Help me understand what's going on with my MPG

[Jeeperjamie]

So I've been real pleased with the gas mileage I've been getting since going to 315 70 17 BFG KO2s. Ran the 35 12.5 17 BFGs on my 2010 JKU with 3:73 gears and built and never saw over 15MPGs. So with my JT when I switch to the taller tire I removed the section leading up to the fender on the Foglight covers. I've been getting between 18-18.5 MPGs and I was happy with that.

Well last week I removed the front bumper and installed a Rugged Ridge full width spartan Bumper and a Badlands Apex 12000lb winch. Now I was expecting a drop in MPGs because of the weight and was completely going to be fine if it dropped down to even 17 MPGs. Now as of today on my way home I'm getting 19.1 MPGs in JT and nothing driving habits wise has changed or any of my routes. It's been warmer but other than that nothing else has changed. Does aerodynamics make that much of a difference because I feel like because the full width bumper closed that gap up again it caused the jeep to not have as much wind resistance. I can actually feel a difference with the wind blowing. If this is how it's going to be then I'm freaking super happy with my decision to by this truck. Any thoughts on anything else that could contribute to the MPGs going up.

Took both of these today. Took one when I hit 19 and the other about 20 minutes later when it went to 19.1. Can't believe it

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[ciarraikerry]

So I've been real pleased with the gas mileage I've been getting since going to 315 70 17 BFG KO2s. Ran the 35 12.5 17 BFGs on my 2010 JKU with 3:73 gears and built and never saw over 15MPGs. So with my JT when I switch to the taller tire I removed the section leading up to the fender on the Foglight covers. I've been getting between 18-18.5 MPGs and I was happy with that.

Well last week I removed the front bumper and installed a Rugged Ridge full width spartan Bumper and a Badlands Apex 12000lb winch. Now I was expecting a drop in MPGs because of the weight and was completely going to be fine if it dropped down to even 17 MPGs. Now as of today on my way home I'm getting 19.1 MPGs in JT and nothing driving habits wise has changed or any of my routes. It's been warmer but other than that nothing else has changed. Does aerodynamics make that much of a difference because I feel like because the full width bumper closed that gap up again it caused the jeep to not have as much wind resistance. I can actually feel a difference with the wind blowing. If this is how it's going to be then I'm freaking super happy with my decision to by this truck. Any thoughts on anything else that could contribute to the MPGs going up.

Took both of these today. Took one when I hit 19 and the other about 20 minutes later when it went to 19.1. Can't believe it

The winch probably gave you slightly more rake which would help the flow

 

[Jeeperjamie]

The winch probably gave you slightly more rake which would help the flow

Actually it doesn't appear that it dropped at all but maybe it did. Still appears to me to be sitting just as level as it was but you could be correct

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

I just realized that I've never seen a Sport or Sport S dash before... I've only seen a Rubicon and Max Tow dash with the 8.4" system that has the full digital EVIC. I was like "WTF is up with his dash???" Then it hit me...

And yes, our Jeeps are SO aerodynamically inefficient that anything like that will affect fuel mileage, and usually for the better. I noticed an increase with my FF Stubby and Warn 9.5XP (steel cable) and 37's and lift up to around 13.5 (was at 12.5 stock), then up to 14.5-15 MPG after recalibration with the Tazer JL Mini and adding the iDrive unit. So I'm hoping that when I re-gear to 4.88's that it will go up to around 17+ average...But that will be down the road, unless someone offers me a hell of a price to do it.

 

[sass JT]

Summer gas idk

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Summer gas idk

We have been switched to summer gas since the 1st of may here so I'm not sure if it's that or not.

 

[noside85]

Had about the same mileage before and after adding a Rugged Ridge Venator front bumper and 12k lb winch, getting around 15-16mpg. There was a small window that I was getting 17 city but that was during the first weeks of shutdown.

Went to the Outer Banks this weekend, had the best mileage I have ever seen. 18mpg! Of course, this was with the flat beach roads. Dunno where they get this 23mpg highway number from.

BTW if you are wondering where all the Gladiators are...they are all in the Outer Banks.

PS. Went to Corolla, NC to drive on the beach and see the wild Spanish horses. Of course, airing down and 4x4 is pretty much a requirement...this Lexus didn't know lol

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Had about the same mileage before and after adding a Rugged Ridge Venator front bumper and 12k lb winch, getting around 15-16mpg. There was a small window that I was getting 17 city but that was during the first weeks of shutdown.

Went to the Outer Banks this weekend, had the best mileage I have ever seen. 18mpg! Of course, this was with the flat beach roads. Dunno where they get this 23mpg highway number from.

BTW if you are wondering where all the Gladiators are...they are all in the Outer Banks.

