SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

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  • tombayertombayer Member Posts: 23
    1998 Chevrolet Tracker(aka Suzuki Sidekick).
    1.6 liter 16 valve 4 banger. 95 screaming horsepower. 4 door hardtop. Auto trans, air cond on most of the time. 20 plus MPG with no highway driving at all, just driving around town.

    The newer models have bigger engines (2.5L V-6's) available. Why??? I bought this car because it is SMALL (2900 lb). I love this little motor, smooth as silk and rev's like crazy. When I want to drive a big behemoth I use my AWD Astro Van. The Tracker is great for around town.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Managed 26.5mpg on a trip to Rodanthe, Outer Banks from the DC suburbs, even with a day of driving off road on the beach in Salvo, in my Forester.

    And the way back? An even better 28.4mpg. All this with a Samsonite cargo carrier on the roof.

    My 2 year average is still just over 25mpg.

    -juice
  • jimweijimwei Member Posts: 4
    About 16 in the city, 18 on the highway if driving below 70mph and not carrying a lot stuff, especially on the roof rack. When loaded up for a trip, even highway gets 16 or 17mph.
  • cwaynecwayne Member Posts: 81
    Yukon 2001, 5.3 2WD ON LONG TRIPS FROM FLORIDA
    TO NORTH CAROLINA AND TO MEMPHIS TENN.
    70 MI PER HR 21 MPG 75 MI PER HR 20 MPG, 80 MI PER HR,19MPG. SHORT TRIPS IN TOWN FROM 13 MPG UP
    THIS YUKON DRIVES AND RIDES AS GOOD OR BETTER
    THAN ANY AUTO THAT I HAVE OWNED (CADS, OLDS, BUICKS,). HAVE HAD NO PROBLENS WITH 10,000 MILES
    SO FAR.
  • rneselrnesel Member Posts: 5
    Just back from long trip (2000 miles) ...averaged 25-26 mpg. Best: 31 mpg on all flat freeway in northern Calif. Worst: 20 mpg on all "in-city" stop-and-go. 25-26 on northern CA hill/mtn country. Automatic w/roof rack, average speed 70mph...very noticeable decline in mileage over 70mph. Handles well..was worried about effects of wind (2000 RAV4, new to me) ...didn't push that little car around at all!
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    Anyone know if running the rear air in a car has any effect on gas milage? I know there's only one compressor but I'd swear I get nearly a mile per gallon better with the rear air off.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The compressor may be working harder to produce more cold air, so it sounds about right. Normally it cycles on and off, yours may be on more often.

    -juice
  • redly_oneredly_one Member Posts: 122
    Anyone heard any information on the hybrid electric Tahoe that is in development?
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    I thought Dodge had the hybrid Durango, and Chevy was going to use "displacement on demand" instead?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, I've heard about Quadrasteer being developed as the latest high-tech gizmo for the big GM trucks. 4 wheel steering tightens the turning radius.

    The Escape is also supposed to have a hybrid option as early as next year.

    -juice
  • 5greyhounds5greyhounds Member Posts: 338
    I am doing about 21 to 22 on average. This includes both city and highway with the automatic. My worst have been 18, my best 23.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I recently got 12mpg on my Trooper while towing a 3500lb boat trailer @ 75-77mph. The terrain was interstate, hilly area of upstate NY, also lots of slow downs to 50mph, and then back to 75 due to sunday night traffic.

    -mike
  • Boris2Boris2 Member Posts: 177
    I usually average 20-22 mpg (mixed city/highway) with some traffic jams. The worst one was around 18mph on 250 miles trip at speeds 80-85 mph. The truck had only 800 miles on it at that time, so may be it just wasn't fully broken in yet. Plus the beautiful brick-like aerodynamics :-)

    I don't think I'm going to get that good of a mileage when wither hits though - 4Wd, cold starts, traffic etc...
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    Getting about 18.3 - 18.5 on average.. Shocked at the pump Saturday, Sam's Club near I-40 in NE Memphis, TN.. Had to do a triple take when I got to the pump. $0.949 ...first time under a dollar in a couple of years.
  • tt66tt66 Member Posts: 9
    Just purchased mine as a demo w/ 1100 miles. go 18mpg at 72-74mph with a gusty cross wind and 17mpg at 77-79mph.

    Tom
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    96 Blazer 4x4 mileage

    ~14 mpg city
    ~18 mpg highway@75-80 mph

    Worst was 10 mpg city in 95 degree w/air cranked all day. I think the best was probably around 20 on the highway. Of course, the car now has 80k miles and may not be in the best of tune.
  • ob11ob11 Member Posts: 28
    I was wondering how much the supposed mileage figures vary due to how fuel is actually put in the tank. It seems as though the gas pump at the station must introduce air into the fluid, which causes bubbles/foam to form on top of the gas, which then backs up into the filler neck and then the sensor tells the pump to shut off because it is full. I wonder how large a variance this causes, and misleads our simple fuel consumption calculation? Another note: I have a hard time believing a lot the posts here are actual numbers and not just guesses. Yukon getting + 20 mpg. with a big v8 and all that wind/road resistance?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'm about to tow a 2500lb car carrier from NYC->Pittsburg on my '00 Trooper and a 5200lb car carrier w/ car back. I'll take note of the MPGs for yah.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    ob11: I agree that for one tank it may not be very accurate, but if you keep logging your mileage you'll have a better and more accurate idea of the kind of efficiency you're getting.

