Help, california is insane, mpg mods needed

[BlackCoffee]

I can tell you that my 2003 5.4L Eddie Bauer, which means I am running a 4x4 with a Borg Warner Transfer case, can get 14.5 MPG in the city and 17.5 MPG on the highway. You just need to rebuild the engine, bring the valves and heads up to new condition, and make sure your Torque Converter and Transmission are in acceptable shape. My brand new front wheel drive Explorer only averages 5 MPG more than the 16 year old Expy. Don't sell the old guy short.

 

[Dorzak]

Couple of things - there are many in California who live and grew up in rural areas. However, since both houses of the state legislature are based on population we are outnumbered on everything. Hence things like the State of Jefferson. Last week I paid $3.79 at Costco, and will get $0.20 of that back through reward programs. Paradise, CA that burned last fall was a rural, generally conservative area. All the areas threatened by Oroville Dam 2 years ago are conservative, rural areas with the exception of the college towns.

 

[Dorzak]

California has 2 major factors that affect its gas prices. It as higher than most states, maybe even all states, in state taxes on fuel. However, that alone does not account for the difference.

The other difference is CARB Rules (California Air Resource Board) which also affects some cross state Air Resource Districts (Tahoe/Reno for example). It is a different formulation that is supposed to burn cleaner. However, there is some argument to made because it cause a small impact on MPG its gains may be wasted by burning more of it.

If a state like Oklahoma has a supply problem, you can just ship in gas from other states. California a limited number of refineries make the formulation. There is also a different formulation from I think May 1 to October 1. Refineries shutdown, do maintenance and make the change over. They try to estimate demand before doing so, but sometimes are off. That can lead to one seasons fuel being available, while stocks on the other season run low. (EDIT: And can't legally sell the gas being made for the next season) A few years ago that happened and Governor Moonbeam signed an executive order letting the summer gas be sold early.

 

[Tbaker]

I have a 1997 Ford Expedition XLT with 4x4 and the 5.4L
I did find that the extra $$$'s I was spending on gasoline would buy me a beater for a $1000.00 which got me many more MPG
I Love my Expedition and I Love living in Los Angeles so I had no choice to figure out how to get more MPG out of my Expedition when I did drive it.
Removing the 3rd row seat if you can store it somewhere is not a bad option. No way in hell would I ever remove my tow package or spare tire because the few pounds are not going to get the mileage up as much as the way you drive will. I keep the tank less then half way full (fuel is very heavy) most of the time. I keep my tires inflated to 40lbs unless off roading or in the snow. I immediately air back up once I'm back on pavement. If I'm stopped at a light more then 10 seconds I turn the motor off. I never accelerate quickly from a red light. I try to keep my highway speed in the City to 60mph. If in traffic I glide and lightly accelerate as much as possible. I have fairly aggressive off-road tires and I consistently obtain 13.5-14.5 mpg every time I check. Also I don't run the air conditioning unless I absolutely have to (over a 100 degrees out) as the fan with outside air or windows down usually will keep me cool enough. I also offset my drive time slightly to avoid the heaviest of traffic. All these things are simple to do and still be able to drive your Expedition. I would consider a 2nd old beater Honda, Toyota, Nissan to supplement your driving though. In the long run you save years of use of the Expedition and before long the gas savings have pair for the 2nd vehicle and extra insurance.

Good Luck

 

[Dorzak]

3, how much you you guys normally spend on gas each month?

I spend about $300-$350 month. I can go about 10 days between fill-ups. In Sacramento, and I commute 23 miles each way. I don't need all three rows most of the time, but don't have space to park a commute beater.

 

[Dorzak]

My older sister who's now 72, lives in Washington, Utah. It averages 100 degrees all summer from late June till October. It's desert, and probably at one time had nice air. Didn't know that about Salt lake City, but doesn't surprise me. One of the things I love about living in a windy area like San Francisco is the wind blows so much pollution out to the central, and south valley's, away from us. San Francisco only has about 1 million people, but that # swells to 2 million or more during the commute into the city. One of the things that Ford was doing to offset the horrible pollution fines that all large corporate companies accrue, is to offset it with bicycle rentals, and in my case driving a shuttle van using a 14 passenger Ford Transit. Sadly, my company Chariot screwed the pooch on the latter last February. We cancelled all service March 5th. What's next Robbie Robot driving your Ford Van, Circa 2025? By then, they'll be all electric, or at least hybrid. Complaints will mean Robbie gets deactivated, same as being fired!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

Yep, most of the air quality issues in Sacramento come from Bay area winds. The Delta breeze in the summer lowers temperatures but wrecks air quality.

