Gas Mileage Savers

Seymourf7 · December 6, 2010

I've had my '06 GMC Sierra crew cab 4x4 since new. Gas mileage has always been pretty good, but I'd like to hear some improvement ideas something along the idea of bolt-ons etc. I'm sure this topic has been discussed over and over, thanks for any help.

Mike

Pumper · December 6, 2010

Aero cap that slopes from top of cab to tailgate. will lead to 2-3% improvement

[email protected] · December 6, 2010

You'll spend more trying to get better gas mileage out of it than it's worth. Just keep your engine tuned up and tires maintained and drive.

butzers09silverado · December 11, 2010

i run the highest psi in the tires i can before there are wear issues, on my factory tires thats 45psi in the front and 38 in the rears... i try to drive so i don't have to use the brakes, i don't use cruise, i draft behind trucks, and i don't maintain constant speed I maintain throttle input within reason +/- 5mph.

jro909 · December 11, 2010

best tips...be anal on maintance and don't have a lead foot

502ci · December 11, 2010

Keep it below 70 while cruising. Tires properly inflated as already mentioned. One of the biggest free gas savings things I did was properly adjusting the front brakes...with the front jacked up the wheel should spin by hand freely, if there is major drag or it takes effort to rotate it your pads are sticking.

DeppvomDienst · December 14, 2010

Do any of you think that running with the tailgate down would help get better mileage? My commute averages 55 mph. I have heard conflicting information on this.

Thanks,

Depp

wurgs · December 14, 2010

Tried that on Mythbusters once and actually got better gas mileage with the tailgate up. Don't remember the kind of pickup though.

butzers09silverado · December 15, 2010

keep it below 65 and you'll get about 2mpg better than you do at 70.

cghbuilder86 · December 15, 2010

i run the highest psi in the tires i can before there are wear issues, on my factory tires thats 45psi in the front and 38 in the rears... i try to drive so i don't have to use the brakes, i don't use cruise, i draft behind trucks, and i don't maintain constant speed I maintain throttle input within reason +/- 5mph.

You don't use cruise? I drive to work everyday on a 55 mph mostly flat highway. I'm always trying to get the best mileage but it seems better when I use cruise. However when I get on a highway with big hills I'll take the cruise off so that I can loose a little speed going up and save gas.

kawtoy_77 · December 15, 2010

Tried that on Mythbusters once and actually got better gas mileage with the tailgate up. Don't remember the kind of pickup though.

Identical Ford F-150s.

Tailgate up wins.

maxco · December 15, 2010

On Mythbusters I think they also said that those mesh tailgates worked best to save gas because it is lighter but still directs the air in the same way the tailgate did....

kawtoy_77 · December 15, 2010

On Mythbusters I think they also said that those mesh tailgates worked best to save gas because it is lighter but still directs the air in the same way the tailgate did....

Still not good for the bedsides of your truck. Wind vibrations will over time weaken them. The tailgate that comes on the truck is part of its structural integrity.

jro909 · December 16, 2010

i've had as high as 20 mpg on the highway staying at 50mph in a 55 zone....keep in mind don't do it if its a busy highway but if your just out and about on a dead stretch of road it helps...also don't speed, the speed limits are ment for safety and fuel economy

butzers09silverado · December 22, 2010

Yeah I don't use cruise, with the newer AFM you can do far better than cruise, the slightest incline can throw the AFM into 8 mode and I can control that better than the computer, the computer can not anticipate.