Gas milage killing me. Any suggestion to Improve

[James Bond]

I baby My 02 Avi, and I drive 100 miles a day, I just love my Avi and I dont ever want to get rid of it, I average 18 mpg, I drive like a granny, and folks hate it when they get behind me, but yes when yuoudrive around 55 you save the most gas and I stay on top of my tire pressures which makes a huge difference even if it is only a few pounds off.

I do realize that since I AM driving a large vehicle such as the AV that I DO gotta sacrifice mileage but It IS worth it to me.

The cruise idea is a good one but I hae learned that when I am going up and down Hilly areas (thats Georgia for you) that when I am going down hills I shut off the cruise to just let gravity build up speed for the oncoming hill, then when I go up the next hill and start losing speed I just slightly feather the go pedal to sort of maintain a reasonable speed otherwize the truck will go into kickdown, that really helps, just this last week I have tried to do everything in my power to save gas, and folks let me tell you,-I mathmatically figured that I got 21 mpg on my last fill up!!!

This DOES work folks, the only drawback is more and more people on the road are waving at me with their middle fingers and laying on the horn.  But I have been noticing recently (since the spike in gas prices) that there is more and more folks doing the same thing that I am.......Hope this works.......007

 

[drvortec7081]

I seem to average 17mpg mixed highway/city. I am not easy on my truck. I just drive it. $75 gets me 300 miles +/-

 

[MCO Avalanche]

OK, this may sound crazy but I had this idea today as I was heading down i95.

I was thinking about the new hybrid Tahoes and Yukons and I seem to remember them talking about reducing unsprung weight to improve the vehicles ability to roll from a stop - my words not theirs - but best way for this non mechanic to explain it.

It is pretty much presumed that the OEM wheels of whatever diameter are probably heavier then what you can get on the aftermarket. So would switching to aluminum lighter rims with a tire of less aggressive tread pattern yield improved mileage at all?

 

[farmguy]

It is pretty much presumed that the OEM wheels of whatever diameter are probably heavier then what you can get on the aftermarket.

Actually, the OEM wheels are lighter than most aftermarket products.  All of the aftermarket Chrome wheels are steel and VERY heavy. 

To get any significant reduction in unsprung weight you would have to go to a smaller wheel tire combination.

 

[ygmn]

OK, this may sound crazy but I had this idea today as I was heading down i95.

I was thinking about the new hybrid Tahoes and Yukons and I seem to remember them talking about reducing unsprung weight to improve the vehicles ability to roll from a stop - my words not theirs - but best way for this non mechanic to explain it.

It is pretty much presumed that the OEM wheels of whatever diameter are probably heavier then what you can get on the aftermarket. So would switching to aluminum lighter rims with a tire of less aggressive tread pattern yield improved mileage at all?

I doubt you would see any gains.

Most of the fuel you burn is to move the whole weight of truck and cargo and pushing the avy through the air

 

[AvPilot]

In the area I live, the proliferation of traffic lights has destroyed gas mileage for all, including those driving a Prius. 19 lights in a 4 mile stretch where 5 years ago there were 4.
There's a lot of money to made for someone who could create a modern system to keep traffic MOVING. I swear there must be a Politician who owns a traffic light manufacturing company.

 

[Rocky07]

In the area I live, the proliferation of traffic lights has destroyed gas mileage for all, including those driving a Prius. 19 lights in a 4 mile stretch where 5 years ago there were 4.

Run the red lights....get better mpgs!

 

[Vaeagleav]

In the area I live, the proliferation of traffic lights has destroyed gas mileage for all, including those driving a Prius. 19 lights in a 4 mile stretch where 5 years ago there were 4.
There's a lot of money to made for someone who could create a modern system to keep traffic MOVING. I swear there must be a Politician who owns a traffic light manufacturing company.

There are systems that will coordinate the traffic lights to change in such a manner that if you travel the posted speed you can have green lights on the main route. Trouble is many folks are distracted by phones,ipods etc. and they take off late and throw the timing off. You also have to be on the main route. If you are on the side roads you're out of luck. These systems are also expensive so mainly large metro areas are getting those systems. ( I think it's so the politicians don't get stuck)

Let's push for the 4 day work week so you have less traffic!

We also need to use more motorcycles and allow lane splitting like they do in California. Traffic would flow better with more bikes on the road and parking would be easier too.

 

[4x4Avalanche]

I get about 18 MPG on the freeway if I use my cruise control. If that don't work out move your seat back so that you can barely touch the gas pedal.

 

[Russellj30t]

Just my 2 cents on this stuff... two quick points... 1. Doesn?t the amount of times you start your truck effect your average MPG per tank? So those of us that drive to and from work within 20 miles will be starting our truck up (which uses a bit more gas I think but I don?t know how much) twice as much as someone with 40 mile commute... I get about 15 mpg and have a 12 mile commute also... and 2. Some of these differences in MPG from truck to truck may have to do with the tires or even the amount of tire worn on the tires. SOOO put small tires on and you will think your getting like 20+ miles per gallon!!! ha-ha...  I do now over inflate the tires a little... (Less friction) helps a little but be careful because it produces more wear on suspension... These are just thoughts... not promises and please feel free to comment on them b/c I would hate to be misleading by myself... Thanks guys!!!

