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SUVs Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep Grand Cherokee Real World MPG
102 messages, Last post on Jan 04, 2009 at 10:46 PM
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Hi all, Sorry; meant to post this sooner but had lost it for awhile. Anyway, short synopsis: moving from SUVs in the mid-teens MPG up to say low-mid MPG is far more important that moving from Civics or whatever to higher MPG small hybrids, etc. Probably many of you have already surmised this, but the actual graphs and math help tell the story. Here is the main link: http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2007/12/20/18-is-enough And/or, you can more quickly see the math here: http://daily.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2007/12/19/how-suvs-can-save-the-- climate So, I thought this was interesting and maybe a little relevant. |
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Replying to: sahara111 (Apr 21, 2008 1:24 pm)
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Replying to: 96gc1owner (May 06, 2008 4:51 pm) Not much time available tonight, so short and sweet. Here are my 2 recent highway-only (ie, very little local/town and no slower commuting): - I had one trip from western WA to south-eastern WA, a little local mileage there, and then continued to northern Idaho, and then all the way back to western WA. Involved at least 2 very cold (sat outside) starts, and some snow/ice driving, some 2-lane highway passing and otherwise normal interstate speeds (75mph avg roughly); distance on trip meter was 893.9 miles and I got 23.62 mpg for the whole trip. - The other trip was from the same starting point, same route to eastern WA and then return to western WA. The mileage included some local miles, and on the trip over a lot of 80-90mph cruising (following some Subaru turbo); this includes up the pass at 70-80 and then to 80-90 w/sustained 90mph for minutes at a time (several of those...), and then on the return portion a bit more moderate 75-80mph. I filled up at the 327.6 miles point and I had 22.95 mpg. I personally thought that was great; I didn't hold back, I really had fun with it and let it fly - passed everything going uphill, it's just a great engine. Both of these were open highway, several passes, many many hills, no drafting, some wind thrown in too. No. I think the best I can get under ideal conditions (ie, while commuting around the metro on freeways) is maybe 28 or 29; I have one 27.62mpg and one 27.759mpg and those include at least a minor amount of local town, stoplights, etc. I believe I will hit 28 at least once by summers end (around 30,000 miles total) and maybe by 40k I may be able to hit the rare 29 - but I'm not counting or betting on that, and again, that's ideal conditions (for me anyway). I say that because a) it is continuing to slowly get better, b) I have some recent experience with a Passat TDI - which did the same thing...and c) I am using an excellent european oil, but, will have changed it 3 times vs. 2 times by the 25,000 miles point - meaning, the engine has had cleaner oil in it than otherwise, and so it will continue to 'break in' well past the 25000 mile point as I begin to follow the oil change recommended (every 12,500 miles...). I'm using the Elf Solaris LSX 5w-30 full synthetic (meets the MB 229.51 spec and ACEA C3 spec). However - if Jeep would sell this thing in 2wd only (do they now in 2008..?), then I'm perfectly convinced that 30mpg would be very achievable at least sometimes; if they would/could clean up the aerodynamics a bit more, then it would go higher. Both of these are easily, easily done - if they would just do it. Stupid if they are not planning to IMO. Further, they may need to consider offering a different rear end option; and/or a 7-spd transmission as MB does in some of it's CDI offerings (as I understand it - not sure about their 2 SUVs...?). Keep in mind my 2007 has Jeep's heaviest, supposedly most capable 4wd system the Quadra-Drive 2 I think it is called; more moving and interconnecting parts and thus inefficiencies, plus the rear-end ratio is oriented to towing and off-roading (ie, pulling serious loads). Again, a 2wd version with a couple minor changes could get serious mpg for such a vehicle and still retain respectable towing (what most people would like in addition to great MPG). Later. |
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I just bought a 2007 Cherokee Overland edition w/ 4500 miles on it from a dealership. It's the Hemi. The sticker said 14 - 19 mpg...which yes from owning plenty of other cars, I know that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get that. However from my experience I can usually expect that I'll be somewhere in the middle or at least w/in that range. Well to my surprise in the 2 weeks I've owned it I've gotten 11 - 14 mpg even on fairly conservative driving. Freeway at speeds between 65 - 80 mph I averaged about 14 mpg max. That's at the lowest range on the sticker. I called 2 dealerships and both said that is not necessarily abnormal for this vehicle and that it may be my driving style. Bottom line I have never ran across this much disparity on mpg on a vehicle. I love the HEMI engine but had I known, I probably would have steered away from this vehicle. Any thoughts on this? I'm using 87 octane, tire pressure about 32-33, etc. The freeway miles were w/ my air conditioner on most of the time due to 90 degree weather and a baby in the car...that I'm sure is making a difference too. Thanks in advance.
