</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.