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SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

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  • cwaynecwayne Member Posts: 81
    2001 YUKON 2WD, 5.3, 3.43
    IN TOWN VERY SHORT TRIPS 13 MI PER GAL
    HIGHWAY ACROSS FLORIDA FROM TAMP TO FT. PIERCE AND BACK 19.25
    WITH SPEEDS FROM 60 TO 75 MPH. JUST HIT 1000 MI MARK.
    NO PROBLEMS WITH TRUCK TO THIS POINT .
  • razor22razor22 Member Posts: 4
    100% city driving with vehicle in 4X4. 15 mpg (imperial gallon) 12.5 mpg (us gallon).
  • bigrigbigrig Member Posts: 2
    I have'nt posted here in months, but for any interested, my "old faithful" at 125,000 miles consistantly averages 16/17 in summer and 14/15 in winter. Winters are BRUTAL here in Northern NY and everything is stiff and uneager to turn smoothly at first. Best on trip was 19.5 from Stowe VT to Watertown NY (no interstates). Average 17/18 on interstates at 75. Have checked mileage every fillup since new and have NEVER seen below 14. No, I do not drive slow, but don't jackrabbit. Have had 6 suburbans (68, 73,80, 86, 90 and 94. None got less than 14 average. This one is the best vehicle I've ever had! I dread getting rid of it for a possible lemon!
    Bigrig
  • reddogsreddogs Member Posts: 353
    wayn1 writes "came back from our trip to Prince Edward Island and got excellent mileage, 27-30 mpg!" that is VERY high for the RX 300. Can anyone confirm that type of mpg, that just seems a bit beyond the envelope or does Lexus have a secret???
  • erinsquarederinsquared Member Posts: 178
    3.5L, automatic (with TOD 4wd always off unless needed), 12,000 miles, bugguard(don't think this makes any aerodynamic difference), tire pressure 35psi all around, Goodyear wranglers, stock engine:
    all hwy @70MPH, easy driving: 18.2MPG
    all hwy @80-85MPH: 16.0MPG
    commute, aggressive driving city/hwy: 16.0MPG
    in-town short drives: 14MPG
    best mileage, secondary roads avg 50-60MPH: 20MPG
    all around consistently delivers 16MPG
  • rx300_99rx300_99 Member Posts: 5
    Average mileage for previous 20,000 miles is 21.9 mpg. This is with about 90% of driving done at 65 mph on NJ highways.
  • reddogsreddogs Member Posts: 353
    Thanks for the info rx300_99 ...........
  • rysterryster Member Posts: 571
    4.0L OHV V6 - 5-speed Automatic

    3,000 miles on the odometer

    currently averaging 17mpg in mixed driving with 87 octane.
  • wayn1wayn1 Member Posts: 69
    My RX did get 27-30 mpg! No ac on plus I use synthetic oil.
  • rkoeslerrkoesler Member Posts: 62
    It seems that everything I read about the Disco II, as well as all other US LR's, concerns the supposedly lousy gas mileage of the vehicle. Well, my 99 and 00 Disco II's have consistently gotten between 16 and 19.8 mpg. That is better than my anemic and underpowered Toyota 4x4 truck with the 3.0 V6 by about 1 to 2 mpg. And the LR V8 is more than adequate in regards to power, 0-60 times, etc. So stop your damn complaining, whoever you are out there!!!!!!!
  • steverisitysteverisity Member Posts: 39
    Our milege on this car is very disapointing.
    combined Hwy city driving is 16-17 Mpg

    Could be California gas that hurts.

    Only time I hit 20 MPG was a tank of gas purchased in Nevada.
  • peaches5peaches5 Member Posts: 91
    15-16 mpg city
    18-19 mpg highway
    12K on the odometer
    Regular gas
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    I now have about 10,500 miles... Averaging between 17.1 & 17.5 daily driving. About half highway 55-70 & half city streets. This has not really changed much since I got it in June 2000. I did get almost 18.5 one trip out of town that was mostly Interstate 70-75 mph.
  • dmetzgerdmetzger Member Posts: 160
    3.5 engine
    4-speed auto.
    City - 16
    Hwy - 19.5
    Worst 14.5
    Best 21
  • enforcerenforcer Member Posts: 40
    4.0l engine, A/T, 33K miles
    Very disappointing

    12 city (San Francisco, many hills)
    14 mpg combined city/hwy
    20 freeway

    my BMW used to get 20/30 mpg.
  • durangort1durangort1 Member Posts: 13
    I have the R/T 5.9 with 3.92 gears. It is in AWD all the time. I have not had it on a trip without pulling a trailer so I can't speak for that but here is my situation.

