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SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

1080 messages,  Last post on Jul 23, 2010 at 7:36 PM

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

Messages Page 105 of 108

#1041 of 1080 Best Gas Mileage Modifications by sdtrex

Nov 09, 2008 (8:39 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

#1042 of 1080 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by steve_ HOST

Nov 09, 2008 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 09, 2008 8:39 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 1080 Re: [drmperalta] by freddy0872

Nov 10, 2008 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: drmperalta (Jul 09, 2000 2:42 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 1080 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by d07

Nov 17, 2008 (11:12 am)

Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 09, 2008 8:39 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)

#1045 of 1080 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [d07] by sdtrex

Nov 17, 2008 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: d07 (Nov 17, 2008 11:12 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.

#1046 of 1080 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [sdtrex] by d07

Nov 17, 2008 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: sdtrex (Nov 17, 2008 12:13 pm)
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!

#1047 of 1080 Re: Best Gas Mileage Modifications [d07] by tidester

Nov 17, 2008 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: d07 (Nov 17, 2008 12:51 pm)
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 1080 MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... by xtierra

Nov 17, 2008 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: tbavis (Oct 04, 2000 1:31 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.........

#1049 of 1080 Made up my mind by wvgasguy

Nov 21, 2008 (2:53 pm)

With winter coming, and figuring my Camry Hybrid is probably at an optimal time to trade (with 63,000 miles) I decided it was time to get serious. Since I really didn't think I was "green" and gas prices have dropped like a rock I decided to look at several awd options. After looking at the Cadillac CTS (didn't fit), the STS (couldn't deal) and the Infiniti M35x (couldn't deal there either) I slowed down and rethought my choices. I looked at the depreciation on these left over 2008 deals and decided even with huge discounts (>$10,000 in two cases) I would still be upside down in a loan. I could justify it knowing I'd pay them off early anyway, but that much depreiation just irks me.
Looked at the Lincoln MKX too. Finally after telling myself there is no sense in spending big bucks to buy a vehicle that is only marginally comfortable (the M35 is the only one with a comfortable rear seat) I got to thinking about FE again. I still wanted roomy and good FE even though gas has dropped to $2.09 here. I just can't see wasting resources that much with the 17mpg vehicles (I'm morre green than I thought_the TCH did that to me)
 
I looked at the Escape Hybrid again and it was just too small. I finally looked at a Highlander Hybrid and found it to be quiet comfortable with a lot of flexibility with the second row seating. While not an aggressive 4wd, it did have 4wdi which from all I could research would meet the needs. I still have the Expedition for another year of lease and would have time to see if the HH meets my SUV needs (it will tow 3500 pounds). I give up the Camry's 37mpg for a year but will look at putting the Expedition in the kid's garage next year and getting another Camry Hybrid, a Prius or looking at the diesel's or see what the domestics have if they are still in business. Buying the HH gives me a lot of flexibility over the next year to see what my next step will be. Who knows, I think a 370Z would look good in m y garage too.
 
So, it's a "toy" of an SUV (I know calling the HH an SUV irritates some of you) but it meets my needs for comfort, travelling with the grandkids (very small 3rd row seat), and towing and I'm feeling comfortable that I'll have no problem exceeding an average FE of 25mpg.
 
It's now in my garage

#1050 of 1080 Re: MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... [xtierra] by wvgasguy

Nov 21, 2008 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: xtierra (Nov 17, 2008 4:52 pm)
While I realize the Highlander Hybrid is more of an electrical wizzard than the xterra, I was reading on GreenHybrid a thread where if the battery is disconnected on the HH you need your dealer to reset something (don't remember what, but it would mess up the milage severly). Seems silly but there may be something to your thoughts about messing up the computer.

Messages Page 105 of 108

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