The Hummer mpg has a tag that screams poor fuel economy, with some referring to Hummer vehicles as gas guzzlers. However, how true is this, especially in comparison to other cars?
This complete guide discusses detailed information on Hummer fuel economy and tips to improve gas efficiency as you cruise in your Hummer jeep.
Contents
What Is Hummer’s Average Fuel Mileage or MPG?
Hummer’s average fuel mileage or MPG depends on the vehicle’s model — the Hummer H1 averages around 10 miles per gallon, the H2 a little more at 10 to 12 miles per gallon, while the H3 Hummer MPG goes up to 14 miles per gallon on average.
Besides the car model, other factors like the engine type, the model year, driving habits and terrain may also determine the vehicle’s gas mileage. However, the figures we mentioned earlier are standard averages for each Hummer model. Therefore, adjusting your driving habits, such as reducing pace, can help improve the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. You can also increase fuel efficiency with an octane booster!
Unknown to you, the car’s build — appearing like a super briefcase — is the main reason for its enormous fuel consumption. As you attempt to increase the speed, the engine will need to burn more fuel to generate enough torque to power the vehicle at a high pace. For example, the diesel and gas H1 have similar gas mileage.
The Hummer models include the H1, H2 and H3 models, each having other sub-models in their respective classes. Over the years, manufacturers have been looking to improve the fuel efficiency of these vehicles. This puts the H3 model ahead, as they are the Hummers with the best fuel mileage.
With that being said, let’s take a more detailed approach to the fuel economy of each Hummer model.
– Hummer H1
The Hummer H1 was the first model with production between 1992 and 2006. The first trucks used diesel engines. However, the ‘95 model ushered in the gas-powered Hummers. Generally, most H1s utilize diesel engines and possess low mileage of about 10 mpg.
The Hummer H1 series features the models with the worst fuel economy, considering it wasn’t designed to provide speed. Instead, it is a military-grade vehicle that guarantees top-notch performance in daunting terrains. So the fuel mileage wasn’t paid attention to, especially during the first fabrication.
In fact, newer H1 Hummers like the 2006 H1 Alpha, the best of the H1 series, hardly go beyond the 10 mpg too. Comparing the H1 to other Hummer models, it is more extensive and bulkier, weighing more. Also, regardless of its poor mileage, it has a large gas tank, up to 100 gallons. Even with its poor fuel economy, it’ll travel up to a thousand miles with a filled gas tank.
– Hummer H2
The H2 Hummer series entered the market sometime between 2002 and around 2009. It features a smaller design and a reduced engine. However, there’s no real disparity between the fuel mileage of the H2 and the H1 Hummer series. A typical Hummer MPG H2 has fuel mileage varying around 10 and 11 mpg, depending on the specific model.
Indeed, there are no official figures on the Hummer H2 mileage, but users claim that the 2009 model can reach 12.5 mpg. This figure puts it at the best fuel economy for all the designs of the H2 Hummer. Considering this car weighs over 6000 pounds, that’s some good fuel economy, as it may even get up to 13 mpg when driven on the highway.
Concerning the fuel tank, the Hummer H2 is also smaller than the H1, having a 65-gallon capacity. This suggests that the most efficient model of the H2 will travel about 800 miles on a full tank.
– Hummer H3
The H3 Hummer vehicle has the most efficient fuel economy. The truck significantly improved from the previous model, with a smaller size and weight and better fuel efficiency. This truck weighs far less at about 4700 pounds, making it more suitable for the pavement. However, it shows considerably greater capabilities than regular SUVs when used off the road on poor terrains.
Generally, the H3 has the most current fuel economy data. The vehicle can deliver well over 14 mpg or more, depending on speed and road surface. Also, it possesses a relatively smaller gas tank, having a fuel capacity of barely 31 gallons. Therefore, the vehicle will comfortably travel more than 400 miles on a full gas tank.
Why Does the Hummer Consume Too Much Fuel?
