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Hey Cullinan what the heck is a sig file? I'm just a 45 year in the Auto/ motorcycle repair business stubborn Moose! I spend way too much time on the net, and this website. This site is addictive. So what did I miss?

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

Ha ha... I think he was referring to the details people add to their profile that shows up below their post in sort of greyed out text... Cullinan18's sig says..

2017 Ford Expedition Limited, 4WD, 3.73, 301A, BLIS, Rear Load Level, Capts, Ruby Red

 

[1955moose]

I'm still trying to figure out what his come on Moose comment was all about. He asked and was answered about dealer up sells, and asked for recommendations for his trip. We all gave our personal do's and dont's. Mine was no fix a flat, and diligent services. Oh well, everyone's got an opinion, that's what makes this forum great!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[cullinan18]

Moose,

The come on was about not seeing the details of my Expy at the bottom of my message. I was just rattling your chain I'm nearly 42, so we're in the same boat.

Yes, I appreciate your input about Fix-A-Flat. It's kept for GD emergencies only

 

[cullinan18]

First 600 miles in from MO to OH and computer averaged 21.4 mpg driving at speed limits. 2 adults, 2 kids, and a bunch of stuff.

 

[cullinan18]

At 1,100 miles now and down to 21.2 mpg. Driving thru PA dropped the mpgs.

 

[cullinan18]

We just got back from our trip and ended up a little over 2,700 miles . The drive from MO to CT was pretty decent mileage, but driving locally around CT, NJ, and NY ate into the computer claimed mpg. The drive back from Long Island helped pick up the mileage again, but we still settled just shy of 20 mpg. Based on the effortless power, plenty of room for people and cargo, and surprisingly comfortable ride for a body on frame, I'm thrilled. Much better choice to drive on this trip compared to my wife's much more fuel efficient Forester..

 

[cmiles97]

Thanks for the feedback. That's great mileage on a 6,000 lb vehicle. Did you use 87 octane?

We had a 2003 4cylinder Honda element that only averaged 22mpg. I thought it would have done better but it was shaped like a toaster and didn't do any better on the highway. It was very reliable and a great dog, hay & feed hauler.

I currently drive a Nissan NV200 4cylider work van that only gets 24mpg with mostly highway driving and a CV Transmission.