SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

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  • hardhawkhardhawk Member Posts: 702
    Check out the 2005 Chevy Equinox. A mid size SUV for a small SUV price. Can get in FWD or AWD versions. Far more room and comfort than any other small SUV out there. Better styling too. And, most important, good safety ratings.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just wish GM had given it the 3500 engine from the Malibu! Lots more power and better efficiency to boot!

    The 'nox is handsome, though. Reminds you of an MDX.

    -juice
  • danpf1danpf1 Member Posts: 89
    pistolpop, I have been using K&N air filters for over ten years now. I have one on my 2001 LE Pathfinder, it has been on for three years now and is still clean. I will probably go five years or 50,000 miles before cleaning it. I check it when I change the oil, so far it is still clean after three years. I also use full synthetics and my gas mileage has improved form 16MPG to 19MPG around town, on the road, from 18 to 21MPG. Overall the engine, transmission, transfer case and differentials are running cooler and performing better than with regular oil and paper filters. I change my oil every 10,000 miles or twice a year, which ever comes first. The transfer case and transmission every three years or 60,000 miles, which ever comes first and the differentials are good for life, unless submerged in mud or water.
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    I also have a K&N filter on my suburban....and have no problems. I cleaned it about 1 year ago...and think it will last another 2 before I have to clean it again. Don't know if it really increases airflow...except that the aftermerket tuner Stillen swears by the K&N .

    I am thinking about K&N filters for my other cars also....but have not pulled the trigger on them yet, since they are relatively new....

    'regards/..
  • davidkeith37davidkeith37 Member Posts: 30
    Pay about $18,000.00 for 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Then enroll him in a traffic survival school. Skip Baurbor(?sp) comes to mind. That is what I wish I could have done for my son.
  • davidkeith37davidkeith37 Member Posts: 30
    I kept books on 5 vehicles over 700,000 miles and 31 years. I usually used a surveyors book with columns headed DATE, LOCATION, ITEM, NUMBER OR GALLONS,COST, AND SINCE LAST OR MPG. I am heading for a first fill on my new Hyundai Santa Fe so will be starting new book tomorrow. Hooking up a Scan gauge read out a reading of 26.8 mpg over 158 miles, some city driving , with the highway speed of about 65mph. The truth will shown at the pump when get the hard numbers,ie miles driven and gallons to refill.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I've been keeping gas record books since 1974, so you have me beat by one year. I just do date, miles and gallons now though. I wish I had kept my older books - I have spreadsheets on 3 cars going back to '82 that are fun to peruse now and then.

    I don't know about CAFE numbers - I usually get around the EPA estimates on my cars.

    Steve, Host
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    My wife wrote a input program for me to use when tracking mileage. It simply makes it easier to enter data from a log book that I keep in the car. The data is stored in an Excel sheet.

    I've been using it since 9/22/1999 for my 1999 CR-V. I've been consistently above 25 mpg for the past 100,000 miles.
  • hfchfc Member Posts: 1
    I have just recently bought a 2004 CR-V SUV from Honda which says on the window sticker that it will get 21 MPG in the City and 25 on the Highway.

    My former car, a 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback, CX series was getting up to 45 to 47 MPG on the highway. I did not remember what I got on the City MPG.

    So, I am somewhat dissapointed that I don't have that same type of mileage in the 2004 CR-V but I needed more cargo room when I do community outreach programs for various volunteer groups I belong to.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If you are carrying a heavy payload, mileage suffers.

    For instance, I average over 25 mpg on my Forester.

    There was one occasion where I towed a trailer with about 1500 lbs overall weight, my milege was...drum roll please...

    17.3 mpg! *eek*

    -juice
  • geoffdgtigeoffdgti Member Posts: 83
    Steve, Host, tells us:
    I've been keeping gas record books since 1974,

    I have canceled checks and tax returns back to 1981 but gas record books? I get this image of Rick Moranis as accountant Louis Tulley. Are you going to turn into the Keymaster of Gozer?

    Obligatory on-topic part:
    When I tow my 5,000+ pounds of boat & trailer behind the V8 AWD Mountaineer, I see 8 to 10 mpg. At the speed limit, the Mountaineer might see 18 to 19 mpg. At speed limit + 15, I see maybe 16 mpg. I commute in a VW GTI so I don't worry all that much about SUV fuel economy.

    Haven't been around for a while. What happened to the "I don't like SUVs" infinitely long thread?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Hey stranger - IDLSWDY is still going, and going, and going....

    I had to Google Rick - guess I didn't see part II.

    Steve, Host
  • autosaurus1autosaurus1 Member Posts: 7
    I have an '04 EX w/ auto..mostly highway driving.. during the summer months with the air on I averaged about 20 to 21 mpg.. now that it's cooler out my milage moved up to 23mpg.. I have not really gotten any more than that in the 15,000 miles i've driven it..one trip to AC in the summer I averaged about 25mpg. Seems the weather (humidity and heat) have a real effect on the milage. I think 23mpg is about the best mine is going to do!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    She got 29mpg on a trip, best I could do was 26 in my '98 Forester L, manual tranny.