 

[David Kuchler]

cheap mods, coast a lot, never push accelerator down further than the speed you hope to reach, never go over 60, and let off the gas a mile before you plan to stop, plan your trips in advanced to the detail, take straightest route possible, travel at night, when possible.
expys don't get gas mileage, but highway you should be able to get 15 plus if you drive like anything but a Californian (20 possible, but you can never touch the gas, cruise control everywhere ya go over 30 mph)
a bad cat will kill mileage, and cause other damage
increasing air pressure in tires could help 40+ even 55
car pool, sell your soul, think outside the box
there is not one mod that can help a lead foot get better mileage, and very few if any that will help even the best driver get more than they could factory stock, reducing weight included, mine is over 6000 lbs (2006), even if I cut everything but the drivers seat off, im gonna improve my mileage by much, its a v8

 

[Yupster Dog]

I am so glad I am on the east coast.....I mean wow it sucks worse over here you all better stay put your better off. Our air quality is clean fresh.....I mean checked daily for pollen don't come here very bad pollenated air. The pollen gets in the air filter And makes our mpg's worse. And when that doesn't work it piles up on your vehicle to slow it down. (I had a lady try to hail me because my truck was so yellow) To top it off the gas prices jumped in the past month from $2.20 all the way up to $2.60 unbelievable! It takes $60 to fill up now.

 

[Sgt Darkness]

Have you registered for the draft?

 

[Gumbyalso]

Mine is a 2000 Eddie Bauer 5.4 4WD with 310K on it. Engine and tranny haven't had a failure other than the intake manifold at about 210K. The only thing non-stock is the K&N air filter and the 20% Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak I mix with synthetic 10w30. I get about 15 mixed highway/city (mostly hwy, this is rural NC) and about 17 straight hwy doing no more than 70 (without the a/c on). The K&N adds some fractional mileage as does the Lucas. I change the plugs every 100K and finally changed the COPs at 300K when it was starting to miss. The new COPs helped the mileage another fraction. And our 2011 EB (XLT plus) 5.4 4WD with 165K on it gets about 2 mpg better than the 2000. It has a K&N as well, but the rest is stock. Gas here is running about $2.59-2.69 now. We have the highest state gas tax in the south at just over $.36/gal - thanks to a Republican legislature who raised it in 2015. Just when gas taxes were about to fall under the old formula, the Republican legislature passed a new gas tax formula that increased the tax and has done so every year since then. The 2015 state law implemented a new tax formula that adjusts annually. The tax takes into consideration state population and energy cost inflation and only goes up. Taken to it's logical conclusion, at some point in NC we'll be paying more in tax than we will for the actual gas. SC is $.25 a gallon cheaper at present and you can expect that split to widen. High gas taxes hurt those in rural areas the most who have to drive to get anywhere. There is no public transportation out here. No, I'm not a Democrat. I'm a pissed off independent.

 

[Plati]

Bro, I FEEL your pain!!! I also live in So. Cal. and for the life of me, CAN'T ABIDE getting ripped off! I travel to Utah a few times a month and their gas prices-two weeks ago was $2.58/gal most everywhere and cheaper at Costco!!! I HATE the lefty run gov't. of this state!!! It's disgusting what they've done here!!! Ok, I'm off my soapbox now. Sorry, I have NO magic pill for you other than doing as I will-MOVE to A MORE SANE STATE!!! I drive my 2000 EB as little as possible for now.

Isnt the reason gas is more expensive in California mainly because EVERYTHING is more expensive in California? Like real estate and food and parts and … everything. If someone is to build a gas station it's more expensive than in Terre Haute Indiana, right. Its a business and they have to charge the customer more to pay the costs. Why blame the government? I don't get it. Sure the taxes are higher but that's a small part of the higher cost. Right?

And roads and bridges cost money. They don't appear magically. Why not tax gas to pay for that? Do people think its all free or just somebody else should pay for it? Why not make the vehicles that use the infrastructure pay up for that infrastructure?

 

[Adieu]

Isnt the reason gas is more expensive in California mainly because EVERYTHING is more expensive in California? Like real estate and food and parts and … everything. If someone is to build a gas station it's more expensive than in Terre Haute Indiana, right. Its a business and they have to charge the customer more to pay the costs. Why blame the government? I don't get it. Sure the taxes are higher but that's a small part of the higher cost. Right?

And roads and bridges cost money. They don't appear magically. Why not tax gas to pay for that? Do people think its all free or just somebody else should pay for it? Why not make the vehicles that use the infrastructure pay up for that infrastructure?

Infrastructure in CA is kinda iffy, though

And it has the largest tax base already, been that way for a while now

Also, NO, I don't for a minute buy that a middle-of-nowhere gas station along a highway 50-100 miles into the sticks from the expensive coastal regions is somehow intrinsically several times more expensive to operate and supply than somewhere 2 miles above sea level and 1000 miles from any port up in Utah somewhere....


