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Hey guys, I found this site through a link from a Digg article talking about some Japanese people pushing over 100MPG in their prius.

I drive a 98 extended cab Ford Ranger (4 cylinder manual) and I get about 26mpg right now. I occasionally tow a trailer and actually use the bed of my truck (why I got a truck). I live only a few miles from my job, but every other weekend I drive a couple hours to Tampa for my girlfriend. I'd love to get above 30 mpg and I guess y'all have some good driving techniquesto help me accomplish that?

I just installed a short throw shifter in my truck and I feel it's helped me keep the RPMs down in between shifts. (I don't rev as high in order to long shift into gear now).

Well, I think that's about it. Nice site and glad I had an opportunity to join.

-Quentin

Hi Quentin:

___Welcome to CleanMPG and am glad to hear that you found us. I love the Ford Rangers in particular. My 03 tows stuff that would make a Ford Truck engineer scream yet when pushed allows some absolutely stupid high FE. It may not be the best choice in the world but if you have to tow and haul stuff, the Ranger is the most fuel efficient P/U truck you can buy here in the states today. Ok, enough of my sappy “Ford is the greatest” stuff ;)

___I saw your nick pop up on the new Members list a few minutes ago and since you have an SG-II capable Ranger (post 95), a SG-II will most certainly pay for itself in short order if you are willing to add to your current skill sets a tad. Just be careful as hypermiling can be performed as easily as following the speed limits to letting it all hang out in a D-FAS or close-in. You most certainly do not need to use every tool in the tool box by any means but just knowing they are there should make you a much more aware and better driver from this point looking forward.

___Good Luck and welcome to CleanMPG.

___Wayne

Hey guys, I found this site through a link from a Digg article talking about some Japanese people pushing over 100MPG in their prius.

I drive a 98 extended cab Ford Ranger (4 cylinder manual) and I get about 26mpg right now. I occasionally tow a trailer and actually use the bed of my truck (why I got a truck). I live only a few miles from my job, but every other weekend I drive a couple hours to Tampa for my girlfriend. I'd love to get above 30 mpg and I guess y'all have some good driving techniquesto help me accomplish that?

I just installed a short throw shifter in my truck and I feel it's helped me keep the RPMs down in between shifts. (I don't rev as high in order to long shift into gear now).

Well, I think that's about it. Nice site and glad I had an opportunity to join.

-Quentin


Welcome to CleanMPG!

An article you might enjoy > http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=870

Thanks for the welcomes. I researched the SG-II and was wondering if the same sort of program (other than device) is available for palm pilots? I am looking at getting a new treo and I know there are thousands of cheap effective programs for the PalmOS; even ones that connect through bluetooth module to the ODBII port.

Delta... that T-100 truck was pretty cool. I am planning on getting a soft top vinyl tonneau cover for my truck soon. (not as effective as that one, but it will help 1mpg or so I know).

Is there a page or something that talks about better driving techniques? DFAS? Just wondering so I wouldn't have to search so much :-)

Thanks for the welcomes. I researched the SG-II and was wondering if the same sort of program (other than device) is available for palm pilots? I am looking at getting a new treo and I know there are thousands of cheap effective programs for the PalmOS; even ones that connect through bluetooth module to the ODBII port.Ohh... I like where your mind is at. Can't believe a google hit it, but here you go (http://www.scantool.net/products/product_info.php?cPath=8_6&products_id=37). Couldn't find PalmOS, but did find PocketPC (http://www.scantool.net/?mode=displaySoftware&category=Utilities) (many cell phones could use it). A bit more googling would probably give you a ScanTool PalmOS link, but I've got to get back to work.

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so any kind of scanning/tweaking tool or program I could use for trying to get better MPG on my truck?
I have found a few places that sell palm OS software, but I was thinking it was only certain companies that offer a MPG savings program or something like that. If it's just a tweaker program, I've already found those online:)

ScanGage, but since you have a vehicle older than a 96' - it may not work.

Check to see if you have an OBDII socket under the dash or glove compartment.

Hey guys, I found this site through a link from a Digg article talking about some Japanese people pushing over 100MPG in their prius.

I drive a 98 extended cab Ford Ranger (4 cylinder manual) and I get about 26mpg right now. I occasionally tow a trailer and actually use the bed of my truck (why I got a truck). I live only a few miles from my job, but every other weekend I drive a couple hours to Tampa for my girlfriend. I'd love to get above 30 mpg and I guess y'all have some good driving techniquesto help me accomplish that?

I just installed a short throw shifter in my truck and I feel it's helped me keep the RPMs down in between shifts. (I don't rev as high in order to long shift into gear now).

Well, I think that's about it. Nice site and glad I had an opportunity to join.

-Quentin
Welcome to you from Florida.

Terry (tiger)

so any kind of scanning/tweaking tool or program I could use for trying to get better MPG on my truck?
I have found a few places that sell palm OS software, but I was thinking it was only certain companies that offer a MPG savings program or something like that. If it's just a tweaker program, I've already found those online:)Well, guess there are two ways you can save gas.

1) watch your engine data and adjust your driving to consume less gas
2) reprogram your ECU so that the car is timed and fuel trim tables are made to provide less power but more fuel efficentcy.

For 1, Yes... lots of software at scantool.net and sourceforge.net (and a host of others) to allow you to gather raw data from your ECU. You could then use this data to code up some displays on your palm to show you the data or graphs your after. If your looking for some canned solution, you could probably find a close match to what you want out there too. One common and effective canned solution is the SGII, but it's more expensive than building your own and doesn't integrate with your palm.

For 2, I'd present the question to a forum specifically dedicated to Ford. You'll need some pretty gritty details of the internal workings of the ECU and it's software stack to do an effective job. If you can get some shop manuals or some inside contact with a ford tech or a ford engineer, that would help. I'd really only do this on a car I was willing to scrap. I don't trust my knowlege of ECU firmware programming to the point that I'd use my new car as a test bench.

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