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SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

1070 messages,  Last post on Jun 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM

You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Ford Expedition, GMC Envoy, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Pathfinder, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

#1039 of 1070 mileage by mcribb Oct 12, 2008 (5:12 am)
My 2006 pathfinder gets 20.4 miles average. I laugh when I see Ford and Chevy advertising mpg for their crossovers.
#1040 of 1070 Pilot Mileage by bronsonb Oct 21, 2008 (11:11 am)
Replying to: kipk (Sep 18, 2008 3:58 am) Kip - Thanks for sharing that info. My sister-in-law just got a pilot recently, but it's a base model. She seems happy with it, but I don't know what mileage she's getting. I have an 04 Expedition 2WD, but I've been a very conservative drive. I go 12 miles round trip most days to/from the MARTA station, and I am getting 15 MPG average. On the highway, I can get 20 MPG. I've found that as long as I am a conservative driver, I can keep the MPG above the EPA ratings.   I do enjoy having that space for camping trips and road trips with the kids. My old Passat wagon just couldn't haul all of our gear, and when I tried renting something larger, I could seldom reserve what I wanted at a reasonable price. So the SUV works for me. When the wife finally puts her 10 year old, 135K miles Passat to rest, I think I'll keep it as my commuter car and park the Expy in the garage for camping and weekend trips with the family.   Take care.
#1041 of 1070 Best Gas Mileage Modifications by sdtrex Nov 09, 2008 (7:39 pm)
Just bought a 1999 Suburban, 350, 700R4. We want to do some basic modifications to maximize mileage. I already drive like a grandpa to keep mileage up, but want to get into the low 20's (mpg) on the highway. Can anyone weigh in on the utility of:   1) K&N Filter 2) Cold Air Intake 3) Throttle body spacer 4) Headers 5) True dual exhaust 6) Flowmaster 7) New computer chip 8) New ignition system 9) Anything I'm missing?   Any suggestions appreciated!   SDTREX Replies to this message: steve_ (Nov 09, 2008 7:56 pm) d07 (Nov 17, 2008 10:12 am) sdtrex (Nov 17, 2008 11:13 am) d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:51 am) and 1 more...
#1042 of 1070 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by steve_ HOST Nov 09, 2008 (7:56 pm)
Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 09, 2008 7:39 pm) An oil based filter won't help your mpg unless the current filter in the 'burban is filthy. A chip probably won't make any difference either and it's highly unlikely to make enough of a difference to ever pay for itself. Probably none of the other stuff in your list will increase the mpg enough to offset the expense.   I think throttle body spacers fall under the category of Gas Saving Gizmos & Gadgets.   You may not like the ride but you can pump the tires up a bit over the recommendation on the tire label on the door frame (or glove box).   Toss any extra weight in there. Maybe you can live without carrying the spare around? Extra tools, sandbags -- all that stuff adds up and can hurt your mpg.   What Really Saves Gas? And How Much?   We Test the Tips Part II
#1043 of 1070 Re: [drmperalta] by freddy0872 Nov 10, 2008 (6:50 pm)
Replying to: drmperalta (Jul 09, 2000 1:42 am) I own a 1995 Chevy Suburban with a 7.4L 454 Big Block V8 This beast will utterly demolish any sub compact car not only in an accident (God forbid) but also at the gas pump! She weighs roughly 3 1/2 tons! Her fuel thirsty 42 gallon gas tank is a HOG at the gas pump. I get roughly 7-8 miles per gallon. AND I AM SO PROUD OF IT! this beast will do anything i ask, and wont hesitate. And i feel very safe in it. Gas prices are finally falling below $2.00 a gallon here I say ROCK ON BIG RIG, SUV, TRUCK DRIVIN MOTORISTS!!!
#1044 of 1070 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by d07 Nov 17, 2008 (10:12 am)
Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 09, 2008 7:39 pm) From the choices you have given, I know that most of the above would work, but in optimal situations when great demand is placed on the engine. But I suspect that each one will give you fractions more on the gallon in terms of MPG, and most probably will be offset by the increase in weight especially if the part is an add-on and not a replacement. there certainly would be horsepower gains noticed but at optimal engine rpms -( ie; driving like grandpa really wouldn't allow any perceived improvement). Driving for economy usually results in pumping losses, inertial losses and sometimes taking unusually longer time to reach optimal speed.   But some things that can certainly help considering your driving habits would be: 1)Synthetic oil . (may gain between 1-4 mpg depending on the engine type and condition - ie, wear) 2)Less restrictive air filter (may be 0-.5 mpg improvement) 3)Tires inflated 2-4 psi above manufacturer recommendation ( 0.1 - 0.3 mgp improvement - careful with this to prevent premature wear and poor handling) 4)using a engine warmer in winter so engine reaches optimal temp quickly) 5)Changing transmission, differential fluids & other lubricants regularly - once a year maybe to keep friction robbing wear at bay.( but not overdoing it) 6)Developing correct driving technique for acceleration, cruise and slowing down. 7)Limiting alternator loads by using less power demands - high blower speed, music loud, heated, seats dome/interior lights on when vehicle is off. 8)Taking out unnecessary weight like removable seats etc. if any of you out there have any more tips - please let me know as well. I have a 2008 Honda Crv City driving, 21 MPG Highway 29-34 MPG Really light foot - flat road - 39 MPG - (No Hypermiling) Replies to this message: sdtrex (Nov 17, 2008 11:13 am) d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:51 am) tidester (Nov 17, 2008 1:53 pm)
#1045 of 1070 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [d07] by sdtrex Nov 17, 2008 (11:13 am)
Replying to: d07 (Nov 17, 2008 10:12 am) Great suggestions, I'll try those. I have been driving like a grandpa and am getting... drum roll please.... 15mpg. So hopefully the modifications will help.   The good news is that I walk to work and will use this for family outings only. Replies to this message: d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:51 am) tidester (Nov 17, 2008 1:53 pm)
#1046 of 1070 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by d07 Nov 17, 2008 (11:51 am)
Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 17, 2008 11:13 am) Thats the best solution - walk to work - If this economy keeps going the way it is - the next forum hot topic would be "How far does a can of beans take you?" - "I, get 3 miles on a can of red........." Yes, since its only on outings - multiply the MPG by the number of people sitting in the vehicle - ie 15 mpg, with 6 people on board you'd be getting 90mpg! Look at the guy driving the prius turn green with envy! Replies to this message: tidester (Nov 17, 2008 1:53 pm)
#1047 of 1070 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [d07] by tidester HOST Nov 17, 2008 (1:53 pm)
Replying to: d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:51 am) with 6 people on board you'd be getting 90mpg!   We'll have to create a new unit of measure for this. Let's call it pmpg, passenger miles per gallon.   tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper
#1048 of 1070 MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... by xtierra Nov 17, 2008 (3:52 pm)
Replying to: tbavis (Oct 04, 2000 12:31 am) with my 2005 xterra auto 4X2, out of nowhere i was getting 10.-- mpg.........went into panic trying to figure out what the problem was... cleaned injectors,throtle body,mass sensor, new plugs,new tranny fluid, new rear diff fluid and got up to 11.-- mpg...........found mechanic that pluged his nissan computer and found engine performance at 86% he re-set everything and brought it back to 100% then told me to leave shop to highway to keep rpm's from 1,000 to 1,500 and to get to 60 mph for 15 to 20 minutes while computer was going through re-learning process for driving habits..... went on a 253 mile trip through mountain area and averaging 70 to 80 mph..... MPG= 20.-- back to normal...... i had cleaned my battery posts 3 weeks ago right about when the problem began..... and began driving the truck as i always do wich caused the re-learn process to be set with those 2,000 rpm's+ if you have disconected battery, you might have caused your re-learn air/fuel mixture to be set abnorlmal causing you to be getting an abnormal MPG.... or make you think its that so called winter fuel mixture from gas station......... Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Nov 21, 2008 1:57 pm) ateixeira (Dec 02, 2008 10:37 am) wvgasguy (Dec 04, 2008 2:46 pm) ateixeira (Dec 05, 2008 1:15 pm)

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