If I were driving a truck/SUV that produced extremly poor mileage, I would strongly consider another model.
If someone desire's one of these type vehicles over a car just as a personal preference there are many that get decent enough mileage to justify a compromise. If there is an absolute need for a large engine-full size vehicle, then the mileage probably has to be endured.
I drive 150 miles round trip to work each day in the Balto-Wash area. As in all large metropolitan areas, there is a significant amount of traffic.
For what I choose to endure for my employment, I want/need a vehicle that allows me to see above/over as much traffic as I can, has a longer wheel base for comfort, AWD/4X4 capabilities for inclement weather, gets decent (acceptable) fuel economy and that I can use for hunting/range duties. For those reasons, I selected a 2000 Explorer XLS 4dr. I purchased it used in 2003 with 22k and it was dirt cheap compared to a new one. The XLS was available with the lower powered 4.0 V-6 and meets the needs I've listed. It's fully optioned on the interior and doesn't have the fancy trim that the XLT or Eddie Bauer has, so I don't have to worry to much with messing up the exterior while hunting or at the range. I average 20-21 mpg to/from work and easily 23-24 on the highway and the "reduced" horsepower (140 factory rated) is sufficient.
Explorer's sometimes have the reputation for being "Exploder's". I've been fortunate, mine has 132,000 miles and is still going strong. I'll be the first to admit they are virtually nothing more than a modern day station wagon with 4X4 capabilities and probably should not be considered as serious off-road vehicles. But it is suffiecient for my recreational needs. I have the oil changed every 3000 miles (about once each month) and am very serious about maintaining proper tire inflation. I use cruise control when I can and try to drive as smooth as possible. Easy acceleration from a stop. No un-necessary erratic movements.
I could choose an automobile. Anything with a similar wheebase and power puts me in the Impala, Taurus, Ford 500 class. The gain in mileage that these vehicles get over my Explorer is about the difference in having AWD/4X4. The Ford 500 is offered with AWD and the projected city miliage drops down to where my Explorer is. Considering the projected mileage of a mid sized automobile (avg 25 city-30 hwy?) its not worth it to me to give up a "truck" type vehicle for 4-5 mpg.
I also have a 2003 Ford Ranger with the higher horse power 4.0 V-6 and it gets 18 mpg everywhere I go. It only has 23k on it, so perhaps it will get better. But, I want a pick-up and I don't need a full size with a V-8. So the Ranger does the job.
I guess if I were going to spend lots of money to enhance exhaust/computor systems, as some do, and possibly void any remaining warranties in an effort to increase fuel milage. I would have to compare the savings versus cost of the modifications and, as I mentioned, reconsider if I need such a vehicle, or would something more economical suffice.
Regarding tire pressure. The p.s.i listed on the side wall is generally the "maximum" air pressure that the "tire manufacture" guarantees is within safe limits. Most vehicles are not recommended by the vehicle manufacture to operate at those maximum pressures. Heat caused by the friction created by tires in operation causes the air pressure to increase which causes the air pressure to exeed those limits after just a few miles.
Apologies for being so long winded.
EVOC ONE
