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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Duramax Fuel Mileage

620 messages,  Last post on Dec 15, 2012 at 3:45 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Forum.

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

Messages Page 3 of 63

#17 of 620 Re: [blackmax] by younger

Oct 20, 2004 (1:32 pm)

Replying to: blackmax (Oct 15, 2004 10:54 am)
2004 Crew short bed. I have been getting anywhere from 17-19.....current odometer: 2500 miles. Not too bad with a topper on the back. I'm guessing the mileage will get a little better once the miles start to season the engine.

#18 of 620 by 2manytoys

Nov 21, 2004 (8:50 am)

Though I have now sworn off Duramax trucks, I have owned two of them, an '01 and an '03. I never got any better than about 15mpg average with either one. If you drive them no faster than 65 mph you can do better. I was making trips out west where 80+ mph highway cruising speed is the norm. There the D-max returned about 13-14mpg empty.
 
I have three Cummins powered Dodges, two '03s and now an '05. the '03s will cruise at 80--90 and knock down 20 mpg empty. They are also quieter and don't have an impending injector failure in their future.

#19 of 620 Duramax gas Mileage by tahoelocal

Dec 16, 2004 (10:17 pm)

3 weeks ago, I just bought a 2005 Crew Cab Short Bed Duramax Diesel.. First off, I love this truck. I traded in my 2001 1500 ext cab. Need the diesel to tow my horses and the crew cab to put the kids in, needed more room..
 
I have been on a few long trips, I just got back for a long trip 400 miles round trip some highway and some city driving the last part of the trip was all up hill going from sea level to 7,000 feet. I got around 20-21 miles per gallon average speed around 80 to 65 some traffic with stop and go. Very happy with the mileage I got. Much better than my 1500, which I got around 19 or less on highway, and forget about climbing up the hills it was a dog, and towing it did good sense I was maxing out the weight limit.. Glad GM made changed this model year... Love my new truck

#20 of 620 Diesel truck advice for girls! by chani

Jan 16, 2005 (9:34 am)

I'm looking at buying my first diesel truck purchase to haul primarily, a 3 horse trailer, and for standard road commuting, not heavy hauling. We started out looking at F250's, but are also looking at the Chevy's since we don't pull really heavy loads, the incentives are attractive, and the cab has a better feel for me, since I'm pretty small; and the rig and bed are lower to the ground.
 I have some concern over the engine reliability,however. Any comments out there on the new Duramax engines?
 My biggest concerns, of course are engine and transmission reliability-- I don't want to get stuck out on the road with horses.
  Next is handling and safety; I'm not an experienced "big truck" driver. Turning radius is a factor, and the new tow package on the F 250's is an attractive feature.

#21 of 620 LB7/LLY by rooster9

Jan 25, 2005 (2:02 am)

The easiest way I found to find out if you have the older LB7 engine or the newer generation LLY engine is by looking at the vin number. If you have a Duramax diesel, the 8th number in the vin will either be a 1 or a 2. 1 is LB7, 2 is LLY. rooster

#22 of 620 Re: Diesel truck advice for girls! [chani] by tahoelocal

Feb 02, 2005 (10:50 pm)

Replying to: chani (Jan 16, 2005 9:34 am)
Chani,
 
I am a woman who just bought an 05 duramax diesel crew cab. Two words LOVE IT!!!!
 
I bought it end of Nov, I have almost 4 thoudand miles on it. I use it mostly on the highway, and I am getting 21 MPG. The engine rocks, I drive up in the Mountains at around 7 thousand feet, and their is no difference in power from there to sea level, it goes up hill, staying at 70mph with no problem. Plus all the looks you get from the guys is nice also..
 
I also haul horses, and will be using my truck to haul my two horse slant steel tow behind. I will also be hauling my friends 3 horse gooseneck. She has an F350 and my truck by far handles better, engine is better and I can haul as much as her.
 
From what I have been told this years diesel engine has been upgraded and is suppose to be better. The Allison Transmission is the best, never have to down shit. I live in snow country the 4x4 is excellent, had to use 4 low once and I was able to go threw 10 feet of snow with no issue.
 
If I where you, spend the little extra for the chevy, well worth it. Plus I also heard Ford has changed the diesel engine and everyone who has it is not happy, the engine has majot problems.
 
Good luck.

#23 of 620 04 Duramax anyway to improve mileage? by mcblaze

Mar 04, 2005 (7:06 am)

My parents recently bought an 04 Crew Cab Short bed...i think they're averaging 15-17 mpg. We had the 6.5 in a 2wd Suburban. Blew the motor out of it over a mishap with minor service (sad story). Had almost 240,000 on that car. She got around 20. This new one slightly less, not a huge deal. Just lookin for any advice how to increase it. Thanks.

#24 of 620 Re: Diesel truck advice for girls! [chani] by justatrucker

Mar 04, 2005 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: chani (Jan 16, 2005 9:34 am)
There are (understandably) a lot of variables in getting good mileage. The LLY does its best mileage at 1880 rpm. The 3.42 rear end gets you at the right rpm at 65mph. If you have the 3.71 or 4.1 rear end you would have to drive much slower to be at 1880 rpm. If good gas mileage is important and you are not towing really heavy loads, then make sure you specify the 3.42 rear end for highway driving. (Not exactly sure I have the decimals right for the rear ends

#25 of 620 Re: [blackmax] by trbizwiz

Mar 19, 2005 (12:36 am)

Replying to: blackmax (Sep 25, 2004 4:54 am)
IF YOU HAVE AN LLY THE 8TH DIGIT IN THE VIN WILL BE A 2 IF NOT IT WILL BE A 1 ALSO ANOTHER WAY TO TELL IS IF YOU TRUCK WAS BUILT IN THE SECOND HALF OF 04

#26 of 620 2001 D-max Mileage by benalbright

Mar 21, 2005 (1:43 pm)

Just returned from a 1200 mile trip with the following results:
 
2001 2500HD, D-max, Allison, Crew Cab, Long Bed, 3.73, K&N air filter, fresh oil change, 82,000 miles:
 
From Cincinnati to NYC (eastbound), I averaged about 20.5 mpg unloaded, driving 75-80mph.
 
From NYC to Cincinnati (westbound), I averaged about 18 mpg, with about a 2000lb load that stuck above the cab (extra windload) and a completely packed cab, driving 70-75mph.
 
I've had no significant problems to date w/ my D-max. I'm concerned about the injector issues but I would think that you would see signs of the problem in your oil if they are leaking within the cylinder heads.
 
Also, as a note, fuel mileage is directly proportional to the drivers ability to drive smoothly. When my girlfriend took a turn driving, our mileage dropped about 2mpg because she brakes more often and resultantly accelerates more. I usually let the truck coast down to stops by anticipating them and keeping good distance between me and the next vehicle.
 
As an fyi, installing the K&N air filter had no appreciable impact to perceived performance or economy.

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