GAS Mileage - how to make it better.

[BlenderWizard]

I know I posted this graphic in another topic, but I feel like it actually belongs here. Here is a chart of my before and after MPG pertaining to installing a Nelson tune. You can see that my gains are not a fluke, but are quite consistant. Looks to be about a ~1.2 MPG increase with the tune. That doesn't sound like much, but your wallet will notice!

[BlenderWizard]

I dunno, why am I only getting ~14 MPG, which is a +1.2 MPG gain after the tune? What am I doing wrong? My truck is a 5.3, FYI. I actually just sent these numbers to Allen, and, while happy with the increase in MPG (He told me to expect a 1-3 MPG increase with the tune, and I definitely got that) since he tuned it, he says we need to do more to help my MPG. I installed the 160º t-stat in mid July, and you can see it did nothing bad for my MPG (or good for that matter), of course that is not why I installed it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

I dunno, why am I only getting ~14 MPG, which is a +1.2 MPG gain after the tune? What am I doing wrong? My truck is a 5.3, FYI. I actually just sent these numbers to Allen, and, while happy with the increase in MPG (He told me to expect a 1-3 MPG increase with the tune, and I definitely got that) since he tuned it, he says we need to do more to help my MPG. I installed the 160º t-stat in mid July, and you can see it did nothing bad for my MPG (or good for that matter), of course that is not why I installed it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Greetings Blender,

As I recall - you have a 2wd right? If so - 14 mpg sounds "below expectations" to me. Even factory epa says it should be about 16 city and 19 highway if I am not mistaken. Then factor in you have a tune etc..

1. Do you do alot of idling or are you sitting in traffic jams a great deal?
2. Do you do all or almost all city driving? If so - you may have dirty injectors which need a quality fuel cleaner treatment (or two).

3. How many miles on your truck? Air cleaner filter?

4. Have you tested your mileage in an all highway trip of a few hundred miles? City driving has many variables - but highway driving at 55 or 60 mph (use cruise if possible) has considerably less variables. A 2wd 5.3 (depending on axle ratio) should expect 19 to 20 mpg at the above mentioned speed (that is how EPA tests are done) and if not heavy loaded or trailering anything. And you have a tune besides - the numbers I'm writing are for stock 2wd trucks with 5.3.

If your highway driving is getting 19 or 20 - then it would seem its your driving style or driving location that is the cause.

Just my amateur opinion.

White Lightening

[BlenderWizard]

I do about 90% of my driving in the city, not much in traffic. The truck is a 2wd that I have had for about 6 months and I did about 3 or 4 treatments with Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner right off the bat when I got it at the end of March. It has almost 33,000 miles on it. I did a lot of driving on the highway in April, but that was right after I got it, and I don't have any records as far as fuel consumption. Is there a better injector cleaner I could use?

[White Lightening]

I've had good results with either Slick 50 or Duralube fuel system cleaner.

By chance - you aren't using an E-85 type fuel or something like that?

I ask this because if you have good power - and if your tune is working right - I would think you would be doing a fair amount better on the MPG. So I'm trying to think of things that could drop your mpg yet still give you normal power. "Drag" things like brakes slightly dragging or bearings/wheels etc. slightly dragging or something that would be holding you back - I would think you would notice power decreaes - not increase.

I'm assuming you aren't a heavy foot. If you are - then your MPG is how it goes. I don't know that there are many advancements between your vehicle compared to mine. I have a bigger engine (6.0) with 2wd and the same ext. cab in my 2004. I'm not a heavy foot - and my in town is probably 16 to 17 and my highway at 60 is just about 22 (with Tonneau). But remember - I don't have a Nelson tune yet either.

White Lightening

[BlenderWizard]

I think the lead foot is probably it; everyone tells me I should "lighten up" on the pedal. it's not my fault - it's the first v-8 I've had in 10 years. I'll see about the dura lube. I'm going to try another lucas treatment first (I bought a large bottle of it).

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Well I am just about to finish my third tank of gas in my 01 silverado LS 2wd ext cab (5.3). Here are the results thus far:

1st tank: 93 octane, 14.5 MPG Range: 338 Miles

2nd tank: 93 octane, 13.7 MPG :22yikes: Range 310

3rd tank: 87 Octane, Currently have 389 Miles on tank after adding 25 Oz. (almost 2 15 oz metal cans) of Berryman's B-12 cleaner. That makes my current MPG estimated at 16.5 MPG.

My fuel gauge reads about 1/8th tank (low fuel light came on quite early IMHO). I am going to drive the tank down lower, then fill up and use another treatment of the berrymans b12 cleaner. I may try the sea-foam cans (it costs more and is in a metal can). I will post my final MPG after I fill up again tomorrow.

This is a bone stock motor with no mods, 5.3L V8, and 3.73 rear end, stock size tires and wheels.

[chrisb490]

In my 2000 silverado i use two bottles of chevron techron everytime i change the oil and i get about 17.5 - 19 mpg. I think a key factor could be the 10w-30 mobil1 oil.

real curious about putting 2004-2005 taillights on my 2000, anyone have any ideas???

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by chrisb490

real curious about putting 2004-2005 taillights on my 2000, anyone have any ideas???

JEverett's done it. I think he said something about changing out the wire harness in the bed to the taillights to make it work just right.

[HanibalTheCannibal]

Originally Posted by chrisb490

In my 2000 silverado i use two bottles of chevron techron everytime i change the oil and i get about 17.5 - 19 mpg. I think a key factor could be the 10w-30 mobil1 oil.

real curious about putting 2004-2005 taillights on my 2000, anyone have any ideas???

Is that "synthetic" mobil1 you use? I havent changed my oil yet, but its coming soon.

[chrisb490]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

JEverett's done it. I think he said something about changing out the wire harness in the bed to the taillights to make it work just right.

do you or JEverett know where i can get that wire harness that i need because i just found the lenses.

[chrisb490]

Originally Posted by HanibalTheCannibal

Is that "synthetic" mobil1 you use? I havent changed my oil yet, but its coming soon.

yes that is the full synthetic mobil1 10w-30 its cheaper at wal-mart if you buy the gallon jug plus an extra quart

[Rollingbones]

I use Mobil 1 5/30 and get mine at Costco for $24 for 6 quarts.

[chrisb490]

Originally Posted by Rollingbones

I use Mobil 1 5/30 and get mine at Costco for $24 for 6 quarts.

no costco local here


anyone tried the tornado thing that goes in the air intake tube? can buy at auto-zone

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by chrisb490

no costco local here


anyone tried the tornado thing that goes in the air intake tube? can buy at auto-zone

Hey man, http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=451520