1500HD Crew Cab- Newguy question

DOGMAN · April 5, 2003

I'm new to the forum - & was looking at a 2003 1500HD Crew Cab 4x4....I'll be doing 90% city driving to from work with 10% highway-long trips. I'm going with the 6.0...hows this engine for durability? What kind of gas milage(REAL WORLD) can I expect with 3.73 & or 4.10-city/hwy? This will be my fourth Chevy truck- But I'm new to the new engines..Thanks- GREAT FORUM!!

tps0424 · April 5, 2003

I can't say anything for longevity. I hope it's good. What I can tell you is that I get the mileage I expected with this truck. Until least week, the best I had gotten was 12.65. I put on Flowmasters (true dual exhaust) and my mileage was 14.5 for the first tank full. That tank was mostly highway but so was the tank that got 12.65. The worst I've gotten empty was 12.1.

I've also had more than one GM engine. I thought the 5.7 (350) in my last truck pulled good. This is head and shoulders better.

Good luck!

hsum · April 5, 2003

I have an 03, 1500HD. The best mileage I have seen is 14.5, all highway @ 55MPH. The worst was 12.5 all city. Average is about 13-13.5 in mixed driving.

Very happy with the power and mileage, considering the size of the truck.

Shaners · April 5, 2003

I think 3.73 gears would give you the better milage.

I have the 4.10's in my 2500HD crewcab, and I got about 13 mpg's on my last tank which was 50/50 miles.

I normally get between 10-11 mpg's all in town and short trips of less than 5 miles. I have seen 15 MPG's on the highway...

The motor is strong and seems to pull this big truck with ease.

drincbud · April 6, 2003

I have a 2003 1500 hd cc.. just broke 3000 miles and just came back from a long trip all highway miles @75mph i got 14.9 i was really amazed that i got that .. As far as the city your looking at 10-12.5 mpg.

DOGMAN · April 6, 2003

What gears you running?

Stomper · April 6, 2003

I have an '03 Silverado 1500HD LT with 4:10 gears and 285 tires. I have the steering wheel controls so it tells me what mileage I'm getting all the time. Crusing at around 60mph it says I'm getting 14-15 mpg but the average shows between 10-11. This feature is kind of nice, when I hade the crusie set at 80mph it showed I was only getting 12mpg. My truck only has 800 miles on it so I hope to see it get a little better after it gets broke in a little more. So to make it short mileage is not good with the 6.0, but I figured that when I bought it.

Shaners · April 6, 2003

I have an '03 Silverado 1500HD LT with 4:10 gears and 285 tires. I have the steering wheel controls so it tells me what mileage I'm getting all the time. Crusing at around 60mph it says I'm getting 14-15 mpg but the average shows between 10-11. This feature is kind of nice, when I hade the crusie set at 80mph it showed I was only getting 12mpg. My truck only has 800 miles on it so I hope to see it get a little better after it gets broke in a little more. So to make it short mileage is not good with the 6.0, but I figured that when I bought it.

Stomper, have you had the computer recalibrated for the larger tires? If not, you are probably getting at least 1 MPG better than you think...

drincbud · April 6, 2003

DogMan.. Iam running 3:73 gears

Gunruner · April 6, 2003

I don't have a 1500HD but I have the 2500HD Ext-Cab 4X4 with 4.10 locker and 6.0L. Truck is at 4500miles and the mpg is at 14.18 and 14.44 for the last two tanks. This is combined city and interstate. It never broke 12.5 for the break in 500 miles. If I drive above 75 mph the fuel mileage goes down to 13.5+-. If I stay at 65-70 mph I am in the 14's. This motor has lots of power and I think it likes the 4.10's. I drive lots of hills and at 70 mph on cruise it never shifts out of OD going up the steepest. My 2000 1/2 ton with 4.8L and 3.73's shifts down on every hill. Nice motor this 6.0L.

FIRECAT · April 7, 2003

I have an '03 Silverado 1500HD LT with 4:10 gears and 285 tires. I have the steering wheel controls so it tells me what mileage I'm getting all the time. Crusing at around 60mph it says I'm getting 14-15 mpg but the average shows between 10-11. This feature is kind of nice, when I hade the crusie set at 80mph it showed I was only getting 12mpg. My truck only has 800 miles on it so I hope to see it get a little better after it gets broke in a little more. So to make it short mileage is not good with the 6.0, but I figured that when I bought it.

If you have never reset your average MPG, then you are getting a reading that takes into account all of the mileage on the vehicle, not just that tank. Next time you fill up, reset the avg. MPG sensor and you will notice that the avg. mpg will be higher, since it will just take into account the latest tank of fuel and mileage.

Hope this makes sense.

Stomper · April 7, 2003

shaners,

No I haven't recalibrated my speedo yet, I have the new Predator Programmer on order to do that and more.

FIRECAT,

I do reset my avgerage setting each tank and it still says between 10-11mpg. Thats all just short country drives. I haven't went on any long trips yet.

Charlie in TX · April 7, 2003

As a rule, a truck will get better milage in city driving with a lower geared (4.10) rear end and better highway with higher gear (3.73).

I test drove 3 or 4 1500HD with 3.73. I test drove 1 6.0 4.10 combo. The 4.10 brought the 6.0 to life.

DOGMAN · April 7, 2003

A 4.10 is better for the city??? ??? Is that right?

silverado3500 · April 7, 2003

Yes, a 4.10 is better for city driving as your engine will be in its most productive power band. However your highway mileage when unloaded (60mph and up) will suffer slightly. Your highway mileage when towing is likely to improve, as your tranny is less likely to downshift on hills etc. I'd say go with the 4.10 gears.