First Real World Gladiator Towing Impressions & Results (7000 lbs)

[Sorbs]

did you break the engine in properly first?

I heard on a TFL JL rubicon video that their MPG was at like 13 when new, and went to 19 after 4000 is miles. @Sorbs, was I close?

Yep, started at 14MPG and now I’m at 20MPG around town and if I stay around 65 I’ve seen 24 MPG.

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[steffen707]

Yep, started at 14MPG and now I’m at 20MPG around town and if I stay around 65 I’ve seen 24 MPG.

With that, i'd like to see some properly broken in Gladiators towing results. Maybe it'll still struggle with 5k+ loads, but at least we can look forward to the mpg going up?

 

[Blown7]

did you break the engine in properly first?

I heard on a TFL JL rubicon video that their MPG was at like 13 when new, and went to 19 after 4000 is miles. @Sorbs, was I close?

Don't put much stock in initial MPG. Or if the engine is "broken In"

The computer fuel mileage calculator starts at 0 MPG new, and then works slowly up from there.

It has little to do with engine break in and more about miles on the odometer verse throttle position and driving habits to get an average.

 

[WXman]

There is not really a break-in period on this modern stuff. And with my new 3.6L, the mileage was spot-on from day 1. I'm calling B.S. on TFL's claim that the engine MPGs increased by 46% because the engine "broke-in". That's just utter bologna. They must have calculated something wrong, or they weren't comparing apples to apples.

 

[steffen707]

There is not really a break-in period on this modern stuff. And with my new 3.6L, the mileage was spot-on from day 1. I'm calling B.S. on TFL's claim that the engine MPGs increased by 46% because the engine "broke-in". That's just utter bologna. They must have calculated something wrong, or they weren't comparing apples to apples.

What's the next few sentences after your highlight, doesn't it say you need to vary throttle, load and speed for the first 300 miles?

 

[steffen707]

There is not really a break-in period on this modern stuff. And with my new 3.6L, the mileage was spot-on from day 1. I'm calling B.S. on TFL's claim that the engine MPGs increased by 46% because the engine "broke-in". That's just utter bologna. They must have calculated something wrong, or they weren't comparing apples to apples.

One, you're on page 311, mine comes from the JT manual page 275. Be careful following directions from another model, no telling what they tweaked in the 3.6 from model to model.

Two, did you not read @Sorbs post in his JL the mileage increased about 50% after 4,000 miles. Yes that's a different model, but it's reasonable the JT could experience similar results.

Tfl should do this test when they've got a 4,000 mile JT.

 

[TommyTFL]

did you break the engine in properly first?

I heard on a TFL JL rubicon video that their MPG was at like 13 when new, and went to 19 after 4000 is miles. @Sorbs, was I close?

I am not sure we ever said this. We've never had a JL for anywhere close to 4000 as far as I can remember...

 

[steffen707]

I am not sure we ever said this. We've never had a JL for anywhere close to 4000 as far as I can remember...

You didn't say it, your guest did about his own jl.

 

[TommyTFL]

You didn't say it, your guest did about his own jl.

Ah, Got ya. Just want to clarify we didn't substantiate these claims, just an owners perspective!

 

[homerun]

Yep, started at 14MPG and now I’m at 20MPG around town and if I stay around 65 I’ve seen 24 MPG.

How many miles before you saw this jump? Also you are talking JL not JT correct?

 

[Wiggy]

Well my Gladiator has 480 miles on it when I towed and like I said, it wasn't the best experience. I now have about 800 miles on it.

 

[SKT]

 

[steffen707]

Ah, Got ya. Just want to clarify we didn't substantiate these claims, just an owners perspective!

fair enough, didn't mean to imply TFL was the one saying it.

 

[Sorbs]

Ah, Got ya. Just want to clarify we didn't substantiate these claims, just an owners perspective!

That’s me and I just mentioned that the mileage improved as the miles went on.

I think the question from Roman was am I seeing 25MPG that the EPA says it should be getting on the freeway. I’ve little over 7.5k miles and MPG is closer now than when new. As stated, if I keep it near 65MPH, I’ve seen 24 MPG.

Everyone’s mileage will vary but I’ve seen it improve. Also note, I’m at 6500’ and regular fuel is 85 octane.

 

[Sorbs]

How many miles before you saw this jump? Also you are talking JL not JT correct?

JL and it improved around 4K miles. I’m at 7.5k now and it’s pretty consistent now. 20 city, 24-ish fwy, which depends if I’m in a hurry or not

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