Want Better Gas Mileage? Easy As Slowing Down

[Dougie]

For the past month or so, I have been doing an experiment with my Av and the gas mileage. Lately, I have been very disappointed with the 14 - 15 mpg I had been getting. That is with a new muffler / exhaust, K&N setup. So for the past two fill ups, I forced myself to do the speed limit every where I went. It was painful at times, but I kept to the limit.

I found that I averaged 17 to 18 mpg for these fill ups. That was a huge difference. 60 - 80 miles more per tank full (25 to 27 gallon fill ups).

I also found out a few other things.

1) I was a lot more mellow in my driving attitude. I didn't get bothered my the morons on the road. Nor did I become a moron on the road.

2) It could be fun to watch the guy behind you become enraged because all I was doing was the speed limit.

3) I felt good about helping the environment by using less gas (no I am not a tree hugging hippie).

4) Gas is going up again. Nice if I am filling up less.

Now I am not preaching. I don't care how anyone else drives. But if you are interested in better MPG, all it will take is to slow down a bit.

 

[zreeves]

I would never have thought I would be one to agree, but for the last couple of weeks, I've been doing the same thing. And along with prozac , I don't get road rage as bad. Oh ya, my gas mileage is better too
~zreeves

 

[txyank1]

I've only put two tankfulls through mine, but at 20mpg on a 500mi trip (my break-in so it was up and down speed-wise), and 17.3 commuting, I have to agree. I believe it's because I don't drive this like a hot rod as I did my Sierra. At least not yet.

 

[krakrjaks]

well i have less than a 100 miles on the engine so far but i'm only getting 14mpg. I have been very good with the speed. Is it because it is brand new? And when i came home from the dealers i kept it on 55 the whole way. approximately 50 miles. Should I vary the speed?

 

[RJLACK]

Sure - all this is great but the speed limit in Texas is 80 mph - course it is not legal but if you drive less than that you get run over

 

[AVEYAK]

Had my ave for 1 month. Gas guage is at half a tank at about 200 miles. I have never been heavy with the foot and I think I get there just as fast. So far I'm only up to 9.8 MPG avg based on the milage computer but all my driving is city and not very far from home. I did get 20 mpg on a single trip around town on the weekend when I was out on the highway. Again thats what the computer says. I keep the driver info setting on instant mpg and have fun trying to keep it as high as possible. It really is not that bad if you take it easy. I'm driving an 03 Z-71 with 4.1.

 

[pktwatch]

Yea I know you are right. About a month ago we made a trip to Michigan to pick up a truck for my son. I was getting 16.5 MPG all along with the AV on the road, driving about 75MPH. Well I followed him home and he was driving 65MPH. The next time I filled up my MPG was 18.75, the best I ever did! Guess what? Then next time I got on the interstate I still drove 75! Just a habit I guess.

 

[ahhyeah]

I usually get 12.... all the time, but when the storm came last weekend I drove around 55-65 MPH to MN and back... I got 15mpg... I've got the 4.10, '03, 5.3, Z71, K&N, Straight Exaust. And that wind across Both Interstates is rough!!!

 

[MikesTNF]

I have about 18,000 miles now and I just took a trip to Colorado and back (from California). I checked my mileage at every fill up, and doing 75-80 mph I still managed to get 17.5-18 mpg. Much better than I expected at those speeds.

 

[NJAV]

I don't keep track of my gas mileage ...so I can't provide you with any kind of figures..but I like to gauge my usage via the pressure of my foot....and lately for some reason....I have been romping on the air peddle a little more than usual.....wait a second.....it must have been the Rob Zombie.....oh.well...not I know why....

Dave

 

[Beach]

Well, we've had our '02 2wd Z66 for almost one full year and 15k miles, and we've lately been averaging about 15-16 mpg, whether on the highway or in town. When new, for the first few months, I think we were getting 13-14 mpg from what I remember. This is a 2wd with the 5.3 V8 and 3:73 rear end.

