[rbarrios]

So I got curious.
Ive never driven at 70-75 for any long distance.
So I went for a test.
I hooked up my laptop to the OBD II port.
Gassed up the tank- let the gas pump shut off on its own.
Reset the DIC.
Took the streets and I got on the freeway. Intent was to hit 75 and stay there. But due to traffic a few times we slowed to 45-50 for a few minutes.
but then Id get back up to the 70-75 range. After 30 min of driving I got off the freeway- and took some streets to get back on in the opposite direction.
Came home.
There is a hill I had to climb in both directions. For this- I head over to the slow lane- and drive up at about 60- on the way down- the trans is in L and 6 so as not to engage descent control. (engine braking).
Once I got off the freeway- I headed straight to the same gas station and used the same pump I used when I started. Once I parked at the pump I stopped the laptops recording data.
Here are the Results.....

Traverse DIC-
TRIP- 69.2 miles
DIC Gal used- 2.7
DIC MPG- 25
AVG speed 62.7

At the PUMP
GAL PUMPED- 2.66 (I let the gas pump auto shut off).
Hand calc MPG-26 69.2 miles/2.66 galons=26.01 mpg
cost to refill=$9.48 (@$3.55 per gal of regular).

Now heres the amazing part.... see the numbers below.. of the data gathered from the OBD port.
It calculated I used 2.66 gallons--- same amount that the gas pumped AUTO shut off- and very very close to the DIC.
It shows 25.95 MPG-- I calculated 26 vs DICs 25
Total trip cost... $9.43 as per laptop..... I paid $9.48.
It shows 68.9 miles traveled as compared to DIC 69.2. pretty close to what the DIC showed.

Conditions--- only me on board. No AC. Outside temp 55 deg.

 

[6Sixathome]

That's almost dead on exact, nice.

 

[salguod]

Interesting. On our Thanksgiving trip across the country, I had 4 tanks of gas. I run about 8-9 over the speed limit, so in OH & IL that's 73-74 and in IN and MO that's 78-79. Two of the tanks were 19.8 MPG, one was 22.6 MPG and the other 21.7 MPG. I was pretty disappointed, honestly.

These were mostly highway miles, but fully loaded with 5 of us, the dog and a load of Christmas presents and stuff for the 5 day weekend. I guess we likely had 550 - 600 lbs than you did, maybe that's the difference.

 

[rbarrios]

Ill find out in about a month- when I take a 4200 mile round trip.
4 adults, 1 baby, cargo bag on roof, and hitch rack on the rear..

 

[salguod]

We determined making that trip that we need an add on cargo carrier. I missed my van on that trip for sure. Thinking a hitch mount instead of roof so I don't add wind drag. I bet that's gonna hurt you. It'll be interesting to see, you're a bit more loaded down than I was.

 

[rbarrios]

planning on only stuffing clothes up top. Soft stuff I can squish to make the cargo bag as low profile as I can.

 

[MTN Ranger]

We're planning our summer trip last week. We decided we needed additional space for our first trip with the Outlook. We found this cool carrier that has dual use as a cart too. That should come in handy for camping.

I'll probably order one in the next couple months. I would hope that the rear carrier will not affect MPG too negatively - at least better than a rooftop carrier.

 

[jsimms]

I have a rear carrier and have not noticed any negative MPG while using it; I too do not like to load the top of a vehicle with stuff especially with dual glass roofs

 

[rbarrios]

Id never seen that hitch rack with wheels. very interesting.

This is my hitch rack... thought I Have not loaded it up HEAVY on the Traverse- like I would on the Trailblazer on trips to Guadalajara.

Dont think Ill have the Traverse this loaded up.

 

[salguod]

That rack with the casters is interesting, where did you find it? I haven't decided what I'm going to get, I won't likely need it before the fall.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Hi Guys,

Been on the road the last 3 days...chasing the sun!! Left SE Michigan Saturday morning (none too soon from what I understand...like 10-12 inches Sunday thru this morning...UGH!). Drove to just north of Chattanooga and then drove over to Ashville, TN. With all the mountain driving (did not play with locking out the engine brake), we've averaged 23 mpg running at 72 mph ('cept for Ohio...much lower). Road temps once we hit Kentucky have been in the 50's. High point today was 72 here in Ashville...sweet! Anyhoo that's our real world driving experience. Our XR is full behind the 2nd row bench and the bench is about 1/2 full. Thought we were moving for a while there LOL! Once out of the mountains I expect the mpg will bump up to 24-25. She's got just under 24K on her.

Here's a shot in the mountains.

Oh, I too like that rack with the casters under her. Appreciate a post up with a link to a source. Thanks in advance!

