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Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Tahoe MPG - Real World Numbers

185 messages,  Last post on Dec 25, 2010 at 9:20 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe Limited/Z71, Chevrolet Tahoe, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

Messages Page 19 of 19

#176 of 185 Re: 07 Tahoe 3LT, 3.43 RWD [sheltiepup] by nedzel

Oct 29, 2007 (10:19 am)

Replying to: sheltiepup (Oct 28, 2007 8:44 am)
"I just think the auto makers should be FORCED to report real world mileage, its far off of what was on the sticker and advertised by the salesman."
 
Whose real world mileage? Yours? Mine? My mileage goes down 1-2 mpg in the winter, due to the cold weather (idling while getting the snow off the car) and my snow tires. Should that be reported to someone buying a truck in Boca?
 
The only thing that makes sense is doing a repeatable test in laboratory conditions, which is exactly what they do now. Otherwise there are too many variables to make comparisons meaningful.
 
And for 2008 EPA has revised the testing procedures. The new mileage rates are significantly lower and should be closer to what most people achieve.
 
That said, your mileage WILL vary. It depends upon how you drive (fast starts, high speeds, etc.) and where you drive (open road versus stop-and-go). There's no way anyone can predict the mileage that any particular consumer will get.

#177 of 185 Re: 07 Tahoe 3LT, 3.43 RWD [sheltiepup] by kipk

Oct 30, 2007 (5:38 am)

Replying to: sheltiepup (Oct 28, 2007 8:44 am)
"... I just think the auto makers should be FORCED to report real world mileage, its far off of what was on the sticker and advertised by the salesman"
 
I agree with Nedzel. Real world mileage will be different for different people driving the same vehicle. My wife's driving habits net her near 3 mpg less than I get with the same vehicle.
 
FWIW the MPG numbers on the window sticker are EPA generated. Dealers are pretty much "FORCED" to display those numbers. The sticker also states your mileage can vary a bunch.
 
As Nedzel said; "The only thing that makes sense is doing a repeatable test in laboratory conditions, which is exactly what they do now. Otherwise there are too many variables to make comparisons meaningful."
 
That data is for the consumer to use for comparison.
 
Mfg and dealers can, and do, lie or stretch the truth about other things.
 
Example: General Motors advertises their 5 year/100K mile drivetrain warranty as the "Best warranty in the business, better than Ford, better than Toyota"!
 
They used to say simply "Best warranty in the business."
They have added the Toyota and Ford thingy recently. Notice they don't mention Dodge! But they are still saying "BEST".
 
Hyundai has a 10/100K and Dodge now has "Lifetime" drivetrain warranty. I don't personally see how GM's 5/100k is better. They can legally do this by having a transferable clause, or covering some obscure switch that the others don't.
 
However, by LAW, they are required to stick with the EPA stickers for Mileage. Last year Toyota proudly advertised the Corolla at 40 mpg. Advertisers are apparently not required to mention "HIGHWAY". Now they are saying, "Everybody knows a Corolla gets 37 miles per gallon."
 
Real world is that a Yukon will get better or worse mileage than advertised. Driver, terrain, traffic, and weather all make a difference.
 
Kip

#178 of 185 Re: 07 Tahoe 3LT, 3.43 RWD [kipk] by klmcleod

Oct 30, 2007 (7:30 am)

Replying to: kipk (Oct 30, 2007 5:38 am)
kipk is right. real world is that you will be better or worse than advertised. Depends on your driving habits.
 
Last night I filled up my wife's Tahoe (5.3 V8/V4) on the west side of Houston, and drove to the northeast side on the beltway. I held my speed to 55mph on cruise. When I exited the beltway 30 miles later, my average mpg was 24.4.
 
K

#179 of 185 Re: 2007 Tahoe LS mileage [zachinmi] by zachinmi

Nov 13, 2007 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: zachinmi (Oct 25, 2007 8:29 am)
I have a few more tanks now, mileage is:
trip miles / MPG
193 17.7
383 17.0
374 16.8
164 16.5
416 16.3
377 17.8
291 19.9
 
All these are calculated from odometer and gas receipts, not based on the trip computer. The last two tanks are from a long road trip with a mix of freeway and highway. The 16.3mpg tank was after topping off with 10 gallons of E85, making for about 30% ethanol in the tank. I did not notice any difference in driveability or power with E85 in the tank, but it does appear my mileage took a hit, especially since I had a lot of highway driving that should have been higher mpg on that tank. (I am aware that E85 has less energy and will reduce mpg.) Locally E85 is only 30 cents/gallon cheaper than regular gasoline, and it makes no sense to buy E85 at this price.
 
During the E85 tank I changed the oil and filter, using Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 full synthetic. I see mileage varying with temperatures (colder is much worse) and driving style. AFM seems to be coming on more frequently now; not sure if that is break-in, some computer setting after X number of miles, or an indication that the synthetic oil has reduced friction by some meaningful amount.
 