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Replying to: tacis72 (Jun 14, 2008 8:30 am) |
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Hello all, wanted to get a quick update to you on my diesel GC. I just recently returned from my first, true long roadtrip involving lots of real-world experience that will be applicable to anyone with the diesel GC. My trip started in WA, and went thru OR, then NV, Utah and to Colorado. It was a total of 4422.8 miles. I purposely used as many dirt, gravel, mud roads and paved backroads as possible as this is what I like to do. I made tons of stops - I took over 1000 photos along the way - some idling, some engine off, on again, etc; setting up tripod, camera, changing lens, etc. Did 4 different National Parks in Utah, did 4x4ing at Great Sand Dunes NP, did 4x4ing up to Engineer Pass (near Silverton CO), passed people with great ease going up all passes, had windy days several times, etc. Lots of curvy roads, slow for the blind corners, accelerate out, etc. In other words, the first portion of my trip - to Colorado - took about 9 days and had tons of stop-n-go, and then returning I came straight back via Interstates in 2 days traveling from 75-85 mph in most places. So, I consider this the first real extensive test of the vehicle and mileage. For the entire trip I have an average of 23.56 mpg (again, this is the actual calculated mpg, NOT the computer mpg reading as it has variable error - see some of my previous posts...). I now have a total of 23902 miles on the truck, I may hit about 28000 by the end of August (I had prev. estimated 30k for my first year...). This trip lowered my overall (since new) mpg to about 24.92 mpg - still outstanding in my opinion considering the far-from-perfect aerodynamics (compared to new Toy Highlander, and Saturn crossover rig I compared to originally), the super but heavy, inefficient 4x4 system and the rear-end ratio (oriented to heavy trailering and off-roading vs. fuel mileage...). Additional notes: 1) the turbo-diesel and the Quadra-Drive II in deep sand is simply stupendous; I didn't even bother to lower the air pressure (although GSD N.P. has a air hose when re-entering the paved road from deep sand) on my still stock street tires; just amazed at how easily it pulled and dug and when I gave it a bit more throttle it just leaps to the top of the sand. Had prev. experience in same exact place with Toy LCs, and this vehicle is better in that condition. It also worked extremely well crawling up Engineer Pass in 4-low; needed only 1300-1600 rpm in 4-low; it has huge reserves of power for incredibly steep climbs - it only needs real off-road tires to go with further confidence. It never slipped on me - I was scrapping the right side mirror on the 5 foot wall of snow-ice to safely hug the mt and not slide off - but off road tires of course will provide much more maximum grip and safety. 2) the additional cruising range on the 'outback' roads of south-central OR and down into Nevada desert areas is also wonderful (I did carry a 5-gal jerry can to be safe, but never needed it...); really is great to not worry about fuel and to have that extra range in case you miscalculate the next nearest fuel stop (which is easy to do in outlying areas...). 3) I was extremely curious to - finally - see how it does at true high altitudes. It never missed a beat; this was perhaps my most surprising discovery/confirmation. I never even noticed any power loss, it feels the same and it just leaps going up the passes at 9, 10, 11000 feet, etc. Just awesome, and now I know it will easily pull a trailer at any altitude one is likely to be at here in North America. Easily the best - in terms of no noticeable power loss at higher altitudes - that I have driven in CO (been going there rather consistently since the 80's with numerous vehicles, a couple street bikes, etc). 4) Oh - I did one of those 'measured mile' sections on the Interstate somewhere - it confirmed that the speedometer and trip meters are spot on, which reconfirms my findings using a GPS last year...good to know. However, you need to check your own vehicle as each may certainly vary. 5) I'd like to re-iterate that this vehicle is a near-superb long distance, all-around touring machine. As configured - the stock tires, leather seats, diesel package - it is very quiet, very comfortable on my somewhat meager back, has great range, and steers/stays in a straight line very easily. It of course handlescorners the best of the several SUV's I've owned and/or driven/rented. Just darn impressive and will do everything (if only a few times/yr) I or most would ever need. Of course, it's not oriented to people hauling - larger families need not apply - but for 2 or 3 adults, or a family of 4 with 2 smaller kids - it is an excellent choice. It brings a lot to the table, period. Well, happy trails and a nice summer to all. |
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Replying to: tacis72 (Jun 14, 2008 8:30 am) Let me get this straight. You run your HEMI at up to 80 mph and you complain about bad mileage?  Seriously, not sure what else you could expect at those speeds. Stick to 65mph and see your mileage improve. |
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Replying to: tacis72 (Jun 14, 2008 8:30 am) |
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I am considering buying a 2008 Grand Cherokee 4WD with the 4.7L. I read how Jeep made some small tweaks from the 2007 model year to improve fuel economy while boosting horsepower pretty significantly. I live in Chicago and will probably be doing mostly city driving. Thanks! |
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I have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee v8 4.7L with 160,000 miles on it. I recently took a road trip and pushed 26.5mpg out of it on all highway. I divided my gallons by how many miles I drove and it matched up. If I do normal driving I get anywhere from 17.5 - 18.5 mpg depending how much stop and go I do... I have noticed that changing my spark plugs every 35,000 miles and changing the fuel filter about every 20,000 really goes a long way in boosting my fuel mileage... *** I do not have the all wheel drive model, I have the Selec-Trac which is able to go either from 2WD or 4WD... with 4WD I get around 11 - 13mpg. |
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