Jump to content

fuel mileage drop??

stolzyboy

Recommended Posts

stolzyboy Enthusiast

stolzyboy

Posted
Posted

hi,

i have a 2003 trailblazer ext...

 

i've had it for a couple months but over the last month it has dropped a good 4-8 mpg on average

 

driving habits haven't changed, i notice it on the instant mileage, when driving 70 it used to get between 18-20, now it gets anywhere from 12-16...

 

power is the same, sounds fine, did not put anything in it, using same fuel, etc...

 

basically the only thing that changed was the fuel mileage

 

what would cause such a drastic change like that?

 

thanks,

stolzyboy

Impalacat Enthusiast

Impalacat

Posted
Posted
hi,

i have a 2003 trailblazer ext...

 

i've had it for a couple months but over the last month it has dropped a good 4-8 mpg on average

 

driving habits haven't changed, i notice it on the instant mileage, when driving 70 it used to get between 18-20, now it gets anywhere from 12-16...

 

power is the same, sounds fine, did not put anything in it, using same fuel, etc...

 

basically the only thing that changed was the fuel mileage

 

what would cause such a drastic change like that?

 

thanks,

stolzyboy

 

 

 

Maybe it's the winter fuel blend, mine has gone down a litlle in the last month or so also :cool:

michigan2500hd Senior Enthusiast

michigan2500hd

Posted
Posted
i don't think the blend really changes that much in gasoline... and i'm pretty sure it wont' drop THAT much if it would ;)

 

 

 

I am really starting to hate the winter fuel. My mpg has gone from the mid 17's to the mid 13's. Happens every winter on the last 3 trucks i have owned. Dont know why they change the fuel but i am sure its not needed.
stolzyboy Enthusiast

stolzyboy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
you really can t go by the instant reading,  if the grade on the road is different it will change the instant reading.(or the wind etc...)

 

 

 

 

i'm pretty sure i can ;)

 

i live in fargo, north dakota, one of THE FLATTEST areas of the nation... put it this way, the biggest hills we have are interstate overpasses and i'm not exaggerating ONE bit!

 

no road grade issues here :confused: and yeah, i've taken into account the wind as well, i've tried to take any variable out of the equation so i'm just down to the vehicle itself, or anything it relies on

 

has anyone else notice "winter fuel" being worse on fuel mileage?

03TRAILEXT Enthusiast

03TRAILEXT

Posted
Posted

E85 has been added to all fuel in the past 12 months. You are now running 10% E, if you like it or not. You will loose mileage. Not all stations/states have it yet, but it is mandated by 2008.

 

So look at the pump, it will tell you if an alcohol fuel has been added.

stolzyboy Enthusiast

stolzyboy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i use premium BP gas like usual... only the lower two grades (at the moment) have ethanol added...

 

like i said, i've taken all variables out of the equation, aside from "something" wrong with the vehicle, tho no codes are thrown and nothing seems wrong as far as power/etc...

 

i'd really like to hear some backed up information on "winter fuel" if anyone has any links anywhere to point me too

 

thanks so far all!

 

stolzyboy

jjrobo Enthusiast

jjrobo

Posted
Posted

Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

Impalacat Enthusiast

Impalacat

Posted
Posted
Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

 

 

 

Bingo! my milage has gone down every winter for 10 or so years. My 5.3 and T.B. have had the same effects that jjrobo is talking about,I don't know what state you live in, but here in Ca. it happens every winter. :cheers:

stolzyboy Enthusiast

stolzyboy

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Winter fuel has a different effect on individual vehicles. I lost 1-2 mpg in my truck with a 5.3. My wife lost 3-4 mpg in her trail blazer with a I-6.

 

 

 

Bingo! my milage has gone down every winter for 10 or so years. My 5.3 and T.B. have had the same effects that jjrobo is talking about,I don't know what state you live in, but here in Ca. it happens every winter. :cheers:

 

 

 

 

 

i live in Fargo, ND, notable one of the coldest cities statistically in the nation :cry:

 

it's abnormally warm this year, but we are used to getting -20F to -50F in january/february

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • BlueV8
      AFM Disabler Question

      By BlueV8 · Posted

      A complete delete is the most thorough mechanical solution, but it is also major engine work. On a quiet truck that is still under extended warranty, opening the engine purely as prevention is difficult to justify. A plug-in disabler stops commanded cylinder deactivation, but it does not remove or repair the collapsible lifters, so it should not be treated as failure insurance. I would keep the oil full, document the maintenance, and have any persistent tick, misfire, or loss of power diagnosed promptly. If the engine eventually has to come apart, that is the logical time to compare an OEM-style repair with a complete delete. The right choice depends on the truck’s symptoms, warranty status, expected ownership period, and whether the engine already needs to be opened. We explain that decision in more detail here—full disclosure, this is our own guide: https://www.bluev8.com/blogs/news/do-you-actually-need-an-afm-disabler   One exception: some 2021 L82/L84 trucks have RPO YK9, meaning cylinder deactivation was already disabled in the factory ECM; on those trucks a plug-in disabler is redundant, although the AFM/DFM hardware remains inside the engine.
    • mark249
      Help purchasing a touch screen digitizer

      By mark249 · Posted

      Brought my 2015 Colorado into the dealership to check my touch screen issues, had that ghost touch thing happening. They said I needed a new touch screen and they could either order me one for $500. The lady at the service deck was nice enough to tell me I could order a touch screen online for less, she did stipulate that the touch screen had to be factory OEM, you can't pair an aftermarket screen to my radio seeing it was 2015, it had to be a GM factory OEM only. I found a few on Amazon and Ebay by the numbers on the back of the old screen, DJ080PA-01A GM# 22740886, Some said "OEM" in the description and others just said "Replacement". Would a replacement be the same as a OEM as long as it had the same numbers on the back of the screen? In some of the descriptions they also show different brand names but same numbers, is that an issue?  
    • Donstar
      Navigating senior years.

      By Donstar · Posted

      I have both but typically use the 4 legged walker (wheels on front, ski's on back).   The four wheeler is starting to be used on "longer" outdoor walks.  The 4 legged walker is particularly helpful in practicing good walking posture.  Both of my knees are at different stages of recovery and I'm trying to not develop poor habits.  I can actually manage with a cane but it's very difficult not to favor one leg over the other.  My PT recommends I continue with my 4 legged walker for a while.  Yesterday was four weeks since my last knee replacement and I'm excited about my progress to date.  It has been a hell of a rough journey so far but it is exciting to witness  systematic and continuous improvement.  I went for years watching the decline of my "mobility".  It seems that everyday now I am alerting my wife to something I can do now that I couldn't a day or two ago!  I encourage anyone facing the prospect of knee replacement to share any concerns with others who have had the surgery.  It isn't an instant fix but rather is a considerable amount of short term pain for long term gain.  Recovery time and pain levels vary for individuals post surgery but the end results are typically very positive and I've never encountered anyone regretting having had the surgery. 
    • diyer2
      AFM Disabler Question

      By diyer2 · Posted

      The lifter issue can be dealt with by shorter oil changes and quality oil IMO.
    • diyer2
      Winter Returned

      By diyer2 · Posted

      Got heavy rain, hail and light rain yesterday. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...