Mpg display on dash at 11.8 - 12 mpg is this normal?

[1mpg]

I'm new to the 3rd gen 07 expedition eb and for about a month now I've taking this truck on maybe 30-40 minute highway drives and I've noticed that the mpg doesn't change from 12mpg. I would expect to see the 12 mpg on the city but on the highway under 65-70mph shouldn't I get an increase in mpg's? I bought the truck at 81k miles so I'm not sure what the previous maintenance record looks like other than I got an oil change when I bought her. Should I be looking into replacing the spark plugs? The truck runs fine other than I think it's a little slow when I punch it and I barely do that anyways so I'm not sure if this is normal but my old 2000 expedition EB seemed faster when floored.

Also I'm aware that the mpg reading on dash aren't always accurate.

 

[tonydiv]

Are you running the stock size tires?

I would just do the occasional manual calculation on mpgs to see how accurate the computer is.

Also, remember that the truck is as aerodynamic as a brick.

 

[bricekin]

I'm new to the 3rd gen 07 expedition eb and for about a month now I've taking this truck on maybe 30-40 minute highway drives and I've noticed that the mpg doesn't change from 12mpg. I would expect to see the 12 mpg on the city but on the highway under 65-70mph shouldn't I get an increase in mpg's? I bought the truck at 81k miles so I'm not sure what the previous maintenance record looks like other than I got an oil change when I bought her. Should I be looking into replacing the spark plugs? The truck runs fine other than I think it's a little slow when I punch it and I barely do that anyways so I'm not sure if this is normal but my old 2000 expedition EB seemed faster when floored.

Also I'm aware that the mpg reading on dash aren't always accurate.

This might be a stupid question... but have you hit the reset button while the avg mpg is shown on the cluster? If you bought the truck and it is averaging MPG over the last 5000 miles... its not going to change much or very quickly.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

This might be a stupid question... but have you hit the reset button while the avg mpg is shown on the cluster? If you bought the truck and it is averaging MPG over the last 5000 miles... its not going to change much or very quickly.

Good point for sure.

Deduce you're also using OD?

PanHandler.

 

[tojohnso]

Definitely check to ensure you reset the MPGs. I do it every fill-up and run my own calculations. Surprised me to see the last 330.1 miles I ran from NJ to VA the computer and calculations were spot on at 18.8 MPG on my '11 EL.

Around town, I have short commutes so my average MPG tends to range from 11 - 13 MPG.

 

[1mpg]

Truck is bone stock on stock 17's and no I don't floor it really nor use the overdrive. I let it get to speed without holding back traffic and often ***** at the wife for how hard she sometimes takes off. I have reseted the trip setting but have not actually calculated how many mpg's I'm getting when I fill up again. Also do you guys mean that I can press the reset button when looking at avg mpg's on the dash?

I have not put more than maybe 1300 miles on her yet and mostly is city miles but its like country roads where the wife works so no stop n go traffic at all. Im going to calculate at next fill up although its been really muggy in CT and we've been using the ac a lot.

 

[toms89]

If you want better fuel economy why would you turn overdrive off ?

 

[Dib52]

Sounds about right to me. Running surface streets, I rarely see anything better and I'm heavy on the throttle. Truth be told, I like to hear the exhaust and intake sing from light to light. Now, if I baby it in the city, I might see 13.something, but it seems I'm always in a hurry.
Out on the open road is where I get the best milage. I'm usually in the 18.something range during road trips, and that's with the lift/tires/and shorter 3.73's.

 

[1mpg]

If you want better fuel economy why are you turning overdrive off ?

Please excuse my ignorance since I've owned manual cars since I was 16 so the o/d feature on this truck is something I've only use to pass someone quickly on the highway or when I'm going up hill and the truck seems like it needs to down shift a gear to climb and maintain speed. All other times I'm on flat land and I do not need to push in the o/d button so am I not using this feature in an economical way?

 

[1mpg]

Sounds about right to me. Running surface streets, I rarely see anything better and I'm heavy on the throttle. Truth be told, I like to hear the exhaust and intake sing from light to light. Now, if I baby it in the city, I might see 13.something, but it seems I'm always in a hurry.
Out on the open road is where I get the best milage. I'm usually in the 18.something range during road trips, and that's with the lift/tires/and shorter 3.73's.

Did you see a difference when you put in the k&n?

 

[Dib52]

The default setting on the truck is ON the minute you start up. Manually pushing the button disables O/D and you get the yellow light/icon on the dash telling you it's off. Leave it ON, no lights on the dash and you'll see some improvement. The only time I ever run around with it OFF is when I'm hooked up to the boat.
And as far as resetting the ave mpg, while on that screen in the instrument cluster, simply hold the reset button and it will clear.

