help me understand gas.

[cordovaass]

ok i was reading the post on gas mileage and i was shocked! i have an 01 silverado extended cab 2wd with the 5.3 and auto tranny. and i only get 13 mpg!!!! i have a K&N intake and flowmaster, shouldnt this make my mpg better? as far as i know everything on my truck works fine. i have good tire pressure and alignment. what do i do?

[silveradoHO]

Do you do any street racing? I've got a 05 5.3 H.O. I can tell a big difference if I ease up on the gas a little at take off. But if I go out Ford hunting very often my mpg drops a little.

[ColoradoSilverado]

I have a 2000 ext. cab auto 4WD and normaly got 16mpg, now with the high gas prices I ease up and get 20 mpg. Mine is all stock, no K/N waste of money filter.

Bert

[TexasF355F1]

Changing plugs might help, clean the injectors too?

When the hell did you get that truck. Throw some wheels on it and it's gonna be pimp!

[cordovaass]

i might have to mention that i dont use the freeway at all. all of my driveing is in town. i dont ever street race, im not a retard. so plugs and clean injectors might help?

[silveradoHO]

Wasn't trying to insult you, it's just some people overlook the obvious. If cleaning the injectors and new plugs don't help, try checking the fuel filter.

[cordovaass]

Originally Posted by silveradoHO

Wasn't trying to insult you, it's just some people overlook the obvious. If cleaning the injectors and new plugs don't help, try checking the fuel filter.

im not insulted. what do you mean by clean the injectors? and the fuel filter is brand new. anything else you would suggest?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by cordovaass

ok i was reading the post on gas mileage and i was shocked! i have an 01 silverado extended cab 2wd with the 5.3 and auto tranny. and i only get 13 mpg!!!! i have a K&N intake and flowmaster, shouldnt this make my mpg better? as far as i know everything on my truck works fine. i have good tire pressure and alignment. what do i do?

A lot of times a K&N filter does not help on gas mileage and some times if not serviced regular and installed right may make it burn a little more gas.
What kind of intake does it have? Is all sensors hooked up?
Have you keep the K&N cleaned and gone easy on the oil in it.
Also with that filter keep the maf sensor cleaned.
How many miles on plugs and what kind of plugs/
MT

[silveradoHO]

You can take out the injectors and have them cleaned, or it may be easier to just replace them if you have a ton of miles on your truck. Also if the oxygen sensor has never been replaced, you might want to try this first. They are easy to replace and fairly cheap, and a bad one can cause your mileage to go down. Better to start cheap and work your way up.

[cordovaass]

Originally Posted by silveradoHO

You can take out the injectors and have them cleaned, or it may be easier to just replace them if you have a ton of miles on your truck. Also if the oxygen sensor has never been replaced, you might want to try this first. They are easy to replace and fairly cheap, and a bad one can cause your mileage to go down. Better to start cheap and work your way up.

i didnt know that about the injectors. what do i clean them with?

[tykrz]

It all depends on what type of engine, tire size, transmission type, and final drive gear ratio.
You have to find where the torque/hp curves meet and that your most effiecient rpm for mpg...usually around 2100 rpm or so.

[corning_d3]

As far as the injector cleaning, it is done on a machine that circulates fuel and additive in your fuel rails and injectors while the engine is running. This is a proper injector service.

[kenwood guy]

Originally Posted by ColoradoSilverado

I have a 2000 ext. cab auto 4WD and normaly got 16mpg, now with the high gas prices I ease up and get 20 mpg. Mine is all stock, no K/N waste of money filter.

Bert

so it worth it getting a K&n???

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by kenwood guy

so it worth it getting a K&n???

It May not help on gas mileage.
Sometimes a performance chip that is set up right with gas mileage in mind helps.
MT

[White Lightening]

Originally Posted by cordovaass

i didnt know that about the injectors. what do i clean them with?

Greetings Cordovaass,

While there are injector cleaners of the mechanical nature (as others mentioned) - there is also the injector cleaners you can buy at the store by many manufacturers at very inexpensive costs. Slick 50 makes a product that costs about $8 a can and you just put it in the gas tank and drive like normal. If your injection system is really in need of cleaning - I'd suggest using a $3 cheap product first then follow up with the
Slick 50 product in the next tank full. With the condition of gas in many markets - there are many possibilities for poor gas (and buildup potential) - as well as fuel filter contamination. I believe some Silverado's have more than 1 fuel filter. Quite some time ago I did a post on another thread about some things I did to a friend's truck to improve their mileage - I have linked it below in case you might be interested:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...50#post2690231

------- In addition - I copied it below and updated a couple things - hope this gives you a couple ideas to at least consider: ----------

It was a series of things I did to improve his mileage (MPG):

1. I ran the gas down to low level - then required he fill up at a specific gas station (to assure good gas).
2. First tank of gas - use one of the cheap fuel cleaners (plastic bottle)
3. Second tank of gas - use good fuel cleaner in an aluminum can (I used Slick 50)

Reasoning to this point - first tank had to soften any accumulated crud in the fuel system (injectors etc.) - then the "real" one (Slick 50 version) is free to do its thing without wasting its effort through all the heavy build up.

4. Tire pressure - all 4 tires (not side wall number - use door frame or owner manual).
5. Had someone check/inspect wheel bearings and pack/lubricate if needed.
6. Required driver to keep tailgate down on highway (to simulate a tonneau cover or cap to improve wind resistance).
7. Changed out air filter.
8. Did an oil change and used Slick 50 oil additive.
9. Washed and waxed the truck.
10. The "measurement" tank of fuel was the third tank of gas. He drove a highway route that he often drives but the rule was - no driving faster than the speed limit. Normally he gets about 12 to 13 mpg on this trip - instead he got just a hair less than 16.

For reference - 2500 HD 4x4, 6 liter V8 gas, 8 foot box, standard cab 2003 model was his truck.

Note: I recommended he switch to a FRAM Air Hog air filter instead of standard - but he didn't want to spend the money on it.

Note: He drives fast - my guess is had I been driving instead - we'd have kept that speed limit rule "a little tighter" and probably gotten to nearly 17.

Fuel filters do get some cleaning with gas treatments - but if they are clogged or have a bunch of junk in them - replacing fuel filters can help too.

-------------- End of copy -----------

And by the way Cordovaass - stay away from E-85 gas if mileage and efficientcy is your goal - E85 will drop your mileage for most Silverado trucks from everything I've read or been told. And some gas outlets use lower octane or cheap additives to try to cut the costs - all gas is not good gas