Bronco newbie must have mods for mpg and wind sound

[harpo]

Try driving only downhill, i get way better MPG going thru the Rockies on the downside trip from Denver to Utah.

Downwind helps too, noise and mileage!

Watch the weather and plan accordingly

; )

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[VehicleNanny]

Remove as much weight as possible for mpg, ear plugs for noise.

Good advice, and it has the added benefit of no cost!

 

[BaseSquatch26]

Drive a Jeep for awhile. You'll have a whole new appreciation for your Bronco quiet ride and better mileage.

 

[mk7tristan]

Try driving only downhill, i get way better MPG going thru the Rockies on the downside trip from Denver to Utah.

The gas mileage on that stretch is IMMACULATE!

 

[FstFrd00]

I dont think I have ever been in thew low 20 mpgs with this vehicle.

 

[Montana Bronco]

I dont think I have ever been in thew low 20 mpgs with this vehicle.

My Base with 7MT got 24 mpg consistently (calculated by hand, not by gauge) when I had my factory Base tires on it. Then I upgraded to Badlands OEM takeoffs and it dropped to 22 consistently If I keep it at 55 mph or lower. If I increase to 70 mph it drops to 20 mpg.

Worst I ever got was 11 mpg. That was going across North Dakota east to west at 80mph straight into a 40 mph headwind. So effectively 120 mph. Plus I was towing a boat and had a canoe up on my roof.

From my experience tires have a huge impact on fuel mileage. Speed is a large factor as well.

 

[FstFrd00]

My Base with 7MT got 24 mpg consistently (calculated by hand, not by gauge) when I had my factory Base tires on it. Then I upgraded to Badlands OEM takeoffs and it dropped to 22 consistently If I keep it at 55 mph or lower. If I increase to 70 mph it drops to 20 mpg.

Worst I ever got was 11 mpg. That was going across North Dakota east to west at 80mph straight into a 40 mph headwind. So effectively 120 mph. Plus I was towing a boat and had a canoe up on my roof.

From my experience tires have a huge impact on fuel mileage. Speed is a large factor as well.

BD
SAS
Ive never trusted the guage, always used the fuelly app (in my sig.)
Ive gotten 12 driving the gulf of america coast but avg 17. I got rid of the stock beadlocks, but the 35s I currently run are a little heavier than stock.
I am not complaining, just stating. I subscribe to smiles per gallon.

 

[Area51BS]

Set gauge cluster to show boost. Stay out of it. Only other option is that vehicle with Sport at end of the name.

 

[DarthLincoln]

I know this isn’t a hybrid but I want to do what I can to get better mpg.

yeah, those are far apart. Bronco is not even a shapely crossover like Bronco Sport. If you do much driving above ~45mph the biggest issue is aerodynamics which the Bronco is horrible for. Keep the speed down to the speed limit.

This is an old article, but it compares different no-cost changes one can make to get better mpg:
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15150807/driving-for-fuel-economy/

even for a sedan, speed make the most impact due to aerodynamics. This is even more extreme for a blocky SUV.

The tall sidewall truck tires for Bronco would increase the impact of tire pressure and type, but still aero and thus speed is going to be the biggest lever.

 

[Desmolicious]

Am I the only one who doesn't find their Bronco noisy? Stock HE model, I don't have any issues. I SAID I DON"T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH NOISE!... j/k seriously it is totally fine for me, even with long all day road trips.
Maybe because my previous ride was a Jeep Wrangler (hard top)? And my current other ride is a Mazda Miata with PRHT (the folding hard top). Even though it has a hard top, it is loud inside!

As for mpgs - just accelerate gently like an old lady driving. Don't go over 70mph.

 

[BaseSquatch26]

My new '26 base Sasquatch is averaging 23mpg right now. Drive ECO sometimes but normal most of the time.

 

[broncobase1]

For wind noise slower the better. Fuel economy; get Procal tune and run premium and light foot, keep tire pressures at 38 but ride will suffer so find balance.

General interior noise; 3/4" closed cell foam under floor carpet / membrane, resonix black absober adhered to all large side plastic panels where possible coupled with sound deadener adhered to adjacent matal panels and cargo floor.

Broncos are noisy gas guzzlers.

" Broncos are noisy gas guzzlers." Well yeah if comparing to a Prius but its par for the course when it comes to 4WD trucks. My Base manages 21 kicking around town, not bad for any truck.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I don’t understand how people don’t get +20-ish. I’ve got a loaded up Badlands SAS, Hoss 3.0, 2.3L 2DR, with a couple aftermarket skids, stock 35s. I just did a 1450mi roadtrip, through the mountains, a few trails, only about 75% highway. Still got +21 MPG.

 

[broncobase1]

Nice Bronco! You made the right decision with the painted top, seen a few of them around and they look nice. That's the best $1200 upgrade anyone can spend on a Bronco. As for MPG the Badlands model isn't exactly the best choice for that, but the best way to improve MPG is keep your foot out of it. Don't punch it at stoplights and on the freeway moderate speeds will improve your MPG. The only modification that will help with MPG is smaller tires, I'm sure you don't want to do that! Big truck, huge tires, low gearing == poor MPG, pretty simple. I would be skeptical of any claim a tune or other mods improves MPG.

 

[broncobase1]

I don’t understand how people don’t get +20-ish. I’ve got a loaded up Badlands SAS, Hoss 3.0, 2.3L 2DR, with a couple aftermarket skids, stock 35s. I just did a 1450mi roadtrip, through the mountains, a few trails, only about 75% highway. Still got +21 MPG.

If correct that is impressive for a Badlands SAS! I get around 21 with my bare bones base around town, but a Badlands SAS is a different animal for sure. Maybe you had a tailwind on the highway stretches?

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