Over the past year, it wasn't so bad filling the thing up weekly and keeping the show on the road. But lately, it has gotten outrageously expensive to keep this monster rollin. I guess it comes with the territory when you buy such a large truck with a big V8--but then again, it shouldn't.

I can't tell you how angry this makes my father, because he's probably the biggest proponent of trucks getting better gas mileage. He thinks our Av is terrible as it is, and couldn't believe how low the ratings of a new H2 or Escalade were "regardless of how freakin big the engine is". I also told him about the recent news story where certain automakers (especially GM) were contesting having to make their trucks get better gas mileage. Let's just say we agreed on where they can shove their new trucks--regardless of how nice they are.

Another point I do not understand is this. GM also is the maker of one of the best engines in the world (I think so), known as the Northstar V8's in several new Caddy's. These wonderful motors have anywhere from 275 to 315 horsepower in a variety of production cars, yet are rated in the low to mid 20 mpg's in town, and very high 20's to 30 mpg on the highway. And it's not all fiction, because a relative of ours has a new Deville and constantly gets in the 22-24 mpg range in dailiy driving, and has actually hit 30 mpg on a few longer trips. Our Av, on the other hand has 285 horses and would be lucky to ever get 17-18 mpg anywhere. I guess it can be cracked up to the fact that this is an "old-tech" V8 while the Caddy is technically more efficient.

Don't get me wrong, I'd usually much rather be crusing in a big tough Av everyday than some little tin can, but this gas mileage manner is just a little out of hand.

P.s., on the whole driving slower thing, already tried it. Sometimes when my mother or I drive, we can be a little heavy-footed. But, on a whole, it's usually driven lightly and always right around the speed limit. Doesn't seem to help much.

 

[AVSAM]

I have a "02 Z71 with 3.73 gears stock. I have not been able to get better than 15 mpg in 2HI. Forget about Auto-Trac or 4-HI. I for the most part drive the speed limit. Are there any aftermarket mods that REALLY WORK?? to improve mpg. This is the most useful vehicle I have ever owned. With gas prices in NJ pushing over $1.60 what can I do besides slowing down?

 

[gojira-san]

GM also is the maker of [...]the Northstar V8's in several new Caddy's. ?These wonderful motors have anywhere from 275 to 315 horsepower in a variety of production cars, yet are rated in the low to mid 20 mpg's in town, and very high 20's to 30 mpg on the highway.

This is not a dis on whay your saying, but the problem is more of what it is designed for rather than just the engine.

The AV is less aerodynamic due to its size, weighs more, and has different gearing for towing or hauling. It takes a lot of energy to push it down the road. Though an engine change might make a difference I bet that it would be small one.

I am interested in seeing how the hybrid trucks do. The Silverado will have a hybrid package soon. GM also says in the future with the hybrid and "Displacement on Demand", will increase fuel efficiency by 15-20%. That is a significant boost! The GM PR is here. I've driven a Toyota Prius and the technology is interesting - I am really interested in seeing how it moves to larger vehicles.

 

[TXAVy]

Another point I do not understand is this. ?GM also is the maker of one of the best engines in the world (I think so), known as the Northstar V8's in several new Caddy's. ?These wonderful motors have anywhere from 275 to 315 horsepower in a variety of production cars, yet are rated in the low to mid 20 mpg's in town, and very high 20's to 30 mpg on the highway. ?And it's not all fiction, because a relative of ours has a new Deville and constantly gets in the 22-24 mpg range in dailiy driving, and has actually hit 30 mpg on a few longer trips. ?Our Av, on the other hand has 285 horses and would be lucky to ever get 17-18 mpg anywhere. ?I guess it can be cracked up to the fact that this is an "old-tech" V8 while the Caddy is technically more efficient.