    -juice
  • kmhkmh Member Posts: 143
    Two 1999 AWD RX300s (auto, 3.0-liter V6) and both average 18-19 MPG in mixed driving on regular unleaded.

    2000 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 (auto, 4.0-liter I6) averages 20-21 MPG in mixed driving on regular unleaded.

    I attribute the better mileage in the Jeep versus the RX300 due to the fact that I'm usually the only occupant in the Jeep and lighter weight of the Jeep (<600 lbs.)
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    Since Nov. 1, mileage on my '01 RAV4 (auto, AWD) has dropped from 25.4 to about 23 in similar usage - 60/40 hiway/suburbs. I attribute this drop to NJ's winter gas (with the additive MBTE, or is it MTBE?). And if this additive is no longer used, then I have no idea what to attribute it to.
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Similar to SUVshopper... Whether it's the cold or the "winter gas", a number of CR-V owners have reported a 2 mpg drop during the winter. My warm weather average is about 25-27 mpg. Cold weather ranges from 23-25.


    I once thought that it might have to do with how cold air alters combustion. Then I read up on it in this older Edmunds tech story.

  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    varmit,

    One thing that I thought of when I read the article is that snow often acccompanies cold weather and that might actually decrease fuel efficiency - on two grounds.

    First, your vechicle has the extra burden of having to push snow or slush out of the way. This should decrease your mileage since your engine has to do more work to travel a given distance.

    Second, you will tend to drive slower with snow on the roads. This could go either way in terms of gas mileage and depends on the specific road conditions. Lower speed usually means better gas mileage but below some speed your gas mileage gets worse. In the extreme case of standing still with your engine running, your gas mileage becomes 0 mpg.

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • yellowdryellowdr Member Posts: 41
    In the past year the Jeep gets 16 in town and 20-22 on the road. On the most recent trip over Christmas it got 21.7mpg. on the road.
    Cherokee before this one got around the same.
    Automatics both.
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Tidester - That's true, but what I (and other that have discussed the topic) have experienced happens even when there is no snow.

    There is also another factor Which may be a work in some cases. Tire pressure can be affected by the cold. Running around on slightly deflated tires can lower fuel efficiency. This still isn't the answer in my case, but it may be for others.
  • vin_weaselvin_weasel Member Posts: 237
    Our winter temperatures average around -15C between December and March and I usually see a 10-20% decrease in fuel efficiency. I always thought it was cold starts, warm up time, snow, wind, etc. that leads to the change. I know we use the same gas here year round.

    Everybody here is just used to it and expects it.
  • erinsquarederinsquared Member Posts: 178
    As the temperature drops, my guess is fuel consumption increases due to two primary reasons:
    - increased rich duty cycle from longer warm-up periods.
    - cooler air which provides a denser air/fuel mixture. Hence, your engine is able to consume both more air and fuel in cooler months. Ever notice your car/truck has more pep when it is cooler outside? Those extra ponies don't come for free.
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Erinsquared - I used to think the same thing (your last point), but according to the Edmunds article I linked to above, there is no MPG penalty.
  • shand32783shand32783 Member Posts: 76
    Have been averaging a whooping 14 MPG over the laast 5 tanks. Am taking a 600 mile trip this weekend maybe. I'll let you know how it does Freeway style
  • medolarkmedolark Member Posts: 93
    I saw your mileage post. What rear axle ratio do you have on your trailblazer?
  • erinsquarederinsquared Member Posts: 178
    Varmit, the Edmund's link you mentioned above basically talks in layman's terms about how cooler air improves an engines operating efficiency by providing a denser intake air charge. What isn't mentioned in the article is that all of those additional air molecules still need to be mixed with fuel in an approximate 14:1 (ideal stoichiometric) ratio. Hence, you are also increasing the ability of the engine to consume fuel as the air temperature drops. Engine computers are designed to compensate for the denser air charge by adding the appropriate additional amount of fuel to the mix.
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    In one of the last paragraphs, they remark that this is a power boost without a loss in mpg. I'm taking them literally, but I suppose it could mean "without a significant loss in mpg". Let's get the author in here to straighten this out! =)
  • dustyonedustyone Member Posts: 262
    3/4 ton, 4WD, 6.0 liter, 5.73 rear end, all options except sunroof, and block heater. 9-10 mpg in town, 12-14 mpg on road. Love it. Did not buy it for the gas mileage. I tried to by a M-60 tank but the military won't let civilians have them.
  • dielectric7bbdielectric7bb Member Posts: 324
    84k on the odo.

    Short trips (1 mile or less):
    11MPG AVG

    City Driving:
    15.5MPG AVG

    Highway:
    19MPG AVG

    4X4ing:
    12 or less MPG
  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    So far I've driven mostly city, some highway, computer says I'm averaging around 21. I find that about right when I check it at the pump.

    I think it would be better if I didn't have such a heavy right foot though.

