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2011 Chevy Equinox Problems

1042 messages,  Last post on Jun 09, 2013 at 4:40 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Equinox Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Equinox, Auto Repair, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 89 of 105

#879 of 1042 Where did my MPG go???? by CapeCod

Oct 17, 2012 (6:42 pm)

My wife likes her 2011 Equinox...
Because of that I have been quite tolerant.
the "startup" noise comes and goes and I have my fingers crossed it will not lead to something serious a year of so from now. I have always felt mislead by GM's advertised MPG ratings.
Around town my wife gets 25 mpg... on the road 28... Not great but acceptable.
Of course my wife's 1998 Olds Van with a V-6 got 22mpg but those were the good ol' days.
BUT suddenly since a recent oil change at local dealer the MPG's have fallen through the floor.
First they dropped to 21-22 now for the last 60 miles it has dropped to 18.9 mpg !
I've been suspicious of the electronic numbers so I have been manually checking for MPG's at 50 and 100 mile points. electronic always seems to be a mile or so higher than my manual figures. Again, I can accept my numbers might not be 100% acccurate BUT now even the Electronic numbers are below 20mpg! Has anyone had a similar dropoff in mpg? Car has around 18k miles on it. Temperature has gotten cooler here in the Northeast but that should mean no AC and better MPG's. Car is not idled for long periods like it might be in mid winter. Any suggestions what could be going on?

#880 of 1042 Re: Where did my MPG go???? [CapeCod] by moparblue2

Oct 17, 2012 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: CapeCod (Oct 17, 2012 6:42 pm)
I have allways notiest a drop in mpg in all of are cars when it gets cooler. I have been told its because of the winter blend of fuels. More alcohol in gas

#881 of 1042 Re: Where did my MPG go???? [CapeCod] by pandajo25

Oct 18, 2012 (4:45 am)

Replying to: CapeCod (Oct 17, 2012 6:42 pm)
I Totally agree with you on that issue. I traded my gorgeous Monte Carlo in for the mileage and was completely disappointed. The day they delivered my car, (they drove it 500 miles to the dealership) not happy about that but when I checked the mpg, it say 19. I was like what the heck?? they just gave me some BS about the computer needing more miles to average out.. Although I do like the nox now, I'm still very sorry I picked up another car payment and gained nothing but headaches between this knocking noise and the mpg.
By the way, they told me they can't fix it, but guarantee me it will be covered if it causes issues on down the road. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. This is my 7th NEW Chevrolet, and I am strongly considering another product at this point. Good luck with your nox.

#882 of 1042 "computer needs more time" by CapeCod

Oct 18, 2012 (5:12 am)

I fully expect dealership would tell me my "computer" needs to adjust to the cooler AM temperatures... 32 in the AM insn't the same as 60's. Might also get the old "different formula" for gasoline for the winter months excuse. I've warned my wife... a few more tankfuls at under 20 MPG and we might have to make a decision. I wonder if Sarah of Customer Service (our resident "Peggy") has an explanation why a vehicle would suddenly drop 20-25% in MPG? I very faithfully reset the MPG readout and keep a Trip 1 and Trip 2 record which I then manually calculate. The drop off in MPG is definitely there! Hard to believe I might start taking my 2003 Vibe with 150k miles on it for longer trips. I have a 700 mile trip coming up (to and from Cape Cod.) This is a trip I make 8 to 10 times a year. Mileage has always been 27 to upper 28 range. Best ever was a 29. We will see what my next trip brings?????

#883 of 1042 Recent Fuel Economy Questions by gmcustsvcsarah

Oct 18, 2012 (6:46 am)

Hello folks,
 
The fuel economy estimates are based on results of tests required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These tests are used to certify that vehicles meet the federal emissions and fuel economy standards. Manufacturers test pre-production prototypes of the new vehicle models and submit the test results to EPA. EPA re-tests about 10% of vehicle models to confirm the manufacturer's results.
 
