First post here, but I have been lurking and reading and searching for a few months now.

I am planning on buying a used H3 in the next year, and I have some questions for you guys....

#1. Is the PCM for less tune really needed for the 2007+ since they have the 3.7L and 22 more hp than the 06? If I were to drive a stock 06 back to back with a stock 07 could I notice the 22 hp?

#2. Did they drop that nice dark green color after 2006?

#3. What kind of real world gas mileage can I expect combined city/highway if I am a slow poke and keep my foot out of it?? (Can I get 18-20?)

#4. Anyone with the Goodyear Duratracks....are they really quiet on-road???

#5. Onstar...is the basic emergency response active even out in the country off-road???

Thanks guys, I hope to be an H3 owner next year sometime!

 

i can comment on the gas milage. 20 noway. best you will get in highway would be 18. with cruise control. i drive it in the city, not heavy on the gas. normal average driving. would expect to get under 15.

Never trust what the brochure says the car will get because those tests are not done in real world scenarios.

but hey, im not saying dont buy the car, its a brilliant brilliant performing car, and you will love it! i can promise you that.


oh and yeah the green is gone. so is the yellow.

 

Mileage does very, I do more often than not bounce upwards of 19. I often get high 16 and 17mpg.

I am getting better results mileage wise than my last V6 4.3 in a Sonoma crew cab.
I am happy.

 

Onstar will work as long as you can get a cellular signal. It usually gets better reception than your mobile phone.

Gas mileage: I get around 17 combined town/highway.

 

When I drove me new H3 2006 back from the dealer in Las Vegas to Prescott AZ I got 19.5 mpg. I immediately changed to 35" tires and get 17.5 highway around toen I get 15.5 at best but with the 285 factories I got 17. I think the extra ground clearance and looks is worth it by far. The BFG MT's are a stronger tire than the factories too.

 

A PCM tune is never "needed"? However, it will grow your truck some *****.

Green was a cool color, but 06 only.

Highway MPG on stickers is at 55 mph, but who drives 55? Keep your tires hard (I run my 305/70R16 MTZs at 40psi on the road), take it easy on the long pedal, and do not run faster than 75, and with an intake, pcm tune, CAT back exhaust you can get 18mpg city or hwy, doesn't seem to matter. I'm doing it with a BA winch bumper and UBP.

The Goodyears ain't bad, but I prefer the MTZs hands down.

Onstar is a worthless as a brillo pad in your underwear.

 

I get 17 mpg in the City now consistantly. It jumped up here in the past 4 months from upper 15 to mid 16 to over 17 pretty much every time I fill up now. That's on regular 87 octane - Nebraska gas
On the highway, and this is going to sound stupid but..... in Nebraska I get 18-19mpg. In Colorado I easily got 20+. It makes no sense at all to me how in Colorado with a load of hunting/camping gear in it I got as high as 21.8 mpg. Otherwise it was 20-21 every time. Only once did I get in the 19 range. The better gas mileage includes traveling at highway speed of about 75 or so - whatever it takes not to get run off the road by Colorado drivers.
I don't gun it but I don't soft touch it either. No other mods either - yet.
Just FYI

Mine is an 08 Lux with 32K - I do drive it a lot.

 

I have an 06 with 33k on it. I am only averaging 14 mpg per tank. They are mostly 1/2 highway and 1/2 town. Readylift leveling kit, 35's and 1/4 wheel spacers are the only mods I have made. How are you guys getting such good milage? I would appreciate any help you can offer. Does anyone make a programmer for an H3. I want to correct my speedometer since going to the 35's. Also does anyone make a chip like I put on my Kawi Brute Force, increased HP, increased milage, etc...

 

Chips are old tech. A PCM tune is better, and your tire size can be programmed in. No programmers for the I5s.

As an example check out PCMforless.com

 

Haven't ever had a problem with Onstar, just never use it that much.

Stock I get around 18mpg. I use Cruise a TON on the hwy and hardly drive it in town or city that much.