The Hummer consumes too much fuel because of their immense weight, size and engine capacity. These vehicles possess enormous capabilities, as they may are used as heavy-duty vehicles and even used as military-grade trucks because of their ease of maneuvering and moving through poor terrains.
Below is a more detailed review of the reasons for Hummer’s excessive fuel consumption.
– Large Hummer Weight
As mentioned earlier, the Hummer vehicles have an enormous weight, requiring more energy and a capable engine to power the truck. For example, a typical H1 Hummer can weigh more than 8,000 pounds, which is considerably larger than other SUVs. You’d notice that the newer Hummer models are typically smaller, weighing less to help improve fuel economy.
With that being said, to drag this large truck on the road, you need a powerful engine which also amounts to increased fuel usage. The Hummer limo that weighs up to 11,000 pounds has an abysmal fuel mileage, estimated at three mpg. That further shows the effect of weight on fuel economy.
– Engine Type
As hinted above, the Hummer utilizes a powerful engine that uses a ton of gas to power the vehicle. Most Hummers operate a V-type, eight-cylinder engine that affords it enough energy to power the enormous weight and other added weight that may be attached to the vehicle.
Therefore, considering this vehicle’s capabilities, it’s appalling that people complain about its poor fuel economy. We must mention that the H3 Hummer models come with the same V-type but with a five-cylinder engine that allows it to burn fuel more efficiently. This provides the H3 series with the most appreciable fuel economy.
– Large Size
The Hummer’s insane weight is due to its large bulk. Compared to other SUVs on the market, the Hummer is some of the largest. For context, a typical Hummer is almost two times the size of a Toyota RAV-4. The vehicle’s large size means that the engine needs to generate enough power by consuming more fuel to push the truck on the road.
Indeed, these vehicles perform excellently even when driving through rough terrains, but guess what? Such roads even require the engines to consume more fuel. The trucks must engage in more work as they maneuver through the road. In addition, we may also need to question the vehicle’s aerodynamics, particularly those of the H1 and H2.
When driving at high speeds, the H1 and H2 Hummers burn more gas to deliver enough energy to power the vehicle. However, you’d notice little difference in fuel economy when comparing Hummer vehicles to trucks and SUVs of similar sizes. Moreover, the latest H3 Hummers have shown appreciable fuel economy.
How to Improve Hummer Fuel Efficiency?
To improve Hummer fuel efficiency, you can try reducing the weight of the vehicle by removing unnecessary components, reducing your driving speed, considering using a fuel additive, making sure tires are well inflated, making specific modifications, or switching to a two-wheel drive.
Since the weight of the vehicle is the leading cause of its poor fuel management, it’s a no-brainer that finding suitable ways to cut down this weight will improve fuel efficiency. Also, users may need to adjust their driving habits and modify the truck features to maximize the gas economy.
The following are tips to help improve Hummer’s poor fuel mileage.
– Weight Reduction
We have mentioned that the size and weight of the Hummer are critical reasons for its large fuel consumption. Therefore, reducing the overall weight of the vehicle by removing unnecessary components like extra seats and storage compartments is excellent for improving fuel mileage. Also, the aggregate weight of the load and people in the vehicle will reduce fuel mileage.
– Reduce Driving Pace
When driving on the highway, many car users try to channel their inner speedster abilities into their vehicles. However, driving at a reduced speed may prove effective for maximizing your Hummer’s fuel efficiency. As you increase the speed of your truck, it appears as if the Hummer gets more thirsty, needing to consume more gas.
– Consider Using a Fuel Additive
The kind of fuel your vehicle runs on may also affect the Hummer mileage. For example, some users have reported a distinction in fuel mileage depending on where they refueled their tank. The differences in fuel economy may be the presence of a fuel additive. Consider using synthetic fuel, as most include improving fuel mileage as their functions.
– Ensure Tires Are Well Inflated
Ensuring proper tire inflation is an excellent way to reduce the friction between your car tires and the road. Just by this reduction in resistance, you can gain a couple of miles, thereby improving overall gas mileage.
