# 2003 Ford Ranger - MPG drop - erratic

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-ranger-mpg-drop-erratic/199461>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [March 12, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-ranger-mpg-drop-erratic/199461 "2025-03-12T17:32:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bill01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@bill01](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bill01)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-ranger-mpg-drop-erratic/199461/1 "2025-03-12T17:32:03Z")

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11 miles per gallon town driving Erattic idle speed

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-ranger-mpg-drop-erratic/199461/2 "2025-03-12T21:57:18Z")

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What is your STFT?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-ford-ranger-mpg-drop-erratic/199461/3 "2025-03-12T22:10:50Z")

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Locate the Idle Air Control valve.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/3/a/3a4fdf89fe47055fbcb50e7ceb5f270493009ad9.jpeg)

While the engine is idling take the handle of a screwdriver and rap on the IAC valve.

If the idle speed changes or the engine stalls the IAC valve is defective and causing the erratic idle.

For the drop in mileage? Is the Check Engine Light on?

Tester