Question about driving in high gears while in low speeds?

Mark-23 · May 30, 2017

I drove my sisters Mazda CX-9 the other day and motives that at low speeds this thing is in 5th or 6th gears.

I know this is very very gas effiecent if you drive on the streets. I want to what it is that the CX-9 as that the suburban 1500 that I have does not have...

It kind of felt as if I was driving a truck because diesel trucks I think drive in higher gears in lower speeds thus giving you better gas mileage and tow capability.

That's also why I was thinking of converting my 1500 diesel.

My next question is how do I drive in higher gears like 5th and 6th gear while being in lower speeds?

(because in my hometown does a lot of stop signs and red lights)

intheburbs · May 31, 2017

Well, first of all, you don't have 5th and 6th gears in your truck. You have a 4-speed automatic.

And regards to the diesel conversion, a half-ton truck can't handle the additional weight. I know in the F super-duty trucks, the diesel knocks 700 lbs or so off your payload. Do that with a half-ton and you just took away half your payload.

Mark-23 · May 31, 2017

Well, first of all, you don't have 5th and 6th gears in your truck. You have a 4-speed automatic.

And regards to the diesel conversion, a half-ton truck can't handle the additional weight. I know in the F super-duty trucks, the diesel knocks 700 lbs or so off your payload. Do that with a half-ton and you just took away half your payload.

Hahahah yeah I know the thing about the diesel conversion. Regarding the Mazda I don't know if the transmission is 6 speed... i'll do so I know that six speed transmissions and the eight speed once definitely do save gas and I also know that the 4L60e transmission I have is a 4speed.

Do you think I can do anything to increase the MPG?

intheburbs · May 31, 2017

The Suburban/Yukon XL trucks were designed to do a lot of things. Haul a lot of people, haul a lot of stuff, carry 4x8 sheets of plywood, and tow pretty big stuff.

They were not designed to be fuel misers. Getting a tune might improve your mileage a bit, but if you're looking to go from 17 to 22 or 25 mpg, you're SOL.