PDubs

Just checking to see if this kind of test has been done. I was curious if the ride height in the rear was best set at "N" for optimum fuel economy on long trips or everyday driving? Or if it even matters?

cdew002

The ride height automatically resets to normal once you hit a certain MPH - I think it's around 17 or something. Good idea, but not possible to test due to this feature.

PDubs

Dang! The man always gotta be holdin us down!! Thanks for the quick response.

MSGX470

I believe it is possible to Lock the system in the any of the three positions by pushing the height adjust OFF button while a height is selected.

RCsGX

^ doesnt work.

MSGX470

Seems to work under 15mph on my 08. Although that would not effect mileage. Makes me wonder if anyone has come up with an override.

JuLeX47

No override, dealer won't even touch it.

RCsGX

It works on mine under 22mph but the OP was asking for fuel economy on trips or city driving not a temporary adjustment while in a parking lot or offroad clearing rocks, obstacles etc. going slow.

SouthernSS

the only way to test your theory would be to manually adjust the rear air bag height by moving each slider arm up or down depending on whether you're testing low ride height or the higher setting. I suspect the statistical deviation would be so minimal that you wouldnt even be able to draw a firm conclusion.

Booyah

The little bit it does move to the lowest position wouldnt really matter for fuel economy anyway.

MSGX470

Might be one for Mythbusters.

stiles_s

I think I've mentioned this on a similar thread before, but even if you could trick the suspension, you'd likely be miserable because you'd be riding on the bump-stops in the rear. The GX has very small tolerances in the rear ride height. Too low, and you're bouncing uncomfortably off of the bump stops, too high, and the airbags get stiff, causing the ride comfort to deteriorate.

Makes sense, though, in the context of having the rear air suspension. When tuned-right, it keeps us in the optimal rear ride height range, regardless of load.

Plus, seriously, you think you're going to materially improve the gas milage of the GX by lowering the rear? Remember that the thing has the aero of a pig, weighs 5000+ lbs, has a big v8 and runs very wide tires.

That said, I removed my cross-bars, in part because I thought it might help improve aero a bit. And, because I needed the extra clearance of some Thule cross-bars to correctly fit my roof box. So, think about removing cross-bars if you don't need/use them.