More MPG

[j43gibson]

Just bought 2011 Expy XLT 4x4 and need advise on improving MPG. About to make long trip. What would be the best combination of performance chip/program and CAI for MPG? What are the risks in terms of engine/transmission life? Have read lots of the threads on both mods and need some guidance. I am probably not real smart to buy a 4x4 SUV and then use it for cross country trips but this vehicle drove better than anything else I tested. Appreciate any learned advice from the forum

 

[Dib52]

All my mods are in my signature. Just did a long run from Dallas to Galveston and I averaged 18.1 mpg running along at 75. I'm fighting a little more wind drag from the 3/2 spacer lift and my 3.73 rear will never be economical, but everything works for me.

 

[tonydiv]

A programmer will actually make your trans last longer. From the factory, there is a lot of slip built in to the shifts to make a nice, smooth, 'soccer mom' shift. The programmer firms up those shifts, which eliminates the some of the slip. Remember, slip = heat, and heat = reduced trans life. You will probably also pick up a few mpg. (I got 2 more)


In all honesty though, your driving style can make more of a difference in your mileage than any of these mods will.

I'm taking my truck from Ohio to Fla in the next couple of days. If I keep a steady pedal and keep the speed down, I expect to get 14 mpg. If I don't behave, I'll get 9 or 10.

 

[GAINMOB]

programmer/intake or gotts mod/exhaust...efans down the road

 

[GAINMOB]

welcome to the site...let everyone else know by introducing yourself by starting a new member thread...click new thread once you get there

http://www.expeditionforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50

 

[tallsville]

gibson one way is to keep rpm under 2k. that helps on the mpg.

 

[DR3W]

Easy on accelerations, dont speed if whenever possible, feather foot, and watch your RPM's and what gear your in and yeah. Thats what i do.

 

[jdan]

Yea I was in a hurry today and I drove like the cops were on my tail.
Gas gauge dropped pretty quick lol

 

[BIRDMAN]

talk to Mike at 5 Star Tuning, he does towing and economy tunes in addition to his performance tunes.

 

[b514]

The cheapest "mod" is to change your driving habits, lower your highway speed and use hypermiling techniques. Here's a list of techniques you can use. A few of them are BS, but most can help: http://ecomodder.com/forum/EM-hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php

Many of us here did the Gotts mod+K&N air filter+ programmer for a 2-4 mpg icrease. You can also increase tire pressure by a few PSI, but keep it under the max written on the tire sidewall. Making the truck lighter also helps.

If you want to take it to the next level, lower your truck, install an electric fan, install belly pans and an air dam in front (think Chevy Tahoe Hybrid). I'm thinking about fabbing belly pans and an air dam (you can't buy them for my expy model).

 

[JUST4FUN]

air up the tires, change the rear diff to synthetic, check for vaccume leaks,clean air filter,
have the injectors cleaned by a pro (ie 3m cleaner)

 

[joezek]

My 2003 2 wheel drive 5.4L got worse mileage than my 2004 4wheel drive does. Both had the same gearing and engine/transmission. The 2003 had 160K miles on it, the 04 has 103K miles.

I did the GOTTS mod on both trucks, gained power but no economy. The 03 gained mpg with the Spintech exhaust and rear cat delete. I gained more mpg and power with the SCT tuner. (my 0-60 times improved from 10.3 seconds to 8.5 seconds from the tuner alone)

When I drive on local 2 lane highways where the speed limit is 50, I'll stay around 55-60 mph and get about 23 mpg. If I drive 45-50 I only get 21 mpg. At 65 mph I get 20-21 mpg. At 70 the mpg drops to 17-18 depending on the wind direction.

The truck has 3.73 gears and an excellent overdrive (85 mph is only 2200 rpm), so driving too slow like 45 just bogs it down and hurts mpg.

If I use fuel with no ethanol than I gain an easy 2 mpg better.

 

[dj2big]

I drove from Chicago to Brownsville Tx and back fully stock no mods 2011 expedition XLT I averaged 19.3 mpg going 73 mph I think it's the sweet spot also when filling up use gas without ethanol you will get more mpg ethanol kills mpg even of its only 10%


Sent from my iPhone the power of the Jedi

 

[rayt]

I drove from Chicago to Brownsville Tx and back fully stock no mods 2011 expedition XLT I averaged 19.3 mpg going 73 mph I think it's the sweet spot also when filling up use gas without ethanol you will get more mpg ethanol kills mpg even of its only 10%


Sent from my iPhone the power of the Jedi

i think you got it right there, here in nyc all we have is 10% ethanol gas, and i've never seen good mpg even on my smaller cars.

 

[dj2big]

I use to have a 2011 ford focus I got 42mpg no mods just using no ethanol gas on the hywy but when I didn't use it I would only get 35 on the hywy and both were with cruise control on pure high way


Sent from my iPhone the power of the Jedi

 

[jered22]

air up the tires, change the rear diff to synthetic, check for vaccume leaks,clean air filter,
have the injectors cleaned by a pro (ie 3m cleaner)

What's the deal with the synthetic in the rear diff do? Sorry I am dumb to the oils and was wondering if it should be changed for everyday use. What is the benefits of this and how much should I expect to pay if I have a shop do it? Again thanks in advance for what ever advice you can give this "not" so gear head

 

[alaskanexpy]

gibson one way is to keep rpm under 2k. that helps on the mpg.

how is that even possible? even when i'm being as light as i can it shifts arounf 3k. then again pulling out on a road thats 45-55mph limits and everyone speeds it makes you get up to speed pretty quick.

 

[tallsville]

alaskan with my tires(33's) im doing about 70-75 at 1800 rpm. i guess i should say try and keep under 2k while cruising

 

[alaskanexpy]

damn, with 3:73s & 265/75 16 and i'm at like 2200-2300 at 70mph i think.

but taking off from a stop i dont know how you can keep it under 3k without moving ever so slowly. normally first and second gear is at 5k at every take off with me haha

 

[tallsville]

alaskan normal take off barely reach 3k. only reach over 4k almost 5k when i punch it.