Comments: 1-15, 16-29
My biggest issue with my FORD RANGER XLT 4x4 is the poor gas mileage. I usually get 14 mpg in the city, and 16 mpg on the highway. I know people who own the Ford Expedition who get better gas mileage than this.
I've had the vehicle in for service 5 times in relation to the engine hesitating on the highway at higher speeds.
I've had the vehicle in 5 times also for rattles in the driver side window.
Because of Firestone recalls, I had the tires replaced at 5000 miles with Michelin which have been awesome tires.
Most recently while on a 2000 mile road trip, the 'Check Engine' light came on. It states in the manual that this can be due to water in the gas, poor gas quality, or not fastening the fuel cap. Manual reads that after 3 cycles of cold engine, and restart, that the light should reset itself if everything is back in sync. After 12 cycles the light has not gone out so I have to bring it in for service.
Last thing I found out on this trip is that at 90 mph, the engine stalls out because of the governor put on the computer chip. This was a surprise to me as I had not known about this. When driving on 2 lane roads through Nevada, having to make quick passes, it was a bad time to find this out.
If I would have known that 90 mph was the top speed, I would not have purchased the vehicle.
Truck handles well on sharp corners and does have good pick up when Overdrive is used.
I wish Ford could make a V6 engine that got better gas mileage -- or at least make a larger gas tank so a person could get more than 200 miles per tank.
I agree with you completely. I recently purchased a used (2001) Ranger XLT with the 4.0L V6 and the gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired. I find most of the time I'm getting between 14-16MPG as well. Thinking it's a "light" pickup truck and not a full size (F-150 etc.) I thought the fuel mileage would be better that that. I have the same thing with the governor at 90mph... what's with that? I am curious if Ford is doing this on all years of this vehicle or just 2001? I was going to take it in for service to see if the oxygen sensor or mass flow sensor was shot, but after reading what you wrote, I know it's just the characteristics of the vehicle that are causing these "problems". As far as the check engine light? Mine comes on when I tach about 5500 RPM, seeing there is no "red line" on the tachometer (it tops out at 6000) I think it's a kind of warning.
I just bought one last week and found that too, but on my trip to Montana from California I too was getting only 200 miles to the tank, but on my last gas stop coming home I got over 300 miles to the tank, don't know why it got better, but it sure made for a good feeling not to stop for gas for the six-ed time.
I would have to agree with you all. The gas mileage on my 2001 Ford Ranger is not up to my satisfacation. I am searching to see if there are better ways out there to make my gas mileage improve. I heard something about a computer mechanism that should help out. However I cannot find one for the Ranger.
My brother has a 4.0l Ranger. He gets 18-20 mpg. Take your foot out of the floorboard.
I just bought a 2001 ranger super cab xlt 4x4 off road. I have had the truck for a month an a half I have not gotten less than 17 miles to the gallon driving it hard I usually get 18 to 19 mpg driving it on back roads 60 to 70 mph. No it is not the best mileage, but for a pickup with good power it is not bad. Compared to my old chevy half ton with a 5.7l getting 11mpg I'm more than happy with the mileage. This is a truck not a small car you can't expect to get 25 to 30 mpg out of it. Overall I love my ranger goes good plenty of power handles good and rides good couldn't expect anymore!
MY 2001 4x4 Ranger only gets about 14 miles per gal in town 16 on the hi-way.
What do you expect? (90mph) Lift your right foot up. If you have a 4.0 engine you should get around 16-20 mpg. Don't expect to get the mileage of a civic..it's a truck.
I was getting 19-20...then put in a K&N filter... now I'm at 16.
Check your mass air flow sensor. Its located between the filter and throttle body. Many times the filters are over oiled. All of the oil that was on your filter is now on your sensor. This give the computer a "bad" read and tells the computer to send more fuel.Don't use carb cleaner, it will damage the sensor. Give it a try and you might get improved gas mileage.
2001 Ranger XLT 4DR 2WD. 3.0 engine. Gas mileage is HORRIBLE! I once read a trick for a 91 Mercury Capri was to drill a lot of holes in the air filter housing. I'm wondering if that might help some. I just filled mine up on July 6th, 2007, and I got right at 14.6 MPG. There has GOT to be SOME way to improve the economy on this truck! IF anyone comes up with ANYTHING, email me at what_about_tfi@yahoo.com and put "RANGER" in the subject heading. I'm just a good ole Southern boy that HAS to have a truck to survive. However, I don't have stock in any oil company! Other than the gas mileage, I really have no complaints about the truck. It's solid, reliable, and have never had any problems with it. YOU GUYS TAKE CARE!
I recently bought an 01' ranger single cab 3.0L 2WD work edition. When I bought it, it had about 140,000 miles and it runs great. It's an all around great truck. But I'm also having to deal with the bad fuel economy, and going to and from school every morning isn't helping. Most of the time I'm late and I have to rush. And 90mph just doesn't cut it on the interstate. I NEED advice on how to tweak the governor. PLEASE. Plus my check engine light's been on for about two weeks now. I'm pretty sure it's just a bad reading with the sensor.
I've never been real impressed with my Rangers fuel mileage, but I guess I should be counting my blessings. I bought my 2001 4.0L Ranger new. It has about 60K on it now. Just yesterday, I returned from a trip and got 22.5 mpg on one fill up and 21.5 on the second. This was at Interstate speeds of 75 mph. I have the manual trans with overdrive.
Wow that gas mileage is pretty weak, and the topping out at 90mph is pretty weak too. I have a 2001 2.3L 2wd and I've been up too 100 and could probably go faster. so I don't know whats up with your guys trucks, and I get a sweet 27mpg highway hahaha.
So I guess bigger isn't all ways better ;p.
I have a 2001 four door, 4.0 liter Ranger. I installed the K&N filter and a Jet performance chip. The truck ran fine for about four months. Now I get the check engine light with the codes reading #1 and #2 banks running lean. I will be pulling the mass airflow sensor to see if it needs to be cleaned. Today the engine actually quit without warning (and I didn't get any lights either - weird). After turning the ignition off and letting it sit for 10 seconds, it started and the check engine light went out. After about 10 miles, the check engine light came back on (I haven't pulled the codes yet). All in all, this has been a good truck, but the electronics have me concerned. By the way, I have hit the governor limits as well. I average 18 mpg city (automatic transmission) and 20-24 highway, depending on the length of trip and terrain.
I have a 2001 Ranger 3.0 4x4 that I bought used with 45k on it. I was getting about eight miles to the gallon, which was absolutely outrageous considering I was expecting 18-22 (according to Ford..) so I decided to check the air filter; 8 acorns, a very large squirrel nest, and a fram air filter later, I'm getting about fifteen. Not thrilled, but it beats 8!! I had one of those vortec things in the intake, but I took it out whilst trying to cure my 8 m.p.g. maybe I'll put it back in..