Why is my truck getting such bad mileage?

[David]

OK, flame away. Yes I know it's a truck, it's going to get bad mileage.

I tried to hold out for a half ton diesel or a hybrid, but I just couldn't wait and I figured the savings over buying a truck sitting on a dealer's lot vs waiting for a truck that will be in demand would offset any fuel savings. After some frustrating negotiating, I got what I wanted for my '01 Silverado and they took what I was willing to pay for an '08 Silverado ($32K for a sticker price of $40K.)

I got the 5.3 V8 since it was a little better mileage than the 6.0 or 6.2 V8. Well, I haven't seen anywhere close to the 15 mpg city Chevy says it'll get. My old '01 with a 5.3 got 13 to 14 mpg and I'm only getting 12 mpg with the new truck. I'm sure mileage will go up as it breaks in, but I don't see it going up by 2 or 3 mpg.

Could I have gotten a mileage lemon?

[BRPORSCHE]

Sucks about the mileage dave, but that is a a really sweet truck.

[legion]

The problem is most likely a loose nut behind the wheel.

I get 15.5 around town in mine. Same engine. I have the extended cab w/ 2WD.

[the]

Really depends on the use. "City driving" can mean a lot of different things, and mileage can vary drastically. If you are constantly hitting red lights, idling at lights, having to accelerate away from red lights - those are mileage killers.

At a red light, you are getting zero miles per gallon. Accelerating away, maybe 5-6.

[MT930]

You may have something going on. I would have expected better as well.

I am seeing 14.9 MPG in a 3/4 ton 06 Chevy crew cab LT w/ 6.0 L gas engine & 4.10 rear end. City/ rural type driving.

Not that great Better than my 930 @ 12.1MPG

[PeteT]

MT930-That is great MPG. I have an 02 3/4 ton, 6.0L gas, extended cab and can't get over 13.5 overall. Even if i drive all highway it doesn't get much better. Never has never will! My normal commute is very small so I won't get rid of the truck.
Shifter-Hopefully after break-in the MPG goes up. I think you should be doing better.
Pete

[VINMAN]

You should be getting better than that.

My Bronco with a 351 gets about 11-12 local stop and go. About 16 hwy. My diesel, I can squeeze 23-24 out of it on the highway and around 16-17 stop and go.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by MT930

Not that great Better than my 930 @ 12.1MPG

that's not so bad, try a 73 S with MFI slightly out of whack
i think mine did something like a 7 mpg at some point
it's a real motivator to learn how to tune the thing if you gotta fill up 80 liters after just 200 km of driving...and you pay 1.3 euro's per liter (today that would be 1.5+)

[krichard]

My '07 Tahoe got around 13mpg for the first couple thousand miles then slowly got up to averaging 15.2mpg.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

You should be getting better than that.

My Bronco with a 351 gets about 11-12 local stop and go. About 16 hwy. My diesel, I can squeeze 23-24 out of it on the highway and around 16-17 stop and go.

What kind of diesel? I have a 93 dodge and it gets 13-14mpg cruise control at 70mph. Many I talk with claims they are near 19-20 without jamming on the gas. Had it looked at by two different wrench, and they all claim its fine and that's al they will get.

Jeff

[David]

I have a 2"/4" lowering kit on order but I don't want to install it until I'm sure the mileage issue is sorted out. I talked to the salesman who said it'll take a while for the mileage to improve, but that's what I expected him to say.

I have a short commute too, so I'm not too worried about mileage, but 12 is really crappy.

I also figured if I can ride my MC to work at least once a week, I can cut my fuel use by about 4%.

[teenerted1]

did you put in e10 or e85 gas in the tank?

dont ask the salesman on mechanical issue. go to the service dept.

[David]

Originally Posted by krichard

My '07 Tahoe got around 13mpg for the first couple thousand miles then slowly got up to averaging 15.2mpg.

That's good to know. I feel a little better now.

[David]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

did you put in e10 or e85 gas in the tank?

dont ask the salesman on mechanical issue. go to the service dept.

e10 is the only thing available around here, but it'll run on e85.

It's funny how having the instant mileage showing on the dash has caused me to lighten my throttle pedal a little.

[911boost]

If you run e85 you'll get worse gas mileage.

I have the 5.3L in my 2001 Tahoe and I am getting 19mpg on the highway.

[sammyg2]

Take it to the dealer and have em plug it in. My bet is it's running a little richer than it should, maybe the O2 sensor is off a little or something.
I'm getting an easy 16 in my tundra, you should be getting close to that.
At least that's what Howie Long says in the commercials.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Any ethanol content will hurt your MPG. EPA testing is probably on pure gas, not a blend. If all of your gas is ethanol blend, you'll likely never get what the sticker says you should.

[vash]

i think your mileage will improve once you break the motor in some. all my chevy trucks did this..

[The Gaijin]

Those EPA numbers touted by the automakers are not based on real world driving. It is all done on a dyno.

The reality of stoplight to stoplight driving in the Texas burbs might give a whole loss less MPG that expected. That is a lot of weight to accelerate and bring to a stop..

[Dan in Pasadena]

David, I think your problem with mileage is somewhat the same one I've got with my truck.

Mine is an '02 Dodge Ram Quadcab 4x4 wit the 4.7 engine. I truly wanted the Hemi but found my truck only 14 months old with less than 8K miles on it and a transferable 100K warranty for $23K versus the sticker on the EXACT same truck with a Hemi (a new 2003 model then) for $37,000! DOH! I couldn't justify paying the difference to get the opportunity to buy the $800 Hemi option.

I get 12.6 MPG no matter what. If I tow my Jetskis or run in town or on the highway I get almost the exact same mileage. Bottomline is the truck is too damned heavy for the engine thats dragging it around. I think thats your problem too. With a Hemi, my same truck gets 14-15mpg AND it has 110HP more!!! (My nephew has one) That kills me.

Right now I am considering selling (giving away!) my truck AND my 911 to get a 3500/F350 series. My significant other and I want to get a Lance camper. Can't decide to get a diesel or gas engine. Sure, the cost of fuel is outrageous but I won't be driving it at all other than vacations. Prices on both are dropping drastically. It is a buyer's market on fuel guzzlers right now. I will be looking for a crew cab/4x4 too so this will be a BIGASS truck. Perhaps a dually too. Diesels get better mpg than gas but I'd have to get a Ford V10 to approach the power levels of an un-modified diesel. Decisions, decisions.