    The first couple of thousand miles, I got between 12-13 mpg. Here is what I did to improve upon mileage and performance.

    I use Mobil 1 synthetic.
    Pumped up the inflation rate to 36psi all four corners.
    Swapped out the stock air filter for a K&N and drilled a ton of 1" holes in the air box on three sides to allow it to breath. I did not do this on the side facing the engine in order to draw the coolest air possible.
    I use "Energy Release" in the crankcase, transmission and power steering pump. The transmission and power steering are a once and done thing, I top off with "ER" in the crankcase with each oil change.

    All said and done, I consistently get 14-17 in the same exact driving (18.5 miles to and from work) and my seat of the pants power increase was very noticeable.

    www.energyrelease.com

    All motors are just air pumps. The easier they draw air in and expel it out, the more power they make and the easier they work to do the same amount of work
  • albchialbchi Member Posts: 4
    70% local/30% highway yields ~21mpg in CA
    Seemed to have dropped a bit when I changed tires.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I dunno; that website you gave is all flash (literally!); enough to turn me off the stuff. My theory is that most rigs will see improved mpg as the miles accumulate and probably won't plateau until 10 to 20 thousand miles. And check out the K&N discussion. (K&N makes no claims for increased mpg). Also, check out "cat back" or other exhaust systems (that increased intake needs to get out). Good luck!

    Steve
    Host
    SUV and Vans Message Boards
  • sahara111sahara111 Member Posts: 51
    '92 Toy LC w/auto and full-time 4wd, since new:
    13.5-14.0 in town;
    14.5-15.5 freeway at 75-80 mph;
    vehicle now has 140,000 miles, am using K&N air filter and Mobil 1 10w-30 full synthetic. Engine still sounds and runs almost like new; am aiming for about 100,000 more miles. Tranny is still super also, and zero electrical problems; vehicle has NEVER failed to start or keep running. It's a dog for acceleration and speed though, so it's not for most people.

    '99 Isuzu Trooper w/auto and selectable full-time TOD 4wd system: (numbers for 2wd and tranny in "normal" mode)
    15.0-16.5 in town;
    18-19 freeway at 80 mph;
    vehicle has 28,500 miles on it, also using K&N air filter and Mobil 1 10W-30 full-synthetic. Vehicle has been excellent, TOD on bad roads works extremely well, tons of leg room front and back, steers and drives nicely.
  • durangort1durangort1 Member Posts: 13
    The web site I gave you talks about a great product. I first learned of the product from a person I know that races road courses. He mentioned that he has reduced the tear down intervals to only once a year. He uses Royal Purple oil with Energy Release added. I later noticed that Sammy Swindel and Donny Shotz both use it in there Outlaw Sprint cars. They claim that they started using it with no sponsorship so they wanted to use it because it works.

    As far as the K&N, I found that on all the vehicles I have used them over the years, I did not see any mileage improvements until I also opened the air boxes along with the use of this filter. I switched to the K&N, Energy Release and Mobil 1 all at once at 3500 miles. It was an instant increase from 12-13 to 14-17 the first day I drove it and every day for the last 5,000 miles. All I can say is it works. You hear all the time about how lousy the mileage the Durangos get. Most people with the smaller V8 only are getting 12-13. I have the computer option that constantly gives me mileage information so I see what works and what doesn't.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Don't mind me; I think I'm the resident disbeliever (some would say curmudgeon) on Town Hall and can't resist nik-picking (I use dead dino and All-Season tires to get to the ski hill). But if it works for you, more power to you!

