Has anyone noticed a drop in fuel economy in this years snowmobile season in your gas tow vehicle? I have a 2003 5.3 liter GMC Yukon with 65,000 miles on it. The highway economy while towing a 2 place covered trailer @ 75 MPH this season has dropped 1 to 2 mpg to 9.5-10 mpg. There has been no change in the vehicle other than the 2010-2011 winter blended gas. There are no ECM codes, Ethanol Sensor reads 7%, Long Term fuel correction -2% both banks. I am wondering if the petroleum companies have changed the fuel blend and hurt my fuel economy or there is something else wrong that I have not figured out yet.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Fuel Economy dropped in tow vehicle
- Thread starter bobsled
- Start date
mxz500rider
Member
Check tire pressure. If they are low, it will kill your mileage.
mxz500rider
Member
If changing plugs, might as well do wires. And a fuel filter.
Winter blended fuel (gasoline) is probably most places in the northland, certainly in or by the larger population densities. I live 40 miles west of a metro area and I can tell the exact tank of fuel when I fill up that has the winter blended fuel. Both her Suburban and my 3/4 ton get 1 mile per gallon less during the months they run winter blended fuel. During summer I get that one mile per gallon back, almost like clock work.
mxz500rider
Member
On top of it. If your worried bout fuel mileage, your in the wrong sport.
Great reply?
It is amazing the world will live to day that someone has to respond with a smart _ss comment instead of just trying to reply if you have something intelligent to say based off some experience. I am not looking to be talked down to by asking a question. If you can save a little money by getting the same fuel mileage as you got before. I think it is worthy of trying to understand why the mileage dropped. No one in this sport has to be told it is expensive. If no one cared about fuel mileage, why do you see so many 4 stroke snowmobiles and diesel tow vehicles?
The reduced fuel economy I believe a few people hit on. I did change the tires ( same size) since last year and that is the most probable cause for the reduction. The wind, tire pressure, and all those other things were taken into account before I decided to ask the question. The Cooper ATS tires must have a higher rolling resistance that the Firestone AT's that were original equipment. I actually put 10 PSI higher pressure on my 3rd 800 mile round trip drive. This year with the reduction of fuel economy, I have spent $150 more on gas. If you dont care about money (MXZ500rider), I would be more than happy if you sent me the extra money I have spent this year so far.
On top of it. If your worried bout fuel mileage, your in the wrong sport.
It is amazing the world will live to day that someone has to respond with a smart _ss comment instead of just trying to reply if you have something intelligent to say based off some experience. I am not looking to be talked down to by asking a question. If you can save a little money by getting the same fuel mileage as you got before. I think it is worthy of trying to understand why the mileage dropped. No one in this sport has to be told it is expensive. If no one cared about fuel mileage, why do you see so many 4 stroke snowmobiles and diesel tow vehicles?
The reduced fuel economy I believe a few people hit on. I did change the tires ( same size) since last year and that is the most probable cause for the reduction. The wind, tire pressure, and all those other things were taken into account before I decided to ask the question. The Cooper ATS tires must have a higher rolling resistance that the Firestone AT's that were original equipment. I actually put 10 PSI higher pressure on my 3rd 800 mile round trip drive. This year with the reduction of fuel economy, I have spent $150 more on gas. If you dont care about money (MXZ500rider), I would be more than happy if you sent me the extra money I have spent this year so far.
mxz500rider
Member
Wasn't tryin to be a smart a**. I do worry bout fuel mileage. I get 10 no matter the conditions. I was just repeatin what a buddy of mine told me back in the day when we were racing dirt track. But seriously, I would look at changin plugs, wires, fuel filter, service the trans, and any other wear and tear items.
Change your air filter and fuel filter, check pressures in your tires. Start there, then if its still doesnt get better change plugs, stick with ACDelco Platinum plugs, also change your wires(youll need the part # off your coils to get the right wires). And dont use E85 or E15 in it.
I have a 2003 Avalanche that i tow my 4 place enclosed trailer with and had a very simmilar issue last year. I found my O2 sensors were failing. I had no fault codes yet by when i replace the front 2, my mileage went back up 2 - 3 MPG. There are 4 on the Avalanche with the 5.3 litre engine, most likely the same on yours. I started with the front 2 since a machanic i know said they typically go first. This fixed the problem so i haven't replaced the others yet.