Why is it that an suv with a 3.5 v6 (montero) gets about the same mileage as a comparible sized suv with a larger - 5.9L V8 (dodge durango).

I have a 98 montero (full size, not a sport) with auto. So far, I've changed to mobile 1 synthetic engine oil, this gave me a consistant 30+ miles per tank improvement. I put mobile 1 synthetic in the front and rear diff, and added a K&N air filter. I see almost no mileage differance with any of this.

So what is the deal with the monty? I remember someone saying something to the effect that the design of it relates to the poor mileage? Any other ideas for mileage boosts? I drive a lot, and with gas pushing $2 gallon, any help will go a long way......

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Chuck:
<strong>Why is it that an suv with a 3.5 v6 (montero) gets about the same mileage as a comparible sized suv with a larger - 5.9L V8 (dodge durango).

I have a 98 montero (full size, not a sport) with auto. So far, I've changed to mobile 1 synthetic engine oil, this gave me a consistant 30+ miles per tank improvement. I put mobile 1 synthetic in the front and rear diff, and added a K&N air filter. I see almost no mileage differance with any of this.

So what is the deal with the monty? I remember someone saying something to the effect that the design of it relates to the poor mileage? Any other ideas for mileage boosts? I drive a lot, and with gas pushing $2 gallon, any help will go a long way......</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">The comparison of the 3.5 to a v8 is apples to oranges.

However if you DRIVE the v6 like it was a v8... heavier on the gas to make up for the power difference... then you will get the same gas mileage as the v8 more often than not.

A main factor in mpg is the driver... this is real mpg, not the quoted factory mpg. The more you are on the gas.... the less your gas sticks around.

Just look at the wide variety of mileages that people comment on all the time. People with the same 3.0 are getting 18 mpg... and I at times was getting 12 because of my driving style.

Keep your tires properly inflated... and in the summer keep your windows up. The ac will use less gas... then your truck acting like a big parachute. With your windows down you catch alot of air... and it will slow your down.

I look at it this way also, besides a light foot which is the best (but where's the fun in that?) it's also engine power...

My 2.6 4cyl Turbo which with me weighs almost 4900lbs or so (3950curb, 300+ in rocker and skid protection, 150 in highlift, 2 spare tires etc..) gets 20mpg average... my wife got 21 fully loaded going from out house in Simi to Huntington lake in the sierras at 8000ft...

My stock V6 which has been given higher comp-ratio ect....weighs about the same 3950lbs curb, but only get 17-19 depending on how I drive.

My 4cyl is 206hp
My 6cyl is 170hp

The durrangos and Jeep grand C's with the big 360 5.9 engine get better mpg while crusing because the engine is barely doing any work..

Imaging the Corvettes, especially the Z06, 400+hp stock, yet gets 30+mpg while on the highway....the motor is not even working at all..

My buddy has a 2000 Firebird with the LS6 conversion and a 6spd, he gets 390 rwhp stock, and get 29mpg going 90 while taching 1900rpm !!!!

The little 3.0 stuck in a 5000lbs curb 4dr. Monte is BAD !!!!!!...to much weight for a small engine so the motor works hard...this = more gas !!!

Jason

P.S. I had a 95 Jeep GC with the 5.2 !!! and my wife driving got 18.4mpg all the time, when I drove it, I got 14mpg <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" />

I have often debated this issue with my friends. I cruise in my 91 Monty 3.0 at 70 and I'm doing close to 3000 rpm. In my buddy's truck(GMC 5.3) at 70, he's doing around 1900-2000. And he gets better mileage than I do. I think that the larger engines have become more efficient than most V6's out there, in that there is a better HP/MPG ratio, so to speak.

I am not making any sense here. Am I?

I realize that SUV/4x4 pickups are heavy, geared fairly low, and have the aerodynamics of a brick,i.e., bad mileage. However, I think that the largest problem is simply underpowered engines. It takes too much go-pedal to perform equally with other vehicles on the highway. Seriously, it's not like my buddy's full size extended cab GMC is light, aerodynamic, or tall geared, he simply has an engine with enough power to easily cruise at 70 or keep up with traffic.