In addition, consider upgrading your tires; using premium and terrain-specific tires in your Hummer can help maximize the fuel economy.
– Make Specific Modifications to Your Hummer
Modifying your vehicle by incorporating it with some aftermarket designs may help improve fuel economy. For example, installing a Magnaflow Exhaust and a Cold Air Intake may allow the vehicle to gain up to three or four more mpg. This may also include removing unnecessary components like spare tires and crossbars to reduce the truck’s weight.
– Switch to a Two-Wheel Drive
If your Hummer comes with a four-wheel drive (4WD), using a two-wheel drive is excellent for improving fuel efficiency. The four-wheel feature increases the truck’s weight, adding almost 500 pounds to the original weight. The extra weight causes more friction resistance, giving more drag on the road and an overall poor fuel economy.
– Others
Below are other tips to help improve your Fuel Mileage.
- Reduce the time spent idling the truck’s engine. When you stop for more than 30 seconds, switch off the ignition because the longer the engine is on, the more fuel it consumes.
- Consider using the highest gear possible when driving, especially on the highway. This helps to run the engine more efficiently.
- If unnecessary, avoid using the air conditioner. If the fuel mileage is a significant concern, turning off the AC can help gain more mpg.
- Ensure that the engine is turned up and running efficiently. Any resistance in the engine functionalities may increase the way it burns fuel.
- When on the highway, use the truck’s cruise control feature. This allows you to maintain a constant speed over time and enhance fuel economy.
- Using an engine turning chip may also help optimize the Hummer engine performance, improving fuel efficiency.
All of the above tips are effective in optimizing Hummer’s fuel economy. However, if the fuel mileage is your primary concern, you probably shouldn’t be using the Hummer. Though, with the H3, you can get more appreciable mileage.
How Does the Hummer MPG Compare With Other Trucks?
The Hummer mpg compared with other heavy-duty trucks of similar sizes have similar fuel mileages. This comparison further reinforces the importance of weight in the vehicle’s gas utilization. As the weight increases, the vehicles’ engines need more horsepower to power the truck effectively.
Let’s quickly compare each Hummer model with a truck of comparable size.
– Ford F-450 vs Hummer H1
The F-450 has a similar weight as the Hummer H1, weighing about 8600 pounds. Guess what? Both trucks have identical fuel mileage, at about 8.5 to 10.5 mpg.
– Ford F-250 vs Hummer H2
The F-250 also has a similar weight to the Hummer H2, at about 6400 pounds. However, this Ford truck boasts considerably better fuel mileage, averaging about 15 mpg, which is about three mpg more than the Hummer truck.
– Jeep Commander and Chrysler Aspen vs Hummer H3
This is another fair comparison as the Jeep Commander and Chrysler Aspen weigh just below 5000 pounds. The average mpg of the three vehicles is similar, with each having about 14 mpg in the city but attaining up to four more mpg on the highway.
From the above, the Hummer mpg has lousy publicity, as vehicles of comparable weight also share similar fuel mileage. However, compared with regular cars, this is bad fuel economy. The typical Volkswagen mpg, for example, is at 35 to more than 40, but again a standard pickup truck has a lower mpg, about 18 to mid-20s depending on the model.
Conclusion
Having read this article, you’d notice that the story of the Hummer having poor fuel mileage is often overstated. Without much ado, let’s make a quick recap of all we discussed.
- Depending on the Hummer model, the fuel mileage is 10 to 15 mpg as you go down the series, and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle increases.
- The leading causes of poor fuel mileage include the large size, weight and engine capacity.
- The H3 Hummer models have considered the best fuel efficiency of all conventional Hummer trucks.
- Tips to improve fuel efficiency include removing unnecessary accessories that increase weight, inflating car tires, and driving slowly.
- In comparison to vehicles of similar weight, the Hummer shares similar fuel utilization, further reinforcing the effect of weight on fuel economy.
To emphasize the Hummer’s capabilities, the vehicle requires high fuel consumption to meet increasing driver demands.
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