How to Improve a 2002 Ford Ranger's Gas Mileage
The 2002 Ford Ranger came with a choice of three engines: a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder, 3-liter V-6 and 4-liter V-6. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the pickup's mileage at 19 to 24 miles per gallon in the city and 22 to 28 mpg on the highway. The Ranger's fuel performance compares favorably to other pickups of its size. With the cost of gas rising, however, Ranger owners can take action to keep their fuel costs to a minimum.
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Instructions
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Avoid quick starts. With trucks of this size, rapid acceleration makes your engine work harder. Frequent fast starts and stops, especially when you're driving in town, will cost you more are the pump.
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Short-shift and shift sooner if you are driving a manual Ranger. By keeping your revolutions per minute down, you will increase your miles per gallon.
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Check your tires. Under-inflated wheels cause unnecessary rolling resistance. Also make sure that your tires are aligned. Properly inflated tires can increase gas mileage by 3.3 percent. Check your tires monthly.
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Change your oil when needed. Dirty oil causes a drop in engine and fuel efficiency. Also use synthetic oil in your pickup. Synthetic lubricants cause less friction.
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Tune up your pickup as needed. Make sure your truck has a clean air and fuel filter. Check and replace spark plugs as needed. A well-tuned engine can improve fuel mileage on average by 4 percent.
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Watch your weight. Clear out heavy objects and tools from the truck bed when you don't need them. More weight takes more energy to move.
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References
- Photo Credit pumping gas image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
