terrible fuel economy

Guipo · 07-13-2007, 11:22 AM

My XL7 has only been getting 15MPG. For a entire tank I've been getting only 250 miles! Is this normal? I would expect a little better. I'm going to be replacing the fuel filter and the air filter as part of normal maintinance in a week. The air filter, while dirty, still looks pretty good. I dont know if the fuel filter has ever been done, so I'm gonna do that too.

The spark plugs are Iridium and are doing pretty well as I've pulled a couple. The engine runs well and does a good job.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Guipo

Caffeine_Charged · 07-13-2007, 11:41 AM

The Grand Vitaras with the 2.5L are only rated 17/21 or so. Your car is a 2.7L with about 500LBS more curb weight. Although the window sticker should say you'd get about 17/20mpg, those are under extremely controlled conditions.
I'd suggest the usual remedies: Check Air Filter, Tire Pressure, easy on the lead foot, etc.

I'm surprised that they don't get BETTER than sticker mpg myself!

Guipo · 07-13-2007, 11:50 AM

I mean, my full sized diesel blazer gets better economy, and its 6.5L! I get around 19 in that beast!

I wonder if its just too small of a engine for the size of car. Its my wife driving it, so I bet that foot is pretty lead most of the time.

Caffeine_Charged · 07-13-2007, 07:05 PM

I have noticed that my 2.5L runs at a higher RPM than most V6 engines would. For instance, 65mph it runs around 2800rpm whereas a 3.1L in a Grand Am or something would run around 2200rpm.
It could be due to the fact that they're DOHC (Double Overhead Cam) and have twice the valves. I'm not a mechanic or anything, but I do know they run a little higher RPM than your average V6. That's really the only thing that I'm

about as far as engine/drivetrain on my GV.

XL7Limited · 07-13-2007, 09:38 PM

has NOTHING to do with this.. Its the gear ratio in the dufferential.. which is 5.13. Its normal with this ratio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeine_Charged

I have noticed that my 2.5L runs at a higher RPM than most V6 engines would. For instance, 65mph it runs around 2800rpm whereas a 3.1L in a Grand Am or something would run around 2200rpm.
It could be due to the fact that they're DOHC (Double Overhead Cam) and have twice the valves. I'm not a mechanic or anything, but I do know they run a little higher RPM than your average V6. That's really the only thing that I'm

about as far as engine/drivetrain on my GV.

XL7Limited · 07-13-2007, 09:41 PM

The rating is 15/20 in the 02's.

15 is def normal in the city. I sometimes get 17 if I take it east in the city and 23 on th ehighway but I know how to drive (slow) to get the best mileage. 15 is normal in the city for sure. its a 7 passenger 4wd full frame 5.13 geared suv. Damn good considering actually

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeine_Charged

The Grand Vitaras with the 2.5L are only rated 17/21 or so. Your car is a 2.7L with about 500LBS more curb weight. Although the window sticker should say you'd get about 17/20mpg, those are under extremely controlled conditions.
I'd suggest the usual remedies: Check Air Filter, Tire Pressure, easy on the lead foot, etc.

I'm surprised that they don't get BETTER than sticker mpg myself!

Caffeine_Charged · 07-13-2007, 10:46 PM

I guess I didn't consider the gear ratio. Well played.

Guipo · 07-25-2007, 07:18 PM

Well I'll consider myself fortunate then. I just got 20 with alot of freeway!

XL7Limited · 07-25-2007, 08:50 PM

thats about normal guipo. Don't forget its a heavy full framed 5.13 geared 4 wd 7 passenger suv..

desert runner · 09-22-2007, 10:46 AM

Yep, the XL7 is a bit thirsty. I've had some luck with changing to a K&N air filter, and then replacing one quart of oil with Lucas Oil stabiliser. I also had good luck getting better fuel economy using fully synthetic Mobil 1 as well.