Any tips for better mpg

[MainelyScott]

I had a 2016 and now a 2019 both with the 5.3, generally I average 19-20 mpg, on a trip almost 24, only time I get 13 is when I’m hauling the camper. Also, while 4WD will hurt mileage a little, AWD Doesn’t make much difference at all. I was taught to “drive like there’s an egg between your foot and the gas pedal”.

 

[ThisIsLivin]

K&N filter and intake tube from AIRAID got me about 1.2 on my 2015 Yukon Denali. I also run Amsoil in everything. There's a lot of friction loss in the drive train. I also swapped the exhaust for a Gibson 3.5" system. That probably hurt more than helped because I love jumping on it. I drive a ton and my overall average is 16.6 and I drive pretty hard. I get 19+ doing 80+ so I have no complaints. My mileage numbers are actually off because I'm running 33" Wranglers so you have to add 4%.

 

[jwth]

A good, GOOD tune really helps. I drive a 2003 yukon. 5.3 and average just over 24 mph highway and 20 or so city-depending on traffic.
Find someone to adjust your fuel trims, ve table, timing table and a few other tables. IT IS WORTH IT
Driving it for over 3 years with no problems.

 

[Jason in DLH]

You could always go with smaller wheels, take the 3rd row seat out (even the 2nd row seats if you don’t plan to use them), remove the spare tire (if you plan on not getting a flat ). All of that should free up quite a lot of weight thus improving your MPG slightly (and you acceleration). I guess you could always swap the V8 out for an electric.

 

[bill1013]

All good ideas. You bring up a really good point. It’s likely that my 17.1 MPG it due in part to 93 octane, don’t drive with a spare tire nor the third row seats. And I put the pedal to the metal distancing my ride from the “go slow in the left lane” MFs that seem to permeate our roads over here. Aloha!

 

[Linderov]

I replaced my factory exhaust with Cat back 3" Flow Master 40 series cause that is the sound I like and I have averaged a +.8-1.0 mpg improvement as long as I keep my foot out of the gas other than that it is really the only improvement I have noticed. that gets me to right around 16.0 mpg on 200k 4wd Tahoe with 5.3L

Thank you this sounds like good advice!

 

[Linderov]

I had a 2016 and now a 2019 both with the 5.3, generally I average 19-20 mpg, on a trip almost 24, only time I get 13 is when I’m hauling the camper. Also, while 4WD will hurt mileage a little, AWD Doesn’t make much difference at all. I was taught to “drive like there’s an egg between your foot and the gas pedal”.

That's great to hear. However, the trucks are not comparable. Big differences between 2016 and the '02 I drive. My 5.3 engine, properly maintained at 218,000 miles, will get max 17 mpg - that's highway ideal conditions, 65 mph. So 13.3 is a tad higher than what I get in winter, snow tires, short trips in city using 4x4, defroster going..., yes 13.3 is actually good.

 

[okfoz]

1) Keeping fluids fresh will help with MPG, but the trade off is usually not monetarily beneficial as the fluid changes will cost more than any wasted fuel from old fluids. However it will help with wear and tear on your components and they should last longer. So take your pick...
2) Going 65mph vs 70mph will give you about 1 or 2 mpg on the highway. What most people do not realize is "Highway speed" in reference to MPG on the window sticker is based on 55mph, not 65, not 70 and certainly not 85... It goes back to when the MPG label started in the mid 70's which was in the throws of a maximum of 55mph on the expressway.
3) Accelerate slower
4) Coast, pretend like you have no brakes... This actually has an alternative benefit as it will save your brake pads.
All of this will also reduce the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle and repairs will be lower as well...
5) better flowing exhaust, or illegally gutting your cats (Not suggested)
5a) Many times catalytic converters will plug up robbing power and fuel economy
6) A Tune would help

 

[dnt1010]

