Comparing MPG

[06tyler06]

I've been looking around for a new truck. Had plenty of V8's, 88 Sub 350 2bbl tbi, 83 El Camino 350 4bbl carb, 77 C10 305 2bbl carb (had best MPG), and 04 Silverado LT 4.8L 4wd. Recently I've been looking at getting an S10 (94-2002). I noticed that most people report on average 16mpg for a v6 S10, when that is about what I get with any of my bigger motors. Then I see some 4 cylinder owners saying they get up to 30mpg with standard transmission. I'm just pretty confused on how such a small truck (S10 V6) gets the same MPG as my bigger, heavier, lifted Silverado V8?

[scooby5121]

Ford Rangers get the same as the full size trucks .......as well

[Jsdirt]

My '89 S10 Blazer with a '00 4.3 carbureted engine gets 15-16 mpg -- same as my full-size extended cab truck. You'd think the smaller Blazer would be several points higher. Only a 3 mpg loss going to carb, but 100x more reliable now.

 

I guess the design of the 4.8 / 5.3 / 6.0 is more efficient, apparently.

[rdnkcpa]

My son has a 2001 S-10 with a 4.3L V-6. He says he gets 20MPG most of the time. And he's got 170K on in.

[Jsdirt]

How you drive, & where you live has alot to do with how high that number will go. I've got a heavy foot according to the wife, so I never hit anywhere close to those numbers.

 

The other factor, at least here in MA, is that they mix a LARGE percentage of ethanol in with the fuel - that kills fuel economy (and HP). It's posted 10% at the pump, but the reality is that it varies day to day, and station to station all the way up to and over 20%. I won't get into how big of a SCAM this is ....