My 2017 Explorer has been shifting really hard and only getting 14 miles per gallon. Anyone have ideas on what could be the problem?
First thing you should do is go outside and pull the transmission dipstick. Smell it. If it smells burnt or nasty, that’s your issue. The dipstick is to the left of the air box, but it’s tough to get your arm in there. You’ll manage, though.
@Tali
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
I work with transmissions, and even someone who doesn’t know much about cars can tell if the dipstick has a burnt smell. It won’t just smell bad; it’ll have that distinct burnt odor.
By the way, do you have the FWD or AWD version?
It’s FWD.
By the way, do you have the FWD or AWD version?
It’s FWD.
I had a 2017 front-wheel-drive model too. Honestly, the best thing I ever did was switch to a 2021 rear-wheel-drive version. Any year would be better. The handling is a lot better, plus you don’t have the engine-transmission combo issue. Only downside is that the newer ones have sealed transmissions.
@Tali
Does your Explorer even have a dipstick? I thought some models, starting in 2011 or so, didn’t have them. Might be the case with your 2017.
Vann said:
@Tali
Does your Explorer even have a dipstick? I thought some models, starting in 2011 or so, didn’t have them. Might be the case with your 2017.
I believe the dipstick was removed after 2012. For those models, to check the fluid, you need to get the vehicle to operating temperature, raise it up, then remove a torx screw from the center of the 22mm bolt on the bottom of the pan. If fluid comes out, it’s full. If not, you’ll need to pump fluid into the same hole.
My AWD gets around 13/17 MPG. It doesn’t just gulp gas, it practically chugs it down! I love the car, but keeping the tank full is a real struggle.
My 2015 Sport is doing much better with gas. I’m getting around 20 MPG on average, and I just took a 5-hour trip and got 21.7 MPG.
Tali said:
My 2015 Sport is doing much better with gas. I’m getting around 20 MPG on average, and I just took a 5-hour trip and got 21.7 MPG.
Yeah, I get about 19 MPG, and I drive it pretty hard.
Could be the injectors.
How much city vs highway driving do you do? 14 MPG sounds about right, maybe even a little better than some people get in city driving. What were you getting before in the same kind of driving? And is your check engine light on? If it is, try hooking up a code scanner. It’s best to use one that can read Ford-specific codes and see real-time data.