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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Real World MPG Numbers

120 messages,  Last post on Feb 01, 2010 at 8:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Sierra 3500, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck

#6 of 120 Re: Light Truck Power Package [lostwrench] by xwesx Mar 15, 2005 (7:21 pm)
Replying to: lostwrench (Mar 15, 2005 6:57 pm) Why not use lighter grease/oil? I use 75W-90 in the diffys and they stay pretty smooth even at -41.
#7 of 120 Observed Mileage by jland Apr 03, 2005 (7:39 pm)
At 80,000 miles on a 1500 extended cab 4x4 with 5.3 the average mpg has been 13.5. Adding a poweraid at 50k and new plugs not too long ago didn't make any noticeable difference in mpg.
#8 of 120 Re: Light Truck Power Package [lostwrench] by bounce Apr 08, 2005 (5:52 pm)
Replying to: lostwrench (Mar 15, 2005 6:57 pm) The viscosity in the lubes the Chevys use isn't really the issue, at least not in most of New England, it's simply the gasoline. Unfortunately the "winter mix" formula is different for emissions reasons (more oxygen content etc) and the engines simply don't like it. Most vehicles react to the fuel, but w/ our heavier trucks the results are more pronounced.
#9 of 120 99 Silverado 4X2 mileage by mtbiker1 Apr 16, 2005 (10:10 pm)
This past fall we turned in a leased 99 Silverado extended cab/short bed 2WD with 5.3/auto power train, with 50K-plus on the clock. Put a canopy on it at about 1000miles. Around town we got 15-16 mpg most of the time, tho' toward the end of lease seemed to be getting 17 a lot, even including lots of trips to Home Depot. Interstate road trips were 18-19, once nudging 20. Didn't matter what brand of gas we used; the thing ran fine on ARCO 87. My bro-in-law has essentially the same truck but 4WD from 2001 and gets 20 on the highway.
#10 of 120 Experimenting by jerrywimer May 18, 2005 (4:44 am)
2004 Silverado Z71 EC SB 5.3l 3.73, ~10,500mi. on the odo so far.   I've been experimenting with different grades of gas lately. I'd been using Sam's Club 87 octane (they only offer 87 and 93 at my local Sam's) since I bought the truck back in early October last year. My lowest mileage was mid-13's on the first tank- the dealership filled it then let it idle for a few hours while we completed sales paperwork to recharge the dead battery. Otherwise my real lowest has been mid-16's and my best so far has been around 19.6. During the winter I ranged mainly between mid-17 to mid-18's.   My father also has a 2004 truck, similar to mine (same drivetrain, 16" wheels instead of the 17's I have, slightly different option packages, same drivetrain / body / gearing though) and has sounded frustrated that his truck isn't getting the same mileage mine is. He swears by 93 octane name-brand gas. Which is where my experimenting comes in..   I put a Fold-a-cover tonneau cover on it just over a month ago, about the same time I decided to start the experiment. I fueled up the first tank after the cover with 93, and ran a total of 3 tanks of it. I then switched back to 87 (since I can't compare pre-tonneau 87 with post-tonneau 93 and call it apples to apples). I'm on the third tank of 87 so far. My lowest average for a tank using the 93 was in the low 18's, and my highest was around 19.5. So far the 87 has been consistently in the low 19's (so no real meaningful difference at this point).   Once I finish this tank I'm going to repeat the experiment using 6 tanks from the local Shell station. Shell is one of several brands actually recommended for GM vehicles in a TSB that I've seen recently due to the cleaning agents they add, so there might be more to dad's name brand kick than mileage..   For the record- I do watch the DIC for general comparison's sake as I'm driving, but my actual mileage is manually calculated at the pumps. I record the total mileage, trip (then reset), and gallons of gas to fill up, then calculate the mpg from those numbers. I also try as much as possible to use the same pump. My driving route is mainly home-work-home, ~30 miles each way, 80-85% 65 mph highway, 15-20% rural (2 stoplights, speeds ranging from 30 - 55 mph). For the highway portion I use cruise control to keep speeds as consistent as possible. So hopefully my experiment is controlled well enough that my numbers are relatively reliable.   BTW, kudos to Chevy for building a 5000+lb 4x4 vehicle that can get almost 20mpg (maybe I'll get lucky and actually break 20 at some point! )
#11 of 120 New Truck ? by stv May 21, 2005 (11:09 pm)
I'am new to this board and its very helpful in finding info. I'am curious if anyone out there knows what my mpg might be on this Z71. Its a 2005 silverado 1500 z71 Regency package with a 4" procomp suspension lift 33" tires and a 4.10 Gear ratio? The sticker says 15 city and 19 hwy and this reading is for the standard Z71 with a 3.42 gear ratio witch seems to be the standard for all these type trucks. Any info would be appreciated.   Thanks:
#12 of 120 Need to Improve MPG by richa1 Nov 04, 2005 (1:13 pm)
I have a 2500 extended cab, 2WD Long bed with a custom canopy, 5.7L Vortex with 86,000 miles. I have not been able to get more than 10.5 MPG around town, I travel short trips to work (<5 mi. each way) with limited exposure to stop & go traffic. I've been considering purchasing the Tornado vortex add on but it seems to be duplication of effort. Any ideas???
#13 of 120 Surprisingly good MPG... by woof Nov 05, 2005 (5:05 pm)
As the former owner of a Toyota T100 that consistently got 21-25 MPG (3.4L V6), and one who's spoiled by my VW TDi diesel getting 50 MPG, I've been watching my new '05 Silverado 1500 (4.8L) at every fill-up. Not bad: 17 was the worst and 22 the best so far. Seems to get 20-21 if I don't push it around. GM's push rod V8 is amazing efficient.   GM's new "on demand" 5.3L promises to be even more efficient. GM really does V8's well... Replies to this message: rmchevy (Nov 06, 2005 8:07 pm)
#14 of 120 Re: Surprisingly good MPG... [woof] by rmchevy Nov 06, 2005 (8:07 pm)
Replying to: woof (Nov 05, 2005 5:05 pm) My 00 1500 with 5.3 consistently gets 21-22 mpg hiway. Never have checked it in town. One thing that will help in colder climates is to use synthetic grease in bearings, and synthetic gear oil in cases. I haven't done that, but I'm betting I will improve mileage in winter months.
#15 of 120 Number of grease fittings on 2005 4WD Silverado Ext. cab by 04cad Nov 29, 2005 (7:38 pm)
Seems like no matter where I go to have my trucks serviced they don't grease the front end unless I make it a point to call their bluff that new trucks don't have grease fittings. I have taken it to one of the independent grease places, a large discount department chain and yes even my local Chevrolet dealer. I know they have fittings, I found at least three very quickly. My question is exactly how many grease fittings are there on a 2005 Chevrolet 4WD Silverado ext. cab pickup? thanks

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