Idling kills gas mileage so if you park turn it off and try to limit any warmup time to an absolute minumum. Speed is also a big factor best mileage is obtained in the 45 to 55 mph range these big boxy vehicles are not aerodynamic at all and friction from high speed driving against the BRICK shape will use a lot of extra fuel to push through. Driving habits anticipating stops and no jack rabbit takeoffs is big also.
I have an eldery neighbor lady that is a lovely person and just as sweet as she can be but if you ride with her you are in for a an adventure she is constantly on the accelerator and then on the brakes I cannot ride with her at all if we go somewhere I insist that I drive. She complains that her SUV gets poor gas mileage LOL

 

[Denali_XL]

Hey fellas. Any tips to get better mpg. Getting about 13.2 mixed. Maybe a drop in K&N, synthetic oil. Iridium plugs. Just wondering if any thing I can do. Thankz in advance.

Buy a Tesla?

J/k! I understand. I have a 2005 Yukon XL Denali. It's a big, heavy rig with a powerful 6.0L and it's AWD. And it's 15 yrs old! You just have to accept you won't get good gas mileage. 13.2 MPG mixed is exactly what the EPA lists for estimates. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.shtml

Correct PSI in the tires and drive like Grandma are the easiest and most cost effective way to save a little on fuel. And don't drive with big, A/T tires as that will knock down MPG. Most fuel saving add-ons are just expensive gimmicks and are going to end up with negligible results.

I get it though. It seems like the gas gauge needle races to the "E" on every start of the engine. It's a bit painful every time you pull up to the fuel pump. I feel like I was just here! lol.

The way I look at it is, I literally saved tens of thousands of $$$$ by not buying a 2021 brand new Yukon XL Denali. These used '04 - '06 generation Denali vehicles are one of the best value rigs on the used market right now, IMO. In my area you can find them in the $5k - $6k ish range. Which I think is amazing. Trucks in that year/generation on the other hand, are about double in price. These Yukon/Suburbans have proven reliable and have cheap repair costs. There are a TON of them still on the road with 200k, 300k+ miles on them.

 

[mountie]

To answer the original question:
Coast downhill with the engine off.

( I bought my Yukon for size & power).... screw MPG..... On average, throughout the year the MPG will be higher than a Prius. Just enjoy driving it.

 

[mikeCsix]

If you are serious about mileage and performance, cleaning up the exhaust with headers and a tune will help along a lower back pressure muffler, correct tire pressures, high mileage street tires and a wheel alignment with 0-toe. Then there is a clean air filter (OEM works fine), synthetic fluids everywhere, and new plugs and wires. For driving skills, use cruise control at every opportunity as it won't pump the gas pedal.

 

[kly5953]

Look up hypermiling
It sounds goofy, I know, but back in the day when I had an S10 blazer, I increased my miles per tank from ~300 to ~420 simply by hypermiling
I also net an extra 60 or so miles when I did the same in 01 Sierra Z71, granted, I had an exhaust on it so I wasn't friendly to the peddle on take offs.
Mostly what you are doing is trying to carry momentum, and stay below 2500 rpms on take offs. Give a little gas going downhill to pick up speed and feather the throttle uphill to prevent downshifting while you lose a little speed. You'll fluctuate speed more an annoy some folks, but just stay in the right hand lane and don't count on passing people. You'll notice that staying below 2000 while driving on the interstate will put you going pretty slow, but you can definitely see a large increase in MPG. (Results may vary depending on your actual practice)

Right now I'm normally getting around 18 in my 04 tahoe, though I have only owned if for a week!

 

[ROGELIO A GUZMAN]

Than you guys for all the tips. Started doing some work on it and started getting around 15mpg mixed now. Still working on it and will post updates. Next are new tires.