    Steve
    Host
    SUV and Vans Message Boards
  • doublenerddoublenerd Member Posts: 3
    4.0L I-6, 4x4, 87,000 miles

    16-17 around town (Atlanta)
    20-22 on trips (usually to the mountains)
    I average 325-350 miles per week (or between fillups) MPG has dropped 1-2 with age.
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    The above mileage, 22.5 mpUSg, was for mixed driving, suburbs/highway 70/30, auto trans, 4WD, heavy foot on highways, cold weather 20-35F, now about 1,050 total miles on odometer.
  • rbell2rbell2 Member Posts: 180
    I have about 16,000 miles on this vehicle and have been very pleased with the mileage especially considering the engine improvement over my '91 4Runner. Driving to work (42 miles round trip) I consistently get 19.5 - 20.0 mpg. The commute is about 40% highway/60% city. On long distance trips I am getting 22-23 mpg (70-75 mph).
  • bonasabonasa Member Posts: 1
    '98 MOUNTAINEER 4.O SOHC V6, 37,000 MILES=18MPG. LIVE OHIO. 14MPG WHEN COLD WEATHER,SHORT TRIPS. 20/22MPG MILD WEATHER, CRUISE SET AT 65.18MPG IS AVG. FOR TOTAL GALLONS USED,LIFE OF VEHICLE. SAME USAGE FOR '95 BLAZER V6 WAS 18.2MPG.I DRIVE SENSIBLY, GET GOOD LIFE FROM TIRES & BRAKES.KEEP METICULOUS RECORDS, ONLY DRIVER. OTHER VEHICLE IS 2 SEAT SPORTS CAR -DRIVEN WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM !! DIFFERENT DEAL. REMEMBER, TRUCKS IS TRUCKS & SHOULD BE DRIVEN AS SUCH.
    BONASA
  • boat10boat10 Member Posts: 59
    1999 S-10 BLAZER WITH 24,510 MILES AS OF THIS MORNING.

    4.3 V-6, AUTOMATIC, 4X4, 3.73 GEAR RATIO WITH LOCKING REAR.

    DRIVE 68 MILES DAILY ROUND TRIP TO WORK, AVERAGES
    16MPH.

    PULL 20 FOOT BASS BOAT 32 MILES ROUND TRIP TO THE LAKE, 12 MILES PER GALLON. (PULL IN 3RD GEAR, NOT OVERDRIVE)

    DRIVE TO VIRGINIA FROMM TENNESSEE EVERY NOW AND THEN, 462 MILES ONE WAY, INTERSTATE SYSTEM, ON CRUISE WILL AVERAGE 21!!!

    HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE AT ALL, THIS IS MY 6TH ONE. WILL ORDER 2002 WHEN MY DEALER SAYS I CAN!!!!!!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    it's ok to use lowercase around here, and it's much easier on the eyes. Are you guys all ex-military or teletype machine pros?
    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    why is "HOST" in uppercase then?

    (sorry, couldn't resist.)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, touché.

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have a 2000 Trooper LS
    17K miles
    VERY HEAVY FOOT in city driving.

    Milage:
    14-15 city
    18-19 highway @ 55-60
    14-16 highway @ 77mph

    All of those are with TOD engaged (15%Fwd Power 85% Rwd Power that is variable up to 50/50)
    I'm sure the #s would be 1-2mpg higher in 2wd mode.

    -mike
  • mp19fanmp19fan Member Posts: 102
    4WD I-6 3sp + OD auto trans. 60% city, 40% hwy, second JGC (first was a 1995 4WD). Left in 2WD 95% of the time.

    Avg for both SUVs are 15.5-15.9 mpg

    CA car.
  • sidsamsonsidsamson Member Posts: 3
    I am getting about 14.2 mpg during regular driving, 70% (50pmh +) 30% (50mph -). When auto-4WD is engaged it drops to 12.5-13.2mpg a significant loss. I haven't had a need for 4WD(hi) yet, but I'll be working on that this summer and will have a better idea then. I'd say it isn't too bad since my 6cyl. 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I just got rid of only got about 15-16 mpg.
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    23.5 mpUSg w/4WD, auto trans, 70/30 hwy/suburbs, temps 30-45F.
  • scootyscooty Member Posts: 10
    16 MPG Mixed and 19 MPG Hwy.
  • blaine39blaine39 Member Posts: 1
    After 1200 miles on the 4 x 2 V-10 Excursion I get between 9-14 mpg in the city (depending on if I keep my foot out of it or drive really easy) and I get 17-18 mpg on the highway if I keep it 70 mph or under and drive easy. Above 70 or if I do a lot of passing, it drops down to 13 - 15 mpg. 51,000 on the 4 x 2 4.3l Chevy Blazer and it gets 14 mpg in the city and 21-22 mpg on the highway. When I drive 75 or above then it drops down to around 19 mpg.
  • frankno1frankno1 Member Posts: 68
    Well everyone it seems funny to me a person can buy a $30,000 to $40,000 SUV and then worry about gas mileage. If you calculate the difference between 15 and 20mph per year how much money do you actually save? If a person drives 15,000 miles a year at 20mpg it takes 750 gallons of gas, and if you get 15mpg you use 1000 gallons of fuel. Well the extra 250 gallons X $1.50 = $377.50 extra costs. If we have to worry about $377.50 for the fuel we shouldn't have SUV's and maybe drive Ford Focus's Sorry for the lecture but this seems to be a silly subject. Have a good day. Frank K.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    For example, I bought a minivan that doesn't require/recommend premium fuel (among other reasons). I don't mind the capital outlay quite so much if my operating costs are minimized (but that's just me--it's probably a genetic thing).

