SUV gas mileage - Feel free to participate

2456722

Comments

  • richardparichardpa Member Posts: 1
    I've just had my Tahoe a month but got 17 with a few 50 mile trips to Salt Lake City and back. Just putting around town locally got 16.
    Richard
  • the_expediterthe_expediter Member Posts: 1
    I live in San Diego and have had my Explorer for
    only 1.5 mo., but have driven 2000 miles and am
    getting 18mpg overall... haven't been on any
    trips with it tho...
  • smily1smily1 Member Posts: 104
    I have a 98 Explorer XLT V8 AWD and got 18.8mpg on the 100% freeway and >14 with city and freeway. That was until the tire recall. I now bested 15.4mpg with 100% freeway and 13mpg mixed. It seems that the Bridgestone Dueler APT II's are dragging.
  • bernard1bernard1 Member Posts: 58
    In town the LX averges 14 mpg. On the hwy, avg speed 75, 16.5 avg.

    X5 in town avg 17, on hwy avg spd 75, 22 mpg
  • jeff1962jeff1962 Member Posts: 4
    First tank of gas in new Tahoe (w 5.3 L) =

    15.2 MPG.

    That was a mix of city and highway miles. It has Goodyear tires.
  • seadoo13seadoo13 Member Posts: 4
    11 MPG in imperial gallons. Not good
  • shabazzshabazz Member Posts: 31
    My first checked mileage at 520.4 miles combined city/highway revealed 25.78mpg. This with V6 DOHC, 4-spd auto, 16" BF Goodrich tires, and "normal" driving which includes 65-75mph highway speeds.
  • bakinactionbakinaction Member Posts: 5
    Average 15.5 per gal city/highway mixed.
  • nhclaxnhclax Member Posts: 3
    Average 16 mpg mixed driving. She's a bit of a drinker. (92 Oct is her fuel of choice, thanks Opec!!)
  • wayne29wayne29 Member Posts: 6
    Just finished 1200 mile trip-freeway-70-80 mph: 20.8 mpg. The vehicle has 2000 miles on it.
  • nanuqnanuq Member Posts: 765
    I get about a month's riding from each can of chain lube. Hmmmmm, scratch my head... carry the one... that's 360 miles per 10 ounces, or 4608 miles per gallon? Yahoo! Do I win??

    Seriously, all my commuting happens on my mtn bike. When I do use the truck it's for hard playing, and then I get about 12mpg. '96 Land Rover Discovery, 52k miles.

    Regards, -Bob
  • arktrooper1arktrooper1 Member Posts: 101
    4500 miles on the truck and I get 14 city / 16.5 highway. Deduct 1 mpg from each of those figures when the automatic 4WD Hi (TOD) is engaged. Seems like a lot of people are complaining about their mileage on here, but I honestly don't know what they expected. Let's see...take a heavy, elevated station wagon with the aerodynamics of a brick wall and drive all four wheels, get lousy mileage...what a surprise!!! I came from years of driving 4cyl 2wd trucks and this is about what I expected. Love my Trooper!
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    0 of 1: Mileage advice needed (cav98fla) Thu 07 Dec '00 (12:40 PM)

    From all you long-term SUV owners out there, as I
    research a possible purchase of my own, I'm in
    need of some valuable advice on: what's the best
    way to boost the gas mileage on most any SUV and
    which make/models have the best miles/gallon
    ratings now?
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    here's a list of epa ratings from Auto.com on 2000 makes/models. The top two links are for sport utility vehicles.

    Also, check out Edmund's new truck guide; they list the epa ratings individually, for each suv, in their new truck section. Good luck. ;-)

    Pocahontas,
    Edmunds.com/Roving Host
  • redjeeperredjeeper Member Posts: 5
    for comparison:
    96 dodge ram pickup 4x4 w/ 360v8 engine- 12.5mpg in the city, 15.5 hwy- rated epa for 12city/16hwy.

