What Chip Will Improve the Gas Mileage of a 1996 4-Cylinder Ford Ranger?

What happens under the bonnet will determine your gas mileage.

Two types of performance chips are available to Ford Ranger drivers. A stage one performance chip is the component to improve gas mileage. A stage two chip may improve gas mileage, but its main function is to improve bhp.

Potential

The gas mileage on a standard 2.3-liter, 112 bhp, 2WD Ford Ranger is 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. You can expect an improvement on these figures, but how much depends on the quality of the chip you install and how it's configured.

How It Works

A performance chip works by tricking the vehicle's ECU. The chip redefines certain engine behaviors to adjust how much gas and air are in the combustion mix. The result of this is that the engine uses more air and less gas, improving gas mileage.

Warning

While a performance chip will improve your gas mileage, you need to consider whether it is worth the money. If your Ranger is your second vehicle and seldom used, it is probably not worth the upgrade. Changing your driving style in your Ranger may accomplish better mileage without the cost.

References

• MSN Autos: 1996 Ford Ranger
• The Ranger Station: Fuel Economy & Gas Prices
• Performance Chip Tuning: Stage One Performance Chip