54.6% over EPA - Chevy SUV

[redneck]

I just got back from a road trip with the wife's SUV, a 2006 Chevy Equinox.

The trip was from S. Carolina to Niagara Falls N.Y. and back again, for a total of 1856 miles using 63.159 gallons of gas.


That works out to 29.386 mpg...!!!


Which is 54.6% above the EPA combined 19 mpg rating, or 48.4% above the combined users rating of 19.8 mpg which is more realistic in my opinion since it was averaged with 9 different users.


Not to bad for a 4000 lb., 3.4L V-6 SUV and crossing the Appalachian mountain range.


Modifications - raise the tire pressure to 44 psi, use a Ultra Gauge, kept the AC off and adjusted the nut behind the wheel.


Kept highway speeds in the 55-65 mph in order to keep from being run over. The average speed for the entire trip (including city driving) was 51.9 mph according to the Ultra Gauge.


As far as driving technique goes, I kept a light foot and one eye on the Ultra Gauge at all times. P&G in slow traffic and a little EOC (engine on coasting) here and there.


Anyway, just thought I would post that it is possible to get decent mpg out of a SUV.



>

[mcrews]

You nailed it!!!!!

THree biggest items:
1. THe nut
2. the psi
3. the gauge

oh yeah, I lump 55-65mph with # 1.

Good job!

[ECONORAM]

Nicely done!

[user removed]

Imagine if everyone drove like redneck.

regards
Mech

[redneck]

Thanks for the kind words...


I was looking at my receipts for that trip. $230 was spent for gas, which works out to a $3.64 a gallon average. If one uses the upper figure of 19.8 mpg combined average (EPA) compared to 29.386 mpg achieved, the money saved on that one trip amounts to $112. That enough to pay for the Ultra Gauge, a nice dinner and then some.

I would suggest to anyone that is on the fence about buying one of these fuel mileage computers (Ultra or Scangauge) to not put it off any longer. This along with the 100+ Hypermiling Tips helped me to achieve this.


Have a Great Day...

>