Bravada with bad MPG

[savageer]

Hey guys

 

My 97 bravada 4.3L has been getting really bad MPG lately. I get less than 200 miles on a full tank I brought it to the shop and they said that the brakes and engine are both working 100% I have a new exhaust on it (single in/ single out) and I also removed the screen on the MAF. I think that is not helping with the MPG, so I got a new MAF but it has not come in the mail yet for me to switch out. I notice that there is a loss in power and the mileage has not gone down from eather two mods right after I did them. (No loss with exhaust, some with MAF) I am thinking that it could be the tranny not going into overdrive or something. I also have the overhead console that tells your mileage #'s and all that and it says right now after I reseted it that that I get 14 MPG and I only have 170 miles left to empty. On my calculator I did 14x19(tank gallons) and got 266, interesting

 

Any help would be great. Thanks

[JPNNH]

Sorry guy but my blazer 4.3 only got at best 15mpg on highway since new...Engine roars like you were doing 80 but were just lightly accelerating...I put synthetic oil, KN filter & babied it & gas mileage still sucked...

[GM-Tech]

Don't forget a Bravada is full time four wheel drive, or all wheel drive if you prefer. So you're dragging around a bit extra over a two-wheel drive vehicle.

 

In my experience with fuel mileage complaints at the dealership, 99.99% are getting what they can get. It's very highly dependent on driving conditions and HABITS, with the latter being the most important factor.

 

Another factor is that people don't really compute their actual mileage. They come in and say things like, "I just filled up last week and look, I only have a 1/4 tank left!" Well, how far have you driven in that time, mr. customer? "Huh? I have no idea, but I used to go to work for a week and still have 1/2 a tank." They forget all the little around town trips they don't usually make, the change in conditions, etc., etc.

 

I understand you have a trip computer that maintains your average, so all that remains is driving conditions/habits. These engine control systems are so sensitive that it's difficult to believe a car is going through gas at the rate often described but the computer sees no change in the emission levels and doesn't turn the MIL on.

 

Sorry, I know that doesn't help much. Just had to vent a little bit because we have to deal with these gas mileage complaints every time the price of gas goes up.

[cantrma]

If you suspect your MAF, unplug it for a tank of gas. If it is better, leave it unplugged. Or replace the MAF. Unless the light bothers you, it'll work fine. If removing the MAF makes no difference, it probably isn't the MAF.