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.....