10.9 mpg? Is it bad?

[iboughtatahoe23]

Usually use e85 so I expect that from e85 but now I’ve been using 91 with no ethanol and I still get 10.9 mpg average. However, my instant economy is around 14-15 mpg on 91 when I’m just driving around town at say, 25mph.

Is this normal? Does it take a while to adjust back to other averages? My tire PSI is 40 in the back and 38 in the front if that’s any consolation,I have an exhaust leak so not sure if that cuaused worse mileage, and i was also gonna change the plugs and wires to see if that fixes it.

TLDR: still getting low average gas mileage after switching to premium gas.

A half tank of premium seems to last me barely 2 days.

 

[wjburken]

Usually use e85 so I expect that from e85 but now I’ve been using 91 with no ethanol and I still get 10.9 mpg average. However, my instant economy is around 14-15 mpg on 91 when I’m just driving around town at say, 25mph.

Is this normal? Does it take a while to adjust back to other averages? My tire PSI is 40 in the back and 38 in the front if that’s any consolation,I have an exhaust leak so not sure if that cuaused worse mileage, and i was also gonna change the plugs and wires to see if that fixes it.

TLDR: still getting low average gas mileage after switching to premium gas.

A half tank of premium seems to last me barely 2 days.

Get your exhaust leak fixed would ya! Come on man!
You’ve been leading off pretty much every new thread you start with “I also have an exhaust leak” so just get it fixed and then see where things land with your idle, your fuel economy, etc.

This can have an impact on your mileage as the O2 sensors may not be reading your exhaust properly as some of the exhaust gases are by-passing your sensor.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Get your exhaust leak fixed would ya! Come on man!
You’ve been leading off pretty much every new thread you start with “I also have an exhaust leak” so just get it fixed and then see where things land with your idle, your fuel economy, etc.

This can have an impact on your mileage as the O2 sensors may not be reading your exhaust properly as some of the exhaust gases are by-passing your sensor.

Man I can’t afford a new manifold, I done said that. I’m trying to fix these issues with the cheapest options.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Man I can’t afford a new manifold, I done said that. I’m trying to fix these issues with the cheapest options.

You know it’s $700 to get the one stud fixed? I don’t see myself tapping it or drilling it or WhatVer. I don’t have the tools or time and I work full time. So I’m pretty SOL

 

[wjburken]

Man I can’t afford a new manifold, I done said that. I’m trying to fix these issues with the cheapest options.

Gotcha. The fact of the matter is having a leak in your exhaust system ahead of your O2 sensors can throw a monkey wrench into a lot of aspects of how your motor runs. Until you get that issue fixed, you may play like hell to track down some of the issues you are asking about.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Gotcha. The fact of the matter is having a leak in your exhaust system ahead of your O2 sensors can throw a monkey wrench into a lot of aspects of how your motor runs. Until you get that issue fixed, you may play like hell to track down some of the issues you are asking about.

True. But I don’t see how it hurts to fix the little things (plugs, wires and stuff etc) and then I’m paying double on this each month to pay the loan off faster.

There’s really just no extra money to throw at my Tahoe or save for my mangold to get fixed. I am trying. I’ve weighed different options. Like just selling it and taking my losses (because I really don’t like to drive the thing) I’d rather have a crossover or decent sedan.

I’ve also considered getting a personal loan to get a beater car or a loan to fix the manifold. But I feel like it would be such a waste to do that

I feel lll just find other issues.

 

[wjburken]

You know it’s $700 to get the one stud fixed? I don’t see myself tapping it or drilling it or WhatVer. I don’t have the tools or time and I work full time. So I’m pretty SOL

Understand.

I learned how to do a lot of things because I was poor so I get it.

I picked up a lot of my first tools at garage sales and flea markets and learned how to do a lot of things by researching it. A lot of it before the internet was a thing and meant going to the library or local garage and asking questions.

Don’t cut yourself short on what your abilities are. Saying that you have never done something before is the reason you can’t do it, is just an excuse for not being willing to try. Lack of knowledge isn’t an excuse, just a temporary situation until you gain the knowledge.

As for time, I personally have four kids and work full time, so I get being busy, as do many of the folks on here. It’s just a matter of finding the time sometimes. I’ve been underneath my car in 2°F weather at 12:30am because that’s what it took to get the vehicle back up and running so I could get to work the next day.

The person who isn’t willing to risk making a mistake, is a person not willing to learn new things. Everyone in this forum had to learn what we know. Some had opportunities to learn earlier in life than others, but everyone that is trying to help you has had to learn stuff along the way. Also, you are not the only one that had to pinch pennys to make it from paycheck to paycheck.