    My other car is a modded up Z28, darn that thing gave me bad driving habits!
  • jjackjoe1jjackjoe1 Member Posts: 5
    EPA rated at 22/25.

    Real World - My figures remarkably close at 22/27. Overall average around 24 mpg.

    Best highway - 33 mpg at 60-65 mph. If traveling 70-75 mph, highway mileage drops to 26-28 (depending on wind direction!).

    I keep tire pressures at 35 psi max all around, which makes a difference.
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Great Gohgly Mohgly! I'd recommend getting that tire pressure down. Running the tires at that psi may be enough to deform the contact patch. You'll decrease the car's ability to stop during emergency braking. You'll also wear out the "middle" of the tire tread sooner than the outer edges. Not to mention it must ride awfully rough. IMHO, the extra 2-3 mpg isn't worth the risk.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I usually keep mine at higher than stock PSI as well for better handling. You don't want to end up like an exploder do you? :)

    -mike
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Paisan - Actually, you would end up like the Explorer. The Explorer's tires failed because they fell apart at the end of their lifespan. Riding on overinflated tires will wear out the tires much faster.

    If this were a matter of overinflating by 5 psi for better handling, I wouldn't worry about it. But the manufacturer's rating for a 2000 CR-V is 26 psi. 35 is way over the recommendations.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The explorer tires wore faster than normal due to the fact that they were UNDER inflated, causing excessive heat build up. The ford spec was 26psi, Firstone told Ford to set it at 30psi. On my trooper I run 5psi over stock pressure, did it for 35K miles and no problems of un-even wear on my stock tires, before I replaced them with bigger AT tires.

    -mike
  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    My point was that they failed at the end of this lifespan (regardless of how they became worn out). Running tires to 10 psi above their recommended pressure will contribute to wearing them out.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    IMHO running higher pressure is much better and leads to less wear than the "optimal" one set by the manufacturer who wants a nice soft ride for the intial purchase. If it's a choice of 5 under or 5 over, I always err on the side of over.

    -mike
  • jjackjoe1jjackjoe1 Member Posts: 5
    Greetings Paisan, Varmit: 35 psi is the max. rated tire pressure on the tire as determined by the tire manufacturer (Bridgestone HT Duelers?), so I didn't think that was a problem. If outside temps get hot, which causes the tire pressures to increase 1 to 2 psi, I adjust them down.

    The door inside-label by Honda indicates tire pressures like Varmit wrote. When my tires are at that level, the Honda is slow to move, slow to turn, quick to stop. Heavy.
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    2wheel drive, 5300 engine, first week, first tank, and asssuming the dealer topped it off, all city driving, and a little too much checkin' out how she runs.....14.2mpg. This compared to my x Sienna minivan that got an average 17mpg straight city driving using premium fuel (per the book). If I use $ instead of milage to compare the two cars, I paid $18.84 to drive the Tahoe 250 miles using $1.07 per gallon (at the moment for regular unleaded) as opposed to $18.68 for the same 250 miles in my x Sienna using $1.27 per gallon for premium fuel. If my math is correct that is $0.16 a week savings driving a very PC minivan instead of a giant gas hog SUV.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Don't forget you are probably babying the SUV right now since it is new, wait til it's broken in to get some real #s. Also the PCers (which I am not) don't care about $ they only care (or supposedly care) about the environment. :)

    -mike
  • timz58timz58 Member Posts: 44
    2002 CRV EX Auto
    1st tank - 21mpg overall
    2nd tank - 22.5 overall
    3rd tank - 24.3 overall
    Tires at 30 PSI
    Mix of city and 75-80 mph highway travel. Should improve as the engine breaks in.
  • goldencouple1goldencouple1 Member Posts: 209
    26.4 mpg on a recent ski jaunt of 280 miles round-trip, which consisted of:

    1. About 1.0 hours (40 miles)stop and go in city and road-work; this included a climb from 4000 ft. to 6000 ft. going and coming, that is, clearing San Agustin Pass.

    2. About 1.5 hours (40 miles) city stop and go and a ski mountain road climb and descent (the mountain entailing a gain/loss of 2000 ft. over 12 miles).

    3. About 3.5 hours (200 miles)mostly highway; some level, some climbing from 4000 ft. to 7000 ft. with a descent of same. Speed limit varying from 75 mph to 45 mph.
  • randyrhodesrandyrhodes Member Posts: 54
    The reason for less MPG's in the winter is the blend of the fuel. There is a winter blend and a summer blend. The winter blend tends to reduce MPG's

    73
    Randy
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    various explanations for better mpg summer. You would think with the AC use it should be less, but my experience is mpg goes up about 10% in hot weather even with AC use.
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    I bought a very PC minivan for the "good" milage. My sticker promised 19/24. It averaged 17mpg city driving (and I'm nutty about checking the exact milage...fuel used/miles after each fill-up). This was using premiums fuel per my book and something you should all consider when buying a car. I traded the boring thing for a Chevy Tahoe. Love the car and it's getting very close to 15 using regular fuel. If you do the math considering $.20 more per gallon for premium, my giant gas hog is actually slightly cheaper to drive.
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