PS. Went to Corolla, NC to drive on the beach and see the wild Spanish horses. Of course, airing down and 4x4 is pretty much a requirement...this Lexus didn't know lol

Awesome man. I hope I'll be able to make it out that way around the 4th, planning hopefully a 3-4 day trip. I haven't been on vacation in almost 10yrs or maybe more. Between a business startup and my full time job it's been crazy.
I guess stock you could probably get 23 MPGs maybe. When I was stock I got a little over 22 a few times but I wasn't stock but 2 days as far as tires and 5 days as far as tires and lift.

 

[KVJ]

Let us know if it keeps any bugs off the windshield too.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Seems like 72-79 mph is the sweet spot on the interstate. A couple times I got up to 80 and it was fine as well. Anything over 80 and your not going to see much of a change or a decline slightly in gas mileage. I noticed if I stayed around 72-75 I could really see the mileage climb and it feels real smooth and doesn't climb above 2200 rpms.

 

[DaveFrat]

So I've been real pleased with the gas mileage I've been getting since going to 315 70 17 BFG KO2s. Ran the 35 12.5 17 BFGs on my 2010 JKU with 3:73 gears and built and never saw over 15MPGs. So with my JT when I switch to the taller tire I removed the section leading up to the fender on the Foglight covers. I've been getting between 18-18.5 MPGs and I was happy with that.

Well last week I removed the front bumper and installed a Rugged Ridge full width spartan Bumper and a Badlands Apex 12000lb winch. Now I was expecting a drop in MPGs because of the weight and was completely going to be fine if it dropped down to even 17 MPGs. Now as of today on my way home I'm getting 19.1 MPGs in JT and nothing driving habits wise has changed or any of my routes. It's been warmer but other than that nothing else has changed. Does aerodynamics make that much of a difference because I feel like because the full width bumper closed that gap up again it caused the jeep to not have as much wind resistance. I can actually feel a difference with the wind blowing. If this is how it's going to be then I'm freaking super happy with my decision to by this truck. Any thoughts on anything else that could contribute to the MPGs going up.

Took both of these today. Took one when I hit 19 and the other about 20 minutes later when it went to 19.1. Can't believe it

That’s nice. Mine hasn’t gotten over 18. Even on a road trip driving conservative I got only 17.8

 

[Jeepnoob34]

Seems like 72-79 mph is the sweet spot on the interstate. A couple times I got up to 80 and it was fine as well. Anything over 80 and your not going to see much of a change or a decline slightly in gas mileage. I noticed if I stayed around 72-75 I could really see the mileage climb and it feels real smooth and doesn't climb above 2200 rpms.

When I get above 70, I’m lucky to get 17mpg. My JT downshifts every time I hit the slightest uphill. Luckily, I don’t get a lot of freeway time. If I had a long commute or had to use the freeway a lot, I wouldn’t be able to keep the jeep, for sanity reasons. Don’t like listening or feeling the constant downshifting and don’t like the wind noise on the roof.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

When I get above 70, I’m lucky to get 17mpg. My JT downshifts every time I hit the slightest uphill. Luckily, I don’t get a lot of freeway time. If I had a long commute or had to use the freeway a lot, I wouldn’t be able to keep the jeep

Mine does great. What model you got just curious. You probably already posted but I can't remember. I know if I got above 80 then I could feel the rpms wanting to climb but at around 72-75 mark it felt really good and the gas mileage was steady climbing. This was just a 1hr round trip, but I road this same route a little over a month ago and didn't have the bumper and winch installed and didn't see anything noticable as far as MPGs, was around 18.4 after I got back. I do probably 50/50 hwy to city driving every day during the week but Sunday which is mainly city and back roads. Normally a 6 day work week for me.

 

[Jeepnoob34]

Mine does great. What model you got just curious. You probably already posted but I can't remember. I know if I got above 80 then I could feel the rpms wanting to climb but at around 72-75 mark it felt really good and the gas mileage was steady climbing. This was just a 1hr round trip, but I road this same route a little over a month ago and didn't have the bumper and winch installed and didn't see anything noticable as far as MPGs, was around 18.4 after I got back. I do probably 50/50 hwy to city driving every day during the week but Sunday which is mainly city and back roads. Normally a 6 day work week for me.

Overland with 33” ko2 and dv8 stubby bumper.
Headed to Alabama for a few days. It’ll be around an 8 hr drive. I’ll be shocked if it’s enjoyable to me lol. If i don’t like it, I’ll just take my wife’s infinite for future long hauls.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Overland with 33” ko2 and dv8 stubby bumper.
Headed to Alabama for a few days. It’ll be around an 8 hr drive. I’ll be shocked if it’s enjoyable to me lol. If i don’t like it, I’ll just take my wife’s infinite for future long hauls.

3:73 gears, one of the reasons I passed on the overland. I wish they would offer them with 4.10 gears stock.

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