176 messages,
Last post on Mar 27, 2013 at 12:39 PM
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Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Forum.
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Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Sierra 3500, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck
#172 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [obyone]
by soleri
Mar 16, 2012 (8:20 am)
Well I did trade it for an 2006 Frontier Crew cab, so the trade was close to being straight up. I just wanted out of the truck before gas went up to $5 this summer and nobody will buy or trade a big truck after that. However, the frontier does not seem smaller. Parked next to my truck at the dealer there wasnt much of a size difference. And the Nissan can tow 6000 pounds still. When I towed my 4500 pound camper with my 5.3 Silverado I only got 7 MPG. Im sure I will do much better now. Anyways, good luck to guys and thanks for the input.
#173 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [soleri]
by chuck1
Mar 16, 2012 (11:19 am)
It always amazes me when someone trades a car/truck for gas mpg. The truth of the matter is, if you put pen to paper-as one poster said above it will takes years to come out ahead. You must factor in depreciation, sales tax,tags, higher insurance etc. and it will take along time to come out ahead.
The only time it really makes sense is when you are having monthly repairs that equal a payment, or the vehicle is becoming so unreliable you can't trust it. Then it makes sense.
Usually there is an underlying reason for the purchase that excludes the above.
I get between 9 and 10 towing a 5,000 pound 28 foot travel trailer. RVing is a luxury, one can always stay home.
#174 of 176 Silverado MPG
by wgw100
Aug 25, 2012 (10:36 pm)
Apparently I'm fortunate driving an '05 Silverado 1500 extended cab 5.3L with 3.73 rear gears, 4L60E tranny and 2wd. I get 11-12 MPG pulling a Lite 28 ft 5th wheel that hits the scale at 6400 lbs loaded with only propane, about 5 gal water and gray and black tanks empty when traveling. I added a long leaf from a 2500 spring set to the rear springs and the biggest tranny fluid cooler I could find. I considered a 2500HD, but at nearly 1,000 pounds heavier and 8 to 9 mpg...maybe 10, decided to beef up the 1500 with intake, exhaust and ECU chip and see how it goes.
#175 of 176 Re: weird gas mileage [sailboatguy]
by kmt3
Feb 28, 2013 (10:32 am)
Its not wierd but simple physics which is a body in motion tends to stay in motion.with no air drag all you have to do is get the weight moving and milage should be about the same after.slowing your speed results in better mpg.
#176 of 176 True story: 5.3 mileage
by 99avalon
Mar 27, 2013 (12:39 pm)
I would be skeptical myself were I reading what I'm about to post. We bought an '05 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 2wd 5.3 auto LS w/118K miles out of Nevada, one year ago. Been keeping track of the mileage. It has exceeded my expectations. Everything I'm about to describe is verified with the onboard computer AND manual calculations. If we burn through a tank of JUST around town driving, it'll be 15-18mpg. Worst yet being 15mpg. Driving up 1-15 from Springville to Centerville at 70 mph (cruise control, family on board, A/C on) it consistently gets 23+ mpg. At 75mph it gets 22-23 mpg. Our last trip to Arizona, 10 hours, we drove all night, cruise set at 70mph, heater on, all loaded up for vacation, averaged 21.5 mpg. Best yet? I drove with my two boys from Springville, to Rocky Mountain Raceway, back to Springville. Goal was to get best MPG possible. Topped off when we left, drove nicely, cruise set at 60mph whole time, filled up when we got back after 114 miles (verified with google maps). Onboard computer said 27.5 mpg! I didn't believe it, but when I filled up it only took 4.12 gallons, full to the brim. (not recommended) You do the math, 114 miles with 4.12 gallons. All stock truck. Tires = Michelin LTX MS2 245/75 R16