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Greetings from Brazil,

I have read the article by Wayne Gerdes Beating the EPA - The Why’s and how to Hypermile (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510).

I was particularly interested in the tables "Constant Speed Tests" at the Section "Speeds destroy FE!".

Question #1

I wonder if there is such data available about my vehicle the Ford Ranger 2.3 double cabine, which does not have a computer trip, at his 5 manual gearings, including its RPM readings.

Question #2


I also wonder if such best mpg result at constant speed is not forcing the gearings and shortening his life cycle?

Results with other engines


For example, Argentinean friends who used the same truck with the 2.8 diesel engine version say that at 5# the best FE speed would be 90 km/h (= 56 mph), but the newest 3.0 diesel engine the best FE speed at 5# would be 120 km/h (= 75 mph). Please refer to: RELACION CONSUMO VELOCIDAD 2.8 TGV (http://clubranger4x4.com.ar/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8794), Relacion consumo, velocidad y vueltas en 3.0 (http://clubranger4x4.com.ar/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8790).

Question #3

I plan to install the Italian BRC Gas Equipment kit - Sequent Plug&Drive (www.brc.it/default.aspx?page=31&lang=en), which has a similar behaviour like the hybrid systems, it employs CNG most of the time, but when more power is needed it switches back to gas.

So the best FE speed at the 5 manual gearings and its corresponding RPM readings are expected to be the same when using CNG or gas?

Question #4

How should I best configure the Scangauge II after installing the Italian BRC kit? Which readings would be mandatory to watch in order to improve FE?

Best regards,

Felipe

PS: My last modification of the Ranger: Modificação do banco traseiro da Ranger a la Tabajara (http://www.4x4brasil.com.br/forum/showthread.php?t=43452)

Hello Felipe. It is great to have someone join this community from Brazil! I am not an expert, but I'll do my best to answer your questions...

Q1 - No, but most vehicles do best somewhere between 40 and 55 MPH in 5th gear

Q2 - I am unsure about diesel engines, but most gas cars acheive best FE at much lower speeds, because air resistence works against you significantly beyond 55 MPH .

Q3 - I don't know about CNG, but for gas engines, the ideal RPM is between 1500 and 2500. Even though you may need to press harder on the gas pedal, less fuel is consumed during acceleration compared to higher RPMs. The following thread has excellent data and graphs on this topic... http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12356

Q4 - I don't have a sgii but I recommend that you post a new thread here for get feedback from those who have it... http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=86

Good luck!

A024523,

Many thanks in advance for your attention and patience.

My vehicle is the simplest with no computer trip. I have ordered SG II with the Extra Cable at the site for US$ 189,00, but fears that it would be more expensive because they do not charged its shipping costs to Brazil. I have emailed them twice and no answer yet received.

Please will anyone correct me if I make mistakes.

Q #1

I am trying to use 4th gear at 60 km/h (≈ 37 MPH) and 80 km/h (≈ 50 MPH) at 5th gear, since they are the most common urban radars. At these speeds and gears the Ranger works at 1,700 - 2,200 RPM.

Q #2

I have heard that diesel engines work with more torque at lower RPM than gas engines. So the profil of torque x RPM is different.

I would like very much to see these graphics about the Ford 2.3 gas engine. If anyone knows, where I can find them at the Internet, please let me know.

Q #3

Thank you very much. Very intersting readings. I will read it very carefully. If I already had the SG II, it would me much easier, :(!

Q # 4

I am navigating most there at this forum.

Thank you!

You're welcome, I was hoping that someone else would jump in with a second opinion, but sometimes folks are intimidated by too many questions on one thread. So you might get more responses if you do one question at a time.

On Q#1 those would be good shift points on a gas car, but diesel may be slightly different. Your Sgii will help guide you because you can compare resulting mpg of 4th gear versus 5th specific speeds, such as 60 km/h.

On Q#2, I believe that you are correct, but I have not seen any data on it.

Hi Carioca1000; I have a 2006 Ranger with the 2.3 liter and 5-speed. I can add some things:

1) Aerodynamic drag is a huge factor. For maximum fuel economy, 5th gear speeds in the range of 34-41 miles per hour are best. The Ranger has a big frontal area and pushes an awful lot of air. Really, the slower the better. But if driving that slow is not practical on many highways, you may need to drive faster.

