[BillyD1972]

This is my first post, I hope this is the correct thread, so please be kind.

Well... my time has come, my daughter is 14, she already drives my trucks, and will be an awesome driver. She wanted a convertible, and I don't mind that, now she's turned her focus to the Wrangler big time! She's doing her research hardcore, I really don't want a buy a new one, but since I'm gona be fueling this animal, I want the best fuel mileage available for us both. I looked at an 06, 4 banger, 6 speed that the dude said it was getn around 25 mpg, does that sound about right?? Or, should I just plan on looking fer a 6 cylinder?? What years should I be considering fer fuel mileage, and whatever else that might benefit us??? Thanks fer any info, this is a super sweet site!!

Thanks
Billy D

[BillyD1972]

Should I stick with the auto's or force her to shift?? She wants an auto, but she drives my 1st gen Dodge

[ClimbStuff]

I would be impressed to see any Wrangler actually average 20mpg or better over an entire tank of fuel. I'm not incredibly familiar with the 2.5L, but with the 4.0L, I was happy at 15mpg with 31's and 3.73's here in the Rockies, and with 33's, I'm getting between 11-12.5mpg. It's about $4.00/gal out here right now, so a tank is about $75-$80, and only lasts about 225 miles. I bought a second vehicle, insured, drove, and fueled for $120 less per month than I was paying for JUST FUEL in the Jeep.

Jeep's really, are just toys. There really isn't any daily driving that you NEED a Jeep for especially in Ohio, I know, because I lived there for 25yrs, but off the road they are good as gold. Maybe in the '88 snow storm... a jeep would have been necessary then... but other than that... all the big storms from 98-08, I drove around just fine in a FWD.

[biffgnar]

Originally Posted by BillyD1972

I looked at an 06, 4 banger, 6 speed that the dude said it was getn around 25 mpg, does that sound about right??

If you are worried about fuel mileage a jeep is the last thing you should be considering. Anyone who says they regularly get over 20 mpg in a jeep is lying and those that get 20 are driving very conservatively. Try 14-18 range depending on city/highway, summer gas/winter gas, etc.

[LostJeeper]

I know my daughter is way to young let to buy her a Jeep but when the times comes. Ill be looking for a 4.0 its a Jeep ive giving up on gas prices. I know she wants the a convertible but maybe a cherokee would get better gas mpg

[jeepinjeffrey]

I would definitely get the 6cylinder for sure, but yea like its been said jeeps arnt made for gas milage. I get 12 in mine with 33's Tires and 3.73 gears

[ramthis426]

Originally Posted by biffgnar

If you are worried about fuel mileage a jeep is the last thing you should be considering. Anyone who says they regularly get over 20 mpg in a jeep is lying and those that get 20 are driving very conservatively. Try 14-18 range depending on city/highway, summer gas/winter gas, etc.

Hey I get 21 highway with my wk doing 50 in a 60lol
But for real a wrangler is about as aerodynamic as a train there is no such thing as good mpg in a jeep. You might have to pay more money in gas but at least your know your daughter will never be stuck and will always make it home and in the long run that's all u really need to know . Lol. Safty over mpg

[jeepjocky]

I have a 99 tj with a 2.5L I have stock suspension stock wheels and 31x10.50 tires on it. I have aftermarket bumpers and they are considerably heavier than the stock bumpers (I'm not positive but I would assume that effects the mileage a tad bit). Anyway. I drive 50 miles daily. 25 to and from work. Mostly highway miles. I average 17.5 to 18 mpg and I drive conservatively. When I'm out cruising town or just "playin" I'm gettin more like 15 mpg. Hope this helps, welcome to JF!

[CanadianTJguy]

7... i get 7mpg's..

my girlfriends stock tj gets much better mpg's but i KNOW its not over 15mpg,
(cant remember the exact number, but it surprised me how low it was)

[sjones26573]

Wrangler is never going to have good gas mileage. I was dead set on having a Wrangler as my first car. I even decided the color. My father was extremely helpful and drove all the way to Lancaster, PA to get the perfect jeep to fit both our criteria. 2004 TJ 4.0L 5 spd. I could not be happier with the choice. I was apprehensive about manual but am so glad I learned, since it gives me the ability to drive a wide variety of cars now, including our F350 dump bed farm truck. The 4.0 was a requirement for my dad, which was a good choice for towing and the weight of modifications and turning larger tires. Also had zero rust despite being in PA. Again, 4.0 and 5 spd was a great choice. from a teen with a wrangler as their first car.

I also believe 2004 was a good year because it has the perks of a more modern car but without the fuel spillage issues or the electronic issues (not sure what the electrical problem was off the top of my head) that the 05-06's had

[Maverickxeo]

Not a wrangler; but my old ZJ 5.2L could get around 28MPG highway at 100KM/hour.

[Xpress]

The 2.5L will best 18mpg as a fully tuned up and rolling stock Jeep. The 6 cylinder can do exactly the same, but since she's young you're best to get her something she can't get into trouble with very easily. It's hard to get into trouble with a 2.5L, plus if you go manual she'll be forced to keep focused on the road

[flying_bosun]

Originally Posted by CanadianTJguy

7... i get 7mpg's..

(cough, choke, cough!!) 7 mpg?! I thought I had it bad getting 12.5. Holy under-gearing, Batman! How much do you drive it? Doing some quick math as I type, say you do 7k miles/year, that's 1000 gallons at $4/per (conservatively) or $4000. If you re-gear (assuming all else is running properly), you could realistically double your economy and save $2000 in the first 12 months, hence paying for the cost of the re-gear and improving overall power and performance. All that is based on conservative estimates regarding cost(s). If you figure 10k mi/year, $5/gal gas (then that's over 1,400 gals. or nearly $7,143), $1500 re-gear, and you'll save $5643 in the first year alone! Get it done and send me 10% of your savings, please.



Sorry I sidetracked, OP. Good advise above and the owner of the 4cyl is telling you a tall tale with that 25 mpg statement.

[ClimbStuff]

Originally Posted by Xpress

The 2.5L will best 18mpg as a fully tuned up and rolling stock Jeep. The 6 cylinder can do exactly the same, but since she's young you're best to get her something she can't get into trouble with very easily. It's hard to get into trouble with a 2.5L, plus if you go manual she'll be forced to keep focused on the road

Engine size has nothing to do with how much trouble you can get in... put a Ninja 250cc engine on a Manco Mini Bike and you can find your way into trouble real quick... I promise. Judge Gladen didn't appreciate me drag racing cars on it through Hillard, OH very much. She made me give the state about 1000 reasons not to do it anymore.

[sailsurf7713]

First of all the 06 has a 2.4, which should be more efficient than the 2.5. I have pulled 23 mpg on the highway with my 2.5 keeping the speed down. This is conservative as my calculation was 25 mpg. Unlikely. 25 mpg average is completely unbelievable

On average I get 18 mpg in the winter and 20 mpg in the summer. Not too bad. I don't really go over 60 mph however and mostly drive quite conservatively. Its was a 120 hp motor out of the factory afterall, not gonna win any races anyway.

I'm running 4.56 gears, 5 speed, and 30 in tires. Yes I do compensate my calculations for the new gears.


Really enjoyed reading the post about regearing for the guy getting 7 mpg. DO IT!