New Member ...
 

Ok, so-far I have determined that I needed a ScanGauge2 at the least, that has improved my mileage from ~16 to ~20 mpg.

My vehicle: 2001 Chevy 4x4 with mud tires, 5.3L v8, 3+1 AT, and 125k miles. Epa is 13-16 so I am on my way.

Any reason for the truck?

Well, ya actually. A lot of reasons. As I look out the front door right now I see about 1.5-2' of water running drown the road, and I have 15 miles to go to get home. This area is always getting hammered with some kind of bad weather. If it isn't Snow and Ice it is Water and Mud. I am a police officer and often need to go places where the cars can not go, often to pull them out of the mud or snow. I am also a Blacksmith and often hall metal and tools and equipment. I have heard all the comments about I should use a can and pull a trailer. Anyone who has a clue knows this is a non working solution. I have 4 boys who go with me a lot so I have to have the extra room. Would be stupid for me to own 4-5 vehicles just so I can have one for every occasion as some would suggest fuel is not the only expense involved in ownership of a vehicle.

How about you?

My truck was bought for me for a few years ago for my 16th birthday. It was "safe" car. I bought the Geo 6 months later because it made sense. 20mpg (on a good day) vs 50mpg is just a no brainer.

Wow you have a way of making new people feel welcome to these boards! I tell ya what kid, when you pay for my car you can tell me what kind you want me to have. Your little geo metro, just like the little Mini Cooper that I woukd rather be driving, would end up with a wheel busted in a pot hole in no time flat going where I have to. Since some of us have to pay for everything we own ourselves we have to be a bit more rational about our choices.

Perhaps I came to the wrong place to ask questions!

Don't listen to him he obviously doesn't understand where youre coming from with having a need for the truck as opposed to just owning it for no particular reason. The most important things on these forums IMHO is to do the best you can with what you have. If you have a truck that gets 16mpg and you can get 26mpg with it thats a big % of increase. It's not so much how many mpg you get it's the % increase above EPA that counts. I welcome you to the forums and hope that you find everyone else more welcoming in the future. Take care ~ Jason

What on Earth are you talking about? When did I make you feel unwelcome?

Oh nice, you edit your post and then act like you never said it... LOL. You have a bit more growing up to do I see. Had your post (#4) stated what it does now, as of this posting, I would have not taken offense to it. You start out by asking why I drive a truck, I told you a little bit of my life which demonstrates a few of my reasons. You then reply with a comment indicating that you could "write a rebuttal that would blow each of my reasons out of the water". Then when called on it, you edit your post and act like you never made the statement? Man up, son. Remember that when a comment is made these boards send an e-mail to the posters containing the contents of the posted message.

If that was your way of saying "oops, ... ya ok so maybe I was talking a bit out of my ... ear" drop it and consider it forgotten. Otherwise ... lol I have popcorn, time, the weather SUCKS, plenty of coffee, etc. please continue...

Sir, you replied over 1 hour after I edited my post. I did NOT edit it after you said what you did, my post was clearly edited BEFORE you posted yours. I can't help it you read the post on the email and not what is actually said, I took my words back and then you ignorantly replied without reading my edit.

1-2' of water, you should not be wheel drive vehicle.
How often do you need to go "other places"?
Give me LBS numbers on the "hall metal"...
Are the 4 "boys" full grown men?
No one said 4 or 5 vehicles. 2, maybe 3 (if you count the canoe for the 2' of water)

How far do you live from work? How many miles do you travel solo in your truck?

I'm not saying a truck isn't the best thing, i'm just saying there are more than one ways to skin a cat.