2) Using a very low rpm in 5th gear is fine, if not under much of a load. If going uphill or pulling something heavy, you should downshift to 4th.

3) The 2.3 liter Ford engine is pretty efficient (for a Ford) especially at lower rpm's. So once again, the Ranger is pushing too much air, so anything speed above about 37 MPH, aero is the biggest factor!

Dear A024523,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

On Q#1, let's wait for SG II. I do not know yet how I will be able to configure it when I install the CNG conversion kit. I have also no idea how I will manage FE with 2 fuels (gas and CNG) using SG II.

On Q#2, I quit considering the diesel because diesel engine cars cost here at least US$ 15,000 plus and diesel fuel was always with much lower priced than gas, because the government artificially lowers its value. But now they are still less than gas, but the price difference is much lesser. I think the cost of extracting and processing diesel with lesser polluting emissions is increasing its comsumer's price. With its higher buying price diesel engine cars also pay proportionally more taxes and insurance. Actual diesel engines here are expected to work with B5 (diesel + 5% biodiesel). They said it could also work with B20, but I fell not secure about it. In figures, diesel mpg is "higher" then gas mpg though. But it does not compensate the other higher costs.

Best regards,

Felipe

Dear Billy,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

1) Yes, aerodynamic is helping me, because with the increasing numbers of radar and traffic signals everyone is forced to drive at lower speeds. On urban highways I try to drive at 80 km/h (≈ 50 MPH) at 5th gear, you would have serious troubles here if you use lesser. On faster highways for also safe reasons I am forced to go at 100 km/h (≈ 61 MPH) at 5th gear. I suspect that driving these faster highways is always not so efficient.

2) Going uphill in the city of Belo Horizonte, where I live, is not so easy at 4th gear. I always try to drive quicker before getting uphill so that I am not forced to use the same RPMs at lower gears. I do not know if this is correct.

3) Indeed, 60 km/h (≈ 37 MPH) is my favorite speed!

4) My Ranger manual recommends 30/30 psi for half load and 35/50 psi for full load. The maximum tire pression indicated in its sidewall is 50 psi. I normally use 30/30. What do you think? Should I increase the tire pressure or not?

Best Regards,

Felipe

I always try to drive quicker before getting uphill so that I am not forced to use the same RPMs at lower gears. I do not know if this is correct.
YES! , exactly what I do for big/long hills.

Should I increase the tire pressure or not?

YES , check out this great thread that has a poll that shows the majority of us use max PSI or even a little higher...
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10881

Dear A024523,

Many thanks for your attention and patience.

YES! , exactly what I do for big/long hills.

Thank you!

YES , check out this great thread that has a poll that shows the majority of us use max PSI or even a little higher...
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10881[/QUOTE]

I would try to raise first both tires to 40/40.

How and which time of the day do you take tire measurings? What do you use to get these readings?

I have till now just a 12V tire inflator and a pencil tire gauge.

I found it at the Net: Digital Fuel Mizer (http://www.digitalfuelmizer.com/). Is it worth? What do you think?

Regards,

Felipe

How and which time of the day do you take tire measurings? What do you use to get these readings?
I always measure PSI when the tires are cold, usually mornings before I drive it. I use a digital guage, but a pencil guage should be plenty accurate. More important, would be to regularly check it, at least twice per month.

I found it at the Net: Digital Fuel Mizer (http://www.digitalfuelmizer.com/). Is it worth? What do you think?
I am very sceptical because there are numerous gadgets and additives that have recently been solicited that are usually bogus or scams. The scan guage is the only device that really helps, because it helps train you to improve your gas milage, since you can quickly see the results of your actions. I would recommend that you focus on hypermiling techniques, as the best way to improve your gas milage. :) In a few months, I went from 30 MPG to 50 MPG, by using hypermiling techniques and working hard to stick with it.

Bon dia, Carioca!

I have a 2002 Ranger, 4cyl, 2.3L, 5spd, gasolina. A scan gage will help, even if you can't get a true CNG conversion factor for it. I find that if I have throttle position (TPS), MPG and %max load (LOD) displayed, I can get a good idea of what's going on.

Terrain has a lot to do with it. One speed going down is much better than the same speed going up a hill, of course. You will learn, though, that very small changes in your foot position can have a big effect on efficiency, and only the scan gage can show you this. The difference is too slight to hear, but you'll see it on the display.

