Avalacher
Full Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2021
- Messages
- 34
Hi everyone, so I know there are threads about saving gas on these beasts, but I already drive it super economically. I average a pretty awesome 22 mpg most weeks in a combo of 60% highway and 40% city. Its a shockingly efficient truck if you want it to be. Better than my brothers Tundra by miles and miles. No mods or anything but I was considering some mods and wanted to get people's thoughts. My Avy has 473,000 kms now and running super strong and smooth (with everyone's help in this club, so thank you!)
So now that she is running so well and no CEL's or anything, I was thinking of shedding some weight. I removed the roof rack and saw a noticeable but small improvement in highway economy. Those bars are HEAVY and drag! Hahaha!
I was thinking of trying to remove the toneau covers, the rubber mat in the bed and possibly (but don't like the idea of removing the spare tire. I have CAA (AAA equivalent). I think shedding that alone could save about 100 lbs right there, LOL.
BUT, something I read the other day, is the Tahoe Hybrid. Apparently GM shed over 380 lbs with lighter wheels, seats and a more aero efficient front end. There are the plastic fenders and tailgate, but that is a few steps too far I think. I suspect just those changes alone would help my Avalanche bag some serious improvements without the need to use the complex hybrid system. Fun Fact, did you know the Tahoe Hybrid is still the ONLY hybrid to actually not weight more than its gas counterparts, and in fact, certain trims actually weigh slightly less!
Any other ideas anyone has had or tried to improve economy. Not looking to make this thing a Prius... hardly. I love my beast for what it is. But I also enjoy eeking out economy where I can get it. My "goal" is 26mpg, if possible that would be insane. I use my machine a lot and depend on it for so much. But just thought I would start a thread to accumulate ideas on how to get just a little more out of these things.
So now that she is running so well and no CEL's or anything, I was thinking of shedding some weight. I removed the roof rack and saw a noticeable but small improvement in highway economy. Those bars are HEAVY and drag! Hahaha!
I was thinking of trying to remove the toneau covers, the rubber mat in the bed and possibly (but don't like the idea of removing the spare tire. I have CAA (AAA equivalent). I think shedding that alone could save about 100 lbs right there, LOL.
BUT, something I read the other day, is the Tahoe Hybrid. Apparently GM shed over 380 lbs with lighter wheels, seats and a more aero efficient front end. There are the plastic fenders and tailgate, but that is a few steps too far I think. I suspect just those changes alone would help my Avalanche bag some serious improvements without the need to use the complex hybrid system. Fun Fact, did you know the Tahoe Hybrid is still the ONLY hybrid to actually not weight more than its gas counterparts, and in fact, certain trims actually weigh slightly less!
Any other ideas anyone has had or tried to improve economy. Not looking to make this thing a Prius... hardly. I love my beast for what it is. But I also enjoy eeking out economy where I can get it. My "goal" is 26mpg, if possible that would be insane. I use my machine a lot and depend on it for so much. But just thought I would start a thread to accumulate ideas on how to get just a little more out of these things.
. I have removed my tailgate, bed side plastic covers, rear seats, bed mat, and tow hitch receiver. All and all I’ve probably removed close to 300 lbs maybe a little more but with some mods such as a CAI and a muffler delete. The best thing I’d say is try opening up your engine a little bit with headers, exhaust and CAI just to make things a little more efficient.
