On the subject of MPG and how I believe the automakers are putting in a united BS Fix and I believe most cars could get better MPG: much like how the light bulb makers united in 1925 and decreed all light bulbs will ONLY last 1000 Hours.

About 12/14 years ago at the last gas crunch a friend, Don and I got into trying to improve MPG by installing a HHO system made by a company named Dutchman Enterprises.

It turned out to be a scam. But we did have a couple of success.

After we gave up on Dutchman with SO many believing in HHO I keep on researching and testing other systems nothing worked BUT two things:

Driving a V8 a (Ford 4.6) at 1500 to 1700 RPMs. These RPMs seem to be the SWEET SPOT.

And running lean burns at 16.4 A/R, which added about 5MPG.

Road tests was greatly helped by two MPG read out devices , a Scan GuageII and MPGunio. Which show instant readouts to no 100mile test runs were needed.

Test track is I17 North from Cactus to just past the 101 and south back to Cactus

Two runs each way. No wind.

Cars I have tested this on: a 2000 Mercury Grand Marques with a 4.6 4R70 4 speed auto and a 3.27 rear end that got 28 to 30MPG at 65MPH and 1700RPMs, and on a road trip from Phoenix AZ to Riverside CA got a nice 24MPG at 85MPH to the AZ/CA Boarder and then got 26MPG from the AZ/CA boarder to Riverside at 80MPH. MPG checked by numbers (at fuel pump fill ups) and two MPG devices.

This car would do these numbers every time every day!!

It was replaced by a 2003 Ford Crown Vic with a 4.6 4R70 4 speed auto and a 3.27 rear end that gets 26MPG at 65MPH P71 Ex-Cop car which makes 40 more HP over the 2000 4.6.

These two CARS show a normal progressive loss of MPG at a rate of about 3 MPG per each 5 MPH faster from 60MPH, no sudden drop in MPG just a steady drop as speed (and RPMS) increases.

BUT then there are these two Ford Explorers SUVs.

2002 Ford Explorer with a 4.0 V6 5R55 5 speed and 3.55 Rearend. Read end ratio is lower tht the stated 3.73 due to TALL wheels.

2003 Ford Explorer with a 4.6 V8 5R55 5 speed and 3.55 Rearend.

60MPH and 70MPH TRUE by GPS. I was concerned when the calculator program was off.

49MPH in 5th @ 1480RPMs 29MPG
59MPH in 5th @ 1800RPMs 26MPG

65MPH in 5th @ 2200RPMs 18MPG

NOTE THIS DRAMATIC drop of almost 10MPG with only a small change in speed and RPMs

75MPH and up to 80MPH done nearly everyday. Everyone drives these speeds...

Note, from 50MPH and 29MPG to 65MPG the rate drops faster than the normal 1MPG per each 5MPH faster….should have been only 3 MPG to go from 50MPH to 65MPH what should be 26MPG reads 18MPG.

I have tested these low speeds of 50MPH about 8 times. On the freeways it takes a few second for it to settle down and then 28/32MPG. Note these MPG ONLY happen when cruising at a set speed.

This should not happen, you should lose MPG at a steady rate from 1500RPMs (50MPH) up.

BUT these two SUVs drop 10MPG between 50MPH and 65MPH THEN lose at the normal rate of 3MPG for each 5MPH faster.

So at 50MPH = 28/32, at 65MPH = 18MPG, and at 80MPH = 15MPG.

THEY say it is because these SUVs are Boxes being pushed through the air.

SO as a test I pulled up behind a Big Rig going north going a very nice steady 65MPH on I17, got within the vacuum behind his box, within one car space….and no change, no 29MPG just 18MPG.

So IT IS NOT wind resistance I was drafting the big rig.

And Because a 2019 Chevy Express van (A BIGGER BOX) is officially reported by its sticker to do 29MPG highway.

The FIX is in the PCM.

So I believe these PCMs can be reprogramed more like a Crown Vic programing and get much better MPG highway.

I am looking for help in doing this.

Rich