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Preventative Maintenance on High Mileage '14 Sierra 4x4 5.3L

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Black02Silverado Senior Enthusiast

Black02Silverado

Posted
Posted

All good advice. 

 

I would do the transmission.  No worries there.  I've changed many with over 150k on them original miles with no issues. 

 

You can move to a 5w but as stated no need and as far as protection, it will be the same. From all the UOA's i have done, the 0w-20 had protected just as well as a 5w-30.  Oil has come a long way.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

One thing to watch for is the front diff.  I changed the fluid out of the front diff on my 2002 at 85k miles and afterwards it started leaking at the seals.  The gunk in the old fluid was keeping things sealed.

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, Mike GMC said:

Well, if you land in the 18-20 range, I'd be happy with it.  I've also noticed that windy conditions can have big impacts on the mileage, positive or negative depending on direction.

One data collection service places fuel consumption for this combination around 17 mpg.  Oh yea. The effect his huge. 

15 hours ago, Mike GMC said:

I've read stories on here about guys getting well over 20, even 25 mpg.  I've never been close to that.  I usually set the cruise at 80+ on the interstate and let her roll.  Even on the slower 2 lane highways at 65 ish, I barely see 20 mpg.

The difference between the former case and the latter is speed and wind. Funny thing about machines. They respond precisely to the inputs they are given in direct obedience to the laws of physics. The only creatures in the universe that seems to be amazed by this are the humans giving those inputs.  That amazement turns shared experiences into 'stories'. 

 

On that transmission. Do a pan drop and change the filter as well. OEM or WIX. It's a six quart refill. Clean the pan. You have enough advise on what brand to use. 

Ozer Enthusiast

Ozer

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, Mike GMC said:

I've read stories on here about guys getting well over 20, even 25 mpg.  I've never been close to that.  I usually set the cruise at 80+ on the interstate and let her roll.  Even on the slower 2 lane highways at 65 ish, I barely see 20 mpg.

Anything after 60mph your mpg will drop. At 80, yours is dropping quite a bit. Physics...

I tried 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 all on flat roads and each 5mph i increase the mpg dropped on the dash about 2-3 mpg. Not very scientific but it shows that faster you go, less mpg you will get.

Mike GMC Enthusiast

Mike GMC

Posted
Posted

Stories, reports, data etc are all the same to me until or unless it becomes personal experience.  I can't and won't try to drive slower because I like to drive fast way too much.  You only live once and I'm not going to make myself miserable to save a little bit  of gasoline.  Higher fuel costs is the price I pay and I'm good with that.

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