Don't forget that the Northstar in that Deville is also pushing around a FAR lighter and more aerodynamic vehicle too, though I bet the engine makes up some of the difference also. I don't think that the EXT has a Northstar in it or that would be a better comparison for engine efficiency in mpg.

 

[txyank1]

Sure - all this is great but the speed limit in Texas is 80 mph - course it is not legal but if you drive less than that you get run over ?

Only if you're in the left lane. I found driving slower actually much less stressful. 'course it took too dam long to get there!

 

[Beach]

I agree with the size, weight, and aerodynamics issues. And I'm not saying that I expect it to be pushing mid 20's in stop and go or 30 on the highway, but it would be nice to get a few more miles in per gallon. And it is possible, I guarantee it, it's just not something they want to spend time or money investing in.

And as far as the hyrbids, I think it's a good idea. I wish there were more of them. But in the meantime, there are ways to make stock, fuel-only engines less thirsty.

I don't think GM is horrible or that this is a problem only they have (by no means), but it is a source of annoyance. Generally, if you can afford something like an Avalanche, you can afford everything that goes along with it (otherwise you would have bought a Civic or something).

At least the Av more than makes up for this one issue, big time in the way it rides, the style, the versatility, etc.. No Ford or Dodge can say that...

 

[half-breed]

The milage really drops when you accelerate fast. I have the trip computer and it kills it for those 10 seconds as you accelerate. Driving 40 MPH flat and level gives 20+, I was on the tollway last week and getting 18-19 at 80 MPH.

 

[imaniguana]

What I do to improve mileage is drive another car that gets 22 in town and 26 on the highway. Then I average the two.

 

[imaniguana]

If you think gas is expensive now, wait until forthcoming world and economic events unfold!

 

[TLB]

After installing a K&N FIPK i gave up on checking gas mileage when i heard the sound the 5.3 makes when you mash the gas

 

[Av4x4]

I have 17,400 miles on my '02 Z71. With a 65 mile commute into New Orleans at 75 mph, I have averaged between 16.5 mpg and 17.5 mpg.

I have recently slowed down to 65 mph half way and down to 60 mph when the speed limit changes to that...

And guess what my milege has improved to 18.5 mpg to 19.5 mpg

Now I'm no rocket scientist, but it looks as though that saves me between 2 to 3 gallons of gas per tankful or $4.50 to $5.50 a week... hmmmm times 4 is $20 a month... times 12 is $240 a year...

Not to mention, as others have, that there is a lot less stress. And I actually am going slow enough so that more folks get to gawk at my Av...

AvZee

 

[olsontru]

We have an old '95 Eldorado w/Northstar, 24 mpg on the road is normal, sometimes better than that.

TxAVfan: Re: getting run over. AMEN

 

[ibshortie]

I have a "02 Z71 with 3.73 gears stock. I have not been able to get better than 15 mpg in 2HI. Forget about Auto-Trac or 4-HI. I for the most part drive the speed limit. Are there any aftermarket mods that REALLY WORK?? to improve mpg. This is the most useful vehicle I have ever owned. With gas prices in NJ pushing over $1.60 what can I do besides slowing down?

If you think $1.60 is bad don't come to California, were over $2.00 a gallon. I average about 12.5 mpg in city driving.

Dave

 

[zreeves]

What I do to improve mileage is drive another car that gets 22 in town and 26 on the highway. ?Then I average the two. ?

Hell of a way to do it I too drive another car ('94 caddy (big ez)) get 20-25 mpg and I will now average the two.
~zreeves

 

[Northstar]

want better gas mileage? easy as trading for a Honda Civic or other similar wimp-mobile. That way there will be more used Avalanches on the market for me to buy. I get 12.9 mpg with a Chevy k3500 dually, 6.5 turbo diesel. So much for the diesels being fuel efficient theory
So when I buy my Avalanche, I will most likely be spending less on fuel, even if I get the 2500 that I want.
And if you're keeping score at home, listening to Rob Zombie while driving may be detrimental to your fuel economy and your driving record.