MPG 2003 Tahoe

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E4L

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Well I took my Tahoe on it's first trip over 200 miles all freeway and I was driving between 70-75 and I averaged 17.3 mpg which I thought was good with the ac blowin 5 people it's a 2wd with the 4.8. Anyone getting better.
 

ktmhans

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I got 17.1 with my 04 awd tahoe 5.3 ob the highway.

Think a maggy is a super charger of sorts
 
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E4L

E4L

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So basically you guys are saying I should be getting better.
 

jimweis

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2004 Tahoe AWD 5.3 w/ 3.73 gears, will do 20 MPG on 10% ethanol 21.5 on true gas @ 70 mph with no problem. I came from a S-10 crew cab to this sweet V8 and get better mileage, I feel like I'm stealing.
See my sig for the two aerodynamic mods I did. Shaved rack and added a 06 front air dam.
 

Bass911

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I think I'm getting 13-16mpg and I hate it! I might as well set up camp at the gas station because it feels like I live there. I've never seen the LOW FUEL light come on so much. I have a 2wd 5.3L on 26's, but it still drunk gas with the factory wheels. I have new Delco plugs and wires, throttle body professionally cleaned, wheels balanced and aligned, and new fuel filter. I have have a K&N air filter in factory box, not a full cold intake. I've had it over 6 years. It's a great quality truck and looks good, but I don't know if it's worth it anymore? I might as well be driving a H2.

Let me paint a picture for you guys that think it's worth buying all that gas. My parents stay 8 hours away. I have to fill up my Tahoe 2 times. When I get there I have a little under a fourth of a tank left. That's 80 bucks to fill up times 2 which is $160 one way. Round trip is $320. They have a SUV with a bigger engine and they only have to fill up once to come visit me, and have gas in the tank when they get there with no low fuel warnings. They have an Aspen with a 5.7L Hemi that switches to 4 cylinders on the highway. I think it is some kind of Hybrid? That same round trip for them is $160 cheaper. This is just a real life example. I do not want to trade the Tahoe for an ugly Aspen, but I do want better MPG's. For all of you that don't know, most hybrids get way better gas mileage than the estimated mpg's. I'm having a hard time dealing with gas pump prices. I would like to know if anyone is thinking about trading the Tahoe in for better mpg's? Maybe some of you have deep pockets or a big family to haul around? I'd take a 2010 V6 Camaro for the 29mpg highway over this Tahoe, but don't want to deal with a car note right now.
 
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jimweis

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OMG...how are you managing to get 20mpg?
Consistant for the 2.5 years I've owned it. What I lost with the 20's I gained back with the cat back. I use dino oil in the engine, Dex 6 in the trans and Royal purple in front, center, and rear. I may have a slightly out of whack MAP sensor because the TCC holds longer than I think it should up hills, but I'm not messing with it.
 
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05Yukon23

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My 05 Yukon, 5.3L 2wd drive is right on the money at 20-21 when I'm doing all highway as well. Not serious mods. This summer heat does seem to knock it down to 19 with the a/c though.
 
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E4L

E4L

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Do you guys have any mod suggestions I should be hitting the 20 -22 mpg is what Im thinking not 17.3 on the highway. Thanks
 

05Yukon23

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I avoid using gas with ethanol in it for one. It seems like it makes my Yukon idle a little rough and gets worse mpgs.
 

Huck

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How are you guys calculating your mpg? 21mpg is unbelievable. That's better than a hybrid.
 

05Yukon23

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Keep in mind this is hwy doing ~60 for me. I look at my dic but it's always about .5-1.5 off. I calculate using a calculator and a notebook that I keep up with my mpg and gas prices. I also use an app I have on my iPhone just as a comparison. If I up driving in town for extended periods of times even with all the hwy driving it drops down to 17-18 pretty quick.


Also I have a 3.23 rear. That might be a big difference.
 

jem556

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Per the onboard computer, my 03 LT 4WD has averaged 15.6 mpg over the 8 years since purchasing new. The first couple of years, I averaged a high of 16.8 but it has gradually decreased since...
 

01HDtahoeNJN

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My best may have been 14...maybe I'm at 210 miles at half tank that was all highway

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
 

jem556

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City driving mostly?


I live in a somewhat rural and mountainous area. The first 3 years I owned this vehicle it was my daily driver, including work commute. The last 5 years, it has been a weekend warrior and used on trips and vacations...and most of these trips, it was loaded down with 5-6 passengers and top loaded with luggage, etc. No towing though. I typically drive 65-68 mph on cruise whenever practical, regardless of the speed limit. It was in totally factory stock condition the entire time...
 

ktmhans

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2004 Tahoe AWD 5.3 w/ 3.73 gears, will do 20 MPG on 10% ethanol 21.5 on true gas @ 70 mph with no problem. I came from a S-10 crew cab to this sweet V8 and get better mileage, I feel like I'm stealing.
See my sig for the two aerodynamic mods I did. Shaved rack and added a 06 front air dam.

always wanted to pop that wrack off but never have. What did you do to fill in the holes???
 
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E4L

E4L

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Keep in mind this is hwy doing ~60 for me. I look at my dic but it's always about .5-1.5 off. I calculate using a calculator and a notebook that I keep up with my mpg and gas prices. I also use an app I have on my iPhone just as a comparison. If I up driving in town for extended periods of times even with all the hwy driving it drops down to 17-18 pretty quick.


Also I have a 3.23 rear. That might be a big difference.

What iPhone app do you use??
 

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