New vehicles will not obtain their optimal fuel economy until the engine has broken in. A typical engine will take 3 to 5 thousand miles to break in and during this time period a gradual increase in fuel economy can be expected.
 
A vehicle's fuel economy depends on the energy content of the fuel on which it runs-this has been determined by EPA and others and is consistent with combustion theory. The use of oxygenated fuels or reformulated gasoline (RFG), for example, can cause a small decrease (1-3%) in fuel economy. In addition, the energy content of gasoline varies from season to season. In regards to seasonal blends, typical summer conventional gasoline contains about 1.7% more energy than typical winter conventional gasoline.
 
CapeCod, I am not sure why your vehicle has experienced this sudden drop in fuel economy. Have you checked into things like tire pressure and such?
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#884 of 1042 Re: Recent Fuel Economy Questions [gmcustsvcsarah] by dhoff457

Oct 18, 2012 (7:11 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Oct 18, 2012 6:46 am)
The reality is, most every Equinox owner will tell you that the MPG info that is advertised is not even close. I maintain my vehicle according to manufacturer specs, keep the tires inflated properly, etc.
 
I've owned by Equinox for over a year and has over 30,000 miles. I've taken it on 1,000 mile trips where I barely leave the highway and it always gets in the ballpark of 19mpg.
 
That said, I like the vehicle a lot but have had a number of mechanical issues with it that you would not expect with a new car (I've had many new cars without problems).

#885 of 1042 Re: Recent Fuel Economy Questions [dhoff457] by ray80

Oct 19, 2012 (6:18 am)

Replying to: dhoff457 (Oct 18, 2012 7:11 am)
I believe manufacturers are supposed to advertise MPG based o the EPA tests (whether its close to real world or not) . I just reset the average MPG display before starting a road trip I am currently on with our Terrain. The first hundred miles or so I was not seeing expected results. First I found I had in-inadvertently left HVAC in re-circ mode, took care of that. Also Temps were in 28-32 degree range at start of trip , as soon as it warmed towards 45-50 mileage went right up where expected (25+ MPG on 6 CYL AWD rated at 22 hgwy)

#886 of 1042 MPG dropoff... Oil Consumption? by CapeCod

Oct 19, 2012 (7:04 am)

Car was just in for oil change and Tire rotation. Tires are fine and have never flucuated more than a pound. No way were they contributing to the loss of MPG. Since this is my wife's car I rarely drive it. BUT I was with her when we dropped it off and picked it up from the oil change. I actually remember there was a difference in the engine sound. After oil change it was noiceably quieter! Now I'm wondering if the oil level was down before the change? Nothing was noted on the service work order. But would they actually do that without being prompted by the customer? BTW: I remember checking the oil after we first got the vehicle. I had to ask the dealer to read it for me... Oil was so light in color and only measurable on a nub at the end of the dipstick. Almost impossible for me to read. Speaking of 'dipsticks', it just occurred to me am I wrong in thinking the oil life display also "measures" the amount of oil? Please don't tell me it simply calculates the "oil life" based simply on miles driven. I thought it was some high tech gizmo that measured level and 'health' (viscocity) of the oil, perfect for my wife who still doesn't know how to open the hood... and has no intention of learning to do so.

#887 of 1042 Re: MPG dropoff... Oil Consumption? [CapeCod] by ray80

Oct 20, 2012 (3:41 am)

Replying to: CapeCod (Oct 19, 2012 7:04 am)
It absolutely does not measure the oil level, owners still have to do that (or should like it has always been). The oil life monitor is based on miles/temps/rpms and most likely other I am forgetting.

#888 of 1042 Re: Where did my MPG go???? [CapeCod] by dwhipple

Oct 21, 2012 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: CapeCod (Oct 17, 2012 6:42 pm)
grindingurning. when starting: 13500 miles 2011. went 5000 miles between oil change. Stretched the timing chains. Replaced timing & water pump chains. Warranty. Oil not leaking. Must be burning. I am concerned. Was searching web to find if there is a history of this problem. Dealership was very upfront.

Messages Page 89 of 105

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