I bought a 2002 2500HD a few weeks back, 4X4 crew cab with the 8100 Vortec in it. Very nice truck .. but a hog on gas. Best tank I got was 12.12 mpg

What can I do to improve that ? Synthetic oil and high dollar filter ? Air gate ? Anything ? If I can squeeze my into 14/15 mpg I'd be a happy camper !

THANKS

Tonneau Cover might get ya in that range.

Unfortunatly I think that is the best you will get out of it. I have a 2003 2500HD 4x4 extended cab with 4:10 gears and a 6.0L. The best I have got was 13mph, lowest was 9mph and my average is 11mph. But don't give up yet cause you may find something that works, if you do please keep us posted cause there are alot of us in the same boat.
Sorry I couldn't help.

1. K&N air filter
2. Dual exhaust with flowmasters
3. synthetic oil and filter

I have been told this will bump me up to maybe 15 mpg - maybe better on the road.

Any thoughts ? And ... THANKS for the replies

try looking into tires...raising tire pressure's 3-5 psi will help some...of course a little thinner of tire will also help...tire brand seems to help...ever wonder why factory tires are so cheap...because they help some with mpg ratings...which the govt requires..etc. the more plies the tire has-the better riding-feel of tire, but lower mpg...lower number of plies more mpg but worse potential ride/feel

I use Mobile One and run my tire at 65psi which is max I think, what ever is on the tire for max psi I have the dealer put it there every oil change. I do not have a K&N filter yet but I will get one. I dont think I will ever put duals on it cause my 89 has a series 40 Flow Master system with no Cat Converter and it is loud as H*LL, I kind of like the peace and quiet without them in my 2500HD.

My truck has 285's on it, not the 235's that come stock.

I'm going to tinker with the air filter, then maybe go with a dual exhasut system. A guy swear to me he has the same exact truck and gets 16 mpg with the air filter, exhaust upgrade and synthetic oil.

Ok guys I just installed a K&N air filter, I will keep you posted on the fuel miles results.

I have always used Mobile One synthetic oil.
I don't think I will ever put dual exhaust on it, so this may be as far as I can go with it unless a new product appears on the market to improve fuel consumption.

great - PLEASE let me know how tha works - email if you can

Brad.M.Lantz@mail.sprint.com

Ttt

Sorry on the slow reply Blantz but I have not been driving the truck normal lately but I should have a MPG rating for you soon.... Please be patient. I have been doing a lot of towing and high speed driving in the last 2 tanks and I want to give you an acurate reading.

Just keeping check ........ I sure do appreciate your input and findings. THANKS - I appreciate it

Well Blantz the verdict is in... I used to get an average of 11mpg, after adding the K&N air filter I experienced no noticable increase in power and lost 1mpg on this tank of fuel.... this tanks average was 10mpg and that calculation was made by dividing my gallons into my miles = 10.046mpg.


I did notice one thing.... My truck sounds louder and throatier when I step into it.... was it worth $60????? NOT IN MY OPINION!!!! But I am sure there are a lot of people here who will disagree with me.

I have an '02 2500HD with the 8100 and I put a K&N filter charger II kit on it and run valvoline synthetic. My first tank the mileage dropped like a stone. I usually get about 12 and have gotten better on the highway, but usually 12.

Right after I put the kit in I was anticipating something better, but it dropped to like 9 or so. I emailed K&N and they said that the mass air flow sensor probably detected the increase in air flow an was running it rich and that at about 200 miles or so after putting on the kit it should straighten it's self out. Well sure enought it got better, unfortunately right back to 12. It does sound throaty which would have been much cooler in my younger years but now not so sure.

My observation is I get 12 no matter how I drive. If I'm pulling my 10,000# camper then it goes to 9. 3 Mpg for 10K lbs not so bad but with the small tank I'm always stopping for gas!

Hey man this is no BS because I thought it was scepticle (did I spell that right) anyways me personally didnt believe in the thottle body spacers... not on a motor that allready claims to spin the air BUT now me personally I have the 5.3 in a half ton but I say 1 to 3 more MPG depending on the driving.... I always have had at least the same MPG that I was getting before. No I dont know if it matters from brand to brand and I aint trying to get you to pick a certain one but I have the Helix Power Tower. Just to give you heads up you may have to cut aways at some of you fan shroud. To accomidate for you air tube being pushed about 1 to 1 1/2 inches forward. Well I hope this helps. And if you end up not liking the MPG you are getting in the 2500 I am will swap ya the 1500 :naughty: :lol2: anyways good luck I know it is a pain in the A$$ with the gas prices the way they are.......

[QUOTE=blantz02]My truck has 285's on it, not the 235's that come stock.

Tire diameter differences will change distance traveled. Assuming same aspect ratio with 285 tires your going faster than your speedo reads and farther than your odometer says. This will slant your MPG math somewhat. Using a web site like tirerack.com can get you tire dimensions and you can figure out percentage change.

Beware of MPG claims from Performance part folks. I would ignore the K & N filter and exhaust for MPG gains and look into chips. Call each chip MFG and speak to their genius dept if available and inquire regarding mpg gains. For better milaege you will need software that is more effiecient at cruise RPM and throttle (probably leaner and/or more timing) but when you nail it the rest of the fuel & timing maps can be for power. However better fuel octane may be required. depending on your altitude and available octanes having to go up to better fuel can kill savings. Now take what you have learned to the forums and see what other people are getting from the chip upgrades. If you see a MPG trend with a particular chip go for it.

Extra air in tires, synthetic oils and gearlubes, bed cover or tailgate down will all help but not alot.

Anything you spend comes out of potential savings so do the math and see if you even can recoup what you have spent. My truck is stock for that reason. My Audi is heavily upgraded with an extra 170 HP and mialage went up 3 in town and 5 on the highway. HP was my goal I just got lucky on the MPG. By the way all that extra power is with stock air filter and exhaust. Software was the only thing that affected MPG. Not every vehicle needs everything upgraded. Make sure the OEM part your upgrading sucks before you waste time & money replacing it.

Sorry I don't have any exact recomendations for you truck. I have a family menber with 6.0L version but haven't touched it. They are using denial to avoid hurt feelings at the gas station.

Bye for now

Todd