So I was looking at figures on fueleconomy.gov for the 1999 Cherokee Sport 4x4 I purchased last month. The updated rating for my model, a 4.0L with a 5-speed, is 15 city/20 highway. The rating for the 4x2, also with a 4.0L and a 5-speed is 16/22.
So my first thought is that the 4x4 equipment adds extra weight, bringing down the economy average. A quick look reveals that my 4x4 weighs in at 3313 vs. the 4x2 which weighs in at 3194. A difference of just 119 pounds. I find it hard to believe that you'd knock the highway fuel economy down to 20 in the 4x2 by carrying a female passenger or a couple bags in the trunk.
So the next thought is the 4x4 system itself introducing resistance with additional drive line components and bringing down the efficiency. On a full-time 4x4 vehicle I can see this, but on the Cherokee you're driving around in 2HI 99% of the time anyway, so unless the free-wheeling of the front axle or loss in the transfer case is causing the efficiency hit, I'm not sure where it would be coming from.
The only other thought is that axle ratio on the 4x2 is different, but I don't know what the ratio is on the 4x2 to compare them.
Anyone have any thoughts?
So my first thought is that the 4x4 equipment adds extra weight, bringing down the economy average. A quick look reveals that my 4x4 weighs in at 3313 vs. the 4x2 which weighs in at 3194. A difference of just 119 pounds. I find it hard to believe that you'd knock the highway fuel economy down to 20 in the 4x2 by carrying a female passenger or a couple bags in the trunk.
So the next thought is the 4x4 system itself introducing resistance with additional drive line components and bringing down the efficiency. On a full-time 4x4 vehicle I can see this, but on the Cherokee you're driving around in 2HI 99% of the time anyway, so unless the free-wheeling of the front axle or loss in the transfer case is causing the efficiency hit, I'm not sure where it would be coming from.
The only other thought is that axle ratio on the 4x2 is different, but I don't know what the ratio is on the 4x2 to compare them.
Anyone have any thoughts?