Fuel Saving Driving Tips

[Rock1500]

So I just got the new AT Sierra 1500 with the 5.3 engine. I am wondering what is everyones driving tips to increase the mpg. I currently average about 16 mpg with most highway driving. Or it could be that the AT package just gets a little worse in mpg. I drive at the speed limit now as I get use to driving this tank. I also try to keep it as much as possible running 4 cylinders but i find that hard. So any tips from those who have driven the most would be great. Thanks

 

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

That's average for brand new 5.3... It will gradually keep getting better until it is good and broke in, 5k miles mine started getting around 20 highway now I get 20-22 regularly on highway.

[Silverado Steve]

Winter blend gas sure doesn't help. I keep hearing different mileage numbers for "broken in". I'm only averaging 15.8 right now. I just switched to E85 this fillup, at $1/gallon less than gas, ill take the drop in mpgs.

[Rock1500]

Really so I won't see an improvement in mileage till I break the engine in. That is good to know. Thanks guys. I hope once I get my tonno cover as well, it will get better as well.

[Mutau95]

Winter blend gas sure doesn't help. I keep hearing different mileage numbers for "broken in". I'm only averaging 15.8 right now. I just switched to E85 this fillup, at $1/gallon less than gas, ill take the drop in mpgs.

Wow 1 dollar less is a steal. In the Carolinas I have seen it anywhere from 10 cents to 32 cents less than gas. However the stations are 25 to 30 mins apart.

[Rock1500]

 

Winter blend gas sure doesn't help. I keep hearing different mileage numbers for "broken in". I'm only averaging 15.8 right now. I just switched to E85 this fillup, at $1/gallon less than gas, ill take the drop in mpgs.

 

 

Wow 1 dollar less is a steal. In the Carolinas I have seen it anywhere from 10 cents to 32 cents less than gas. However the stations are 25 to 30 mins apart.

 

I just looked up my state. Not a single e85 station. Another reason to hate my state.

[Silverado Steve]

Yup $2.64 for E85, the place i normally buy gas was 3.64. Something else of note, Regular unleaded gas in Colorado is 85 octane, which equates to 87 at lower elevations. However i find i get crap mileage from 85 octane than mid grade which is 87.

[kstruckcountry]

I've ran 85 in Colorado before and I never noticed a drop in mileage. This is all above 7000 though. I use 87 now though, and turn back great mileage on it, all in the winter. The "winter gas" thing seems to be a myth, I get awesome mileage on it.

[Silverado Steve]

I don't know about the winter gas being a myth, i do know I've always experienced lower gas mileage during cold weather on any car I've owned previously. Could be the ECM compensating for the colder weather. Previous to my Silverado, none of my cars had remote start so its not a sit and idle thing. For whatever reason using 85 vs 87 here in Colorado has netted me lower mpgs. Im averaging 13 so far on e85. The real test will come later in the spring.

[nvrnuf4me]

My crew cab 5.3 has averaged between 20 and 22 depending on idle time in the mornings. I drive 57 miles each way to work, mostly congested freeways with little traffic in the mornings and a ton of start stop traffic in the evenings. My truck just turned 9k over this last weekend. I can't complain about the mileage.

 

As far as the topic of this thread, driving habbits? I try really hard to keep it in V4 as much as possible on the freeway. I have been able to get it in to V4 at speeds as slow as 15 mph and keep it there down to 10 mph.

 

Also, remember the normal driving habits, tire inflation, no hard braking, no hard acceleration, etc. You know, the boring safety stuff.

 

With that said, I do treat myself, and my truck, to a nice full throttle session at least twice a month, you know, to "blow all of the crud out". before someone is kind enough to point out to me that blowing out the motor is not needed on the modern engines, I am being a bit of a smart a$$ and really only do it to put the smile on my face.