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#156 of 185 my milage for past 2.5 months... by hsensi

May 23, 2007 (6:41 am)

Replies to this message:

• talltree (May 24, 2007 10:27 am)
  • rockman59 (May 24, 2007 8:00 pm)
• johnny4016 (Jun 25, 2007 3:59 pm)

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#159 of 185 Re: my milage for past 2.5 months... [hsensi] by talltree

May 24, 2007 (10:27 am)

Replying to: hsensi (May 23, 2007 6:41 am)

Replies to this message:

• rockman59 (May 24, 2007 8:00 pm)

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#160 of 185 Re: my milage for past 2.5 months... [talltree] by rockman59

May 24, 2007 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: talltree (May 24, 2007 10:27 am)

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#161 of 185 Re: Is this reasonable? [ahightower] by kipk

May 25, 2007 (4:33 am)

Replying to: ahightower (May 14, 2007 11:33 am)

Thanks ahightower!
 
I agree a about the full frame. I also believe Rear wheel drives are better for towing.
 
And yes, better to have reserve power than to be pushing the limit.
 
I recon the nephew is misreading, has a faulty trip computer, or maybe stretching the truth a bit!
 
Kip

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#162 of 185 Re: Is this reasonable? [kipk] by johnny4016

Jun 25, 2007 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: kipk (May 14, 2007 6:27 am)

I own a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with the 5.3 Liter. It has over sized off road tires and a 4" lift kit and after market 4” exhaust system. I also have had the Transmission pan and Differential cover changed to the MAG-HYTEC pan and cover. I use Full Synthetic Gear Oil in both the front and rear differentials. I also use Full Synthetic 0x30W oil with a Mobil 1 Oil Filter. I've changed out my Spark Plugs and use E3 Spark Plugs, which burn 100% better than OEM Plugs and also changed the Plug Wires with the MSD Super Conductor Plug Wires. I've changed out the Stock Cold Air Intake system and replaced it with the K&N 5700 series cold air intake. I also have the Bully Dog Programmer and run 91 Octane. I drive very conservative and don't go over 55mph on the Hwy and always use my cruise control. I take off very slow from stops and don't allow my tachometer to go over 2K.
 
At best I average 20 mpg Hwy and 16 City. This is very good for the 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71.
 
Prior to doing any of the above, excluding the Tires, Lift Kit and Exhaust I was getting 12mpg City and 15 Hwy. After changing the Cold Air Intake, Spark Plugs and Wires I was getting about 14mpg City and 16 Hwy. After installing the Bully Dog Programmer I now get 16 City and 20 Hwy. Depending on the road conditions, flat or hilly and the wind-speed, blowing or not changes the mpg drastically.
 
The Bully Dog programmer has had 3 updates since I purchased it. With each upgrade I've notice better mpg. I started off getting 18mpg Hwy after installing the programmer and now I'm getting 20mpg Hwy with the updates.
 
I use 91 Octane because I notice a big difference in the performance and handling. I tow a trailer every once in awhile and the added performance-HP is really nice to have. Prior to installing the K&N Cold Air Intake the Tahoe statistic were 295 HP. After wards it has approximately 310 HP.
 
The Bully Dog Programmer has 3 settings, Stock, Tow and High Performance. It also allows you to raise the governor from 95 mph to 135 mph and a few other setting for the transmission, etc. I keep mine programmed in the Tow mode for better fuel economy. I did try it out in the High Performance mode when I first bought it. The power was awesome, more than I need to will ever use. I have no idea how much HP my Tahoe has now, but I would estimate the Programmer adds anywhere from 15 to 30 HP depending on what setting it is in. Also the 91 Octane obviously adds more HP.
 