    01 GCL 4x4 v8 with only 300 miles on it (should improve as engine breaks-in), computer says I am averaging right at 14mpg- mostly city driving. This is epa rated for 15city/20 hwy- we shall see.
  • sierrapksierrapk Member Posts: 19
    My 2000 4runner SR5 Highlander, equipped as follows:

    Automatic transmission
    4WD with locking differential (with lower 4.30:1 ratio rather than standard 4.10:1 ratio)
    P265/R7016 Goodyear RT/S tires @ 38 PSI

    With almost 9,000 miles on the vehicle (purchased new in August 2000), I have kept track of every tank of gas since new. Best mileage to date is 22.8 mpg, on a freeway trip from Orange County to Palm Springs never dropping below 75 mph, and with several short periods cruising at 88-90 mph. Worst mileage was 16.4 mpg, in a deliberate attempt to "drive hard" for an entire tank of gas in "around town" driving. I regularly pull a flatbed trailer with several motorcycles or quads from coastal area to high desert above Yucca Valley (with 3 sections of very steep 6-8% grade)and average 19+ mpg. Note that this vehicle has the 4.30 diferential gearing that should result in poorer mileage then the standard 4.10 differential

    I'm extremely satisfied with all aspects this vehicle, especially off-road handling and tractability, but more midrange engine torque would be welcome if I had to pull a heavier trailer through mountain grades.
  • phkckphkck Member Posts: 185
    Have a 2000 Limited Excursion with V10 and 3.73 gears 4WD. 10 MPG in the city/snow/4WD in use. I have had as high as 14.1 MPG on highway at 75 mph. Now you know why we have the 44 gallon tank. Hope everyone feels better! :} But have to pay to play. And no, I am not complaining (too much), really do enjoy the Excursion.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd., 4.7 V8, Quadra-drive,4X4... with 24,500 miles... is.. 13.5 city, 18.0 highway.

    '00 Mercedes E430 Sport sedan, 4.3 V8, 9,100 miles.....is...
    18.5 city, 24 highway.

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • plaaaaaneplaaaaane Member Posts: 32
    10.5 urban suburban

    14.0 freeway.

    Wanna buy it?
  • tomsrtomsr Member Posts: 325
    Just completed a 900 mile trip and got 21.9 freeway doing 70 mph w/o
    AC on.Has good power for passing but in overdrive feels strained.
    I think there is not much you can do to improve mileage except drive
    smarter.Most sedans with 200 hp get cl0se to 30 mpg freeway and that is due to aerodynamics,all SUV's are square.
  • sivi1sivi1 Member Posts: 82
    Bought 1996 4runner sr5 V6 new in 1996. Around town in Pa hills I am avg.15 mpg. Towing 5x10 cycle loaded h-d soft tail classic and 500# of gear to Fla 4 times average 15 mpg. In Fla on flat land W/O trailer I am getting 20 mpg. Have erattic (not linear)gauge which was changed but did not help. Check miles every fill up. Only 25k miles, but had to have rotors changed out of warranty, but Toyota paid. Also had Toyota electric converter box changed 5 times, again Toyota paid. V6 is a little anemic so another dealer gave me 01 260 h.p. Pathfinder overnight. What a difference, does not moan..just goes. Iam concerned about no frame, struts up front, mileage,and resale. Any comments?
  • wgraferwgrafer Member Posts: 592
    My 1998 Explorer Eddie Bauer/205hp 4.0 liter SOHC V-6 computer shows 17.3 mpg over a LONG highway/local timeframe.
  • mnicemnice Member Posts: 9
    150,000 miles
    21-22 MPG hwy
    drops to 16-17 MPG in cold weather(Minnesota)
  • dbabbledbabble Member Posts: 13
    Just got back from my first long highway trip. Vehicle has 3300 miles total. Trip distance was 1301 miles, 98% of which was on the freeway at 84 mph in Colorado, and 79 mph across Kansas, all in cold weather. I have the locking differential, with the 4.30:1 rear gearing. Engine is 3.4L V6, with auto tranny. Average mileage was 16.2 mpg. I was pushing it hard, and it's still pretty new, so this is probably within reason.
  • slipperyslippery Member Posts: 7
    2000 Yukon XL 4wd 5300 3:73 rearend.On a 5 week trip from Iowa to Florida in Oct., 4200 miles in all, averaged 19.3 mpg. When driving 70 and under averaged 22-23.5 mpg. When driving 75 to 80 mileage dropped to 18-19mpg. On a Dec. trip from Iowa to Seattle to Kansas City then to Iowa pulling an empty, 4500 lb enclosed trailer west bound averaged 7.3 mpg. Return trip Seattle to Kansas City trailer weighed 8000 lbs drove 60-65 mph,averaged 7.8 mpg. Tail wind and down hill on way back I guess.Drove like a dream. I was impressed with power in the mountains.
  • mean18mean18 Member Posts: 1
    My Ford Escape XLT has averaged between 23-24.5 MPG. It has the 3.0 V-6 & Auot trans with 2 wheel drive.
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    1998 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9 w/ 3.55 rearend. Bufg deflector and K&N filter.
    City: 14.9 MPG
    Highway: average speed 60mph 18.6 MPG over the Rockies no less!

