MPG quandry

[KidWiff]

I've been averaging about 28.5 mpg in my BS (Heritage trim, so... the 1.5l)
Last fill up i averaged 25.5 mpg - same basic travel and routes.... same grade of gas from the same station... mainly to/from work and a little leisure driving on the usual routes there as well. I really don't drive this thing very hard, as i've no need to.

There does not appear to be any leaking of fuel, tires are at recommended pressures, etc, etc... so, i'm not quite sure what's causing this. Filled up again late yesterday and I'll be keeping an eye on the situation. I'll probably give the service desk a call at my dealership with the questions, if no change is seen. Anyone else experience anything like this?

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[Dude]

I've been averaging about 28.5 mpg in my BS (Heritage trim, so... the 1.5l)
Last fill up i averaged 25.5 mpg - same basic travel and routes.... same grade of gas from the same station... mainly to/from work and a little leisure driving on the usual routes there as well. I really don't drive this thing very hard, as i've no need to.

Anyone else experience anything like this?

Yes - when did you have Recall 24S24 completed relative to gas mileage changes?

 

[Dude]

Another possibility:
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/possible-cause-of-poor-gas-mileage-front-grill-shutter-vanes-improperly-operating.11483/

 

[KidWiff]

Another possibility:
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/possible-cause-of-poor-gas-mileage-front-grill-shutter-vanes-improperly-operating.11483/

Interesting.... thanks for the heads-up

 

[Dude]

@KidWiff
when did you have Recall 24S24 completed relative to your gas mileage changes?

 

[DesertRat19]

Is that really a significant difference? I’d imagine a few minutes here and there idling could do that plus normal variance.

 

[Truckbuddy]

We had the Recall 24S24 done on our '24 BS Badlands before we left the dealer.

Average top mpg is 26mpg on the 2.0L engine, but I normally experience 28+ mpg, as we live in a rural area and most speed limits are 55 or more.

The only time I notice a drop in average is when I go into the store while my wife waits in the vehicle, and having had an F350 for years, I know that idling takes away gas mileage that is hard won back. Just a thought.

 

[hellb0y]

We had the Recall 24S24 done on our '24 BS Badlands before we left the dealer.

Average top mpg is 26mpg on the 2.0L engine, but I normally experience 28+ mpg, as we live in a rural area and most speed limits are 55 or more.

The only time I notice a drop in average is when I go into the store while my wife waits in the vehicle, and having had an F350 for years, I know that idling takes away gas mileage that is hard won back. Just a thought.

nice! Got similar driving with my 1.5, I get 36! It’s soooo incredible how it sips gas.

 

[KidWiff]

Is that really a significant difference? I’d imagine a few minutes here and there idling could do that plus normal variance.

I really don’t spend time idling in my area…. A 10% difference seems seems a lot to me… given no change in driving habits or route.

 

[DWG]

Does your driving include traffic light, etc type stops where the auto start stop normally kicks in? That could affect mileage if the auto start stop isn't working because of extreme heat. Also are you calculating mileage yourself after filling up or just using the computer average mileage and cleared the average before starting the trip where you got the 25.5 mpg? If calculating the mileage manually I would keep checking after each fill up for a couple of more fill ups before being concerned. I think from one fill up to the next the amount of gas added to the tank at the pump may not always click off at the same level each time. If allowing the computer to average the mileage it is much more sensitive after being cleared and the slightest change in the drive like a few extra stops with the engine running can really make a difference. Lots of variables.

 

[KidWiff]

Same gas station for fill ups, calculate mpg manually AND look at what the display provides. And while those 2 numbers never agree there is a consistent decrease in mileage either way…. Auto start/stop engaged.

Listen, my life is like Groundhog Day… SO few variables ?‍? which is probably why the decrease in mpg has intrigued me.

The ONLY real variable is the heat. It’s been very hot/humid the last few weeks. I’ve had mileage decrease a bit during a cold winter but wouldn’t expect it in the heat…

 

[Tucuma]

I've been averaging about 28.5 mpg in my BS (Heritage trim, so... the 1.5l)
Last fill up i averaged 25.5 mpg - same basic travel and routes.... same grade of gas from the same station... mainly to/from work and a little leisure driving on the usual routes there as well. I really don't drive this thing very hard, as i've no need to.

There does not appear to be any leaking of fuel, tires are at recommended pressures, etc, etc... so, i'm not quite sure what's causing this. Filled up again late yesterday and I'll be keeping an eye on the situation. I'll probably give the service desk a call at my dealership with the questions, if no change is seen. Anyone else experience anything like this?

The gas companies change their formulation seasonally. You may be noticing the difference between winter and summer blends.

 

[V8 Yankee]

@KidWiff
when did you have Recall 24S24 completed relative to your gas mileage changes?

Your post needs more context concerning your MPG. There are so many varibles that need to be addressed. Is your commute through the city or is it highway or a combination. When you say you drive easy that can be somewhat subjective. Do you use Cruise Control as much as possible, do you drive the speed limit, do you use AutoStop, is your commute mostly flat or moutainous? I could go on and on. Your mileage is respectable, neither great or bad so it really needs to be broken down with more details to really get why you feel 28.5 is bad.
I have a 21 BS OB, 1.5, my long term mileage is 34 MPG (48K). I can list everything I have done as far as mods go to get that but the first thing I would suggest is adjust your fuel bias. Adjusting that might make a difference of 5-10%, hopefully on the upside. Look up "Engineering Test Mode" on this site. There is a good tutorial on how to adjust your fuel bias. Before you do that hand calculate at least three full tanks of mpg, more is better. The more miles you calculate the more accurate you actual MPG will be. If your 28.5 is already with hand calculations than adjusting you fuel bias can be done this weekend.

 

[Jst617]

Yes - when did you have Recall 24S24 completed relative to gas mileage changes?

I lost 3-4, maybe 5 mpg after they reprogrammed the PCM....lucky if I get 23 mpg now, was getting 27-28 for everyday driving in Normal mode.

 

[pinkywinky]

I've been averaging about 28.5 mpg in my BS (Heritage trim, so... the 1.5l)
Last fill up i averaged 25.5 mpg - same basic travel and routes.... same grade of gas from the same station... mainly to/from work and a little leisure driving on the usual routes there as well. I really don't drive this thing very hard, as i've no need to.

There does not appear to be any leaking of fuel, tires are at recommended pressures, etc, etc... so, i'm not quite sure what's causing this. Filled up again late yesterday and I'll be keeping an eye on the situation. I'll probably give the service desk a call at my dealership with the questions, if no change is seen. Anyone else experience anything like this?

Try changing the engine air filter. It really made a difference in the average mpg on my Bronco

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