Gas mileage - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

omegaman · 06-19-2010, 08:24

I have a 96 windstar 3.8L. We took it on a trip from Colorado to Iowa a few weeks ago and got 22 mpg almost the whole way. What do you guys think is this whats to be expected. The car is new to us and we love it.

**Bert** · 06-19-2010, 08:56

That was the average of all the driving? Not bad. My wife has a 2001 and gets about that. If she drives, it get's a little better cause she drives more efficiently. It used to get better when there wasn't any ethanol in the gas.

omegaman · 06-19-2010, 19:15

I used ethanol gas in Iowa and mileage dropped to 19 all the other tanks were 22 or 21. I dont think ethanol is worth the 10 cent saving.

**360ci** · 06-19-2010, 19:32

22mpg isn't bad for the 3.8L V6. Fuel economy is a bit vague only because everyone, providing the vehicle is similar year and power train, depends on overall weight (passengers/cargo), speed, and if it's been properly maintained. If you don't need the other seats, leave them at home and pump up the tires a touch.

Ethanol is everywhere in Ontario here. There's no avoiding it and they claim it takes so many vehicles off the road each year. I'm sure they had a good reason to add it, but keep in mind the concentration of ethanol is really in the 3-5% range. NOT the 10% that's advertised on the pumps - it's just a marketing ploy.

Most vehicles produced that aren't built to handle ethanol E20 or greater, can't handle more than 5-6% (max) of ethanol content as the vehicle isn't designed to run it, let alone a high concentration.

Even with the e-gas here, my 3.0L taurus weighs in at nearly two tons base weight and still manages 25-30mpg on highway trips (55-65mph).

**Bert** · 06-19-2010, 19:54

We have ethanol in almost all of our gas. There are a couple of stations that sell It without ethanol and charge $1 a gallon more. It's for use in chain saws lawn mowers and other power equipment. They can't handle the ethanol very long.

**360ci** · 06-19-2010, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtg143

We have ethanol in almost all of our gas. There are a couple of stations that sell It without ethanol and charge $1 a gallon more. It's for use in chain saws lawn mowers and other power equipment. They can't handle the ethanol very long.

My equipment does OK with it. I have over 400 hours on a 6.25hp Craftsman push mower that my guys use nearly every day for touch up jobs. The only thing I have noticed is that I have to replace the spark plugs a bit sooner than what the manufacturers call for, but I don't mind doing that each season if I can keep'm running another six years.

1.07/L here for pump fuel, with ethanol, so I don't want to imagine paying more LOL. Works out to $4.045/US gal in Canadian dollars, US equivalent is $3.959 with Friday's exchange rate. My 91 octane runs close to $4.45/US gal here, or about $4.36/gal US.

E85 (for vehicles equipped with it) is a bit less cost, but the vehicle burns 30% more fuel, so really, it costs more and isn't that popular here. I assume that's why all the pumps have low ethanol fuel.

**jwko** · 06-19-2010, 20:24

I put a little 91 octane in my truck today, it was $2.78/gal. 87 octane was $2.56. Place down the road with up to 10% ethanol was $2.52.

**Bert** · 06-20-2010, 07:20

The ethanol doesn't bother the equipment if you keep using it, but we've heard guys that let them set, say that with ethanol the fuel will go bad quicker than with no ethanol. Especially the older equipment.

**360ci** · 06-20-2010, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtg143

The ethanol doesn't bother the equipment if you keep using it, but we've heard guys that let them set, say that with ethanol the fuel will go bad quicker than with no ethanol. Especially the older equipment.

I can see that! I drain the carbs and tanks on my equipment before storage. I've never had a problem otherwise but then again, my equipment is used weekly. The other equipment, too! I need another coffee.