When people on this forum offer up help in the form of guidance or suggestions and the only thing we get back are excuses as to why it can’t be done, they will stop offering up assistance. You are asking a lot of questions, which is fine, but you will not find an “Easy Button” for most of the issues you are having. They will take time and some money to work through. We will be here to help you along the way, but you have to be willing to listen, learn and most of all be patient as you get the time, tools and money to address the issues.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Understand.

I learned how to do a lot of things because I was poor so I get it.

I picked up a lot of my first tools at garage sales and flea markets and learned how to do a lot of things by researching it. A lot of it before the internet was a thing and meant going to the library or local garage and asking questions.

Don’t cut yourself short on what your abilities are. Saying that you have never done something before is the reason you can’t do it, is just an excuse for not being willing to try. Lack of knowledge isn’t an excuse, just a temporary situation until you gain the knowledge.

As for time, I personally have four kids and work full time, so I get being busy, as do many of the folks on here. It’s just a matter of finding the time sometimes. I’ve been underneath my car in 2°F weather at 12:30am because that’s what it took to get the vehicle back up and running so I could get to work the next day.

The person who isn’t willing to risk making a mistake, is a person not willing to learn new things. Everyone in this forum had to learn what we know. Some had opportunities to learn earlier in life than others, but everyone that is trying to help you has had to learn stuff along the way. Also, you are not the only one that had to pinch pennys to make it from paycheck to paycheck.

When people on this forum offer up help in the form of guidance or suggestions and the only thing we get back are excuses as to why it can’t be done, they will stop offering up assistance. You are asking a lot of questions, which is fine, but you will not find an “Easy Button” for most of the issues you are having. They will take time and some money to work through. We will be here to help you along the way, but you have to be willing to listen, learn and most of all be patient as you get the time, tools and money to address the issues.

I hear you man. I honestly just go through Phases being stressed out. My car or WhatVer if may be. I appreciate you hearing me out and Motivating me. I appreciate this thread as a whole. It’s a really good place.

I hope someday everyone will wrench on their own vehicle, because (and no offense to mechanics on here it isn’t your fault)
But shops are just to damn expensive

 

[donjetman]

We get 18.5 mpg on the hwy running super unleaded and going the speed limit. 190k miles now. 07 Yukon Denali w/6.2L, our hwy wonderland

 

[B-train]

I like what you stated on this thread @wjburken

My advice is if you don't like driving it that much, then peddle it and get something more economical. Also, forget premium on a 5.3L, you aren't going to gain a thing, so save yourself some money there.

Also, not fixing items that are COSTING money each tank with crappy MPG will easily add up to the $700 you speak of. It does suck to not have tools, a mechanic friend, or a reputable fair shop to lean on.

Luckily I've been blessed with a dad that worked on cars his whole career and taught most of us kids. I do however, struggle finding the value in certain repairs based on the condition of the vehicle or a Meh kind of feeling about it.

Look for a good car with a 3.8L (buick and pontiac up to 2008, chevy until 2005). Easy to work on, basically indescribable, and high 20's to low 30's mpg. FWIW.....

 

[Doubeleive]

I don't think a small exhaust manifold leak is going to affect your mpg. unless you have really poor maintenance or possibly a torque converter issue then it is 100% dependent upon how much you push the big pedal.
for example next time you drive try going really easy on the pedal and slow on the stop, coast as much as you can. you will see a difference.
basically drive like a 95 year old women who is in no rush to go anywhere.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I don't think a small exhaust manifold leak is going to affect your mpg. unless you have really poor maintenance or possibly a torque converter issue then it is 100% dependent upon how much you push the big pedal.
for example next time you drive try going really easy on the pedal and slow on the stop, coast as much as you can. you will see a difference.
basically drive like a 95 year old women who is in no rush to go anywhere.

Man… idk what’s wrong with it. So many issues people describe. I really got ****** over. 14.5k in the whole for 6 years.

 

[wjburken]

Man… idk what’s wrong with it. So many issues people describe. I really got ****** over. 14.5k in the whole for 6 years.

Just remember……if it’s got wheels or heels, it’s gonna require maintenance. Many times it will be expensive.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I like what you stated on this thread @wjburken

My advice is if you don't like driving it that much, then peddle it and get something more economical. Also, forget premium on a 5.3L, you aren't going to gain a thing, so save yourself some money there.