Using higher pressure in the tires is quite safe. In fact, it is common practice to use high pressure when racing on standard tires. The car will actually handle and stop better.

Best of luck!

Ciao

Dear Ed,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.


I always measure PSI when the tires are cold, usually mornings before I drive it. I use a digital guage, but a pencil guage should be plenty accurate. More important, would be to regularly check it, at least twice per month.


Could you please suggest me one that I could buy via Internet? How realiable are their readings? Do the digital gauges need to be recalipered often?

Why do manufacters not recommend the maximum pressure tire figure?


I am very sceptical because there are numerous gadgets and additives that have recently been solicited that are usually bogus or scams. The scan guage is the only device that really helps, because it helps train you to improve your gas milage, since you can quickly see the results of your actions. I would recommend that you focus on hypermiling techniques, as the best way to improve your gas milage. :) In a few months, I went from 30 MPG to 50 MPG, by using hypermiling techniques and working hard to stick with it.


I thought the same. I am waiting Wayne for noting me the price+shipping cost to Brazil. I will focus on the hypermilling techniques as much as I can. Though I can not be a pure Hypermiller. For example, I can not leave air conditioning because for security reasons I drive with all my windows closed. But I promise I will do my best.

You help me a lot and am very very thankful to you!

Best regards,

Felipe

Dear fixedgear,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.


I have a 2002 Ranger, 4cyl, 2.3L, 5spd, gasolina. A scan gage will help, even if you can't get a true CNG conversion factor for it. I find that if I have throttle position (TPS), MPG and %max load (LOD) displayed, I can get a good idea of what's going on.

Using only CNG as fuel, consuming fuel conversion factor from km/l to km/m3 is usually 1.3, i. e., if your car uses 10 km/l, you should drive 13 km/m3. I will first use gas because I will probably install CNG later. Meanwhile I will get more knowledge wih SG II and will try what do you suggest me.

The CNG system of 5th generation will complicate the consuming fuel calculations, because it employs most of the time CNG and when more power is needed it switches to gas. It seems like a hybrid system. I will also check on the Net if there is a digital gauge which could measure separately and instantenously the CNG mpg.


Terrain has a lot to do with it. One speed going down is much better than the same speed going up a hill, of course. You will learn, though, that very small changes in your foot position can have a big effect on efficiency, and only the scan gauge can show you this. The difference is too slight to hear, but you'll see it on the display.

I hope so. Belo Horizonte and the state of Minas Gerais are a hilly region.


Using higher pressure in the tires is quite safe. In fact, it is common practice to use high pressure when racing on standard tires. The car will actually handle and stop better.
Best of luck!
Ciao

Why do manufacters not recommend it? At the owner's manual of my double cabine Ranger they list 30/30 half load and 35/50 full load. Is it the same in your owner's manual?
How much do you usually use at yr front/rear tires?

Best Regards,

Felipe

Could you please suggest me one that I could buy via Internet? How realiable are their readings? Do the digital gauges need to be recalipered often? Why do manufacters not recommend the maximum pressure tire figure?

I got a digital guage as a gift, but won't recommend mine because the batteries always go dead. It's supposed to be accurate +/- 1 PSI, that's not much better than the pencil guage.

I did read another thread where it was explained to me that manufacters tend to recommend the lowest tire pressure that is barely safe enough, because the lower the pressure, the more comfortable/smoothe the ride. And if the customer enjoys the test-drive, that helps sell the car. That's also why they often recommend to increase the tire pressure when hauling heavy loads.

I got a digital guage as a gift, but won't recommend mine because the batteries always go dead. It's supposed to be accurate +/- 1 PSI, that's not much better than the pencil guage.

I did read another thread where it was explained to me that manufacters tend to recommend the lowest tire pressure that is barely safe enough, because the lower the pressure, the more comfortable/smoothe the ride. And if the customer enjoys the test-drive, that helps sell the car. That's also why they often recommend to increase the tire pressure when hauling heavy loads.
Many thanks in advance for your attention and patience.

I will try to put gradually more psis and test how it goes.

I went from Belo Horizonte to Rio (ca. 480 km, 300 miles), the road was very irregular, sometimes full of holes, at the first 100 km/60 miles where heavy trucks with irons, but most of the time like a carpet. Always our rightest side is most irregular because of the heavy trucks who use them most. They are usually carrying above the permitted loads and fiscalization of these irregularities are not present.

