Improving '99 Tahoe Fuel Efficiency

[ridetx]

I'm not exactly car savvy but have done some minor repairs to my Honda. With fuel prices on the rise, what simple mods can I make to my Tahoe to gain some fuel economy?

[dhaywood77]

The only surefire way I know to get better mileage out of your Tahoe is to park it. As the proud owner of a '99 Hoe I've pretty much come to grips with the thirsty V8. But if anybody does have any mods they know that work I'd love to hear 'em too.

[sprucegoose]

One of the biggest effects on fuel mileage is as simple as tires that are under-inflated. I always keep mine aired up to just under the max (42 PSI on mine) and check them often.

Change that air filter if it's been a while!

Another thing that can help perhaps another 1-2 MPG is running synthetic oil in the crancase, and all the driveline. I switched over a few years back and noticed a slight gain, especially in colder climates where heavy viscosities are a drag on the system.

I have also heard, (although I haven't tried it) that replacing the oxygen sensor in the system can help mileage also. I can't verify this, but I can understand if the sensor isn't working properly it would call for more fuel.

[horse482]

Cat-back exhaust can help some as well. I had a '97 K1500 P/U with 350 changed the pos factory muffler and did 3" from the cat back with a flow master 50 muffler and gained about 2-3 mpg.

[sprucegoose]

Originally Posted by horse482

Cat-back exhaust can help some as well. I had a '97 K1500 P/U with 350 changed the pos factory muffler and did 3" from the cat back with a flow master 50 muffler and gained about 2-3 mpg.

That is a very good point. I thought about that AFTER I had already posted! Of course it will be hard to keep your right foot from constantly burying the pedal because of that nice sounding exhaust!

[J Rainey]

Sprucegoose nailed it. GM and Ford are now coming out with a hybrid Silverado andprobably next the larger SUV's. I would live to see a smaller version of the Duramax in a Tahoe.

Jason

[horse482]

Originally Posted by sprucegoose

That is a very good point. I thought about that AFTER I had already posted! Of course it will be hard to keep your right foot from constantly burying the pedal because of that nice sounding exhaust!

I resemble that remark, I did exhaust on my current truck and tend to put my foot in to it a little more, it sounds good. If I can keep my foot out of it and drive it more like I did before the exhaust then I do get better mileage.