Jeep Gas Mileage Is Getting Better For 2010

My wife and I drive a 2002 Jeep Liberty, and a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee is the one we take out of town and has averaged 18.2 mpg over the last 4 1/2 years. The Liberty is just used in town and has averaged 17.8 during the same time period. We bought them just a week apart. That's not great mileage, but we are willing to give up a few miles per gallon for the convenience and reliability of our Jeeps. That being said, how has the gas mileage changed since ours were manufactured?

The 2010 Grand Cherokee pictured above comes with various engine options. The V6 has a respectable EPA rating of 16 city and 21 highway. Or you can go with a V8 with a Multi-Displacement System that shuts down cylinders when you do not actually need them. It comes with a rating of 13/19. Or you can get a big, powerful HEMI with a V8 that comes with an 11/16 EPA rating.

The 2010 Jeep Liberty pictured at the right comes only with a V6 and is rated at 16 city and 22 highway.

If you go with a larger Jeep model, the gas mileage understandably suffers a little, though not as much as one might expect. The 2010 Commander comes with two different engine options. A 6 cylinder is rated at 15/20 while the V8 is rated at 13/19.

The smaller Jeep Compass, one of Jeep's crossover models, is rated at 23/28 with a 5-speed manual transmission, or 21/25 with a 5-speed automatic. Another crossover, the Jeep Patriot comes the same ratings as the Compass with a 2L engine rated at 23/28 for 5-speed manual, or 21/25 with an automatic.

The Jeep Wrangler is equipped with a 6-cylinder only and both automatic and standard transmissions are rated at 15/19. The Wrangler Unlimited is rated for both transmissions at 15/20.

The EPA mileage estimates have come up some over the years. They are certainly not as good as some of the hybrids that are coming out, but then we are comparing apples and oranges. It would be difficult to go from a rugged Jeep with good cargo space and reliable 4-wheel drive when needed to a tiny hybrid, especially in our rough Nebraska winters. So, I'm sticking with my Jeeps, because when the terrain gets rugged or the weather gets nasty, I can go there!

The Jeep Patriot Looks Like A Winner

The Jeep Patriot looks like a winner. It offers features that will please anyone on the go.

The Patriot is a new type of Jeep, and is described as "meant more for the urban jungle: priced low, with fuel economy a priority."

You can get optional all-wheel drive for going off-road. Now you can see those trails leading up off into the hills and think to yourself, "I could go there." You don't have to stay on the boring paved roads if you don't want to. Go anywhere your heart desires. And be ready for any weather - rain, snow, sleet, ice. All-wheel drive will keep you going. I still like my 4-wheel drive option on my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. When the streets are slick, I kick it into 4-wheel drive and I keep on going. Other drivers are slipping and sliding, trying to get going from the icy intersections. I'm thinking, "Do you need a push? I could get you going."

Or stick with the 2-wheel drive which comes standard on the Jeep Patriot for that traditional driving feel and the best fuel economy. Many SUV drivers buy off-road capability they never use. If you are a realist, and know you'll never need all-wheel drive, you have the choice, and choices are good.

The fuel economy is great for an SUV. The 2010 model is advertised at 28 Highway - Best-in-class MPG. Add a few hypermiling techniques and you can get that up even more, saving you lots of dollars at the gas pump.

The base price starts out at $18,425. For an SUV, that's not bad. You get a lot of convenience and usability for that price.

For a great detailed look at the new 2010 Jeep Patriot, go to the Jeep website. There you can click on the colors and see it change into that color right before your eyes. Or click on the 360 degree view and rotate it to see it from all angles. Or look at the interior from all angles. Or if you like, take a look at any of the other Jeep models on the same site. You can find all you need to know at one place.

How to fix the annoying visor rattle

Rattles in a vehicle can be so annoying. One of those rattles I noticed in my Jeep Grand Cherokee was when the visor on the passenger was down. The "vanity mirror" has little bumpers, and the mirror is just loose enough so that it rattles quite incessantly. It is especially bad at slower speeds because the bumps in the road are magnified at slower speeds. 

I had toyed around with an idea for some time, and finally got around to trying it. Some time ago I had purchased some assorted sizes of felt pads. I took two of the smaller ones and stuck them to the bottom of the mirror cutout on the visor right where the little bumpers hit when the mirror is down. You can see the two dark spots on the image above on either side at the bottom of the mirror. Those are the small felt pads I attached. They don't show at all when the mirror cover is down, and don't bother when the mirror is showing.

Viola! That solved the problem. No more rattles, no more cursing under my breath about how much technology goes into developing a vehicle and they can't even make a mirror that doesn't rattle. 

Try this simple little fix. It works!

Jeep Descriptions and Pricing

Wouldn't it be nice to see all the Jeep models, with descriptions and pricing all in one spot without having to search back and forth? Well, I just ran across NADA Guides - Vehicle Pricing & Information for Jeeps. You can see information and prices for all seven Jeep models, including: Jeep Commander, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler, and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the new 4-door version of the popular Jeep Wrangler.

