how to get better gas mileage in 2001 Ford Excursion?

[beitzel15]

Originally Posted by BigD_htl

want to save gas? buy a honda

Just got it as a family/dog vehicle... (we have 4 saint bernards, 3 airedale terriors and 2 great danes.. so it helps when hauling them around)

I, myself am most likely going to get a Civic Si...so 25-29mpg for me!! premium only tho =/

[Gravel]

I am not a fan at all of the "turn it off" thing, the expense of increases wear on several other parts does not come close to offsetting the savings in fuel.

[SgtWKPII]

Originally Posted by beitzel15

Just bought it... lol

needed a bigger SUV than the 07 pathfinder. I dont know what it gets yet but I've read where people get 12 city/20 hwy.. and some people average 16mpg.. the pathfinder gets 17mpg so upgrading to a SUV this size and getting 1-2 mpg less wont be that big of a deal...

Well if increasing the airflow wont help any, might as well save the $260+ that the air intakes cost.

If you want big, you will pay big, it is a pill that you will have to swallow, unfortunately. You say you "need" hat big of an SUV, do you need it all the time? Get a secondary beater to drive when you don't need the size.

[mif_slim]

two options on saving gas:

1. Sell the car

2. Dont drive it so it'll always have a tank full of gas, that way, you can siphone it out to another car.

[Bobby Schulz]

1)Make sure that the tires are properly inflated.
2)low restriction air filter.
3)low restriction exhaust that dosent kill all of you back pressue.
4)make sure the engine is running in top shape change plugs etc at least by the 100,000 mile mark.
5) change the fuel filter every 25-30,000 miles.
6)dont drive over about 60-65 mph.
7) easy on the go pedal.
change the 02 sensors about every 60,000
9) Alignment,alignment,alignment! that goes back to number one as well.
10) take out any extra weight you can.

All nit picky but it works.

[SgtWKPII]

Originally Posted by beitzel15

Just got it as a family/dog vehicle... (we have 4 saint bernards, 3 airedale terriors and 2 great danes.. so it helps when hauling them around)

I, myself am most likely going to get a Civic Si...so 25-29mpg for me!! premium only tho =/

I wouldn't worry about premium gas costs.

Premium is usually $.20 more pre gallon. I am not sure of the Civic tank, but I am assuming it is 13 gal.

.20 x 13 = $2.60 more per fill up, in perspective that is not much at all. I would rather worry about a wet fart.

[Mercmar]

Yeah, I know this sounds like something Obama might say, but check the max pressure of your tires on the tires's sidewalls. Pump your tires to that figure less 10%, when the tires are cold. That'll help a little. I'm running 42.5# in my 2007 Maxima.

[Brickboy240]

My expereince with the K&N air intake and filter was NOT good.

First, the K&N filter needed to be coated with their own proprietary oil to filter properly. If you use too much oil, the oil will fly off and get on your MAF sensor in the air snorkle and cause your Check Engine light to go on. Nice.

Second, they give you a certain interval to clean the filter (which is sort of a pain) and I always thought the thing looked really filthy long before this interval.

Third, I literally saw NO difference in power or gas milage using this filter in two different vehicles: our old 95 Explorer 4x4 (POS) and my 99 Silverado. you do get a very cool growl, when you punch it....big deal.

So I really think that K&N air filter is a complete waste of money.

The only things I have used that I thought gave me better mileage was to use synthetic oil (Mobil 1) and a lighter foot on the gas pedal. I mainly use the synthetic oil, because I put alot of miles on my vehicles and the longterm benefits of synthetic oils is best shown after several hundred thousand miles.

Really...it is what it is: a huge behemoth of an SUV and its only going to get a certain kind of mileage.

My mom has a Pathfinder and yes, they don't reall get THAT much better mileage than the fullsize SUVs or pickups. She gets maybe 1-2mpg better than my V8 4wd Tundra. We ditched the 95 Explorer years ago for a 4dr 4cyl Volvo and have never been happier. That way, we only have one gas guzzler and the other cars are sippers.

You could have gone to a Suburban or Tahoe with the 5.3 and gotten better mileage than the Ford Excursion. Do you have tons of kids to haul around or need the 3/4 ton suspension for towing?

I really think the Chevy 5.3s get better mileage than Ford's 5.4 all the way around. Dad used to have an 02 F150 with the 5.4 and my 99 Silverado with its 5.3 always got better mileage. The Chevy 5.3 also gets better mileage than my Tundra.

So...sorry...there is no silver bullet on the gas mileage issue...if you ask me. Use a light foot or trade it. There ARE fullsize SUVs that get better mileage than the Excursion. In fact, that is probably one of the worst on mileage.

I wish I had a better answer for you...but a light foot is your cheapest and best solution.

- brickboy240

[Gravel]

Again though, be cautious of the offset of fuel savings to wearing out the center of the tires prematurely. Tires a ****ing expensive and reducing their lives by 25-35% is gonna be felt in the pocket book.

[JhankG]

Originally Posted by tomfoolery

There are all the obvious ways....

turn the car off if sitting longer then 30-60 seconds
dont drive over 65mph
avoid "lead foot" acceleration

I have K&N filters on all of our cars, as do her and my parents (in total: 2 grand prixs, 1 jeep cherokee, dodge magnum, dodge dakota, chevy hhr, new mustang, firebird, dodge ram). Obvious car enthusiasts!!!

I cant say i notice a big gas efficiency with the filter, but it cant hurt.

I think I have heard that it takes more gas to start the car up than it would to sit there for a couple of minutes. Has anyone else ever heard this?