In this situation I am forced to drive faster to get the leftest side of the road and sacrificing FE. Otherwise I tried to drive confortable at 5th gear even in small hilling roads.

The closing of the Ranger US assembly was postponed to 2011: old soldiers never die, they only fade away!

Thank you very much for the gauge tips.

Best regards,

Felipe

I have ordered/paid the SG II plus Extra Cable from one of LLC's authorized retailers Never Enough Auto. They were sending me them today.

I have also decided not to change tire pressures of my Ranger. Mainly because the bad conditions of the roads here. I suspect it could sacrifice other systems like suspension, motor, etc.

As I said before, unfortunately I will not be a pure Hypermiller, but let's see what I can get in FE.

I am also thinking in Autotap and/or CarChip.

Concerning CarChip, if the folks at LLC produced a SG with a datalogger, I would really not need CarChip.

Anyone has got to attach a datalogger at SG II?

Regards,

Felipe

Finally I got the SG II.

I will fillup gas on Sunday and continue the setup.

I have used it today for a while and already placed it.

Without the Scangauge and using some hypermilling techniques I have increased my fuel economy from 16 MPG to 21 MPG at my urban daily routine.

I will try to improve it with SG II.

I am very happy with it.

Thank you very very much for your support

Regards,

Felipe

I tried to fill up gas today and begin the setup, but the pump was erratic and it sopped before the tank was full. So I will have to rebegin this setup next time I fill up again.

Please, how do I setup CUTOFF and MAF on my Ranger 2.3?

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6421/cutoffmafzu8.th.jpg (http://img168.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cutoffmafzu8.jpg)

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4551/cutoffzs1.th.jpg (http://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cutoffzs1.jpg)

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3255/mafdh5.th.jpg (http://img46.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mafdh5.jpg)

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://imageshack.us)

Regards,

Felipe

Hi Felipe:

___For Fuel Cut, look at your idle TPS setting. Once you know that, you can adjust your Fuel Cut off to 4 above that number to start. Use the < or > to adjust that setting up or down. If you see 9999 mpg while under a very light load on the highway, move it up 2 until that activity stops. Only when coasting down with your foot off the gas should you see 9999 mpg.

___Can you tell me what your version number is please? More –> More –> More –> Version?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne

My version is 3.15HB.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/7788/versionca5.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=versionca5.jpg)

My TPS stands when idle stops at 18, so I will try first 22 instead of the 26 as standard cutoff.

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1681/principal01bp8.th.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=principal01bp8.jpg)

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://imageshack.us)

Which gauges may I use mainly at the Ranger and why? Any Xgauge would be recomended?

Is it worth there to install a CNG copnversion kit to a 2.3 Liter? Why?

Regards,

Felipe

Hi Felipe:

___3.15HB is an odd one to me. When I saw the MAF setting, I suspected something was up as I do not have access to that function with 3.0, 3,15* or 3.15 that I remember???

___For pics, we have the CleanMPG photo gallery (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/) without all the non-sense attached :)

___About X-Gauges, the aFCD is and/or should be mandatory. The many trip function X-Gauges are nice to have but not as useful for a non-hybrid as the aFCD.

___CNG… If CNG is much less expensive, by all means consider it but make sure you look at the total costs over the long haul, not just the upgrade and fuel costs over the next 5 years and 75,000 miles (guessing on the miles per year for you of course ;))

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

Will ask Linear & Logic about the MAF setting then.

Will have a look at the pics.

Will change the velocity gauge for the aFCD gauge.

I have found the connector and the software of the CNG conversion kit I want to use indeed. It is an electronic kit which feeds the motor with gas instead of CNG when more power is needed among other things.

Problem is the government. They have not invested in reasearching new energy technologies and want to shorten the CNG demand in order to use its energy for electricity.

Up 2009 diesel will be very expensive here. They still cost a little less than gas here, but up 2009 with the increasing costs for producing a cleaner diesel, will turn it unfeasible.

Regards,

Felipe

Dear Wayne,

I have not identified the parameters of the XGauge you mentioned: aFCD.