I would like to see more SUV's with small v-8's, ala the new 4-Runner, so that our engines could work in a more comfortable, efficient zone.

Or more research into developing more power/performance from our V6's. I know, I know apples and oranges, but my mother's Park Avenue (3.8 V^6) gets about 30 mpg at 70-80 mph!!! We have got to find some happy medium for our segment of the truck world.

Thoughts?

PS-I realize that this reply is still as clear as mud...too much Benadryl.

*Edit - I was too slow JasonA beat me , and probably proved my point more effectively too.

<small>[ March 07, 2003, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: toyota87 ]</small>

some things that may help the MPG is less weight, and better arrowdynamics weather that is ez too get may be a diff story. The reson a smaller engine gets the same MPG is becue you need more gass too go the same (asooming it has less power). What kind of tires do you have? are they low on air? What kind of rpms are you crusing at? I have heard some of the super chips help the mph... not sure its true tho (also not sure they have them for the monty). On a side note if you want good MPG not sure a SUV is the best thing too drive <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I wonder if you remove the front drive shaft if that would help the MPG... less drive train loss. But it wouldnt be 4wd unless you reinstall it.... Just some ideas.

Hey JasonA, a big factor in the F-bodys is the gearing. When you have a 6 speed with a .5:1 OverDrive ratio, and enough torque to push that you can get 30 MP with 400 HP.

My room mates 94 LT1 camaro gets 29 highway, and like 10 city. HAHA
In 6th Gear at 80 MPH he is doing like 2krpm, and thats with 3.73's.

There are alot of factors when considering milage. I agree that the driver is a very important one.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by LandRaider:
<strong>Hey JasonA, a big factor in the F-bodys is the gearing. When you have a 6 speed with a .5:1 OverDrive ratio, and enough torque to push that you can get 30 MP with 400 HP.

My room mates 94 LT1 camaro gets 29 highway, and like 10 city. HAHA
In 6th Gear at 80 MPH he is doing like 2krpm, and thats with 3.73's.

There are alot of factors when considering milage. I agree that the driver is a very important one.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I know, it's crazy to think that the top mussle cars in the USA get over 30mpg !!!!

My buddy's LS6 is the same way, we went to Vegas, and couldn't believe it...at 90 too !!!,,, but for that short strech from Baker to stateline, we were going between 90-150 and used almost a 1/4 tank in a 40 mile distance <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

But again...we're all driving BRICKS with wheels !!! <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" />

P.S. If my deal for an Import Pajero falls through in the next 2 week (waiting for Export papers), then my next deal is a Impaula SS !!!

LS1 right ?? can't remember, maybe LT1, but still, gonna be sweet....I love those cars !!!

<small>[ March 07, 2003, 12:46 PM: Message edited by: Jason A ]</small>

We must compare "bricks" to "bricks"
A new heep gets around 14mpg stock, and with lift and tires and other that drops to ~12mpg or less.
My rig, with a 4.3, snorkle, 33's, and lift... gets as high as 19mpg, and I'm hoping for 20mpg with my cruise control done.
So I'm pretty happy with what I have.
Try slowing down, it makes a difference. Once I start going over 70mph, my mileage drops to ~14mpg.
Kary

Thanks to all for the replies. I guess I am still thinking of cars/trucks in a pre 90's mind set - before computers and design skills have eeked out the efficiency we have today. As far as driving style? I am as light on the gas as I can be and still get the thing moving. I do tend to cruise at 70-75, which I know sucks more gas than at 55, but accept that as the price of fun.

Ok, so more HP seems to be the question? So how do we get more out of a monty? I found a set of headers, and flomaster has a decent muffler that should squeeze a few more out.

Does anyone know of any other performance mods readily available? Chips etc? I've searched high and low, and have not found much

By the way, I am getting about 380 or so miles to a tank with all highway driving, might be able to go a bit further, but hate to run out of gas. That comes out to about 17 mpg. I purchased it with 34k on the clock, and would have a hard time getting to 350 miles, the mobille 1 enginge oil got me into the 380 range........