Fuel efficiency improvements

[cttandy]

Why do you have to run the tank down?? Its very easy and accurately to clock mileage fill up and remember how many gallons, reset the clock, drive to where you need to go, fill up again. Example: If you drove 200 miles and used 10 gallons you got 20 miles per gallon. You can clock mileage at any point, you dont need an empty tank. Try it this way because imo NOBODY is getting 16+ miles per gallon with 100K+ miles on a 5.7 tahoe/escalade. Heck the window sticker shows 16 and we all now these number are *********.

Really, wow, you think so. I know a bunch of people getting 17-18 MPG from 5.7 denali's and escalades. 100K is nothing on that motor either, won't effect the mileage at all. I have a buddy with one that has 200K+ on his 99 escalade, and he routinely gets 18-19MPG out of his. They actually parked their 02 yukon 2wd because it wouldn't do as well.

The EPA rating means absolutely nothing, research it. It has less to do with what it actually gets and more to do with mathematical equations. It is a rough estimate of what it should be able to do.

 

[Stresst]

I dont want to start a pissing match but I know several people with these early body tahoe, escalade, yukons and no-one is getting that kind if mileage. As far as EPA ratings go I never seen an accurate one until recent years when the gov stepped in. Alot guesstimate there mileage and not accurately clock there mileage the rite way.

 

[atis]

Why do you have to run the tank down?? Its very easy and accurately to clock mileage fill up and remember how many gallons, reset the clock, drive to where you need to go, fill up again. Example: If you drove 200 miles and used 10 gallons you got 20 miles per gallon. You can clock mileage at any point, you dont need an empty tank. Try it this way because imo NOBODY is getting 16+ miles per gallon with 100K+ miles on a 5.7 tahoe/escalade. Heck the window sticker shows 16 and we all now these number are *********.

I would top off the tank, drive 300 miles, top off the tank and divide the number gallons I replaced into the mileage. I was getting 17.5-18mpg with 159,000 miles on the motor. With the new motor and tranny I managed 19.4 on 300 mile highway trip yesterday!

 

[Stresst]

I would top off the tank, drive 300 miles, top off the tank and divide the number gallons I replaced into the mileage. I was getting 17.5-18mpg with 159,000 miles on the motor. With the new motor and tranny I managed 19.4 on 300 mile highway trip yesterday!

What im thinking is there truck's come with differant gear ratio's because there is no way, YEAH NO WAY the same truck's can have almost a 7 mpg differance. JMHO

At 55mph how many rpm's are you cruising at? I will check mine and post back tomorrow. Im sure if I put 3.08 gears in mine I can get 20+MPG!

 

[atis]

I have the 2000 Hoe Limited with the towing package...I dont know my RPM's...maybe around 1900rpms at 65mph. I will look tomorrow. I only pay attention when I tow since I have to select 3 on the tree to prevent the OD from burning up.

And the same vehicle can have a 7mpg swing...bad/poor maintenance and poor driving habits can kill mpg. My 91 Mustang with a heavily modded 306 gets 18 mpg if I behaive...when I am slamming through the gears and spanking imports I get 7 mpg.

 

[Stresst]

What do you have done to your mustang? I had 3 of them. Two 1991 and a 1990 all were supercharged, the second to last one I went 10.11 @ 131mph. Those were the good old days when money wasnt an object.

 

[cttandy]

Usually when someone tells me there is no way a vehicle can get good mileage, I conclude 1 of 2 things, either they know nothing about cars, or they have no clue how to drive.

I am sure you have many friends with these, but I have personally owned MANY of these. My 94 454 suburban with 4.11's got 14 MPG without sweating, and it had 180K on it.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but making a blanket statement about vehicles not being able to get a certain fuel mileage is ignorant. I mean if he said he was getting 65MPG that would be one thing, but what he said is totally believable and regularly achievable.

There are so many variables at play that even 10-15 MPG swings between vehicles and drivers is very normal.


I have a 97 Lincoln Towncar and so does a friend of mine. His has a sunroof, mine has a cloth top. His has 16 alloys, mine has 15 inch alloys, both on the same overall size tire. Otherwise, they are identical. In prime tune up, his car will only do 21MPG HWY with him driving it, and he says it does 17MPG in town . Mine will do 26MPG on the HWY, and a whopping 21MPG in town.

 

[Stresst]

I dont want to argue either but when 5 of us all have the same truck 97-99 either tahoe, yukon or escalade with all similiat mileage 80-145k and all have new tune-ups and no-one gets better then 15 miles per gallon highway im skeptical to believe someone is getting 19mpg.

If we were talking about cars that get 40mpg then yes I could understand a 4-6 mile variance as no two drivers are the same. But when we are battling each other all winter and no one go better then 15mpg it must mean something. Rite?

But maybe your truck does get it, can you tell me what im doing wrong? What can I do or buy to improve mileage? My truck has a new fuel pump, filter, air filter and complete tune-up all no more then 8k miles.

 

[ERIC95TAHOE]

i filled up. did 2 days worth of in town driving (to work and back each day) about 3 miles round trip each day. and the occasional running to the store and back about a 2 mile round trip and about 15 minutes or so of idling total. then went on a 90 mile round trip that was up and down hills and around curves and decreasing speed limits and a few stop signs. came home filled it up right away and i was averaging a wee bit over 15mpg and i have a 95 2 door 4wd tahoe. so i believe if i did straight smooth highway driving i could probably hit 18mpg like that guy was saying

 

[Stresst]

i filled up. did 2 days worth of in town driving (to work and back each day) about 3 miles round trip each day. and the occasional running to the store and back about a 2 mile round trip and about 15 minutes or so of idling total. then went on a 90 mile round trip that was up and down hills and around curves and decreasing speed limits and a few stop signs. came home filled it up right away and i was averaging a wee bit over 15mpg and i have a 95 2 door 4wd tahoe. so i believe if i did straight smooth highway driving i could probably hit 18mpg like that guy was saying

Really cannot compare a 2 door that weighs 1000 less then a 4 door. But again it agrees with what im been saying a tad over 15mpg goes hand in hand with my truck getting 13.5 makes perfect sense due to the weight differance. Now you should ask yourself how is a 4 door getting better mileage then your truck????