My CRD has never been below 4,000 ft. elevation--it spends most of its time above 6,000 ft. As I have posted earlier, I have never gotten less than 20 mpg. Typical is 23-29. Mountain driving does not seem to affect economy much at all. What kills CRD fuel economy is speed, pure and simple. Driving at 65 mph or less, I can realize economy of 27-30 mpg, even in mountain driving. Put it on the Interstate at 75 mph, and the economy will drop to 25-27--less if I'm bucking any wind at all. As someone else said, it aerodynamics (or lack thereof) that makes the difference.

Anyone who thinks the CRD is a "dog" at altitude must have something wrong with the vehicle. Mine eats mountains up, and will leave most gas V8 SUV's far behind on a steep mountain grade. The turbo is the great equalizer at altitude. A non-turbo engine loses about 4% of its power for every 1,000 feet of elevation--so at 10,000 feet, it's down 40%. The CRD with the turbo thinks it's at sea level. A quick comparison. My "daily driver" sedan will keep up with the CRD fairly well in the mountains--BUT, the sedan weighs 800 pounds less, is much more aerodynamic, doesn't have 4WD, and has an engine that is 1 liter larger in displacement. On the same grade, the CRD can maintain speed in overdrive; the sedan has to drop down a gear.

It's unfortunate that the CRD is having the issues with EGR, tranny, etc. because, otherwise, it is one great engine--nearly perfect for the Liberty. I wouldn't own a gas Liberty--the CRD makes the vehicle a winner.

AMEN!

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Dave

'06 CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki, MOPAR Slush Mats/Skids, DrawTite Front Hitch, Mag Lite, Yakima Bars, Thule Bike Rack, Fumoto, ORM, 245/70 Revo 2

Wish list: Lift, Boulder Bars, Something Bigger in the Front and Back, More Lights

Most of the time COLD AIR intakes make little difference until you do a exhaust upgrade. More Exhaust out...More Air needed in. Usually what happens (experience from racing Mitsu's, Mazda RX7's and Sedans) is that it is yeilds with a higher boost pressure which requires more fuel and creates more heat. So yes a cold air intake can make an improvement but more is needed to get that improvement. You will get more gain with a more efficient exhaust design than a cold air box.

We just need a SNORKEL or to build a better, bigger air box with a higher intake level...not down in the grill. So we need a bigger, better air box with a SNORKEL..

I think a 3" catback would actually help...

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

How about a 3" snorkel tube sticking up about 3" above top of the hood with the opening to the rear.

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91 MB 300D 2.5L Turbo. Her's

05 MB E320 CDI. Mine

Better fuel economy is probably due to a combination of less air resistance (yes, its noticeable to golfers and pro baseball players) and less power. Most turbo cars have a level where they won't be able to produce sea-level power.

CowCatcher -

You are seeing a 7% error in your odometer/speedometer? I calc'd mine with the GPS recently and only saw a 1.7% under-reporting. Significant but nothing I was going to go fix. Your 7% would be much more of a concern.

My numbers, in case I goofed my math:
________CRD_____GPS__
...MPH....70.1-ish.....71.2
.............32.5-ish......32.1
...Miles....112.4......114.27

----------------------

OldNavy/et al -
I was thinking a side snorkel out the passenger side of the engine compartment, right at the fender flare. Possibly worked into the fender itself. Maybe some aftermarket company could fab up a new fender (sell both the grey plastic and another to be painted-to-match) with an intergral air inlet.

I've seen the medium rigs (delivery types) with the air inlet mounted behind the cab, facing to the side or maybe just a small tuck around the corner to grab some air but looks like most of the rain, etc would pass right on by...

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'05 CRD Silver Sport
As Delivered:
Sunroof, Tow, 700mi
Warranty:
EGRs, TC & Pump, EGR FCV
After-market:
Guages (5), PIAA duals, Hitch & side lights,
AeroTurbine, Fumoto, 3.7L Airbox, Revos, Steps,
Cargo Tray, Hitch Rack, Bike Rails, & Slush Mats

Tom,

Yes that is what I am seeing and it is under reporting which means 7% more warranty so I am not doing anything about it. I have not tested it with GPS but with mile posts and random highways across two states many times, will do so again next week, between 10 and 40 miles at a time and it always comes up between 6.5% and 7%. Darby had the same experience using the same method.

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Dave

'06 CRD Limited, Lt. Khaki, MOPAR Slush Mats/Skids, DrawTite Front Hitch, Mag Lite, Yakima Bars, Thule Bike Rack, Fumoto, ORM, 245/70 Revo 2

Wish list: Lift, Boulder Bars, Something Bigger in the Front and Back, More Lights

Now I know why everyone wants taller tires. Its to stretch that warranty just a little further!!

