Why don't we see more SUVs in the GasSavers garage?

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by Red

I'd kill for a consistent 2 MPG increase

You seem to be doing well for such a boxy vehicle. 8% above EPA is better than what I'm at (do you have a Scangauge?).

[diamondlarry]

I just noticed that on http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm that the Durango I used to own with a 5.2 V-8 is not listed as a choice even though around 80% of Durango's in that year were 5.2 V-8's.

[GasSavers_Red]

Originally Posted by Peakster

You seem to be doing well for such a boxy vehicle. 8% above EPA is better than what I'm at (do you have a Scangauge?).

Thanks Peakster. My SG is the handiest gizmo I have ever owned

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by Red

My SG is the handiest gizmo I have ever owned

Nice! Now I've got to ask: How many gallons per hour does your Jeep idle at? And how low of a speed can you use your highest gear in?

[white90crxhf]

Originally Posted by theclencher

I would want to encourage more intelligent vehicle choice making, so unless the motorist is slogging up a snow-covered mountain with 3+ friends and a trailer full of gear every day I'd say what the h*** does anyone want with an SUV???

i plan on buying one once the 3rd kid comes along and yes it will be a honda pilot.

[GasSavers_Red]

Originally Posted by Peakster

Nice! Now I've got to ask: How many gallons per hour does your Jeep idle at? And how low of a speed can you use your highest gear in?

When its about 40 out, and the engine at operating temperature: 0.7 GPH
We had a recent warm spell with temps around low 70s so I'm idling around 0.6 GPH

When it was cold (40s) I could get into 5th around 30 MPH going more or less at idle throttle, now that it has warmed up abit it can do 35 MPH but its happier at 40 MPH

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by Red

When its about 40 out, and the engine at operating temperature: 0.7 GPH
We had a recent warm spell with temps around low 70s so I'm idling around 0.6 GPH

0.6 GPH is very surprising for me. When I drove my dad's '99 Intrepid, it idled around 0.8 GPH and it's a 2.7L engine (granted it was well below freezing when I drove it).

Looking as your gaslog, I noticed that you got a high MPG fill when you set the cruise to 70mph. What are some general MPG numbers you see at different speeds (just to give me an idea)? I usually require 1.0 GPH to stay at 50mph (50mpg), whereas I only need 0.4 GPH to stay at 30mph in 5th gear (75mpg).

70 mph requires over 2.0 GPH in my car in this weather; pretty close to the accelerator being floored.

[GasSavers_Red]

Originally Posted by Peakster

0.6 GPH is very surprising for me. When I drove my dad's '99 Intrepid, it idled around 0.8 GPH and it's a 2.7L engine (granted it was well below freezing when I drove it).

Looking as your gaslog, I noticed that you got a high MPG fill when you set the cruise to 70mph. What are some general MPG numbers you see at different speeds (just to give me an idea)? I usually require 1.0 GPH to stay at 50mph (50mpg), whereas I only need 0.4 GPH to stay at 30mph in 5th gear (75mpg).

Was the Intrepid warmed up? I wonder if engine configuration plays a part. The Intrepid has a V6 while mine is an I6. Could an inline design be easier to keep going vs a V?

For that trip most of the drive was through the foothills and up the mountains heading towards Tahoe. My guess is that I'm closer to the optimum operating range of the 4.0 doing 70 compared to 65.

Using cold weather specs (40s-50s)

25-40 MPH; 28-30 MPG

65 MPH; 19-22 MPG w/ Cruise
65 MPH; 20-24 MPG w/out Cruise

70 MPH; 18-21 MPG w/ Cruise

85 MPH; 18 MPG w/out Cruise <- Passing a trailer in 5th, it was erriely stable...

Driving like a bat outta hell usually pulls around 10-12 MPG consuming a happy 4.0+ GPH

In town with speeds varying from 0-40 MPH with fuel consumption 1.0-2.0 GPH @ cruising speed.

Highway driving is usually around 2.7-3.3 GPH covering flat and low rolling hills.

Engine load rarely goes above 15-25 while cruising.

In city cruising throttle is usually around 17 (idle is 15)
Highway, using my foot 26, using cruise 25-30

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by red

25-40 MPH; 28-30 MPG

65 MPH; 20-24 MPG w/out Cruise

Man, that doesn't sound bad at all for a 4.0L six (I think V6s are in fact less efficient and inline 6s. More moving parts perhaps?). I've always had a soft spot for the Jeeps (test drove a '94 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0L and loved it). Oh well, the Geo isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[cfg83]

Peakster -

Originally Posted by Peakster

0.6 GPH is very surprising for me. When I drove my dad's '99 Intrepid, it idled around 0.8 GPH and it's a 2.7L engine (granted it was well below freezing when I drove it).

Looking as your gaslog, I noticed that you got a high MPG fill when you set the cruise to 70mph. What are some general MPG numbers you see at different speeds (just to give me an idea)? I usually require 1.0 GPH to stay at 50mph (50mpg), whereas I only need 0.4 GPH to stay at 30mph in 5th gear (75mpg).

70 mph requires over 2.0 GPH in my car in this weather; pretty close to the accelerator being floored.

This is something I would like to see on this site. As people add their (post 1995) cars, and if they have ScanGauges, they can fill out "stock car behavior forms" that have esoteric data like "idle GPH", "idle RPM at stop", "idle RPM on freeway in Neutral" (that is always higher!!!!), and so forth.

CarloSW2