How to Improve Hummer Gas Mileage
Best known as the American military's replacement of the venerable Jeep, AM General began producing a civilian version of the Hummer as the H1 in 1992. When General Motors (GM) took over the brand in 1998, it added smaller versions called the H2 and H3, which were based on an existing GM platform. Fuel economy wasn't a strong point. Fortunately for Hummer owners, however, a host of easy tweaks can improve fuel economy for these super trucks.
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Instructions
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Check tire pressures to ensure you are operating at approximately four to five pounds beneath the maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. Check tire pressure regularly, at least once every two weeks. Under-inflated tires increase the amount of work the Hummer' s big engines have to do to move the vehicle forward; in addition, they increase the risk of a deadly blowout. Be careful not to over-inflate the tires, as this can also cause a blowout.
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Look at the air filter and replace a dirty or clogged unit. Dirty air filters choke the engine by restricting the air flow into the intake manifold, wasting energy. To maximize fuel economy, install a high-flow performance air filter such as the K&N Filtercharger. As an added benefit, most high-flow filters are washable, leading to less landfill waste.
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Replace old spark plugs at the service intervals indicated by the manufacturer. Worn spark plugs lead to incomplete fuel burn and misfires, both of which depress fuel economy. At your next spark plug replacement, consider installing platinum multi-spark plugs, which are available at any auto parts store. These plugs not only offer a small increase in fuel economy and horsepower, but they last longer than entry-level replacement plugs, leading to increased service intervals.
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Remove all unnecessary weight. Hummers are among the heaviest vehicles in their class to begin with, so they already require a lot of fuel. Avoid hauling around tools, bicycles, sporting equipment or anything else you won't be using on a particular trip. This saves the necessity of burning gasoline to move unnecessary mass.
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Change the oil regularly in order to have the cleanest engine possible. At the next change, use a high-efficiency synthetic oil such as Mobil One's 0-W line. 0-W oils pump faster at higher temperatures while offering the same protection and 5-W and 10-W oils. They exert a small positive effect on fuel economy and also last longer than traditional "dinosaur" oils.
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Change the way you drive. Jackrabbit starts in city traffic harm the fuel economy of any vehicle and Hummers are no different. Wind resistance increases exponentially with speed, so avoiding speeds above 60 mph also has a positive effect on gas mileage. In the city, consider the load you're placing on the engine when you ask it to accelerate the Hummer's bulk to the full speed limit in between stop signs. If you know you're going to have to stop soon, don't worry about reaching that 35 mph mark.
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References
- Photo Credit Tankstelle image by Angelika Bentin from Fotolia.com
