MPG post for you smart people

[Guest]

I thought I would ask this and let you guys who are smart help me out!!! I am not looking for a miracle. I know I have a 6000 pound truck. Lets start with spark plugs. I can handle that. That wont hurt anything I am sure. I mean I am almost to 70K. Next, fuel filter? Where might I find that on a 00 4.6? PCV valve, is that easy to change? I know someone left instructions. I would also be willing to take some pics for the dummies like me!!!

I also know the tire pressure is important. Am I leaving anything out? Thanks folks!!

 

[Guest]

I hate to tell you this, but in my experience the small engine (4.6L) will get poorer mpg than the 5.4L. The reason is very simple. A 6000 lb Xp is WAY too heavy for that small engine. The 4.6 is screaming to propel the 3 ton behemoth even at highway speeds.

On the other hand the 5.4L has no problem motivating the Expedition. It has ample torque (more than it's competitors Tahoe/Sukquoia/etc.)

My 5.4L '03 X gets 17 mpg at 75-80 mph HWY driving. Most of the folks I've talked to that have 4.6 L are lucky to get that. Several have said they average 15 HWY.

If I were you, obviously a tune up with plugs, fuel filter, etc. But then after that I'd seriously consider a cold air intake and a Power Programmer...possibly a high flow exhaust.

 

[Guest]

where is the fuel filter located?

 

[bnvus]

Should be on the inside frame rail of the drivers side. Word of warning...you need a special tool to remove it.

 

[cnuttgirl]

you can get that tool at autozone...that's where i got mine.

 

[Texaskid05]

Once again XP thats a load of bull, I get 20-21 HWY with my little 4.6. The engine does not strain to pull the 3 ton truck (Who thinks up this garbage) Of course my friend also has the 4.6 in his f150 and gets alot worse milage then me but he pulls a 26 ft fith wheel and has the 3:73 rear end. While mine is a 3:31 rear end. I guess its all how its set up, After all a 2 cyl could move a mountain with enough gears It would just take a lifetime to do it.

 

[b_salgado]

Hey texas.... is it 2 WD or 4WD? this is gonna make a huge difference! Of course gearing plays a big part in this equasion! Now take your Epedition and place a 2500Lb trailer behind it. Then let us know how your MPG does. Then after you get over the shock of those #'s let me know how you did pulling the slightest grade with it! I get 22 MPG with a 4x4 5.4 running at 75 MPH loaded with 4 people and all our stuff. I drive from NC to MA straight through the mountains. The 4.6 is way underpowered for these trucks. They are designed to carry people, gear and tow. Why Ford ever offered this configuration in a vehicle this size is beyond me! The 5.4 will not work half as hard and yeild much better fuel economy than a 4.6 when loaded.

 

[Guest]

your crazy. That 4.6 seems to be doing just fine in that truck out there. I would bet about anything says I can better milage than a 5.4.

4 wheel drive and a bigger motor are great for snow and towning, other than that, NOTHING.

 

[b_salgado]

Gee It seems I just had this conversation the other day..... and I proved my point in a real time situation. I'll try to explain this as easy as possible. If you have a volkswagon with a v6 and the same volkswagon with a 4 cyl, which one is gonna get better mileage?......... I know, it's the 4 cyl, right?...... WRONG! A V6 doesn't have to work as hard to move the same weight so it is not going to labor or struggle to move the vehicle. The same holds true to just about every other vehicle on the road. My wife has a Taurus with a 3.0 Duratech V6, my best friend has a Taurus SHO with a V8..... who do you think gets better fuel mileage?..... The SHO gets 29-32 MPG......... My wifes gets 24-26. Same car..... same year..... same weight...... same options....... V6vs V8. Ok here's another example if your still not convinced...... My father in law has a a F-150 2WD extended cab pickup with a 4.6 in it. He tows a 21 Ft Procraft bass boat with it. He might get 10 MPG towing. I tow it and get 14. I know I know.... your comparing a pick up to an Expedition...... EXACTLY! The expedition is 2500 lbs heavier and it has a bigger motor and it's 4x4........ and still get better mileage! Oh by the way.... he has the exact same differential gearing as I do.... 3.73. So once again.....The 4.6 Triton V8 is an underpowered motor for a vehicle the size and weight of an Expedition! It has been proven and I have tested it myself and friends of mine have tested it and friends of theirs have tested it. Oh and by the way.... I am not crazy.... If you stop and think before opening your mouth this will all make perfect sense.

 

[5.0X]

Boy I wish that ALL the Expeditions came with trip computers. I'd be real easy to take a picture and post what your computer's MPG calc is telling you.

For me, I'm lucky to get 14-15 on the highway, unloaded. The truck does only have 2000mi on it.

Ry.

 

[Texaskid05]

Okey so you have this v-6 and you have a 4 and the 6 gets better milage for not working as hard,, But what if the 4 had oh say 3:31 rear end gears and the 6 had 4:10 gears,,then the 4 gets better gas milage,,oh my gawd can that be right??? there is more to theese milage claims then just the engine. My exp has the small v-8 but it is 2 wheel drive has 3:31 rear end does not have a milage computer in it or any extras,,all I haul is golf clubs. I have no reason to fudge the numbers it gets great milage on the highway. 19-21 As far as being under powered,,yeah it is compared to my f150 with the 5.4 but so what,,I don't pull anything with it.

 

[Lowandslow]

The highest i have seen on the computer was 21 mpg and that was doing about 70 with nice cool evening air. I am seriously impressed if you are getting better than that. As far as the engine size, I think that at highway speeds you are just over coming the mechanical fricton of the gears and the air resistance so the 4 6 doesnt do too bad. The 5.4 is gonna do better when you put enough stuff in your truck to get out of the 4.6 power band. So if you are just staying in the cruising band they will preform equally. The important part is staying in that majical rpm.

Also i have been seen alot of things to improve milage, and i dont know if the are worth anything. Like vaporizers and stuff like that.

http://www.eagle-research.com/
I dont know if it is snake oil but it might be worth a try.

 

[rrosenbohm]

MPG

I have a 97 XLT with the 4.6. MPG runs 18-22 on the road, I don't talk about in town.

 

[fooey]

first post:
I had a 98 2wd with the 4.6, would get 18/19ish city/hwy, wife drove it in the city and I drove it on the highway trips.
She decided she wanted to trade it in on a newer body style. I was a little weary, even though the 98 had 120k on the clock and all I had ever had to change on it was the oil and 1 tire, did put in bosch platinum +4's just because, but never had a lick of trouble with it in the 4-5 years we had it.
Anywho, so we trade the 98 in on an '03 with 40k, and this beast get 13-14, no matter where you drive it...sheesh...
I have not gotten to change the plugs or check everything else out, but wtf is the problem...?

Also, this '03 does not seem to have near the pep/get up and go that the 98 had with 3 times the mileage...

My check list, as soon as I can create some free time, is to put in some platinum +4's like the 98, clean the maf, check/replace the air filter and...??

And man this independent rear suspension SUCKS!....