 

[toms89]

Please excuse my ignorance since I've owned manual cars since I was 16 so the o/d feature on this truck is something I've only use to pass someone quickly on the highway or when I'm going up hill and the truck seems like it needs to down shift a gear to climb and maintain speed. All other times I'm on flat land and I do not need to push in the o/d button so am I not using this feature in an economical way?

Overdrive is any gear in the transmission where the speed of the output shaft is spinning faster than the input hence the name. This would be 4th gear in the 4 speed transmissions. Not sure whats in your model year.

I believe what you are attempting to say is you are not turning overdrive off via the switch.

 

[Dib52]

Did you see a difference when you put in the k&n?

Hard to tell, modification on mine began at 200 miles off the lot. First I pulled the exhaust, then came the intake, then the programmer all in quick succession. With those 3 things and running stock suspension and tires, I saw as much as 22mpg while on road trips. Then I added the lift and 33's and mpg took a hit to the mid 18's on same road trips.
Do I recommend the K&N intake, absolutely! It will help. Best bang for the buck...programmer. Just makes it that much better to drive.

 

[toms89]

The default setting on the truck is ON the minute you start up. Manually pushing the button disables O/D and you get the yellow light/icon on the dash telling you it's off. Leave it ON, no lights on the dash and you'll see some improvement. The only time I ever run around with it OFF is when I'm hooked up to the boat.
And as far as resetting the ave mpg, while on that screen in the instrument cluster, simply hold the reset button and it will clear.

Well said...

 

[tojohnso]

I highly recommend reading the owners manual. I think you are missing a lot by not doing so. Yes, when you have the average MPG displayed, hold the reset button like you do when you reset the trip OD.

It sounds like your terms may be messed up in relation to "using the OD". I hope you are really saying that you only press the O/D button, which disables O/D and turns on the O/D off light, when you want to pass or going up a hill. Truth is, you should leave it alone unless you are towing something or you are on really hilly terrain and you notice the truck is shifting a lot.

 

[1mpg]

The default setting on the truck is ON the minute you start up. Manually pushing the button disables O/D and you get the yellow light/icon on the dash telling you it's off. Leave it ON, no lights on the dash and you'll see some improvement. The only time I ever run around with it OFF is when I'm hooked up to the boat.
And as far as resetting the ave mpg, while on that screen in the instrument cluster, simply hold the reset button and it will clear.

I guess my way of explaining my use of the o/d feature was just messed up... Ok so no O/D icon light on dash means its on not off and that's where I was confused since I thought that pushing the O/D (having icon light on) meant that it was "on" not "off". The lower the rpms are the less gas consumption so I've been driving it properly with the o/d "on" (no icon on dash) unless I'm trying to maintain speed going up hill then I would turn it off.

Toms89
The truck is a 2007 with the 6 speed auto tranny and yes sir you are correct I'm not turning off the O/D. Having the truck just a little over a month i havent been able to sit down and read the manual thoroughly, the only thing I know about it is that it takes me 3hours to wash/wax/vacuum/condition the seats and clean windows and it only takes a few minutes for the kids to get in and leave finger prints on the windows. The wife is the one who daily drives it unless we are together and I don't feel like clutching my way to the groceries or department stores we would take the expedition over my car. I guess while she's doing her shopping it would be a good idea if I sat down and read the manual for the truck and see what else I've been missing.

Dib52
To effectively install and get the most out of the tuner that you have or all tuners out there, does an engine needs modification like intake, better exhuast or can you see gains from no modifications on engine? Im old school familiar with modifying a car but have never chipped or used a tuner on any of my cars.

 

[Dib52]

The tuner by itself will give you gains, not necessary to do more mods. However, any time the motor can breath better and expell better, the more efficient she'll run. That's why I combo'ed everything.
Most of the tuners on the market carry "canned" tunes for the general public. Normally, 87 tune, 89 tune, 91 tune, mileage tune, power tune, etc are the generic types. If you want to get really into it, places like 5star tuning(site sponsor) can hook you up with "custom" tunes based on how you plan to drive. For me, an off the shelf Hypertech was good enough and will be in most cases.
Biggest gain I see with mine is the smoother transmission operation. Before install, she would occasionally hunt for the right gear, lag, and just not feel like she wanted to get out of the way. Running 87 tune....all better. Sure, there's just a bit more power there, but overall drivability is improved.
Best part, simple install. Hook up to the OBD II port, answer some yes/no questions and let the tuner reflash the computer. Disconnect, and start enjoying the vehicle more.

 

[1mpg]

Thank you for the info you provided me with, I will definitely put a tuner on the to do list next to a cai. I don't see myself doing anything else to my truck other than later swapping out the stock 17's for something a little bigger since she looks good the way she sits.