20.5 MPG, Am I crazy?

[cbodie]

After grandma driving my stock (sans tube front bumper and winch) '96 6cylinder SR5 4WD Auto, I got 20.5 MPG. No fast starts, maybe 60% highway and 40% easy traffic commutes. Tires pressures on Passenger Michelins at recommended pressures. Rolling some hills in neutral, but no hypermiling techniques other than that.
I've seen 18.8 before but nothing like this. Speedo looks correct with GPS. P265/70/R16 tires.
Anybody seen this fuel economy before?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Yeah, other people have got that MPG before.

The best I seem to do right now is about 19.5.

 

[Gerdo]

Pretty regularly. I'll get 19 -21 on highway trips. I have seen 24+ even going thru the mountains. That is lifted, armored and oversize LT tires.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Pretty regularly. I'll get 19 -21 on highway trips. I have seen 24+ even going thru the mountains. That is lifted, armored and oversize LT tires.

Not saying you don't, but that's hard to believe.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

yah it can be done. Key phrase was "grandma driving ".

I've gotten 20mpg with my 5 speed around town. Never seen more than 25 highway driving and sticking to 55mph even in 75mph zones.

Slow starts, early up shifts, never exceeding 3K rpm or so, anticipate traffic lights, it can be done.

U might be crazy for sure....but we're all with ya in one form or another!

 

[manuel9622]

2nd that

I average 20.5 to 20.7 on my 96 3.4l with 200,000 on it. That's a 50 mile commute to work Monday thru Friday and I deliver pizzas on Wednesday and Thursday nights thanks to Dave Ramsey. I do baby it on take off's and cruise 60-65 mph on the highway. I'm currently doing the seafoam treatment right now so I hope that will help a little bit also.

 

[K.C.]

RARE...but not impossible.

I once got 24MPG when I was on stock tires.

With my current tires, I once got 22MPG, it's all about climate, weight & terrain.

 

[the great him]

I average 20.5 to 20.7 on my 96 3.4l with 200,000 on it. That's a 50 mile commute to work Monday thru Friday and I deliver pizzas on Wednesday and Thursday nights thanks to Dave Ramsey. I do baby it on take off's and cruise 60-65 mph on the highway. I'm currently doing the seafoam treatment right now so I hope that will help a little bit also.

Dave Ramsey for president!!!!:cheers:

 

[MAD 69]

I'm averaging 22.5 mpg, mostly highway driving...

 

[Baja Runner]

Hmm... Yeah I have owned 2 4runners and a Tacoma with the 3.4L and I drive pretty normal/slow and never seen above 19 mpg.

My new truck is pretty dialed, but it has an ARB. I did a full tune up, and I still only get 17 mpg and thats like 95% highway.

 

[durrell]

I'm pretty sure I'm averaging about 19 MPG now that I've stepped down to 265s. Need to fill up this morning to be sure.

 

[cbodie]

Great. So I'm not the only one with these results.
This all boils down to energy prices. I'm going to rant:
In the past I couldn't justify a SUV 'cuz of their popularity, total lack on on-road performance, and thirsty nature.
After slightly playing around with road performers, mustangs, vw's, and classic cars, I learned the following:

1) You need garage for classic car, they're way dangerous, and more of a "show piece" if anything.
2) Tuning/sporting is OK, but very dangerous and illegal on public roads.
3) Road racing is expensive. The industry seem set up for rich folk mostly. (I know that's arguable, just boil it down and go with it)

I like the off-roading because
1) You get to go to awesome locations (outdoor/nature)
2) It condones homemade vehicular fabrication(s).
3) You can leave your rig dirty for a while, and it looks cool. (try that with a '64 Impala convertible)
4) We're not going 100+ MPH all the time.. . . off-roading, mudding', crawling may be a little safer you think?

OK, rant off.

 

[1985taylor1925]

The last time I drove from Wyoming where Im from, back to Wisconsin where I go to school, I got almost 25. I was shocked. But Im pretty sure the two factors were dropping from 6000 to 500 ft elevation, and the wind being with me the whole time. Also, I have done some experamenting, and I think I get better mileage when I keep the ECP on, as hard as that is to believe. And Im completely stock. I would suggest some others trying this. See what kind of results you get

 

[KSWAY]

Damn some of you guys are getting better mileage than my car:flipoff: lol

 

[1985taylor1925]

Damn some of you guys are getting better mileage than my car:flipoff: lol

Well, my 25 was an exception. I get like 16 in town, and usually around 21 highway. I also found that i get better mileage at 75 than at 65. I have no idea how thats possible.

 

[KSWAY]

My Infiniti G35 gets 15-17MPG. But I didn't buy the car for gas mileage

 

[Donovansolis]

Unlike the majority of the fellas here, I run baby 235's:hello: (2wd)

last week I calulated 300miles on a full tank(15gs) which puts me at about 20mpg strictly city driving (no fuel light flashing)

next refill I'll calulate highway mileage

:trophy:

 

[Viking97SR5]

I also found that i get better mileage at 75 than at 65. I have no idea how thats possible.[/QUOTE]

Up until a couple years ago I had a Tahoe that I took on roadtrips out west. I got better mileage at higher speeds as well. Sometimes the ratio of rpm to actual speed increases efficiency because you travel farther at little increase in rpm. I would get 15-16mpg @ 70 mph. If I went 80mph I was getting 18mpg.