Hi I just joined.   I recently purchased a 94 2dr 4x4 S Sidekick 8v 188,000km
2inch body 2 inch suspension on 31 15 10.5 territory mt tires


I purchased it for a hunting rig but it turns out I love it so much I'm driving it more then my 6.7 SuperDuty.
The body on the Sidekick is great engine has 188k and it runs great but I did a few upgrades just to have peace of mind when I'm out in the bush.

New alternator
New rad
Egr valve cleaning
Synthetic oil change
Ngk plugs .028gap
Ngk wires and cap
Clutch fan
Water pump
Heater core
Timing belt
And a few other small things


Engine starts great and runs great but the mpg is awful.  I can get around 140km on a full tank

I am in Bc Canada and I understand the weather can play a big role but my 1 ton diesel gets better mileage then that. I drive the sidekick about average I'm not speeding with it and I treat it like a small engine .

I calculated my mpg with a Gps and I have taken into account the difference with the larger tires. 

My mpg has been between 11-14 us mpg

Is that normal ? I would consider going to a smaller tire maybe a 235 if that would help but since this is my first sidekick I am not sure if I'm missing something that could be the reason for poor mpg or if everyone else is exaggerating their mpg.

I would appreciate your advice

Thanks





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Unfortunately, I think many people often exaggerate their rig's KMPG (or MPG  ) to impress others, but I do think you should be something close to 15-18 US MPG. 

First, I would assume that you are running the stock gearing, and therefore not really operating the engine in the proper RPM range that it was designed for.  That will decrease your mileage as well as make the vehicle seem sluggish, hence more gas is being applied than a properly geared rig.

Second, I take it that you have an automatic transmission?  Even with street tires, the automatic models yielded considerable less MPG.  For example I think they were rated around 22-23 MPG in city driving vs the 26-27 MPG for the manual transmission model.  However, there is an upside to running an automatic transmission.  The automatic equipped Sidekick originally had 4.62:1 ring and pinions, but the manual transmissions had 5.12:1 ring and pinions.  Therefore, you could easily and economically exchange the diff 3rd members to provide better gearing for the 31" tires.

Third, MTs create a lot of rolling resistance on the road.  It makes a big difference in smaller vehicles with small engines, hence the reason Suzukis were equipped with smaller street-focused tread from the factory. 

Good luck!   

Thank you for spending the time to write that.  I appreciate your help and I will look for a front and rear diff from a manual transmission rig.   How do you think that will affect my top speed ?

Now I can get it to 90km/hr

Thanks


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I think a 100 kmph (62mph) cruising speed will not be a problem after the gear swap.

From my calculation a 5.12 gear set is 11% (10.7) lower than the 4.62 gear set.  This will place your pretty close to stock gearing, if not just a wee bit taller.  11% may not sound like much of a difference, but believe me, it is very noticeable.  Especially when smaller engines are involved.

Ok.  Then I will look for a front and rear diff off a manual transmission and install those .


Thanks for your help


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Your rig sounds very close to what Drone 637 was running with the Project White Rabbit, except he was running 33x12.5x15's and 5.13 gears.. When we went down to the Zukiworld Fall Run he was getting right on 20 mpg |removethispart|@ 58 mph.  With your smaller tires I think you will be pushing 4k rpm |removethispart|@ 100 kmph.
I would recommend checking your timing, and hot compression on all cylinders.  Also check for brittle or cracked rubber hoses on the intake manifold, (Suzuki's fuel mileage isn't the greatest, but the fun factor seems to be worth the difference.)  Your mileage is closer to a full size Blazer w/350.

Thanks BRD HNTR.  We did a compression test and they wore all around 155
All hoses seen to be good but I still have to check the timing


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My 94 5 speed jlx 16v is approx 26us mpg bone stock.  My 1.6turbodiesel sidekick was 38us mpg.  I imagine the 31s are killing your mileage.

I do agree with Johnny R., in that 5.13 diff's would probably help your mileage and definitely your power , but you will be running higher rpm's when cruising.
When I stepped from 30's to 31's, I noticed the power drop more than stepping from 31's to 33x12.5x15's. 

I might consider getting better gearing and maybe selling the 31s and going to 235 or 30s

I'm trying to figure what the best tire combo is.  I put the 31s on because I had them already


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Using a couple of tire gear speed calculators

If you change the diff gears to 5.13's, and stay with the 31" tires your RPM at 60 mph should be |removethispart|@ 3314.
If you go to 235/75/15 tires and stay with the 4.62 diff gears your rpm at 60 mph should be |removethispart|@ 3400.
If you go to 235/75/15 tires and change the diff gears to 5.13's, your rpm at 60 mph should be |removethispart|@ 3863.

Ok thank you for that. 

Now since you have more knowledge then me . What would you recommend?


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Ok thank you for that. 

Now since you have more knowledge then me . What would you recommend?

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I wouldn't ever say I have more knowledge than you.
I may be able to find information on some subjects faster than you, or have had experience's in areas you haven't.  But having more knowledge is insulting both of us.

I would do as you were planning.  And when doing gear oil I would change out the tranny and TC oil also.

Ok.  Then I will look for a front and rear diff off a manual transmission and install those .

Where in BC are you located?

lol thanks.  I am in Kelowna BC you ?


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I didn't mean it as an insult.  I meant it as in you have more knowledge then me on this subject since this is my first sidekick .



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