Based on what you reported at the following links: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-12040.html and http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14459, I have included 2 "humble" Xgauges, such as:

dFE - daily Fuel Economy

TXD: 01
RXF: 800000000000
RXD: 0000
Mth: 000000000000
NAM: dFE

and

tFE - tank Fuel Economy

TXD: 04
RXF: 800000000000
RXD: 0000
Mth: 000000000000
NAM: tFE

Let's see what I will get.

I will also transcribe to a spreadhsheet the daily figures of the Scangauge such as distance till cWT MAX in order to follow closely my performance.

Regards,

Felipe

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9990/principal02jy7.th.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=principal02jy7.jpg)

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://imageshack.us)

Hi Felipe:

___You have some of the good ones. Your most important X-Gauge for the Ranger is not “Daily” but “Current” FE and that is the aFCD or average Fuel Consumption for your present drive. You have the current programmed as daily so you are good to go. Just make sure you know what you are looking at. The dFE is not the "Daily average FE" but "Current aFE" and will start from scratch not every day but after maybe 5-minutes of shut down and restart.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne:

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

I have already changed to cFE:

cFE - current Fuel Economy

TXD: 00
RXF: 800000000000
RXD: 0000
Mth: 000000000000
NAM: cFE

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8525/principal03oa2.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=principal03oa2.jpg)

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting (http://imageshack.us)

Regards,

Felipe

Felipe,

Thank you for sharing your experience of setting up the SGII on a Ranger. I am beginning to learn about the SGII and would like to buy one in the future. For now I am driving a 95 Ranger that does not have the right connectors for the SGII. I hope I will be able to buy a newer vehicle soon.

Arthur

Has anyone had experience using synthetic oil in a 95 Ranger? I read that some vehicles have problems with synthetic oil damaging gaskets. Just wanted to check before changing oils.

Arthur

See this post for the answer. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=148311#post148311)

Has anyone had experience using synthetic oil in a 95 Ranger? I read that some vehicles have problems with synthetic oil damaging gaskets. Just wanted to check before changing oils.

Arthur

regarding MAF - Ford doesn't seem to use it. You can use LOD as a way to help see how hard you are working the engine during acceleration: 75-85% is usually a pretty good number range for a 'not too hard not too soft' getting up to speed.

Thank you very much, SlowHands!

LOD at 75-85% won't force the motor too much? I have no idea if these numbers are correct or not.

I am also planning to install a CNG conversion kit. How should I configure the SGII setup for a CNG conversion kit? Would I loose which measurements when fuelling the motor with CNG via this conversion kit?

Regards,

Felipe


regarding MAF - Ford doesn't seem to use it. You can use LOD as a way to help see how hard you are working the engine during acceleration: 75-85% is usually a pretty good number range for a 'not too hard not too soft' getting up to speed.

75-85% is not forcing it too much... you'll find that might be about 1/4 throttle.

Slowhands,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

I will try to follow it.

Regards,

Felipe

75-85% is not forcing it too much... you'll find that might be about 1/4 throttle.

LOD seems to ver very sensible to me. When accelerating it is hard to stay at these limits and I am usually above these figures (75-85%).

TPS I am usually between 25-50% when accelerating.

But will try further. I adore P & G technique and use it as much as I can, but LOD & TPS always go above these figures when accelerating.

Regards,

Felipe

Hello, Felipe.

You asked what pressure I run my tires at. I inflate them to 44psi, about 3bar. I have not seen any problem with tire wear, and I found the truck handles bumpy roads better. The truck had poor passenger comfort before, so I don't feel much effect on the ride with the harder tires.

I have used LOD, TPS and fuel consumption, but have also tried MAP (manifold absolute pressure). These are all closely related, but somehow I find using MAP works better for me.

Of course, I have experienced lower MPG over the last two tanks, and am becoming concerned - I should be doing better with more practice, not worse!

Anyway, this hypermiling does make me focus on the driving, which makes it more fun and safer.

Hello Fixedgear,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

I am resisting in inflating more my tires yet. I suspect it could damage other parts of the vehicle (like suspension).

MAP does not work on my Ranger. My LOD measurements are extremely sensitive in order to get 75%-85% the car suffers and I can maintain it for much longer.

I have used the spreadsheet of SG Calibration somewhere available on this forum. After fueling 2 tanks I have increased measurements by SG: Liters by 2 % and decreased velocity by 14,6 %.

With more realistic fuel economy figures I think it would be easier to improve fuel economy.

