2.0L MPG Fuel Mileage

[Mark S.]

There are a lot of considerations that go into a manufacturer's tire pressure recommendation, some of them are intended to meet vehicle design shortfalls. Enthusiasts and students of vehicular lore (and yes, sometimes knuckleheads who don't know what they're doing) increase and decrease tire pressure from manufacturer's recommendations for a variety of reasons. If an owner understands and is willing to accept the tradeoffs there is nothing inherently dangerous about straying from the recommended tire pressure

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[DMEARC]

Think how much psi the driver likes is an individual thing. However there are other considerations to Tire longevity and the way the vehicle performs. Example that's why when people go test drive/buy new vehicle and the tires are overinflated it can skew the driving impressions.

I spent decades in the auto biz. I’m familiar.

 

[DMEARC]

There are a lot of considerations that go into a manufacturer's tire pressure recommendation, some of them are intended to meet vehicle design shortfalls. Enthusiasts and students of vehicular lore (and yes, sometimes knuckleheads who don't know what they're doing) increase and decrease tire pressure from manufacturer's recommendations for a variety of reasons. If an owner understands and is willing to accept the tradeoffs there is nothing inherently dangerous about straying from the recommended tire pressure

Exactly. The recommended tire pressure is just that: a recommendation. Among other things, it was determined to be adequate for a wide range of driving conditions. But that doesn’t make it the best pressure for a specific condition, such as driving in loose sand.

 

[RSH]

Most people don't pay that much attention to tire pressure, and now even with TPMS the only time some will pay attention is when the the TPMS system notifys them and its because the yellow warning light is on not necessarily because the tire or tires are low on air.
Obviously the pendulum also swings the other way and some are all over anything and everything that has to do with their vehicle.
The key is finding what works for you and your situation, there is no one size fits all especially on a forum.

 

[AllTerrain]

I spent decades in the auto biz. I’m familiar.

Good for you.
Take it as constructive conversation.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Most people don't pay that much attention to tire pressure, and now even with TPMS the only time some will pay attention is when the the TPMS system notifys them and its because the yellow warning light is on not necessarily because the tire or tires are low on air.
Obviously the pendulum also swings the other way and some are all over anything and everything that has to do with their vehicle.
The key is finding what works for you and your situation, there is no one size fits all especially on a forum.

You mean that “butt crack” symbol? It’s always on in the winter here. I just thought it was saying your seat was cold!

 

[rdc17]

What PSI do you use?

Somebody who was traveling on 30 PSI in their tires and then switch to 35 PSI would feel a difference in ride.

think the point of this discussion is that there are multiple things that affect MPG. Of which cost of gasoline and wear and tear on vehicle and how well the tire lasts are part of the discussion.

I can feel the difference. When I got the new tires put on the shop inflated them to 33. Per the internet it was suggested I drop down to 29 since the tires have a higher load rating than the OE ones. Did that and the ride was mushy and steering felt bad. Went back up to 33, then it got warm and my tires went up to 36. Felt like I was driving Fred Flinstone wheels

 

[RSH]

rdc17
If you installed LT tires, that can add to ride harshness. The best you can do is experiment with tire pressure to get the best balance between ride, handling and wear. You seem to have found the the initial pressure extremes, 29psi felt mushy and 33psi when up to temperature was to harsh. You can try spitting at 31psi and see if that's the pressure for you. Good luck.

 

[wht1986]

Road trip update: BS BL/BL .. 880 mile road trip .. lots of wind but flat terrain .. average around 75 mph ... 24.5 MPG

 

[AmazingSieve]

My trip summary, 375mi over 5hrs, average mpg, 18.6.

 

[Warpious]

Haven't manually tracked but based on the digital read out we're at 22.6 since we bought it. This current tank at around 24 (all city) but over life of vehicle (725 miles) about a 70/30 city hwy split. We do have larger 245/65/17 instead of stock 225 but doesn't seem to affect milage too much so far. When I have looked at hwy only seems around 26-27

 

[JerryC]

Road trip update: BS BL/BL .. 880 mile road trip .. lots of wind but flat terrain .. average around 75 mph ... 24.5 MPG

Similar to our trip to the Off Rodeo last week.
Worst tank was 23.5 in the TX Hill country with mostly 70-75mph speed limits. Best was 26 on flat hwy with about half at 75 and the rest 70 and below. The others were 24 to 24.5.

That was with ICC on, I'm sure that not using the cruise control would net better mpg. It's hard on the throttle when it accelerates.

 

[Desert Bronco.]

I routinely get 32-34mpg on eco with cruise control set at 60-65mph On the freeway without traffic in Southern California. City driving is less 22-28mpg depends on tHe number of lights and traffic condition. BS BL 2.0. I do have a Prius so if I’ve learned to squeeze the mpgs.

 

[Wyo]

Just did a 440 mile trip with several 1-3k climbs and decents. Most of the speeds were in the 70-75 mph range with some 80 mph time. Not much wind and ethanol free 91 gas. Average hand calculated 29.6 mpg. BS BL 2.0

 

[Mark S.]

Just did a 440 mile trip with several 1-3k climbs and decents. Most of the speeds were in the 70-75 mph range with some 80 mph time. Not much wind and ethanol free 91 gas. Average hand calculated 29.6 mpg. BS BL 2.0

This is entirely plausible to me. I tracked mileage for the EcoBoost Mustang I traded for the Badlands on a trip out west one year. The best recorded mileage was across I80 in Wyoming. The speed limit for most of that section of interstate is 80 mph, and I had the cruise on the Mustang set at 89. Despite that, I saw over 32 mpg, the best achieved for any segment of the trip.

I attribute the stellar fuel economy (despite the higher speed) to the fact that most (all?) of that section of interstate is above 6,000' elevation. The turbocharged engine is unaffected by the elevation, but the air is much, much thinner than at sea level, so wind resistance is also lower. For a boxy vehicle like the Badlands, a reduction in wind resistance will have a greater effect on fuel mileage than for a more aerodynamic vehicle like a Mustang.

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