I’ve just started adding the additive, MARVEL Mystery Oil to my gas each time I fill up. I’ve gone through about 6 tanks and haven’t noticed any change. But then again I really wouldn’t since I drive conservatively. The oil can be used in both your fuel and crank case oil. It is suppose to give you better mpg and keep your engine, intake valves, etc. clean. I have a few times in the past couple of weeks gave it some gas an I was awe struck and amazed with the amount of power. It screams down the road if I give it the gas. But then it also sucks the fuel down and gets 12 mpg if I drive like I was a teenager. At 47 years old and with gas costing $3.36 per gallon right now I will drive 55mph and get 20mpg. I now get over 400 miles per tank. When I bought it I was getting 300 miles per tank. It has almost 63K on it and runs like a brand new Tahoe, or even better with all the new parts.
 
The Bully Dog Programmer isn’t cheap, but none of them are. I paid $388.00 for mine. I shopped around a little and found it cheaper than most dealers on line were selling it for. It has already paid for itself with the money I’ve saved in my mpg. I’m not anyway associated with Bully Dog but I would suggest their product over any other one out there. I’ve been very happy with my programmer, the Bully Dog Power Pup for GM Gas. They sell programmers for all types and kinds of vehicles. I suggest shopping around if you plan on buying one as you could save up to $350.00 or more depending on where you buy one.
 
I've kept a mileage chart from the 1st day I bought my Tahoe. Miles, Amount of miles driven, gallons used, average mpg, cost per gallon, hours, etc.
 
I can tell you for a fact that your nephew is either looking at his Instant mpg while going downhill or he's not telling you the truth. There is No way he's averaging 28mpg normal driving. Even if he's driving on all flat land, there is no way he is getting over 20 mpg. If he where I'd sure like to know how?
 
E.M.S.

Replies to this message:

• kipk (Jun 25, 2007 6:39 pm)

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#163 of 185 Re: my milage for past 2.5 months... [hsensi] by johnny4016

Jun 25, 2007 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: hsensi (May 23, 2007 6:41 am)

My 04 Tahoe Z71 is fully loaded and I get 20mpg Hwy and 16mpg City.
 
I have added some after market equiptment, not a whole lot, but enough to make a difference.
 
I was getting the same mpg that you are getting.
 
At 55mph I get 20mpg.
 
At 65/70mph I get about 17mpg Hwy.
 
So I choose to leave a little earlier, enjoy the scenary and let all the 18 wheelers and speeders pass me by. That is until they run out of gas and I keep going. I'm getting anywhere from 420 to 460 miles per tank before I fill up.
 
Try slowing down and use your cruise control. If you want to claim being a conservative driver then don't drive over 55mph. If your anything like me and go through 7 to 8 tanks a month then you will be happy at the end of the month when you've saved 2 whole tanks of fuel driving 55mph compared to 65 or 70mph. I know this to be true because I haven't drove over 55mph since Jan 2007 and the price of fuel went back up to over $3.00 per gallon. We are still paying $3.40 at the cheapest stations around Southern CA for 91 Octane. So until the price drops back down to $2.00 a gallon if it ever does I will choose to drive 55mph and save 2 full tanks of fuel per month. To me that about $160.00 a month or $1,920.00 a year at todays price. I can do a lot of vacationing with the extra money I save in fuel.
 
I also tow a trailer and run 50psi in my 305X70R16 Tires. I did notice a change in my mpg when I added more air pressure. Not that much differnce in the ride.
 
I only get but 12 to 15 mpg towing my trailer. Depending on which dirrection I'm going South or North. But that's pretty good mpg. My 99 Ford Explorer had a 5.0 Liter and got 7 to 9 mpg towing the same trailer.
 
E.M.S.

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#164 of 185 Re: Is this reasonable? [johnny4016] by kipk

Jun 25, 2007 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: johnny4016 (Jun 25, 2007 3:29 pm)

Thanks for the reply. Looks like you have accomplished a bunch with your ride. Nothing wrong with having BOTH better milesge and better mileage.
 
Yep I think the nephew might be exaggerating A LOT!
 
Kip