Boost MPG New Thread

I used this trip as a test. I've been wanting to it since new, drive a long distance on the interstate at slower speed on cruise control. Couldn't do it wife my wife in the car as she hates going under the speed limit. Rather, she sees speed limits as the recommended minimum speed. So, I was on I 80 from SLC to where Hwy 20 takes off west of Truckee. Drove to Yuba City on Hwy 20, and made a side trip to Willows and back to YC. Then home on same route. My average of 24.3MPG is probably what one would expect. The leg from Reno to SLC was with a tailwind. But, on my trip from SLC to Reno I only averaged 22MPG, as I had a headwind. Now that I've done that test I may bump my speed up to 72MPH to see how that impacts my mileage. I'm guessing about 2MPG.

My guess is that my longterm average is 20-21MPG, but I drive slow. Retired, in no hurry. I'm quite impressed with the vehicle. On a side note, I had over 4000 miles since my last oil change and my monitor said I had 54% oil life left. After my 1400 mile trip it now reads 48%. Don't use my brakes much, either, I'm thinking they're good for 100K miles.

Just a general PSA....for those who like deadfooting up hills, going below posted limits and avoiding cruise....keep it in the right lane...for your own safety, as well as for the safety of others. Just saying.

Going 55 definitely improves MPG along with not using the cruise control on anything but flat roads and ECO mode on the dial.

I'm not sure how to do it cleanly, but removing the cross bars or the entire roof rack should give you a couple MPG on the highway.

I can confirm that driving 80 - 110 over an extended period will reduce mpg to 11.x.

These mileage threads make me chuckle. After buying a truck with the aerodynamics of a brick folks go nuts trying to improve the mpg. The mpg on these things sucked when purchased, just enjoy what you bought.

Fastcar said:

These mileage threads make me chuckle. After buying a truck with the aerodynamics of a brick folks go nuts trying to improve the mpg. The mpg on these things sucked when purchased, just enjoy what you bought.

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Actually, the Expy Max has a drag coefficient of .35, which isn't that bad. Way better than, say, the F150, which is listed at .56. Drag is proportional to the velocity squared, so the difference in drag between 67MPH and 75MPH is 25%. The absolute best way to reduce drag and improve mileage is to slow down. And I very much enjoy mine, especially getting 24.3MPG.

Paddler said:

ECO mode, slow down, tailwind helps a lot. I just returned to Utah from a 1422 mile trip to northern California. Mostly I-80. Set CC at 67MPH both ways. Calculated mileage overall was 24.3MPG, XLT Max. Tire pressure 42PSI, Michelins. I filled up in Reno and drove nonstop home, ~522 miles. That stretch with a tailwind calculated MPG was 28.2.

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You did 67 mph in a mostly 80 mph stretch of freeway? Please tell you you're not one of those people that does 13 mph below the speed limit in the left lane.

Mxer0022 said:

You did 67 mph in a mostly 80 mph stretch of freeway? Please tell you you're not one of those people that does 13 mph below the speed limit in the left lane.

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Nope, I don't. It was interesting, though. Both on the way over and on the way back I had several cars, trucks, trucks pulling trailers, etc, pass me multiple times. They'd pass going 80MPH, then an hour or so later they'd pass me again. Slow and steady wins the race.... and gets better mileage.

I will admit that I occasionally sped up to around 70MPH to pass slower trucks, but tried to time my passes so as to not impede other traffic.

Paddler said:

Nope, I don't. It was interesting, though. Both on the way over and on the way back I had several cars, trucks, trucks pulling trailers, etc, pass me multiple times. They'd pass going 80MPH, then an hour or so later they'd pass me again. Slow and steady wins the race.... and gets better mileage.

I will admit that I occasionally sped up to around 70MPH to pass slower trucks, but tried to time my passes so as to not impede other traffic.

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Well hats off to you. You're more courteous than 95% of other drivers on the road.

Paddler said:

Nope, I don't. It was interesting, though. Both on the way over and on the way back I had several cars, trucks, trucks pulling trailers, etc, pass me multiple times. They'd pass going 80MPH, then an hour or so later they'd pass me again. Slow and steady wins the race.... and gets better mileage.

I will admit that I occasionally sped up to around 70MPH to pass slower trucks, but tried to time my passes so as to not impede other traffic.

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On long trips I'll usually plan my day. Leave early and drive the speed limit or slightly under and always drive per road conditions. Put 500 to 550 miles a day and very seldom feel stressed or worn out. Stop for 10 to 15 minutes to empty bladder and take a walk to loosen things up. I drove many miles in the 70's and 80's driving a semi truck when the speed limit was 55 mph so still being able to go 70 mph when posted is a bonus. The worse drivers are usually in the big cities where everyone is in a hurry to go nowhere!