Just picked up a 2013 Tahoe used with 19,000 miles on the car. After toping off the gas tanks then a 120 mile around trip drive the mpg came in at 22.9 mpg. The all city, stop and go driving test came in at 16.2 mpg. My 25 mile round trip to work and back (all city but no one on the road at 4:30am) is has been 19. to 19.6 mpg. Should also state the my Tahoe has 3:08 rear end. Thought it was a 3:42 rear end when we bought it but that for a different thread.
Fuel efficiency improvements
- Thread starter rdhenderson
- Start date
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I have found there are a few modifications that can make a great deal of difference in your quest for better fuel efficiency/gas mileage. Combining some or all of these can increase your MPG significantly. You will just have to decide if the cost outweigh the benefits.
1. Switching to synthetic oil. Can improve gas mileage up to .05 - 1 MPG
2. Switching to synthetic transmission oil. can improve gas mileage by 1% - 2%
3. Cold Air Intake - Can improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 3 MPG
4. Cat Back Exhaust can improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 3 MPG
5. Performance Chip/Tune can significantly improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 4 MPG (May also decrease gas mileage depending on how heavy your foot becomes)
6. Underdrive Pulleys - Can increase HP and improve gas milage from .05 - 2 MPG
7. SeaFoam - Can increase HP and improve mileage by removing build up and junk from your top end.
8. Injector Cleaner - Can improve mileage by remove build up/junk from injectors.
9. Tire Pressure - Increasing tire pressure can help improve mpg, lowering your "rolling resistance" by over inflating your tires can help reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency, every 1lbs of pressure helps by .4% so going from 32 lbs to 37 increases fuel economy by 2%. Never exceed the manufacture max pressure (most are 44lbs)
*Please note: all numerical values will vary and will depend on your make/model/and any modifications already on your vehicle.
Car Maintenance
Fuel and Fire
1. check/replace Spark plugs
2. check/replace spark plug wires
3. check/replace cap/distributor/ coil packs
4. check/replace air filter
5. check/replace fuel filter
6. Ensure all check engine lights/codes are properly addressed
7. Ensure there are no emission vacuum hose leaks
Other things you can do.
1. Use Cruise Control often - Cruise control was designed to optimize your milage and power/speed ratio. it will use the most appropriate amount of fuel to maintain the velocity of the vehicle. Use it often!
2. Cut off Air Conditioner when driving - (Use with caution especially if you have a significant other that is always hot) but this can save significant mpg on a long trip or commute.
3. Weight Reduction - Removing rear seats and spare tire can lighten your vehicle from 50-100 lbs allowing your motor work less to get up to speed, increasing fuel efficiency.
4. Drive slower/Lower RPM - Your RPM gauge looks different driving at 75mph vs 55 mph...The Lower your rpms are the less fuel you will use.
5. Gearing -"Installing a set of lower numerical gears will translate to higher fuel economy. Switching from a set of 3.23s to 2.73s will lower your auto’s normal operating rpm range during driving using less fuel. NOTE: You car's acceleration performance can feel greatly decreased because of lower gears
6. Waxing (umm for your car..) - Reducing wind drag will help increase MPG, it may not be noticeable on a per tank basis but over time and in conjunction with other modifications you can realize better result.
1. Switching to synthetic oil. Can improve gas mileage up to .05 - 1 MPG
2. Switching to synthetic transmission oil. can improve gas mileage by 1% - 2%
3. Cold Air Intake - Can improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 3 MPG
4. Cat Back Exhaust can improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 3 MPG
5. Performance Chip/Tune can significantly improve HP and improve gas mileage from .05 - 4 MPG (May also decrease gas mileage depending on how heavy your foot becomes)
6. Underdrive Pulleys - Can increase HP and improve gas milage from .05 - 2 MPG
7. SeaFoam - Can increase HP and improve mileage by removing build up and junk from your top end.
8. Injector Cleaner - Can improve mileage by remove build up/junk from injectors.
9. Tire Pressure - Increasing tire pressure can help improve mpg, lowering your "rolling resistance" by over inflating your tires can help reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency, every 1lbs of pressure helps by .4% so going from 32 lbs to 37 increases fuel economy by 2%. Never exceed the manufacture max pressure (most are 44lbs)
*Please note: all numerical values will vary and will depend on your make/model/and any modifications already on your vehicle.
Car Maintenance
Fuel and Fire
1. check/replace Spark plugs
2. check/replace spark plug wires
3. check/replace cap/distributor/ coil packs
4. check/replace air filter
5. check/replace fuel filter
6. Ensure all check engine lights/codes are properly addressed
7. Ensure there are no emission vacuum hose leaks
Other things you can do.
1. Use Cruise Control often - Cruise control was designed to optimize your milage and power/speed ratio. it will use the most appropriate amount of fuel to maintain the velocity of the vehicle. Use it often!
2. Cut off Air Conditioner when driving - (Use with caution especially if you have a significant other that is always hot) but this can save significant mpg on a long trip or commute.
3. Weight Reduction - Removing rear seats and spare tire can lighten your vehicle from 50-100 lbs allowing your motor work less to get up to speed, increasing fuel efficiency.
4. Drive slower/Lower RPM - Your RPM gauge looks different driving at 75mph vs 55 mph...The Lower your rpms are the less fuel you will use.
5. Gearing -"Installing a set of lower numerical gears will translate to higher fuel economy. Switching from a set of 3.23s to 2.73s will lower your auto’s normal operating rpm range during driving using less fuel. NOTE: You car's acceleration performance can feel greatly decreased because of lower gears
6. Waxing (umm for your car..) - Reducing wind drag will help increase MPG, it may not be noticeable on a per tank basis but over time and in conjunction with other modifications you can realize better result.
Unfortunately, my MPG's are into the 12's right now, but that is because I remote start my vehicle in this cold weather (under 40*f) and let it warm up for 15 minutes. Its still worth it, as getting oil/engine/transmission to a decent operating temp before driving it is so very beneficial to their longevity.
In the summer I see 13 city, 15 hwy- pure stock everything
In the summer I see 13 city, 15 hwy- pure stock everything
Immortalmort
TYF Newbie
Anybody with these obs 5.7 blend a bit of diesel in their tanks too? I like to add ~10-15Litres of diesel when filling up. Not sure if it assisted mileage or not, I do it mostly for lubrication in the motor... Just did a 4500km trip through the northern U.S. and averaged 19-22mpg for majority of the highway driving, not including hardly any city driving.
retorq
Full Access Member
hahahaha Yeah I'm sure the injectors like that oily goop running thru it.