    I pity the fool who tries to boost economy with fuel additives and engine mods. If you want better economy in one of these boats, AERODYNAMICS is where its at! Air dams, bug deflectors, proper repair and service and even a good wax is all it takes to give you decent economy! And for the rest of you, If you bought one of these things with fuel economy in mind, then you deserve to be whipped with a sugar cane!!! Of course economy sucks! what did you expect? Monster motors, drag coefficient of bricks and curb weights exceeding many homes, did you think you can get 40mpg out of one of these? Go buy a Civic or Insight and quit your whining.
  • wayn1wayn1 Member Posts: 69
    Kind of rude, aren't you???
  • rruck1rruck1 Member Posts: 91
    Only about 750 miles on the truck so far.
    16 MPG average, about what I expected, the average should go up as the engine breaks in. Mostly city driving with one fairly long highway trip (in the mountains though).
    For the size, comfort and power I'm pretty impressed. My old minivan didn't do all that much better and it didn't have 4WD.
  • tomf11tomf11 Member Posts: 40
    12- 13 mpg in city
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Since April '99 averaging 26mpg in mixed driving.

    -juice
  • nismofreaknismofreak Member Posts: 120
    When the truck was new, I got 20.1 on all highway miles (didn't exceed 65 mph)
    Current highway avg: 18 mpg (~75mph)
    Worst highway: 16.5 (+80MPH)
    Just did city: 14 mpg

    I don't do use the truck for local errands. I just did this past weekend and was amazed by the mileage. No complaints though 'cuz I do have a heavy right foot .
  • trishjtrishj Member Posts: 1
    I have 2200 miles on it. The best tank was 20 mpg. I average between 16-17 on each tank though. I really enjoy the smooth ride. The room is great and it doesn't feel top-heavy like the Expedition did to me.
  • msu79gt82msu79gt82 Member Posts: 541
    Our 99 Expedition (2WD) averages 14 in the city and 15 on the highway. No complaints, just reporting the numbers.

    We are in the market for a 3rd vehicle (two new teenage drivers - 4 drivers/2 cars don't work no more!). We are seriously considering the Acura MDX or the Toyota Highlander.

    Acura MDX epa estimates are 17/23.
    Toyota Highlander (V6/4WD) estimates are low/mid 20s.
  • mapman1138mapman1138 Member Posts: 68
    22 mpg
  • loboyloboy Member Posts: 75
    17-18 mpg with 70% highway.
    Just finished break-in period so I'd expect it will get a little better. Could be worse if I use my lead foot more often.
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    We bought the Suburban in Sep 99 and have driven it 15K miles. It seems that any highway travel uses 15 mpg whether just the 5 of us or fully loaded with luggage etc.

    Around town is consistently 12.5 mpg.

    With a 40+ gal tank, we found that Williamsburg Va is a single tank away from our home in southern Maine!

    Ken
  • jeepgc3jeepgc3 Member Posts: 3
    '98 Jeep GC 5.2 avg 15.5 to Tampa and back. 12.5 around town.
  • denver8denver8 Member Posts: 42
    With mostly highway driving I ave 16 mpg. I am also easy on the go pedal.
  • bartlindenbartlinden Member Posts: 11
    First 1,000 miles mixed city/hwy (mostly city) 18.5 MPG. Expect it to get better after break-in.
  • j1234bj1234b Member Posts: 4
    50% highway/50% county roads in the Sierra Foothills (going up and down + or - 2000')

    Only use 92 Octane.

    201 miles - 14.2 mpg
    428 miles - 15.9 mpg
    702 miles - 16.6 mpg

    Trend is right.

