Our new 06 Eddie Bauer came with all the bells and whistles. It's our third one since 1992 with a side trip to a 97 Expedition in between.

Love the car, but with 3300 miles and first oil change behind us, I am concerned about the fuel economy.

Dividing miles driven by hours driven I get 28.82 average miles per hour. This is not stop and go, traffic jam idling. It's just life in a small town.

Anyway, the hand calculated MPG prior to the oil change was 12.19. That was all in-town driving. The onboard computer is showing me 9.8 mpg on this first tank after the oil change so far (only in town driving). My expectations were closer to the window sticker average 15.

The 97 EB Expedition with the 7.3 L engine, 4X4, and brush guard never got such a low reading with the same driving routine. Hand calculated range was 11 to 14.3 over 96K miles.

If memory serves me well, the 91 and 94 Explorers we owned were 14+ MPG average over their lifetimes.

So, should I be worried that the 9.8 MPG? It is 20% below the low end (12) of the range of city mileage printed on the window sticker. My surprise has been registered with the dealer, but I may raise the level to protest if feedback indicates this is unusual.

Feedback welcome.

 

I would be worried i would take it back to the dealer and ask about it

 

Since original post, I have pulled all of the gas receipts for this car and found that the best mileage experienced was 16.73mpg (100% highway driving) and the worst was 11.42mpg (100% in-town driving). Composite experience over 3395 miles is 13.83mpg.

The advertised mileage ratings are 15 City, 21 Highway, and 17 Composite.

After reading another post on this web site, I decided to check the tire pressure and found all four tires at 30 PSI instead of the 35 PSI posted on the chassis. I assumed the dealership had checked the tire pressure before we took delivery and again when the 3000K mile oil change was done. My mistake.

I'm hoping this small adjustment will bring our experience in line with the advertised mileage. In the meantime, I'll post these records to the FuelEconomy.gov web site.

The US DOE and US EPA publish fuel economy ratings and actual results provided by car owners at www.fueleconomy.gov

 

(sigh) I wish my 92 explorer would get this kind of milages. But since I carry a tool box full of tools and carry kids all time I get like 14 or less.

 

Update>>>>

After 6500 miles, we have hit 18.83 mpg once (hand calculated) and computer registered 20.4 mpg on a 300 mile trip at 75 mph uphill with a tailwind. Moderate Texas weather with A/C on and loaded with 5 people and luggage.

Overall economy is 14.35 mpg.

Dealer has heard my concern and vehicle was tested. Computer test said vehicle should be getting 22 mph on the highway and 16 in town. Not so, I said.

Anyway, Ford won't consider any remedies until it passes 10K miles "official" break-in period.