Also, not fixing items that are COSTING money each tank with crappy MPG will easily add up to the $700 you speak of. It does suck to not have tools, a mechanic friend, or a reputable fair shop to lean on.

Luckily I've been blessed with a dad that worked on cars his whole career and taught most of us kids. I do however, struggle finding the value in certain repairs based on the condition of the vehicle or a Meh kind of feeling about it.

Look for a good car with a 3.8L (buick and pontiac up to 2008, chevy until 2005). Easy to work on, basically indescribable, and high 20's to low 30's mpg. FWIW.....

Gonna be hard to trade if it has a TC issue. Hopefully not

 

[j91z28d1]

manifold leak actually suck in air.. more o2 in the exhaust and the ecm corrects by adding more fuel. so yeah it can hurt mpg. but honestly not enough to really matter.

from all your threads it's pretty obvious you don't like the truck and have no real desire to fix it, or more likely it's not actually broken, you just aren't enjoying it. my suggestion is to cut your losses, find a dealer that will trade it for a Toyota car of some kind. you'll eat the loss from this one into that loan, by being even more upside down than your are now but over all it will be reliable transportation till you have a need for a suv in your life.

just my two cents

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I like what you stated on this thread @wjburken

My advice is if you don't like driving it that much, then peddle it and get something more economical. Also, forget premium on a 5.3L, you aren't going to gain a thing, so save yourself some money there.

Also, not fixing items that are COSTING money each tank with crappy MPG will easily add up to the $700 you speak of. It does suck to not have tools, a mechanic friend, or a reputable fair shop to lean on.

Luckily I've been blessed with a dad that worked on cars his whole career and taught most of us kids. I do however, struggle finding the value in certain repairs based on the condition of the vehicle or a Meh kind of feeling about it.

Look for a good car with a 3.8L (buick and pontiac up to 2008, chevy until 2005). Easy to work on, basically indescribable, and high 20's to low 30's mpg. FWIW.....

On that not, wish my grandpa was still around. He’d help me.

 

[Fless]

A prime example of why we need to teach our kids about how things work, and how to think through situations and fixing things. I have a lot of hand-me-down tools from my dad and, while they're not the newest, he kept them in fine condition. I've also added to my tool stash as I needed things, and spent a small amount each paycheck buying a tool I'd be needing in the future. I spent many a Saturday in the workshop, or helping him do things around the house, all the while learning without knowing that's what he was doing.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

manifold leak actually suck in air.. more o2 in the exhaust and the ecm corrects by adding more fuel. so yeah it can hurt mpg. but honestly not enough to really matter.

from all your threads it's pretty obvious you don't like the truck and have no real desire to fix it, or more likely it's not actually broken, you just aren't enjoying it. my suggestion is to cut your losses, find a dealer that will trade it for a Toyota car of some kind. you'll eat the loss from this one into that loan, by being even more upside down than your are now but over all it will be reliable transportation till you have a need for a suv in your life.

just my two cents

Man. You got no idea how hard I work at balancing my time in my life. Some handle it better than other. Cudos to you.

I would love to fix my car. But I NEED to know how do it 100 percent. I can’t afford to try and fix something and ruin it in the process. I’ve said 100 times I don’t have the right tools. And yea my friends kinda suck. I know a few guys and they always have excuses for why they can’t help me or help loan some tools.

I’ve tried trading it. I had a 2011 CRV lined Up but dealer wanted me to pay $600 to replace the rotors bc they wobbled at high speeds on the test drive. They wouldn’t pay to fix it. They wanted me to.
I tried to trade for a 15 imapla at same place and they wanted $3000 down with a trade.

I have people offer to buy it. But it’s like than I’m without a car. And I need a car. And it would be really difficult to get another car. Bc they would want an absurd down payment I’m sure

I also tried to trade for a 2018 crv and they worked it with no down payment. But the car payment was $800 a month!
I net $2000 on a good month. I’ve honestly dug a deep hole in one bad purchase with this Tahoe it feels like.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I don’t consider my self for a guy with excuses. Yes I have some trouble allotting my time. But i see myself as a dude with a pretty good work ethic.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

A prime example of why we need to teach our kids about how things work, and how to think through situations and fixing things. I have a lot of hand-me-down tools from my dad and, while they're not the newest, he kept them in fine condition. I've also added to my tool stash as I needed things, and spent a small amount each paycheck buying a tool I'd be needing in the future. I spent many a Saturday in the workshop, or helping him do things around the house, all the while learning without knowing that's what he was doing.

I didn’t have a dad lol