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It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

My speedo(70mph) reads 2.5mph faster than my GPS(68.5mph) but my Odometer(100 miles traveled) reads about 2% less than my GPS(102 miles traveled). Stock 225/75/16's

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

My speedo is virtually dead on with GPS, but the odo is 2% low. Stock tires.

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

My odometer is off @ 2% (low) relative to the highway mile markers. Still running stock rubbers.

I have been seeing some wild fuel mileage lately too. My current tank of B20 has @ 375 miles with just slightly under 1/2 tank remaining. If this trend holds, this would be a 500+ mile tank and @ 28-29 mpg range.

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2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Lt Khaki, sunroof

Thankful to now be an EX-CRD owner.

Well, the Liberty Limited 4x4 CRD proved itself very fuel efficient on the way to and from Myrtle Beach, SC this year (we've always taken my 2003 RAM 2500, but opted to take the Liberty CRD this year).

On our way back, the EVIC showed 30.2 mpg which translated to a hand-calculated 29.8 mpg......just 3.8 mpg better than the 26 mpg the window sticker said it should get. This is also averaging 75---78+ mph w/air conditioning and a full load of luggage, two adults, and one five year old.

On the way down, we were held up in a 5 hour accident for 2 hours, and that tank still averaged 23.1 mpg during the 2 hour 10 mile stop & go back up.

Mileage around home with Becky at the wheel typically has been in the low to mid 24's the larger percent of the time, with upper 23's a very small percent of the time......still not bad at all for this size SUV.




The little Italian 4 cylinder TurboDiesel seems to be happiest at around 2300---2400 rpm. The peak torque is made at 1800 rpm, but it's sweet spot is 500----600 rpm above that (but that's my $0.02) .

The five speed automatic doesn't hit 5th w/lockup until about 58--59 mph, so maybe that explains the mediocre mileage around home and the better mpg on the interstate.

I personally like the looks and the styling of the Liberty, but they're still almost brick-like when it comes to aerodynamics. It's still a fun, stable vehicle on curvy country roads and at interstate speeds.

The Liberty Limited 4x4 had 7 quarts of fresh Rotella-T 5W40, a new MOPAR oil filter, and a new MOPAR fuel filter, along with airing up the P235/70R16 Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO's to 40 psi (44 psi is the max inflation pressure).




Greg

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2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L and A8
*SOLD*2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 CRD, Bright Silver Metallic, Dk/Lt Slate Gray Leather w/bun warmers, 5 spd auto, 22G pkg, Trailer Tow, 3.73 Rear Axle w/Trac-Lok Differential, P235/70R16 Firestone Destination LE's, Power Sunroof, Selec-Trac 4WD, Infinity 6-Disc In-Dash, Magnaflow #15870 System.

Greg,

Did your CRD always get mileage that good, or did it take a while to come in? Looks like you've got 18k on the clock? Have you had any computer flashes done? Some have reported better mileage after the tranny flashes in particular. Theory being the trans is locking the torque converter sooner.

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

Seeing your instrument cluster gives me the Jones'... I miss my CRD!

The Grand Prix rental I am in is nice enough (still like my '98 Bonne better) but it drains the tank and barely contained the tiller I stuffed in the trunk.

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'05 CRD Silver Sport
As Delivered:
Sunroof, Tow, 700mi
Warranty:
EGRs, TC & Pump, EGR FCV
After-market:
Guages (5), PIAA duals, Hitch & side lights,
AeroTurbine, Fumoto, 3.7L Airbox, Revos, Steps,
Cargo Tray, Hitch Rack, Bike Rails, & Slush Mats

Mileage has always been high 23's....mid 24's most of the time. During winter, mileage was down in the 21's or so due to winter blend diesel and a little warm up time (even though the CRD is garaged always). The only other "long" trip it's been on was to Gatlinburg, TN and the stop & go traffic skewed the mpg way outta whack.

The EGR valve was replaced 9/27/05 at 6,172 miles, along with a PCM reflash; the torque convertor and filter was replaced at 6,304 miles a few days later.

The CRD now has 19,072 miles on the clock.......I did notice a little recurrence of the shudder on the trip, so I'm contemplating getting TSB 18-023-06 performed.......kinda hate to because the mileage is so good.

The CRD also used about 8 ozs. of oil on the 1200+ mile trip.....not bad at all and quite acceptable given the heat and the interstate speeds we ran.

I'm guessing the Magnaflow Cat-back exhaust sytem couldn't have hurt, either.

Greg

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2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L and A8
*SOLD*2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 CRD, Bright Silver Metallic, Dk/Lt Slate Gray Leather w/bun warmers, 5 spd auto, 22G pkg, Trailer Tow, 3.73 Rear Axle w/Trac-Lok Differential, P235/70R16 Firestone Destination LE's, Power Sunroof, Selec-Trac 4WD, Infinity 6-Disc In-Dash, Magnaflow #15870 System.