You will find great pictures, descriptions, and prices of all models for either 2008 or 2009. It is a great gathering of information all in one spot. It is a great place to begin day-dreaming about your next Jeep.

I really like the beginning description of Jeeps on this site.

Jeep, a division of Chrysler, is the off-road iconoclast founded in 1941. Jeep has roots that come from the Military which explains why the SUVs are still such able, rugged vehicles to this day. The term Jeep is synonymous with off-road vehicles and the capability to go almost anywhere.

"The capability to go almost anywhere" - I like that statement, because I look off at the off-road trails and say, "I could go there." If I really wanted to, I could go there, because I drive a Jeep! As they say, "It's a Jeep thing."

So if you are in the day-dreaming mood, check out NADA Guides - Vehicle Pricing & Information

Obama drives a Jeep!

According to Wizbang Blue, Barack Obama is a Jeep driver. While I drive a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Obama drives a 2000 Grand Cherokee.

Obama must realize like I do that a Jeep is a good vehicle, not only for hauling packages, but also passengers. When its snowing in Washington D.C., if Obama's limos can't get him where he needs to be, he can just jump in his Jeep. A Jeep will go almost anywhere. Kick in that 4-wheel drive and snow and ice are no problem.

It's nice to know that our President see the value of a good vehicle!

Jeep Patriot ranks 24 out of 27

According to U.S. News & World Report Rankings & Reviews, the 2009 Jeep Patriot ranks 24 out of 27 affordable compact SUVs. The ranking is based on an analysis of 45 published reviews and test drives, as well as reliability and safety data.

Two important characteristics that make the Patriot appealing are its affordability and good off-road capabilities. Since it functions as a good vehicle for daily comutes and a competent off-road SUV, the Patriot is a good value. The Jeep Compass is mechanically similar, but the Patriot feels more like an authentic Jeep, according to Consumer Guide. 

Some of the downsides: reviewers continue to criticize the uncomfortable rear seats and optional Continuously Variable Transmission paired with a sometimes lacking engine. Jeep is working on these complaints, adding a new instrument panel and extra features.

Gas mileage is a plus also. Along with the Compass, the Patriot is Jeep's most fuel-effecient vehicle coming in at 23/28 mpg, placing it near the top of the small SUV Class.

Jeep continues to be a great force in the SUV department. Go Jeep!

Six reasons to drive an SUV

In an article in our local newspaper, The Fremont Tribune, Nov. 1-2, 2008, Josh Max of CTW Features gave several reasons for buying an SUV. He said, "For drivers who can take the punishment at the gas pump - and withstand the snarky looks from Prius owners - there are still plenty of good reasons to own an SUV." HOWEVER, he left out one important reason which I will get to in a little bit.

His reasons were:

1. "You have a sizeable brood." An SUV can provide plenty of room for a load of kids. Plus they have all those cool options now that would make any kid want to go on a trip, like DVD players with headphones. That keeps both the kids and Mom and Dad happy. Or the extra cargo space comes in handy for hauling all sorts of things. It sure works good for four sets of golf clubs and pull carts as we head to the golf course.
   
2. "Size equals security." I know I feel safer in my Jeep Grand Cherokee than I did in my little Neon I used to drive. Bigger just feels safer. They are adding all kinds of new safety equipment on cars and SUVs, so all are safer. Still, bigger sure feels safer.
3. "Most SUVs can go where ordinary autos fear to tread." I still have to chuckle when I think about watching a snow plow get stuck while clearing a parking lot while I just drove out with my four-wheel drive engaged. You kick that 4-wheel drive into gear, and you can go just about anyplace.
4. "Ownership doesn't automatically make you environmentally uncool". With the high gas prices, and the trend toward smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, a person's driving habits can really offset the lower gas mileage typical for an SUV. I am averaging 18.1 MPG overall since I got my Grand Cherokee. Considering all the benefits I'm talking about, that's not too bad.
5. "Getting rid of your current SUV may not make sense right now." Given the economy, and high gas prices, it is tempting to trade the SUV for a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle. But get out your calculator and figure out how long it will take you to make up for the higher price of a new car. I think you will be surprised to see how many years it will take., or if you can even keep the car long enough to make up for it. My Jeep is paid off, so I have no monthly payments. I can't save enough on gas to even come close to offsetting the monthly payments of a new car. The more fuel-efficient cars are selling for high prices, and you probably won't get a good trade-in on your SUV right now. So sticking with the SUV might be the best bet. It sure is for me.

Those are the five reasons given by the author of the article I referred to earlier. But, as I said, he forgot one important reason. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He may be much younger than I am, so may not have thought of this reason.

So here it is, reason No. 6 for driving an SUV:

6. the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. When you get to retirement age, like I am, it is much easier to turn and put my feet down to get out of my Jeep, than it was to pull myself up out of my little Neon that seemed to sit almost on the ground. I'm guessing that will be more and more of a concern as the years go by. I see many elderly people really struggling to pull themselves up out of a low-riding car. An SUV makes getting in and out so much easier. Try it. I think you'll like it.

So there you have it, six reasons for driving an SUV. You may have other reasons to add. Share them if you like.