 

[ROGELIO A GUZMAN]

being we have an 03 denali also, as many said keeping up on things is number one, tire type and size can make quite a bit of difference, as well as where your driving and probably the biggest is the how your driving it.

we get 12-14 on average with ours, but we don't baby it and have 285 druatracs on it ( I got 1-1.5 mpg swapping to snow tires on my avalanche) many of the items you are going to buy or pay for aside from upkeep will take a long time to pay for themselves, let alone save money.


using higher that needed fuel required will also do little to save money, as the little you could save will most likely be negated in the cost of the more expensive fuel.

When you say type of tires. What do you mean by that. I have some bridgestone tires with chrome rims that the previous owner replaced the factory ones. Would lighter rims help any on mpg.

 

[oldchev]

I have an 04 Denali Yukon. My suggestions are keep tires inflated to the maximum range or 32-34 psi, then review your driving technique. People may hate your slow starts and timing the lights and on freeway stay at 65 or ... 70 if allowed. The faster you go, creates more drag. I know, Its very hard but use your instant mpg meter and practice. I get overall average of 14.2 lifetime @ 243K miles. I got mine with 112K miles on it and 12.2 lifetime then. Freeway about 17-18 flat, city 12.8-14.5 depending.
Anything else requiring parts changes or octane boosters will hardly justify any realistic returns on investment.

 

[gat0r]

When you say type of tires. What do you mean by that. I have some bridgestone tires with chrome rims that the previous owner replaced the factory ones. Would lighter rims help any on mpg.

harder tires would be better than softer tires.
as also mentioned in other posts... tire pressure plays a role in mpg's too.

yes, lighter rims could help. less rotational mass for starting off the line & highway driving.
dont go wider than stock tires, as that can create more drag.


someone had mentioned hypermiling, its a hard concept to keep up with. also much better for smaller cars, but the principle can work on bigger vehicles too.


as far as air filters, i like the dry ones better. less mess & you wont have to clean MAF as often.
especially if you accidentaly got heavy on the oiling after cleaning the filter.


but be realistic, you have a big SUV w/ a big motor, not a prius
window sticker for your ride shows combined mileage of 13. 12 city & 16 highway



mileage will also change w/ the time of year, depending on winter vs summer fuel mix.



i may have missed it, but another user inquired as to if you had AWD. so what is yours 2WD, 4WD, or AWD?

if you dont have window sticker, you will want to look up build codes & figure out what differential gears that you have.
along w/ how you usually use your vehicle. daily driving, flat/hilly roads, towing, etc.
all that comes into play when you want better mileage.

 

[Denali_XL]

i may have missed it, but another user inquired as to if you had AWD. so what is yours 2WD, 4WD, or AWD?

I have an 05' Yukon XL Denali and I believe all Denali's (2001 - 2006) have AWD as standard. That and the larger 6.0L engine were the main differences.

 

[ROGELIO A GUZMAN]

harder tires would be better than softer tires.
as also mentioned in other posts... tire pressure plays a role in mpg's too.

yes, lighter rims could help. less rotational mass for starting off the line & highway driving.
dont go wider than stock tires, as that can create more drag.


someone had mentioned hypermiling, its a hard concept to keep up with. also much better for smaller cars, but the principle can work on bigger vehicles too.


as far as air filters, i like the dry ones better. less mess & you wont have to clean MAF as often.
especially if you accidentaly got heavy on the oiling after cleaning the filter.


but be realistic, you have a big SUV w/ a big motor, not a prius
window sticker for your ride shows combined mileage of 13. 12 city & 16 highway



mileage will also change w/ the time of year, depending on winter vs summer fuel mix.



i may have missed it, but another user inquired as to if you had AWD. so what is yours 2WD, 4WD, or AWD?

if you dont have window sticker, you will want to look up build codes & figure out what differential gears that you have.
along w/ how you usually use your vehicle. daily driving, flat/hilly roads, towing, etc.
all that comes into play when you want better mileage.

Sorry I'm awd

 

[gat0r]

no worries

from what i recall, AWD loses like 1 or 2 off the bat compared to others.