And yes it'd have to be SEVERAL times, because the price of fuel is, still, after all somewhat based on the prices of oil and refined fuels themselves, so you gotta subtract that crap before you compare expenses for different locations

 

[David1]

I will sell you a Suzuki Intruder 800 $1500 50mpg pick up only. I believe Ca. even allows lane splitting, so you also benefit in traffic

Right now i need my 01 xlt (5.4l rwd) to sip gas like fine wine and not chug it like cheap beer, i know i know its a near 5000lb land yacht its not made for good...no reasonable...no sane mpg but here in the wonderful, awesome fantasically amazing state of callifornia gas is damn near 4 buck a gallon. 4!!! (State average 4.03, locally 3.99-4.00). Besides 3rd row, spare tire, tow package, tuner, is there anything i could do for more than 13mpg? I cant trade for a new 50+mpg camry(wouldn't mind it though, thing has 208hp), or swap a 3.5l eb in. Thank you.

 

[Sicksouljerk]

Start with the fuel and air mixture. Make sure your sparkplugs are not worn out and gapping is on spec, clean throttle body, make sure gaskets aren't ripped, so you're getting all the air pressure u need, use a higher octane fuel, change your oil, half synthetic is good. Next your tires are the next thing to check. Air pressure is at spec, aftermarket wheels eat up mpg alot, don't know if yours is oem. Maybe switch to smaller rim,/larger profile tires.

 

[01ExpyOwner]

For those who wanted to know commute is 70%ish rural back roads at about 40, i do live near oroville/paradise (made it out unscathed) i cleaned out the truck loss about a pound in dirt, took out the spare and third row, cheapest ca legal cat is $100 more ($300 on rockauto) than cheapest 48 state cat. Sparkplugs soon but ford f*cked up when designing this beast so ill have to take it the a shop. Will taller skinnier tire help. Might just take 2nd row 60 out and replace it with thin plywood.
Current list of problems:
Leak from passenger sunvisor (wtf)
No heat\ac
Bad cat passenger side
Dents everywhere
Possibly been wrecked (paint on some panels are slightly off
Lock can take a couple clicks to unlock
Rear passenger door doesn't unlock with driver's button
R. passenger door doesnt open from the inside
5 separate chips in windshield (no cracks)
Metal rod from sunroof is bent and hanging off (sunroof still works)
Many more
Also i try to hypermile drive it, and only press the gas pedal with a toe as light as possible, no gas down hills or when red light is within 3/4 of a mile etc
Edit previous owner (or before them) did air ride delete i believe its the monroe kit from rockauto and the rear struts and stuff squeaks when going over speed bumps

 

[Wal92tt]

1, ha
2, i thought about a motorcycle, unfortunately like i mentioned early we 'share' the truck
3, how much you you guys normally spend on gas each month?

You "share" the truck. No biggie, simply walk away from it. Buy a cheap car for a few hundred dollars or motorcycle. You'll be ahead in no time! Sure, you'll feel/say you'll loose out by giving up the truck. Consider how much $ you'll be continually putting into it if you don't walk away....?
Have your mom buy your portion out or pay you payments for your portion of the truck.

I'd love to get 13mpg on my 99! I get 10-11mpg.
The only answer is to stop driving/using/sell the truck. Not the answer you wanted, we all know, but it's THE answer! I fault you in no way, but you started this post without proper understanding/ignorance of your truck, and how science works. There are not any such mods in existence which will garner the results you're looking for...

It takes money to make money is an old saying. It's going to take you getting rid of the truck, in order for you to start getting ahead in your situation.... It's what most here have been saying, in one way or another. Many of us have been there, poor students, scraping to get by.

 

[Wal92tt]

For those who wanted to know commute is 70%ish rural back roads at about 40, i do live near oroville/paradise (made it out unscathed) i cleaned out the truck loss about a pound in dirt, took out the spare and third row, cheapest ca legal cat is $100 more ($300 on rockauto) than cheapest 48 state cat. Sparkplugs soon but ford f*cked up when designing this beast so ill have to take it the a shop. Will taller skinnier tire help. Might just take 2nd row 60 out and replace it with thin plywood.
Current list of problems:
Leak from passenger sunvisor (wtf)
No heat\ac
Bad cat passenger side
Dents everywhere
Possibly been wrecked (paint on some panels are slightly off
Lock can take a couple clicks to unlock
Rear passenger door doesn't unlock with driver's button
R. passenger door doesnt open from the inside
5 separate chips in windshield (no cracks)
Metal rod from sunroof is bent and hanging off (sunroof still works)
Many more
Also i try to hypermile drive it, and only press the gas pedal with a toe as light as possible, no gas down hills or when red light is within 3/4 of a mile etc
Edit previous owner (or before them) did air ride delete i believe its the monroe kit from rockauto and the rear struts and stuff squeaks when going over speed bumps

You have no, to limited funds, but yet you're slowly putting money into the truck which is only eating away money as fast as you put it in?


Driving so as to not move the tach over 2k will help in your mpg. Going over 2k will hurt mpg.
It's hard to drive in this way, but it's possible!

 

[Shabadoo]

Has anyone ever tried running or been so overheated that the car kicked into emergency mode and ran on 4 cylinders? I've seen this brought up a few times here and there. It seems the consensus is that this isn't a viable way to get better gas mileage for a number of reasons but desperate times....Also, I'm just curious how it runs