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SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

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

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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

#1049 of 1070 Made up my mind by wvgasguy Nov 21, 2008 (1:53 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 1070 Re: MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... [xtierra] by wvgasguy Nov 21, 2008 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: xtierra (Nov 17, 2008 3:52 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.
#1052 of 1070 Re: MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... [xtierra] by ateixeira Dec 02, 2008 (10:37 am)
Replying to: xtierra (Nov 17, 2008 3:52 pm) When you reset the ECU it probably runs ruch until it figures out how far it can lean the air-fuel mix without creating problems. The ECU has to learn again, basically.   As for getting the best mileage, I second the idea of taking excess weight out of the vehicle. My kids, for instance, accumulate junk like Happy Meal toys, and before you know it they have 100 in the car.   New rule - no more toys (they're junk anyway), plus I made them clean out the car. Each child can bring their one favorite toy, that's it. Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Dec 04, 2008 2:46 pm) ateixeira (Dec 05, 2008 1:15 pm)
#1053 of 1070 Re: MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... [ateixeira] by wvgasguy Dec 04, 2008 (2:46 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 02, 2008 10:37 am) I second the idea of taking excess weight out of the vehicle.   Seriously You drive a 5000+ pound SUV and you're concerned about the weight of a bag full of plastic toys?   Then again maybe not eating happy meals will keep a couple of hundred pounds off the family average over the long term   Backing off about 5mph would probably yield 10x more in gains. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 05, 2008 1:15 pm)
#1054 of 1070 Re: MPG was hurt by disconecting battery... [wvgasguy] by ateixeira Dec 05, 2008 (1:15 pm)
Replying to: wvgasguy (Dec 04, 2008 2:46 pm) Well, I don't drive a 5000 lb SUV, but the person asking does.   Our Forester weighs about a ton less and I hit a 36mpg peak this week. Definitely using every trick in the book, though.   Our van weighs about 4270 if the brochure isn't lying.
#1055 of 1070 Any effect of empty roof rack on mileage? by lmacmil Dec 12, 2008 (10:51 am)
Edmunds did a test last winter on the mileage effect of an empty vs loaded roof rack. Mileage was about 20% less with a couple of items on the roof rack. I'm wondering if there is a significant effect, say > 1 mpg, of an empty roof rack vs no roof rack at all or if the cross bars have an effect. Fyi, I have a Highlander that came with a roof rack that I have never used.   My guess is that an empty roof rack has little effect on mileage. Anyone seen any data that says otherwise or care to speculate? Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 12, 2008 12:03 pm)
#1056 of 1070 Re: Any effect of empty roof rack on mileage? [lmacmil] by ateixeira Dec 12, 2008 (12:03 pm)
Replying to: lmacmil (Dec 12, 2008 10:51 am) I should take the rails off the roof of my van, and you just reminded me.   I tried once and it was not easy. Gotta ask other Sienna owners what's the trick.
#1057 of 1070 MPG SOLUTION!!! by xtierra Dec 14, 2008 (12:09 am)
Replying to: wayn1 (Jan 01, 2001 11:06 am) my 2005 xterra 4X2 would give me close to 400 miles per tank on highway trips.... my fuel gauge went bad and i took 4 months to fix it. once i fixed it along with cleaning my battery posts, i was shocked to see my truck use too much gas.... i was around 11mpg!!!!!! so with 100,000 miles i thought it is something with my engine... cleaned throtle intake, mass air sensor, new spark plugs,new tranny fluid, new diff fluid..... 4 bottles of lucas fuel treatment..... got up to 13.89mpg.... mechanic plugged nissan computer and showed me that my engine was performing at 86%.............. wow........... he re-set the ecu and instructed me to keep rpm's from 1000 to 1500 and drive to and open highway to get to 60 mph with low rmp's and to keep at 60 mph for 15 minutes..... while the ecu completed the re-learing procedure for the air/fuel mixture..... took a 265 mile trip the following weekend through mountain areas at 70 to 80 mph and got 20.25 mpg////////////// BACK TO NORMAL..   if you notice your mpg dropp, did you have your truck at the dealership? did you disconect the battery? this is the most common cause for bad mpg. Replies to this message: tidester (Dec 14, 2008 12:28 am) ateixeira (Dec 23, 2008 10:43 am)
#1058 of 1070 Re: MPG SOLUTION!!! [xtierra] by tidester HOST Dec 14, 2008 (12:28 am)
Replying to: xtierra (Dec 14, 2008 12:09 am) That's a great tip, XT! Glad you got that fixed.   tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper

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