    She tends to go about 10 mph slower than me.

    This was the same load, same roads, all highway.

    -juice
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    what a title...

    I thought she literally "beat you" ....

    :)

    good thing its only a contest of mpg... :)
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    LOL....I like the movie too....

    "where do the stairs go?" "they go UP"

    Bill at his best...

    but naw....Steve is no nerd....he is one cool dude.....he does a lot of snow boarding ....

    But he may be the Matrix, the architect, or the oracle...or even NEO... :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    She beat me, then she got the gas bill and beat me...

    ;-)

    -juice
  • davidkeith37davidkeith37 Member Posts: 30
    First fill up. Does that equal first date, first kiss, or .. well lets not go there. Or did that only come at the cashiers booth? Digression aside the 2.4 L, MT, fwd, 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe went 483 miles on 17.6 gallons yielding 27.4 mpg. That just beats EPA highway mileage and did include some city and dirt road driving. On a 78 Dodge van the dirt road driving cost about 25% in mileage compared to the highway or about the same as city mileage. Anyway I am very pleased that it did equal the EPA figure without particularly trying. I will change over to synthetic lubricants and try a little higher tire pressure soon. My friends are going to hold me to my statement that any time I can not drive well enough to get EPA mileage I will turn in my drivers license. On the prehistoric machinery, like the 78 Dodge with 198cu in slant six I used a vacume gauge and tachometer but I have yet to learn what I need to know to maximize economy on the Santa Fe. I will start with a Scangauge and go from there.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,890
    ez-pass can definitley help your mileage. you don't spent time in line waiting to pay tolls and then going from a dead stop up to highway speed.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Now that I have one I can't imagine giving it up. It is essential to save time (and fuel).

    -juice
  • grk701grk701 Member Posts: 5
    Highender, I got the 29mpg on a two hour, all freeway trip, in my TL driving between 70-80mph. Stop and go through town I usually net wround 20/21mpg. Overall averaging about 23mpg. I have 6k miles on my '04.
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    yeah...I actually reset the computer, and then went on freeway only driving (for only about 50 miles, and got around 29 mpg also....

    I hear acura engines need more miles in order to break in, so maybe I will break the 30 mpg point.... :)
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,890
    what kind of suv is a tl?
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Toyota Landcruiser? :o)

    -juice
  • mnguyenmnguyen Member Posts: 5
    Tell the truth that I do not believe the Toyota Lancuiser can get 23mi/gl. One of my friend have one with 4x4 V8, he only getting about 12->15 miles/gallon max. What engine is in your TL?. I also use to own the 96 Toyota 4runner and it got average about 14->16 max. Please review.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I was just joking, I think he meant Acura TL. This is an SUV thread, which is why I suggested maybe TL = Toyota Landcruiser.

    Usually it's abbreviated TLC, anyway.

    -juice
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    HI explorer....

    sorry, but got a little offtopic with the TL acura figures .... :) It turns out that cars routinely get low mpg in city driving.... :(

    not that much unlike a SUV, IMO.

    back to SUVs....
    I am getting 19 mpg on some freeway driving in the cayenne, but the suburban gets max of 17 mpg...
  • jbassocjbassoc Member Posts: 7
    My 2002 trailblazer, with 36000 miles, has always had very poor mileage. Calculated highway average is 16 to 17mpg. Its been to the dealer 21 times for various repairs. Once in a while it gets 20 mpg. After going back through the repair records I noticed a pattern. Every time the shop clears the computer or updates the software, which also clears the computer, I get very good mileage for a tank and then it slowly falls off. After this last software update I attained 21 to 22 mpg driving 65 to 70mph with the air on. The highest ever. Now its on the decline again. When doing the tests I fuel at the same pump, stop in the same location, check air pressure and calculate the MPG. Anyone else experienced this phenomena?
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,890
    i was just giving you some friendly grief. have to keep things 'ott' you know (on their topic) :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • mahipalcmahipalc Member Posts: 20
    On a recent 1000 mile trip to Canada, my 03 PF LE averaged about 18.5 miles/gal. This was with speeds varying between 70 and 90 miles per hour. I think its not bad, considering what I usually get in town(<15 miles/gal).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's the opposite of what is typical from Subaru.

    When you reset the ECU, the engine runs rich, my mileage does to the *pits*. I lose about 4 mpg or so on the first tank, then it bounces back.

    So I don't disconnect the battery unless I absolutely must. Like when it died. :o)

    -juice
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    I know, bud....

    take care too... :)
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    2003 CR-V EX (AWD)

    Just finished a road trip to NM:

    Low: 26 MPG - 75 MPH avg speed
    High: 30 MPG - 70 MPH avg speed

    The best MPG was at high altitudes (above 5000 feet), using 88 octane (NM doesn't have 87, so I went up one).
  • crv4outdoorcrv4outdoor Member Posts: 3
    Lucky you, I have the same 04 EX CRV as you do, but i only get 17.5 to 18.0 MPG for my first three tanks of gas (mostly city). I currently have 820 miles.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    My mileage increased at about 3000 miles. Also, try 35 PSI, and accelerate briskly, not jack-rabbit, but not slowly either. Plus the usual; anticipate traffic and try not to use the brakes (i.e., careful watching to avoid slowing and having to speed back up).