 

[shulog]

1500 av Z-71 with 4.10 gears. Still stock other than grille guard and F Keys. Averages 12.5 miles per gallon all around. Can get 15 while on hi way. Gas prices going up, love my truck but cost too much to drive. Any suggestions to improve fuel econ without messing up warranty? Is 12.5 a good average with this setup?

even in town i get better. what speed do you cruse. i don't know the gear ratio in mine but it is stock i averaged on a recent trip to NM doing 80+ at 18

 

[SilverGhost]

Just my 2 cents on this stuff... two quick points... 1. Doesn?t the amount of times you start your truck effect your average MPG per tank? So those of us that drive to and from work within 20 miles will be starting our truck up (which uses a bit more gas I think but I don?t know how much) twice as much as someone with 40 mile commute... I get about 15 mpg and have a 12 mile commute also... and 2. Some of these differences in MPG from truck to truck may have to do with the tires or even the amount of tire worn on the tires. SOOO put small tires on and you will think your getting like 20+ miles per gallon!!! ha-ha...  I do now over inflate the tires a little... (Less friction) helps a little but be careful because it produces more wear on suspension... These are just thoughts... not promises and please feel free to comment on them b/c I would hate to be misleading by myself... Thanks guys!!!

I agree with both of your points.  I run my tires at 40psi cold.  That's as high as I can go because the DIC complains if they are ever over 44-45psi once warmed up.  As far as cold starts, I can see this by setting my cruise control at 55 right away and watching the instant mpg start at 18 and move up as it warms up.  Here are two tables that effect cold start mpg but what I can not find is what is controlling fueling until these thresholds are reached.  I would like to bump them down a little.   

 

[SilverGhost]

Lately, I have been running premium.  That may sound counter intuitive to pay even more for gas but the numbers support it. By running premium I can bump up timing by 4 degrees.  Right now premium is $.20 more and at $4.00 that is 5% more.  I normally get 21 on regular.  So if I can get 1mpg more on premium then it pays for itself.  My last tank I got 22.3.  The first two days after filling up I only drove to/from work (200miles) and I was at 23.5.  Plus she likes the additional timing! 

Update:  I had to cut the timing back to an increase of 2-3 to get rid of some knock but I still am getting 22-23. 

 

[Biggey]

I have a 03 Z71 with a 4.10.  I have put a k&n cold air intake (230$) and a magnaflow exhaust (230$) on mine and i was getting around 20 on the highway.  These are some cheap ways to get a couple more mpg!  Good luck!!!

 

[ultrachill]

I've been getting about 18+ on the highway, and about 12-14 in town with Borla exhaust, K&N cold air flow, Superchips programmed chip, 92 octane fuel, and 33's.   With the boat it's around 8 mpg.   My engine advisor tells me I'm running about 350 hp too.

Me?  I definitely feel it, have plenty of throttle anywhere, and my gas bill stills sucks, but it could be higher.

 

[Madghost]

As for people saying "if you are concerned about mpg, you should get an econo car"  please note that some of us, such as the northern folk, have no choice in the matter.  A prius simply wont cleave a 6' snow drift, and diesel vehicles are horribly unreliable much past -35 (fuel turns to jello).  Now with that being said I would also kill to have $4/gal as in canada its $1.55/l or about $6.20/ gal- costs about $150/tank.  My last vehicle was a '97 silverado I got 465k on which was getting about 11mpg on a pretty much siezed engine.  With tthe avy however I would like to get it up a bit so is it unreasonable to think dropping 300 on a cai unit and 450 on a cpu with economy settings would get me 3mpg... at that the ROI would be a reasonable time frame.

 

[farmguy]

Let's face it folks...We buy/drive these things because we like them.  For the money you pay for a new or late model AV, you could have got a number of more fuel efficient cars or trucks. Even with the depressed market, the price you pay for a used '02 with 100K on the odometer would buy a late model fully loaded ricer.

A prius simply wont cleave a 6' snow drift

What's a snow drift? 

 

[Madghost]

What's a snow drift? 

A very cold sand dune

 

[New_Chevy_Avalanche_Owner]

I have  Installed a Tornado!
IT goes in the air intake and makes more turbulence in the air and I got 3.5 mpg more.
Now my truck get about 14.3mpg City and roughly 19-20 MPG highway
I Would like to see more Mpg tho! that is all i have added
Any Suggestion?

 

[pktwatch]

I have  Installed a Tornado!
IT goes in the air intake and makes more turbulence in the air and I got 3.5 mpg more.
Now my truck get about 14.3mpg City and roughly 19-20 MPG highway
I Would like to see more Mpg tho! that is all i have added
Any Suggestion?

Thats quite an improvement, others tell me they are snake oil............

 

[MS03 2500]

That's a first for me too, but if he was getting 11 MPG before in a Z66 that in my range with my 2500.

 

[Rocky07]

Yep.....two suggestions

1. Lift Early

2. Lift Often

 

[MooseAlanche]

I have  Installed a Tornado!
IT goes in the air intake and makes more turbulence in the air and I got 3.5 mpg more.
Now my truck get about 14.3mpg City and roughly 19-20 MPG highway
I Would like to see more Mpg tho! that is all i have added
Any Suggestion?

Are you using a diffrent brand of gas? Or is everything exactly the same?

Thats quite an improvement, others tell me they are snake oil............

That's exactly what I heard about these devices 

 

[SilverGhost]

Are you using a diffrent brand of gas? Or is everything exactly the same?

That's exactly what I was wondering.  In a different thread he posted about using E-85.  Maybe this is the first full tank of non E-85?  If it works that's great.  This would be the first case I have heard of one of these twirlers actually helping. 

 

[Rocky07]

This would be the first case I have heard of one of these twirlers actually helping. 

I expect to see Billy Mays on a Info-mercial anyday now selling those "twirlers" along with his Weed Auger, Mighty-Putty and health insurance.

While the principal of the device sounds great, all that twirling air gets stop as soon as it leaves the TBI chamber and enters the intake port.