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • tonychrystonychrys Member Posts: 1,310
    I don't think anyone here is complaining about their mileage. All they are doing is posting their real world results. I for one find it both fascinating and helpful to compare notes with others. There's nothing wrong with exchanging info.
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    Did you imply in your post that you're using premium fuel when your minivan doesn't require it?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    What, I was my usual clear-as-mud self?. No, I use the 87 octane stuff recommended in my owner's manual and see no reason to buy the premium blend.

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    No, you were clear...my brain was mud. Though I was wondering...has Edmunds ever come across any (modern) new vehicle during testing that has excessive knock despite following the manufacturer's octane recommendations?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Well, you're getting out of my area of expertise (which is pretty much limited to "where is the ignition switch"). The onboard computers should regulate the timing to avoid that sort of thing, I'd guess. Don't recall reading any reviews here discussing octane (except in context of a bit more horsepower using premium in a few models, like the Odyssey). Drew, anyone?

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • Desert_FreakDesert_Freak Member Posts: 3
    I've had an '89 Sub (with 5.7 and tons of miles-sold it with 180K)in the past and usually got around 13mpg (wife drove-city driving). I also had an early '82 Chewy BB Crew cab Dally (10,000gvw)and never seemed to get better than 7mpg. I expected the lousy mileage with the dally because it was bought to tow LARGE THINGS. However, I am now in the market again for another Sub with 4wd and have been looking for a 5.7 but have found a lot of nice BB for sale. My question is probably pretty obvious, what mpg should I expect with a BB and a BB 4wd, also how much of a penalty for the 4wd.

    Thanks in advance,

    Patrick
  • boat10boat10 Member Posts: 59
    STEVE, IT'S EAISER FOR US OLDER TYPES TO TYPE IN UPPER CASE AS IT REALLY IS EASIER ON THE EYES. AND YES I'M AN OLD MILITARY TYPE (AIR FORCE)AND EVERYTHING WAS EASIER TO READ IN MY YOUNGER DAYS!!
  • jomabu1jomabu1 Member Posts: 37
    18mpg average in mostly city driving. 22 to 24 mpg on highway at 60-65 mph. We are actually getting the EPA estimate!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Well, I'm pushing 50 sorta hard, and I find it easier with some variety (lowercase) and some white space between paragraphs.... My brother did the Lackland/Biloxi/Columbus thing and he can find the shift key:-)

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • phowell1phowell1 Member Posts: 35
    My Suburban is a fuel hog! I get aaround 11 or 11.5 in average driving and on a trip the best I ever got was 15.4 usually 14.8 . It is a 1500 4x4 LT . I love it but this milage is rediculus. I still am a believer that someone can make these machines get better fuel economy. Guess the oil companys will not allow it.
  • beanboybeanboy Member Posts: 442
    19 city traffic, 22 on the highway Gained a mile or so once broken in. Great compact 'real' truck that you don't see all of the time driving down the street or trail.

    -B
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I did consistent non-hilly highway driving today with the trooper...

    77mph
    2wd
    19.xx mpg

    -mike
  • frankno1frankno1 Member Posts: 68
    I have a 2001 Expedtion that I bought for towing and carrying lots of people to different events and I try not to use it a whole lot for small trips. It averages about 96mpg when it filled with people (8 X 12mpg) and relatives, it will hold eight souls. I drive a 1992 Suzuki Sidekick to work and back, plus all small shopping and honeydue jobs. I don't really care as much about the gas mileage on the Expedition as what it costs to originally too buy, and just waste on trivial driving. I get to play with the Suzuki in keeping it repaired and running which helps out with my sanity and gives me a nice little hobbie. So if you want to get good mileage from big SUV drive it when you need it. Have a nice day Frankno1
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