Have also thought in converting my car to ethanol with a chip, but I am very conservative.

Maybe a CNG conversion kit could be a solution, but SG will not give fuel economy numbers of the CNG used.

Regards,

Felipe

Hello, Felipe.

You asked what pressure I run my tires at. I inflate them to 44psi, about 3bar. I have not seen any problem with tire wear, and I found the truck handles bumpy roads better. The truck had poor passenger comfort before, so I don't feel much effect on the ride with the harder tires.

I have used LOD, TPS and fuel consumption, but have also tried MAP (manifold absolute pressure). These are all closely related, but somehow I find using MAP works better for me.

Of course, I have experienced lower MPG over the last two tanks, and am becoming concerned - I should be doing better with more practice, not worse!

Anyway, this hypermiling does make me focus on the driving, which makes it more fun and safer.

I have reached a FE mean of 19,50 MPG. Our Brasilian gas has 23~25% of anhydrous alcohol.

We are reaching sommer here and is most of the time too hot or rainy. When hot with the absence of my family I turn air conditioning off. Other times I have to switch it on for the confort of the familiy or security reasons.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3024/economiarangerig0.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=economiarangerig0.jpg)

Regards,

Felipe

If you are having issues finding info on the Ranger, you could also check the 2.3L Escape/Mariner/Tribute or even some of the Focuses. I have a Mazda3 2.3 (same engine in Fusion/Milan) which I heard is actually different.

My G/F's dad has an '07 Escape 2.3L with an auto, and says it's best between 55 and 65 (around 2300 rpm).

All US, gasoline, btw.

Hi Felipe; on my 2006 Ranger with 2.3 liter engine, I averaged 41 mpg and sometimes got 50 mpg on long trips. I put the tires at 52 lbs pressure; please don't worry about damaging suspension or anything. With this higher pressure, the truck really rolls much better, therefore using less fuel.

With the Scangauge I mostly monitored water temp, gph (gallons per hour) and horsepower. It's just a process of CAREFULLY letting up very slightly on the gas pedal to try to maintain the speed you want, while lowering the GPH and HP. LOD is similar; just be very sensitive on the gas pedal and always try to lower the LOD slightly. I would turn the engine off when possible for coasting, stop lights, drive-thrus at McDonalds, etc. In a sense, the more time spent driving with engine off, the higher the MPG. So my advice is to accelerate slowly & gently, put more air in your tires, use synthetic motor oil, coast or FAS often, and watch your Scangauge! Your Friend, Billy......

kvsdude,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

The 2.3L motor of my Ranger is only present in Ford Rangers and Ford Fusions in Brazil. No Escape/Mariner/Tribute models are sold here.

I wished I could put an automatic gear on my Ranger, but it would be too much expensive and I am happy with my Ranger. I love "service/fleet" cars, because their maintenance is the cheapest. I do not work to "feed" automakers.

Regards,

Felipe

If you are having issues finding info on the Ranger, you could also check the 2.3L Escape/Mariner/Tribute or even some of the Focuses. I have a Mazda3 2.3 (same engine in Fusion/Milan) which I heard is actually different.

My G/F's dad has an '07 Escape 2.3L with an auto, and says it's best between 55 and 65 (around 2300 rpm).

All US, gasoline, btw.

Billy,

Thank you very much for your attention and patience.

On my vacancy I will try to experiment the gauges you suggested.

Though I am happy with my Ranger as it is.

Regards,

Felipe

Hi Felipe; on my 2006 Ranger with 2.3 liter engine, I averaged 41 mpg and sometimes got 50 mpg on long trips. I put the tires at 52 lbs pressure; please don't worry about damaging suspension or anything. With this higher pressure, the truck really rolls much better, therefore using less fuel.

With the Scangauge I mostly monitored water temp, gph (gallons per hour) and horsepower. It's just a process of CAREFULLY letting up very slightly on the gas pedal to try to maintain the speed you want, while lowering the GPH and HP. LOD is similar; just be very sensitive on the gas pedal and always try to lower the LOD slightly. I would turn the engine off when possible for coasting, stop lights, drive-thrus at McDonalds, etc. In a sense, the more time spent driving with engine off, the higher the MPG. So my advice is to accelerate slowly & gently, put more air in your tires, use synthetic motor oil, coast or FAS often, and watch your Scangauge! Your Friend, Billy......