Jim
In God We Trust!

 

[MTN Ranger]

Here is the link:

t-motorsports.com/product/hitch-mount-cargo-carrier-luggage-cart-hauler-wwheelscargocarrier-cc-f6020-wheel/

I tried to post it as a link, but it gave me a "you are not allowed to post links" message.

 

[salguod]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

You can't post links here until you've had a certain number of posts under your belt. It might be 5, can't remember.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Thanks MTNRanger!

 

[rbarrios]

Here's a shot in the mountains.

This shot reminded me of my Trip to Guadalajara. As you drive south you drive thru the Sonoran Desert- you eventually pass the Tropic of Cancer line. From desert to greenery- eventually you hit some Mtn passes where its very green- and junglelike. I remember HATING when I knew Id struck the LARGE buttleflies.
Anyways---the shots of the semis- on these Mtn passes- you can hear the SEMIS in low gears-- prob doing 15 MPH- trying to get over- and you also see some cars overheated- In my Trailbazer- Id shift into 3 and rev up the pass. Very NICE on the Inline 6.

And on the other side-- you can hear the ECHO thru the mtns of the SEMIS using their Jake brakes. I LOVE THAT sound when im on the road...
If you dont know what Jake Brakes are....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3bLqjPBlx8

 

[6Sixathome]

Hi Guys,

Been on the road the last 3 days...chasing the sun!! Left SE Michigan Saturday morning (none too soon from what I understand...like 10-12 inches Sunday thru this morning...UGH!). Drove to just north of Chattanooga and then drove over to Ashville, TN. With all the mountain driving (did not play with locking out the engine brake), we've averaged 23 mpg running at 72 mph ('cept for Ohio...much lower). Road temps once we hit Kentucky have been in the 50's. High point today was 72 here in Ashville...sweet! Anyhoo that's our real world driving experience. Our XR is full behind the 2nd row bench and the bench is about 1/2 full. Thought we were moving for a while there LOL! Once out of the mountains I expect the mpg will bump up to 24-25. She's got just under 24K on her.

Here's a shot in the mountains.

Oh, I too like that rack with the casters under her. Appreciate a post up with a link to a source. Thanks in advance!

Jim
In God We Trust!

COCOATAN09XR, thanks for the pic and have fun, soak up the warm weather :thumb: Great MPG too. I drove that same road last year and avg 19 to 21 mpg with a roof top carrier (hard plastic type, THULE brand) 6 people and the interior filled to the brim and raining BUCKETS outside.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Hey 6,

Just some observations.

Drove from Ashevlle, NC to Valdosta, GA today and on that tank hit a solid 24.2 mpg. Again traveling at 72 mph. After filling up and driving another 60 miles on relatively flat I75, I cut my speed to 65-68 mph and I'm averaging 25.2. Just for ***ts and giggles I did the click the traction control button on and off 6 times. Don't think I had an issue before but I'm very happy with this Outlook's overall performance mpg wise. Oh, just a side bar note, I AM impressed with how seamlessly she shifts down a gear when hill climbing (with the cruise set).

Temps are now in the 70's here...oh yeh!!

Jim
In God We Trust!

 

[rbarrios]

very nice to see more positive numbers from others...

you dont say if it was just you or you had others?

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Hi Rbarrios,

Just myself and my wife (and half the house...LOL). Pulled into Indian Rocks Beach, FL about 2 hours ago. It's in the low 80's here...OH YEH!! Not missing all that white stuff up north.

Jim
In God We Trust!

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Hello,

I'm on the return run from the sunshine state of Florida. Thought I'd post up what I experienced gas mileage wise today. My DIC consistently reflects the at the pump calculations (within 2 to 3 tenths). I should further note before the trip I added 3 lbs of air in all the tires for a total of 38 lbs (checked them cold in the morning).

The first pic is with the cruise set at 68 mph, no air on (even though she's in the low 80's)...26.4!!!! HOLY MACKERAL!! That's the Best I've ever seen from her. You'll notice the r's are just under 1,800. This pic was after I had been rolling along at this setting for about 38 miles (after filling up...$3.55 a gal w/10% Ethanol :ack:

Well, decided to kick her up to 70 mph, again with the cruise on and no air. She slips to 25.9.

The last pic shows the mileage at 25.1 @ 68 mph WITH the air on (the 82 degrees finally got to us).

So, it IS possible to consistently get what I feel is very good mileage, using the creature comforts of this hefty vehicle (she was again, full to the brim, on this return run and I think we cleaned out someone else's house on the way back You can achieve very good mileage and stay with traffic (you're always going to have the crew who will be blasting by at 75 +.

Regards,

Jim
In God We Trust!