FordExcursions.com Forums
up844
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• The Woodlands, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 2/25/2003 |
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• 8 posts |
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 Posted:8/28/2003 11:21 |
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I just returned from a 6000 mile roundtrip from Houston, TX to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
This trip encompassed 2 hard days of driving, from sea level to over 9800 ft ASL, each way.
With my X, we averaged 15 MPG stock at 85 MPH loaded. 
I have a 2003 2WD, 5.4L XLT Premium. We had 4 people, and all their related stuff with us.
We wound up using 87 octane gas in Texas, but as soon as we left TX we started using 85.5 and 86 octane gas. What a bummer.  The lower octane definitely lowered the HP and torque. The hills became a little steeper than they looked.
With fuel prices where they are today, 87 and 91 octane fuel was just a little pricy for me for such a long trip. If you think fuel is high here in the US, try $0.875 for a liter in Canada. That works out to $3.38 per US gal. In Mansfield, TX I paid $1.53 per gal. In Raton, NM I was gouged for $1.79 per gal. The best price I found was in Casper, WY at $1.49 per gal.
Before all you V10 and Diesel owners start flaming, I like my 5.4, and cannot beat it for short trips and daily commuting. It is still an X, it just has better manners. It is a cantidate for a Kenne Bell supercharger.
Now for the dissappointing part of my trip.
A week before I left, I took the truck to my local dealer for an alignment check. The X was pulling to the right, and my rt ftont tire was beginning to cut. It was within the Ford 12000 mile limit of alignments on a new vehicle, so it was covered by warrranty. After I got the truck back, it seemed fine for the first few days, then started to pull hard to the left. I went back, and was told that the alignment was within specs, but the load (tools and other stuff) was throwing the alignment off.
After I left for Canada, I really began to notice the pull toward the left getting stronger. I had to fight the wheel for the last 1000 miles to maintain a straight path. After I arrived in Calgary, Alberta, I took the truck to a local dealer for another alignment check. We then discovered that the lower ball joints had 1/8" play in them. The dealer then replaced them with the same type of ball joint that was in it. He told me that on the 4x4 versions of the X and the SD the factory ball joints are sealed, but the replacements that he has been getting from Ford Canada are greasable. Not so lucky on the 2WD ball joints.
The Canadian dealer also wrote a note on the invoice regarding replacement of the tires, because of advanced wear on the tires, caused by misdiagnosis of the front end problems by my local dealer. I had to pay for the alignment and an oil change while at the Canadian dealer. I am going back to my local dealer for a new set of tires, and a refund on the alignment I had to pay for in Canada. 
So even with ball joint problems, I still averaged 15 MPG. What could I have made with a properly working truck? Time will tell.
Off to change the oil again  , 3 times in 3 weeks.
2003 Red XLT Premium
5.4 L, 2WD
Makes my 1999 Explorer look tiny.
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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 Posted:8/28/2003 15:38 |
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I've driven west a few times. Lower octane levels are normal in higher elevations ... higher octane not required "up there" ... and it made no difference in how my vehicle drove (different gas-powered vehicle each time & not my X).
Sorry to hear about the ball joints. |
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