Mooseman
Moderator
I'm not a believer of that. Fuel passes through the pump and there is splash around it. And there is that container around it that always holds fuel. They just fail no matter what.
My understanding is fuel flowing THROUGH the pump is what cools it.... a bath doesn't do much but flow does.... that's my understanding anyway.Be careful if you only fill your fuel tank halfway. I have read, and I'm only re-stating what I've read on the internet (so it must be true, right?), that the fuel pump depends on being submerged, or mostly so, in gasoline for cooling. Driving with excessively low fuel levels could lead to early failure of the fuel pump. Might not be worth 1.5% increase in fuel mileage.
Sounds like you are right on the money with that MPG . Same thing I get and I have RWD only .22-23 highway is the best you are going to do . It is a six but it is a big 6 . It is a heavy vehicle and it is only a 4 speed auto . I was always hopeful they would update that model and slap a 8 speed tranny behind that straight 6 and it would probably get 26-27 mpg . But they in their infinite wisdom just dropped this model and lost me as a customer after that as I did not want a Traverse .I've been a happy owner of my 2006 Envoy (2WD, 4.2, SWB) for about 5 years now. My main gripe is that the fuel economy is not very good. My previous vehicle was a 2001 Tahoe w/ 5.3. The Envoy reliably gets about 1 MPG better than the Tahoe, ~15 mpg around town and ~23 for freeway driving.
Obviously this is going to vary a lot by driver and vehicle condition, so let me say that I drive pretty conservatively and the vehicle is well maintained (tire pressure, fluids, plugs, etc). I use synthetic motor oil, Dexron VI in the transmission, and synthetic gear lube in the differential.
I am looking for suggestions to improve fuel economy that are beyond just good maintenance. Any room for improvement via:
1. Computer tune? maybe make the TCC lock up more quickly? (the Tahoe would lock the TCC almost immediately after acceleration, the Envoy has a significant delay)
2. Aero improvements, such as larger air dams in the front? (You can see this in newer trucks, they often have huge lower air dams)
3. Anything else I haven't considered?
I know this is never going to be a Prius but any improvement is welcome. Regular unleaded is over $5 now here in CA.
(As an aside, it seems odd that the Envoy w/ 5.3 gets better gas mileage than the 4.2, at least from the EPA)
Be careful if you only fill your fuel tank halfway. I have read, and I'm only re-stating what I've read on the internet (so it must be true, right?), that the fuel pump depends on being submerged, or mostly so, in gasoline for cooling. Driving with excessively low fuel levels could lead to early failure of the fuel pump. Might not be worth 1.5% increase in fuel mileage.
For the A/C, realize that it will ALWAYS be on if you have the HVAC set to any position that has defrost on and it's above freezing temps outside. If you don't need defrost, don't leave it there.
Turbo's are great however 1.3 x 2 is still only 2.6. It would need another doubling to get up to the virtual size of my 5.3my friend has the new trailblazer (2021) she gets 28 mpg on the highway. It has a 1.3L engine and at 60mph it is operating at about 1700 rpm. That turbo is like doubling the displacement.
Turbo's are great however 1.3 x 2 is still only 2.6. It would need another doubling to get up to the virtual size of my 5.3
Also looks aside, the new TB has a towing capacity of 1000 lbs. Mine can tow something like 6600 lbs. Meanwhile, chevy is STILL making a true 2nd gen trailblazer and still not selling it in the US. Built on the 2nd gen Colorado frame. That would have been a GREAT SUV over the last 10 years, with a 3.6 V6 putting out basically the same power as the old 4.2. And with that new 2.7T, it would be even more interesting. But chevy only makes SUVs people don't want. But that's another topic entirely.
Yup. A gas version would still have tons of power and fuel economy without the hassle of dieselI have a 3.0L turbo diesel and it's fantastic. Great power and fuel.economy in a full size truck. Can't beat that.