72 mpg in an '87 Suburban diesel

[Curtis]

I just finished off 720 miles on 10 gallons of diesel fuel. So I did put 30 gallons of waste vegetable oil in there with the fuel, but that stuff was free. Yes, the real mileage is 18 but the point is that only 10 gallons of my 40 gallon tank sees anything from the gas stations. The exhaust smells a little like fried chicken (that's what they cook at the deli I get it at). The deli owner is happy because he was spending $38 a month to have it hauled away. So, we're both making out this way.

I felt the need to post this because of all the posts I have seen here bashing SUV owners as being gas hogs. The bottom line is I bet I now use less fuel from a fuel station than even people who drive hybrids. So, if you see a black Suburban in the Chico, CA area, rest assured it's not a gas/diesel guzzler :)

[stevedeshazer]

1. You're a pioneer

I don't have a big problem with SUVs, but I'm happy to see this development, it's win-win and bucking the system. Good on you.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. If you don't have a problem with SUVs you are in the minority here

:evilgrin:

[stevedeshazer]

9. On this one, I'll grant you I'm in the minority

I'm all about choices!

But my sled is an 85 Honda Accord, 35 MPG, so go figure :shrug:

[kliljedahl]

2. I've heard about that

what does the conversion kit cost? One question though, why do you need an SUV (4WD) in Chico CA?


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Curtis]

5. No conversion kit needed

You can run a kit that costs close to $1200 so you can run straight veg oil, or you can brew your own fuel and make the veg oil into bio-diesel. I went the cheap-o way and decided to run the 80-20 mix of WVO and diesel. That way you get the similar viscosity of diesel so the fuel is sprayed into the cylinders properly still.

I actually live in Orland (20 miles west of Chico) and am an olive farmer. I do a lot of towing of farm equipment and such. I also have four large dogs who like to go places with us. So we figured a Suburban was safer for them than a pickup, and for some reason, our VW Bug just cannot tow the trailer with a tractor on it ;)

[XOKCowboy]

3. Bio Diesel Rocks

Nice post. Makes people aware of fuel alternatives.

[cprise]

LOL I can get the same real-milage

...in my Volkswagen TDI if I drive veeeerrry carefully!

The 18mpg is still grossly inefficient. But congrats for trying renewable energy in your diesel.

The remarkable thing is that your vehicle has been in service for so long. That in itself is an important kind of efficiency (large amounts of energy are consumed making automobiles).

[lenidog]

4. You are a pioneer and a pretty smart one at that

since you are getting the vegetable oil for free. I think a lot of people have a problem with the big SUVs because, many of them are gas guzzlers (The Hummer gets 8 MPG city) and so many people have them now that don't need them. I mean I remember a time when the only people who had a SUV were either the outdoors type, workmen and people who needed to make sure they could always get to work (police, firemen, etc). Now you have families that have father, mother, kid and have this giant SUV to go to the grocery store. Its stupid in a way.

[Curtis]

6. Agreed

As I stated above, we need a beefy vehicle for the farm work and hauling of things. My wife and I are also vegan. Everytime we go to the health food store in Chico we get dirty looks because of our vehicle. I've even had people mention it. I got in an argument with a guy once who drove a VW Bus. I know for a fact (I used to own one) that a Bus gets 18-20mpg while my Suburban gets 18 even when towning. Now, though I will get a sticker for it that says "This vehicle powered by veggie oil" so I can just point to it and ask people like that what they are doing for the environment

[lenidog]

8. I would do that and as you said you can point out

exactly what you are doing for the enviroment. You know its getting worse with the size and power of the SUVs. I hear a couple months back that Jeep is launching a new jeep model that has two six cylinder engines in it. Now what the hell does anyone need that for? I am also curious to know how many gallons to the mile its going to get.


One a side not I thought the saddest thing I ever saw was on a friends SUV. A little sticker on the door that said if you ever took it off road the warranty was null and void. Can someone explain to me what good it is then?

[stevedeshazer]

10. And the VW bus is a horrible polluter

Even when tuned up properly, assuming you mean the older air-cooled variety (I had one, too.)

[Robeysays]

12. i want to buy one and covert it to electric

probley go faster too

[stevedeshazer]

14. 0-60 in five minutes

Downhill with the wind at your back!

[kliljedahl]

11. I know what you mean

I have a 4WD Ford Ranger but I do a lot of camping, hiking & fishing where I need the 4WD. Now all I see are "Trophy Wives" in behemoths that are bigger than my first apartment.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[Robeysays]

13. hahahahahah their whell wells are taller than my

chevey cavalier and i love my car it will do circles around them.