I think my mileage is right on target given the EPA ratings (old or new system). I am trying to optimize driving for AFM to function. There seem to be sweet spots on cruise at 58mph, 68mph, and 72mph, all where AFM is frequently on when on level grades or very slight downhills. On the last roadtrip I had a 30 mile stretch of freeway with over 23mpg showing on the trip computer. However, it may be that I was going slightly downhill for the entire 30 miles or had a tailwind; both seem to make a difference in gas mileage. Not surprisingly, best mileage in commuting is with a very light foot on the gas. However, if not a very light foot, there doesn't seem to be much if any mileage difference between a moderately and extremely heavy foot (shifts >5000rpm; make sure the engine is fully warm!) when accelerating.

#180 of 185 '02 4x4 1/2-ton Suburban LT fuel mileage by ramjet2

Mar 10, 2008 (8:19 pm)

I've kept real good track of my fuel mileage over the years, a bit obsessively perhaps, and put it all into Excel each year. Here are the results:
 
2002 - 17.0 mpg.
2003 - 16.6
2004 - 17.2
2005 - 16.0
2006 - 16.8
2007 - 15.7
 
Some years had a lot more highway miles, obviously. Note, I went by the Suburban's odometer without adjustment to actual, and as I recall now it's about 2% long, suggesting that actual mileage based on real distance covered was 2% lower than the above figures.
     I'm not unhappy with our truck's mileage based on it's excellent driving characteristics, utility and reliability. That said, like most people I'd like to send less $$$ to the ragheads in the mideast who use the money to blow us up. So I'm looking forward to buying the new hybrid when they make it available in a Suburban model, and hopefully they'll fix those god-awful middle tumbling seats and uneven cargo floor so that a big Suburban can once again fit a simply 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back like my '02 can do.
 
'er y' go

#181 of 185 1996 Tahoe Starting and Running Problems (Crankshaft Position Sensor) by jcb4green

Aug 27, 2009 (3:31 pm)

My 1996 Tahoe was having terrible problems starting and running correctly. The initial diagnosis was the crankshaft position switch was malfunctioning. After almost $2000 dollars of replacing the sensor, engine tune-up, fuel filter and fuel pump I was still having the same problems, but not all the time. I had a local mechanic due the work and he said take it to Chevy and have them diagnose the problem, which they determined was still the crankshaft position switch was malfunctioning. Since my mechanic had done the original work I took the Tahoe back to him with the Chevy diagnosis problem. He crawled under the truck with it running and saw the sensor moving around while it was running. He took the sensor out and discovered that one of the mounting bolts screws into a brass fitting inside the plastic timing chain cover. The brass fitting was loose and just needed a screw driver inserted into it to spread it to increase the tension on the plastic cover. My mechanic put it back together and it resolved all my problems, meaning most of the $2000 dollars I had spent trying to fix a problem that ended up being caused by maybe a 25 cent brass fitting in a plastic cover. Live and Learn. By the way my 1996 Tahoe has almost 154000 miles on it with the original engine and transmission.

#183 of 185 2007 Tahoe Fuel Mileage by noles5309

Nov 10, 2010 (9:05 am)

What kind of fuel mileage should I be getting in my 07 Tahoe (46000 miles)? I have only had it less than a month and it has already been in the shop for a week getting two new injectors and fuel pump, along with some other electrical issues fixed. This is the third time that some injectors have been replaced in this vehicle. I have gone 100 miles since the repairs (half highway/half city) and I am barely getting 11 mpg. Just wondering if anyone is experiencing this issue.
Thanks

#184 of 185 Re: 2007 Tahoe Fuel Mileage [noles5309] by kiawah

Nov 10, 2010 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: noles5309 (Nov 10, 2010 9:05 am)
Have a 2007 Sub, and it's been a while since I've checked, but I believe it's in the 20ish range on highway driving. The vehicle is used mainly for highway trips, when used around town occasionally I know I don't even look/check.
 
It get's better than our older Ford Explorer 6 cyl on the highway 19ish.

#185 of 185 2002 Tahoe w/5.3 is eating me up w/fuel! by clockdaddy

Dec 25, 2010 (9:20 pm)

I recently purchased a 2002 Tahoe 4X4 w/trailer package (76000 miles) and have been shocked by the lousy fuel mileage I'm getting. I average in town and highway around 10 to 12 mpg. It desperately needed plugs (burned down to the porcelain) which I changed, otherwise it runs great. I don't know the rear end gearing other than to say it is stock. While it has the trailer package, it was never used tow tow anything (no hitch!).
What should I be looking at next that might improve the fuel mileage?? I jealous of those getting such good mileage! With gas forecast to be 4.00 plus by spring, I need to get it straightened out ASAP!!!

Messages Page 19 of 19

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