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Terrano VGi 30 Lt Auto R3M


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Hi we have just bought a March 1988 Terrano. Must addmit we got the car for its looks and style. The 3.0 Lt motor was the option we wanted as we sometimes tow a small van ( 1,200 Kg ) We have just done a 4.000 Klm highway sightseeing trip without the van and love the vehical. The fuel economy was good average 11 liters per 100 Klm. The questions we have are. How to improve fuel economy around town ? The best after market oil cooler for the Auto ? I do not like standard radiator systems. The car has Extrastors we a high flow 2.5 in system. It is just legal for noise levels frovided you are not to heavy with the right foot.

All advise and help will be great. :help:

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Check your tyre pressure, pump them up to around 32-35 psi if you don't mind a bumpier ride. You can add a K&N air filter, synthetic oils in engine and diffs, and DO install a new external transmission cooler. The stock radiator coolers clog up and kill transmissions all the time. The bigger the cooler, the better. Plate style coolers work better than tube-and-fin style coolers. Give it a tune-up with replacement spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, a new PCV valve, perhaps a nice helping of intake cleaner (Seafoam works all-right if you can find it), clean your mass airflow sensor (procedure outlined in the Garage How-To section), and go easy on the gas pedal...

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Thanks for the reply. Have had a receint service, and put some injector cleaner through it before we went tripping.It is only around town that it gets thirsty. Will replace the PVC valve and check out the information on cleaning the Mass Air Flow Sensor. It has a K & N filter which has been cleaned and oiled.

The tyres are 31 * 10 * 15 Maxxis 751 Bravp Radial on Lodioddrive Alloy 15 * 7 wheels. Had a recent wheel alligment and was told to run them on 40 psi.??? At this pressure the ride is supriseingly smoth and road quiet.

I will chase up some prices on Plate style coolers. The local Automatic specialist has quoted $300 supply and fit. Way to much.

Another question in reguards to tyre size. on the highway at 100 Klm per the speedo is showing 115 Klm. Could this just be falty speedo or tyre size. Tha car has been well looked after and serviced and has done 132,000 Klm. but who knows with speedo readings. WAVEY

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I was giving a general range of tyre pressure, manufacturers state their maximum inflation rating on the side of the tire. You can run up to the limit without any problems.

 

Many Ford vehicles use that style of external cooler. If you have a local junkyard or scrapyard to go to, try to find a cheap cooler from a 93-up Explorer or other SUV/truck. The Fords with a towing package generally have a larger cooler installed, if that helps.

 

I believe your speedometer inaccuracy would be related to tire size. Going down a step in diameter to a 235/75/15 (28.8" tall) would likely put you back to rights on the speedo. Lots of Terrano/Pathfinders came with the 235's from the factory, then were swapped for 31's, so the speedo gear inside the transmission will need to be swapped out to make it accurate again. Alternatively, I'd just try not to speed too much. ;)

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