    Jim
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    Proper tire inflation means better gas mileage, longer tire life and reduced air pollution. A 10 percent improvement in gas mileage would keep about 13 million tons of carbon dioxide out of the air in the United States.

    You should check your tire pressure twice: once when cold and then after driving. The first reading is from a cold tire, and it's the accurate one, while the second is from a tire that has warmed up from rolling on the pavement. The second reading will be a bit higher than the first. The auto manufacturer has specified tire pressures for cold tires, not "warm." Also, a cold engine runs worse, consumes twice as much gas as a warm engine, and wears out sooner.

    Finally, I've always felt that all vehicles should use washable air filters (such as K&N). They pay for themselves in a couple of years and increase air flow for more horsepower. This (slight) increase in horsepower means the engine doesn't have to work as hard to move the vehicle, and increases your gas mileage.
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    I don't understand what you wrote (#95). What is the point of checking the tire pressure after the tires warm up? Curious.
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    Unless you have an air compressor at home, you will have to drive somewhere to put air in your tires, thus "warming" the tires.

    You need to check the "cold" and "warm" tire pressure to know what the difference is between the two readings. At the gas station, you'll know the amount to "overfill" the tire. (granted, this will probably be 2 or 3 psi)

    Checking the cold and warm tire pressures will only have to be done once a year or so: as a tire wears it will have varying differences between "cold" and "warm" tire pressures. This may only add up to .5 to 1 psi difference over the life of a tire, but if you want optimum gas mileage...
  • lsattlelsattle Member Posts: 13
    Warm weather mixed driving is 25 - 26 mpg.

    Cold weather mixed driving is 20 - 24 depending on how cold it gets in Ohio.

    Long Summer trip on freeway with my lead footed wife driving 25 mpg.
  • moneywatchmoneywatch Member Posts: 3
    350 Vortec, 2WD . . . we get a dribble over 15 mpg consistently. No road trip yet, but will know soon. Cant complain, gets the same whether we have all 6 of us or just 1.
  • mpelmpel Member Posts: 23
    Have 20K on her (bought her with 10K) and do mostly city driving. I have been keeping track on about every tank (I think I'm becoming obsessed) and am getting less than 13 mpg!!! No, I didn't expect to get 40, BUT, when Isuzu tells me I'll get 15/16 in town, and I get 13, at best, that adds up quickly! Thing about it is, I avoid jackrabbit starts at all costs too. I hear about Trooper owners who get 17 or so in town! What's up with that!!?? Anyone?
  • warrior6521warrior6521 Member Posts: 5
    When I bought my 2000 Expy XLT (4.6L, 2x4) I was getting average hwy mpg of 19.5 - 21.0. Since I had hit a deer in October - mileage has plummeted as low as 12 and and average of 14.5. A couple of tank full's gave me 17 but, I'm at a loss as to why since the "deer hunter" came out of the shop, that my mileage has went south. The dealer broke the a/c compressor when they were re charging the a/c (had to replace the condenser) and their crappy equipment blew some seals in the old compressor - so they installed a new one (under factory warranty no less?!)...

    I have no clue what's happened - and with prices climbing higher for gas in Louisiana, I may have to down size!
  • cdiccdic Member Posts: 36
    Only 1+ month old, mixed driving - city - highway.

    4 tanks so far, all between 16-18 MPG.

    Better than the '97 Toyota 4Runner I traded in!
  • scifiscifi Member Posts: 54
    Sorry I didn't include this info on my other posts, but I do think that proper tire inflation is very important, not only for optimum gas mileage, but for safety as well.

    A Canadian study found that 90% of all vehicles have at least one tire under inflated. Check your tire pressures at least monthly and more often if the temperatures are rising and falling.

    A tire will lose 1 pound of air pressure for every 5°C temperature drop. Tires breathe, releasing about 1 pound of pressure per month.

    A tire that is 20% under inflated will reduce tire life by 30% & increase fuel consumption by 5%. A tire that is 30% under inflated will reduce tire life by 40%. A very soft tire can generate enough heat to melt and explode at high speeds!

    warrior6521: I hit a deer with a Dodge 94 2500 ram that I owned. It was never the same after that. Gas mileage, ride, handling: were all worse.
This discussion has been closed.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.