PLEASE tell me my MPG will improve?!

[siverado05]

My 05 5.3 HO Z71 gets 16-17 around town, 21 highway. It's possible your gearing is wrong for the engine and truck size. Higher gearing does not always equal better mpg. Engines have an rpm range that they are most effective in,

[KahneFan]

I wanted to get a 5.3 w/ a 3.73, but I was sort of talked into this set up because it's supposed to get better MPG. 1 - 2 miles might not be much to some, but when you're putting as many miles as I do on a truck, it's a lot. So, I was really hoping the 16/21 would at least average at 17/18. I was really looking into a Titan, but it supposedly got much worse mileage. My Bro-n-law got one (CC as well) and he's getting 2 mpg on average better than me.

[silveradoHO]

Were you talked in too this by the salesman? Sometimes they get trucks that don't move well, so they will tell you anything just to get rid of it. It does sound like you have a bad combination of engine size, truck size and gearing. My mpg improved with duel exhaust and a cold air intake.

[KahneFan]

Originally Posted by silveradoHO

Were you talked in too this by the salesman? Sometimes they get trucks that don't move well, so they will tell you anything just to get rid of it. It does sound like you have a bad combination of engine size, truck size and gearing. My mpg improved with duel exhaust and a cold air intake.

Listen to a salesman... nope. No, just by reading stats and talking to friends and... just by the sticker. I mean, I know sticker MPG isn't accurate, but even if it was as accurate as the 5.3 w/ 3.73, then it should be better in fuel than the 5.3

I mean, if they tested both trucks the same way, and the 4.8 tested lower, then they would have at least not shown it to do better... right?

[SWDoodle]

When I first got my 2500HD with the 6.0/4.10's the first tank barely reached 200 miles on the trip and I about freaked out. It averaged about 8. As more time went by it got a little better. Now if I drive strictly highway at 65-70 it will get around 14-15. Town driving is only 11-12. I've had four different new 1500's with the 5.3's. Some with 3.73 and some with 4.10's. I found the 4.10's got a little better mileage overall with a mix of driving. The mileage will improve as time goes on but expect about 14 town 17 highway from what I've seen.

[KahneFan]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll keep y'all posted, it just sucks to drop this amount of $$ on a truck that I thought was going to get better MPG, when I would've gotten the bigger motor had I known different.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by KahneFan

I drive much more highway than city. The city I do drive is very rarely in rush hours, so very little stop/go. I try my best not to stand on the gas when I don't need to. The only time I do is if I'm merging onto a highway, or into fast traffic. Other than that, I take it as easy as I can on takeoff's.

Give it more time.. as you can see it is increasing.. I was not getting my best gas milage until after 20K.

[KahneFan]

Well, after posting on another board as well, I have decided to remove the K&N. Just so happened I needed to fill up the morning after the change, so I will update if my MPG improves.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by KahneFan

Well, after posting on another board as well, I have decided to remove the K&N. Just so happened I needed to fill up the morning after the change, so I will update if my MPG improves.

Did you have just the filter or the whole air intake system?

[KahneFan]

Originally Posted by silverado122775

Did you have just the filter or the whole air intake system?

Just the filter.

[silverado122775]

Originally Posted by KahneFan

Just the filter.

You will see a bigger increase in power and mpd if you get in the whole system. the stock air system is designed to "quiet" the engine with the air baffles. those baffles restricts the airflow. see if you can get the K&N Gen II intake.

[KahneFan]

Originally Posted by silverado122775

You will see a bigger increase in power and mpd if you get in the whole system. the stock air system is designed to "quiet" the engine with the air baffles. those baffles restricts the airflow. see if you can get the K&N Gen II intake.

My next bonus is in August, I might try that then. As well as new exhaust, and bed cover and....

[intel_guy]

If you drive at least 26k miles per year, you can get an almost free VW TDI or Hybrid car. Well over $2000 savings in gas per year, which can come out near a monthly payment in gas savings. Plus you'd keep miles off your truck (except to drive for fun on weekends).

[KahneFan]

Originally Posted by intel_guy

If you drive at least 26k miles per year, you can get an almost free VW TDI or Hybrid car. Well over $2000 savings in gas per year, which can come out near a monthly payment in gas savings. Plus you'd keep miles off your truck (except to drive for fun on weekends).

Yeah, another person where I work bought a Hyundai just while he's working, and drives the truck on the weekend. Not only do you save gas, but you can write about 95% of the mileage off (IRS doesn't like 100% )

[rrousou]

trucks aren't built for fuel economy, they are made for working and that takes gas.........and lots of it.