    I generally get a lot lower in town, around 20-21 (though I did get one tank at 19.5).

    The above figures are solid road travel only, less than 10 miles in town on each tank.
  • pathy04pathy04 Member Posts: 27
    I recently traded my 01 pathfinder SE to 04 pathfinder LE.
    i'm getting only 11 to 12 mile/gallon
    on my 01 pathfinder i used to get 16-18 on city and 20s in the highway. i had 80k miles before i sold

    Any ideas?, anything i could check before going to the dealer?

    -Thanks
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    Is your pathfinder supercharged? If so, that mileage might be about right for in town...
  • pathy04pathy04 Member Posts: 27
    no i did not add supercharger or turbo charger

    both of my pathfinders were 4x4. On the LE i run in in 2wd most of the time

    anything else i need to check?
    Thanks....
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's the best thing since sliced bread.

    -mike
  • cybernut04cybernut04 Member Posts: 98
    We also have the same - an '04 CR-V EX. With our first 6 tanks of gas we got 20.6 MPG; with the last 6, we got 20.0 MPG. I thought the trend would be up, not down, as we got more miles on it. We have approx. 6200 miles so far. This is almost exclusively suburb driving, since we don't take it on trips and don't use it for commuting (I have "seat issues" with the CR-V). So I don't know what the highway mileage would be like.

    I was hoping for better mileage, especially since I'm careful with air pressure in the tires, no jack-rabbit starts, etc.
  • gotbgotb Member Posts: 39
    Sticker says 22 city 28 highway. The first mileage I got 26MPG. The second I got 27MPG. About 70% highway 30% city. I had a hard time deciding between CR-V and Forester but I'm really happy with my Subie!
  • suburbanjimsuburbanjim Member Posts: 1
    We just bought an '04 Suburban LS 4X4. Sticker said 14mpg city and 18mpg hwy. Salesman told us that if we broke in the vehicle properly, we could get another 3 or 4 mpg. Anyone else heard of this? Also does anyone have a K&N airfilter on their rig? If so is there a marked performance or economy boost from it? My neighbor swears by his but I'm wondering if it's just hype?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    K&N Air Filters, bolt-on power?

    Steve, Host
  • highenderhighender Member Posts: 1,358
    Hi suburbanjim:

    seems most people think the K&N is just bolt on hype.

    but for all engines, the amount of power and fuel economy and engine efficiency depends also on how the motor moves in and out air&fuel/exhaust.

    Some engines have this maximized already, so bolting on a K&N will do little. Some have restricted airflow, probably due to design flaws or short cuts inherent in engine makiing..

    I have a K&N on my 1999 Suburban....and also a supercharger , to force more air into the engine per minute.... The company (Stillen) that built the engine swears by it...saying it helps the engine breath.

    but I think it really depends on your own models' engine.
  • crv4outdoorcrv4outdoor Member Posts: 3
    I took a 350 miles day trip to Atlanta yesterday. Since most of my drives are mostly on highway, i have closely monitored my fuel mileage over the trip. I got 25.6 MPG for pure highway drive without A/C and cruising at 75 MPH. I think this is still unacceptable, i heard A/C will significantly effects the fuel consumption.

    P/S: I have 1400 miles on my CRV now.
  • masteryodamasteryoda Member Posts: 41
    I can't understand why 25.6 mpg is unacceptable when cruising at 75mph. I went from Denver to Nebraska this summer and cruising @75mph got nowhere near that on my 98 Legacy GT wagon. You go dow to 65 and mileage will improve.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It'll probably peak at 55mph.

    Remember, drag increases with the square of speed, in other words the drop in mileage will not even be linear as speeds increase.

    Plus the CR-V is shaped like a brick, it doesn't exactly slip through the air. Few SUVs do.

    -juice
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    The coefficient of drag for basic CR-V is .34 per square inch. That's actually better than most SUVs. The problem is that there are quite a few square inches when compared with a sedan or wagon.

    When it comes to fuel economy, speed kills. Keep your speed around the 65 mph mark, go easy on acceleration, and "drive smooth". You'll get better mpg.

    FWIW, my 1999 CR-V is rated lower than the 2004 at 22-25 mpg by the EPA. I've been getting 25 mpg since sept. 1999.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The 2005s did add a 5th ratio to the auto tranny and mileage should be slightly better, FWIW.

    -juice
  • varmintvarmint Member Posts: 6,326
    "The 2005s did add a 5th ratio to the auto tranny and mileage should be slightly better, FWIW."

    On the highway, yes. Adding a 5th cog at the top end, really doesn't do much for city driving.

    The EPA raised the automatics from 26 to 27 mpg in highway driving. However, that could also be a result of the addition of drive-by-wire.
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