10th Jun 2008, 13:42

I have a new 2008 Ford Ranger FX4 with the 4.0 engine and I get about 20 mpg city and 24-26 mpg highway. Keep your foot off the floor helps a lot but there's a trick to the rangers that stems back to the older fuel injected Kawasaki street-bikes. Find your coolant temp. sensor and install a variable resistor in-line with it (similar to the thermostat in your house) and adjust it so it tells your computer that the engine is running a little warm - but not too hot or it will run too lean. that'll boost your mileage anywhere from 5-8 mpg depending on your driving habits.

15th Jun 2008, 22:37

I bought a 2001 Ranger, 3.0L V6 regular cab two years ago. I have to admit that I love my truck - except for the mileage. I have never checked to see just how many mpg I'm getting, but I know that it isn't very good. But like someone here said - if you want economy, buy a Civic. I don't do a lot of driving and so the poor mileage doesn't really bother me. I have found a lot of good points about the truck that overrides the gas it burns. I didn't know about the 90 mph engine cut out situation, and will probably never experience it. The fastest I drive on the freeway is about 70 - 75 mpg.

I was saddened to read that Ford is discontinuing the Ranger in 2009. I don't know what make of truck I'm going to buy if that happens. The only trucks I've ever owned have been Ranger - I've had a few of them and I'm going to miss them when they're gone, as I'm sure a lot of people will.

23rd Jun 2008, 16:20

Change the spark plugs. I did and I went from getting 14.4 mpg to 18.5 mpg. Cause at one time before I got the truck, someone put in the wrong spark plugs, and I had no idea until I was trying to figure out why the gas mileage was so bad. This was for a four door 2001 4x4 off road Ranger. So it can't hurt.

21st Jul 2008, 19:32

I have a 1998 4 door super cab 3.0L V6. I get 14 street and about 15 highway.

I changed the PVC valve, spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter (K&N), I cleaned the air intake, added fuel system cleaner, correct tire pressure, and drive like a grandma :(. Still nothing works.

When I changed the spark-plugs and cleaned the air filter and pumped up my tires, I got about 1-2 more mpg for about 1 1/2 tanks, then it went back to normal. Seems like the only thing to do is check for leaks, add a computer, new O2 sensor, new cat converter. To do this will cost a pretty penny. :(

25th Jul 2008, 17:08

Well, ford's technology for fuel injection is kinda stuck in the stone age for some reason. But I tried the variable resistor in-line with the temperature sensor and it really worked, I boosted my mileage from 18mpg to 26mpg, I'd say it was worthwhile.

28th Aug 2008, 07:39

I am interested to know more about the use of a variable resistor used in line with the coolant temp. sensor. How many Ohm's of resistance is required for this application. I found a variable resistor through Summit that offers 0.75 to 1.5 ohm's. Is this an acceptable resistor? Will the temp. gauge reflect the accurate temp. or the signal generated by the resistor? My truck has a 3.0l. Would this still help improve my mpg?

29th Aug 2008, 11:24

10th Feb 2008 15:26: No reputable mechanic will defeat or remove an EGR system in this day and age. That's called tampering with the emissions system and is a Federal offense that carries fines and jail time if the tamperer is convicted. The EGR system is there to reduce formation of oxides of nitrogen by reducing the temperature in the engine's combustion chambers. Bypassing the EGR will raise the combustion chamber temperatures and can cause engine damage that won't be covered by warranty. Bottom line; don't do it.

Removing the catalytic converter is also a Federal offense if a mechanic does it. Car and truck owners may be able to get away with it in some states, but I don't recommend trying it. Aside from the damage it does to air quality, removing the cat can change the exhaust system backpressure and throw the EGR calibration off.

29th Aug 2008, 13:02

I have a 1994 4.0L 4x4 Ranger that is a primary driver and gets 18 mpg on the highway. It is a strong truck and pretty good for all climates and terrain, and I run Cooper ATR's on it. I can drive 260-280 miles on a tank of gas. Is there anything that doesn't cost and arm and a leg that I can put on this little truck (like special spark plugs, etc.) to get better mileage?

16th Jun 2009, 13:07

To 13:02: Unfortunately there isn't a lot you can do about your mileage. It's a BIG V-6, and your truck is a 4-wheel drive. You're doing pretty good, actually, to get 18. My friends 4X4 Tacomas get about the same mileage. Changing rear end gearing would help, but would hurt your low-end pulling power. DON'T fall for the gimmicks advertised in magazines to boost your mileage. None of them work. You may get a TINY increase in mileage by switching to full synthetic oil and a K&N high-flow air filter. I do this with all my vehicles and it seems to boost mileage MAYBE 1/2 mpg. I know that isn't much, but it helps.

I've owned 4 Rangers, all were great trucks. My last was a 3.0 V-6 2-wheel drive Sport and it got 23-24 highway, but it wasn't a 4X4. If it's any comfort, our last Explorer was a 4.0 V-6 Sport 2-wheel drive and we felt absolutely ecstatic to get 19 mpg on the highway. That really isn't all that bad. My last 2 5.0 V-8 Mustangs got a whopping 11-15mpg. Try living with THAT at $4 for gas!!!

6th Oct 2009, 19:29

I just bought a 2001 Ford Ranger, and it's a good truck, but it has no balls. It takes me forever to go from 0-60. And it has absolutely no power.

26th Dec 2009, 21:10

Ford Rangers with 3.0 will never get over 20 mpg unless you are always going downhill. They don't have any power and get bad fuel economy. The best you might get will be 17 combined city/highway.

1st Jan 2010, 21:34

I purchased a 2001 Ranger 2.3l; it's an overall good mileage vehicle. I put a topper on it, an ARE DCUnit, gas mileage dropped like crazy, getting from 330 miles on the tank, to about 260, then change oil to fully synthetic, Penzoil to be exact, and added a new cheap air filter from Wal-mart, mileage went up to 310 per tank (without A/C) and in South Florida (pretty much 70% highway) if you make the math, on a 16 gallon tank, I am getting a very respectable 19+MPG, not the 24+ promised by Ford, but I have no aerodynamics with this topper, and I have 285/75-16, not a gas helper either.

I will try to put a mod chip on her as soon as possible, and hopefully replace the exhaust system for a performance one; I would like to boost HP without killing much on the MPG.

Overall, I am more than satisfied with my little truck. It loads almost as good as my older F-150, and spends a good 50% less on gas, but it doesn't sound as good!!!