4.3 vortec gas mileage

[rickmt]

I have a 03 chev. s-10 4x4 with a 4.3 v-6 engine. I get about 15 mpg. Can any one help me improve on this

[Nasty_Nate]

Only 15mpg??? first tip, get a tune up... Get a hotter set of plugs, nothing too outragious, and new wires, that should help a little. Also hook up a computer read-out, and see what it's telling ya. it might not be throwing codes, but you still might find a solution... I'm getting 22-25 with my '91 4.3 tbi, so you should be doing way better than that. goodluck.

[busa4]

15mpg is about right for a 4x4. i have a 1998 v6 extended cab auto 2x2 and i get about 17-18mpg city. the first thing i did was convert the mechanical cooling fan to an electric. this alone makes a big difference. i went a little further and changed all my fluids to synthetic. then i changed my rear dif gear ratio from 3.08 to 2.43. then i purchased a hypertech power programmer 3 to remap the ecm to accept the gear change and give me better engine performeance. (unfortunetly, if you do this you will have to change both front and rear axle gears but you will effect the performance of the 4x4 system)

[InGeneius]

I have a 2001 Crew Cab w/ V6 and it gets about 17 MPG. I am just going to sell it after 6 months of ownership, I would have never bought it if I had known and listend to the small voice inside And didn't listen to the Sales manager about theres only 2-3 MPG difference between the 4 and 6 cyls. my 94 4 cyl got 25-28 MPG with 300K miles on it. I don't need the extra power or 4x4 when gas is $2.69 a gallon. paid $14,000.00 for it, going to sell it for $9,000.00

[RahX]

I wouldn't recommend re-gearing. If its not misfiring then plugs and ignition stuff wont do anything for you. The best things you can do are: air filter, REGULAR oil changes (3kish), If it has the original 02 and more than 50k it probably wouldn' be a bad idea to change that out, exhaust leaks, vacuum leaks, and check your tire pressure. If I think of anymore i'll edit and add them in later. Gearing to a lower number only works for highway and even then it doesn't do much for you. For city driving, 3.73s work really well since the engine doesn't work nearly as hard to get going.

[busa4]

regearing has done me wonders but i dont think it is a good idea for a 4x4. it defeats the purpose of a 4x4.. lowering the gearing (numerically lower) will give you better gas mileage but you will lose a lot of low end torque which a 4x4 needs. my 2x2 was a perfect candidate as i dont tow anything.

[balls_to_the_wall]

Originally Posted by InGeneius

I have a 2001 Crew Cab w/ V6 and it gets about 17 MPG. I am just going to sell it after 6 months of ownership, I would have never bought it if I had known and listend to the small voice inside And didn't listen to the Sales manager about theres only 2-3 MPG difference between the 4 and 6 cyls. my 94 4 cyl got 25-28 MPG with 300K miles on it. I don't need the extra power or 4x4 when gas is $2.69 a gallon. paid $14,000.00 for it, going to sell it for $9,000.00

Before you sell that truck, I would suggest actually sitting down and doing the math and see actually how many miles it takes it pay for that more fuel efficient vehicle. I can tell you right now, you will be surprised on how long your gonna have to drive that before you break even. Don't be to hasty to trade off to a more efficient vehicle.

[RahX]

I understand the concept quite well but numerically lower gears only work well for you if you're doing a lot of highway driving. For city driving a higher numerical gear ratio is better since you don't need as much power to get it up to speed.

[InGeneius]

Originally Posted by balls_to_the_wall

Before you sell that truck, I would suggest actually sitting down and doing the math and see actually how many miles it takes it pay for that more fuel efficient vehicle. I can tell you right now, you will be surprised on how long your gonna have to drive that before you break even. Don't be to hasty to trade off to a more efficient vehicle.

I didn't write everything that has gone with the truck since I bought it.. the engine oil cooler line breaking off and blowing 5 quarts of oil everywere, luckily my daughter turned off the engine in time to save it. the VAF? valve gone bad $400.00, heater core sprung a leak $75.00 and 15 hours of my labor to replace it, it only has 71,000 miles on it, been in the body shop for 9 weeks after a hit N run in Jan 06, the list goes on and on.. this truck needs to be buried in a lot with a headstone that says: I'm really sorry, how aout a fifth chance?