Gas mileage and power!

[Xao]

Well, I have had my beloved truck for just over a week now and I thought I was happy until today!

 

I had the 'simoniz' process scheduled for today and dropped the truck off at the dealer to get it done. They gave me a loaner Long Bed 1500 with a 4.3 V6 in it rated at I think 17/20MPG or so. This is a brand new one with only 19 miles on it, it is a new one for the try it for a day promotion from GM.

 

So after a week in my Z71, Light Duty package (5.3), I have barely been into the peddle and have had more than enough power to run around and have been getting about 17MPG avg. with city/highway combination driving.

 

Now pulling out of the dealership in this 'loaner' and 4.6 V6, I can not believe the difference in the power, or should I say lack of. For such a minor difference in gas mileage, I had to get 3/4 of the way into the throttle to make it even remotely feel like I was barely moving. The thing felt like a lead brick.

 

I can tell the truck is much lighter than my Ext. Cab Z71 when braking, put acceleration is not even in the same city let alone the ballpark and I don't hot rod either!

 

This is just a message to those who are looking to getting into their first truck to spend another six months if required to save up the extra $1k and get the light dutiy package with the 5.3. The extra 2MPG is WELL worth it!

 

So to sum up my message, I'm not happy with my decision, I'm EXTATIC!

[Xao]

Ohh yeah, I forgot to mention that the loaner has 3.42 gears while by Z71 has 3.73 POSI but they both tack 2,000 @ 70MPH. Odd, maybe tire size?

[black&grayHD]

I'm happy w/mine too, averaging around 18.5 so far My friend w/a straight-6 F-150 drives a similar route and averages 12; it really chafes his azz

[Blue-2001-Z71]

Yup, two guys at work hate me for mine. One has a 1/2 ton dodge with a 6-cyl that gets 16 mpg and one has a Toyota Tacoma with a 6-cyl that get 14-15. My 5.3 gets over 17 (even with me driving)!!!

[SteveCZ]

Ditto here....

 

99 5.3 consistently gets 18-19 on the highway... if I'm really good, sometimes closer to 20....

 

I've seen high 19's a few times (19.6, 19.8)

[foghorn23]

I have to agree with everyone else. GM's 5.3 cannot be beat on gas mileage by anybody else's truck. Both my NBS trucks (99 and 01) have consitantly gotten 16-17 around town and 20+ when "babied" on the interstate. By comparison I also had an 01 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the 5.4 that got 11 around town and 15 on a trip. Obviously with a big truck no one is going to get rice burner mileage But with gas at $2.00 a gallon here's another reason the General should be proud of his 5.3.

 

Vroten

[Tfin]

I'm loving my 4.8L V8! Extra cab 4x4, and I get a consistant 18-19 mpg mixed driving. My father in law as the 5.3, and I don't really notice much difference in power between his and mine. Not to say there isn't any, but its neglegable by "seat of the pants" feel.

 

I'm happy!

[Mort]

By comparison I also had an 01 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the 5.4 that got 11 around town and 15 on a trip.

Vroten

That's funny. I had a 2000 F150 Super Cab 4x4 5.4 3.73 7700 Payload Package and I got 14.5-15.5 in daily driving and 15-17 on the highyway. The lighter Fords would do better.

 

My 2003 1500HD gets 12.5-13.5 in daily driving and 14-16 on the highway.

 

[foghorn23]

No BS here. The 01 Screw had 5.4 4X4 with 3.55 LS. Maybe the higher gearing was the culpret because I live in the mountains. Truck would never stay in OD. By comparison my 01 rado has 4.10. I have no explaination for the highway mileage. I really don't expect there's much of a weight difference in an supercrew and supercab. The crew has a fiberglass shell for a bed. Again the Ford wasn't a bad truck, just liked the gas.

 

Vroten

[dogzapper]

Zao,

 

The gas mileage/wonderful power of the 5.3 is evidently a closely guarded secret.

 

I went from a 2002 Avalanche with the 8.1 liter (496) engine, which I truly didn't need and which could not possibly pass a gas station, to the a 2003 Z-71 Silverado 5.3/3.73 EC/SB. Like you, I was surprised at the power and mileage.

 

Mine has a lifetime average of 16.9 mpg. Last year I drove from Portland, OR to Pierre, SD and back and averaged 19.9 mpg. Trust me, I wasn't doing 55 mph across Montana.

 

I was so damned happy with it that I recently bought a 2004 Tahoe LT 5.3/3.73. Again, total delight.

 

What you don't know it the 5.3 will tow a trailer quite well too. Yeah, it will huff and puff with a thirty-foot behemoth, but for thos of us with 19-20-21 and 22 foot trailers, the 5.3 is a gutsy powerhouse. This came as a surprise. My 1998 Suburban with a 5.7/3.73 was an absolute turd when it came to towing our 19-foot trailer house. The 5.3 (in Tow/Haul mode) zips up hills with the trailer in tow and acts like the trailer wasn't there.

 

The General did a good one, when he designed the 5.3 liter engine.

 

Steve

[hawghunter]

A 5.3 getting 20mpg sounds like a lil I have a 5.3 ext cab with the 4.10 limited slip rear. I average 14.5 city and about 16.5 - 17 highway cruising at 75mph.

 

I would like to think that I could get better gas milage in the city, but all the stop and go just kills it. Where do you guys live that are seeing 16-20 mpg?

[hawghunter]

A 5.3 getting 20mpg sounds like a lil I have a 5.3 ext cab with the 4.10 limited slip rear. I average 14.5 city and about 16.5 - 17 highway cruising at 75mph.

 

I would like to think that I could get better gas milage in the city, but all the stop and go just kills it. Where do you guys live that are seeing 16-20 mpg?

[Charlie in TX]

A 5.3 getting 20mpg sounds like a lil I have a 5.3 ext cab with the 4.10 limited slip rear. I average 14.5 city and about 16.5 - 17 highway cruising at 75mph.

 

I would like to think that I could get better gas milage in the city, but all the stop and go just kills it. Where do you guys live that are seeing 16-20 mpg?

I wouldn't call people liers without facts. I have gotten 22 out of a 4.8l scab at 75 between Houston and Dalles. I have seen 21 out of a 5.3l scab pulling a trailer with a quad on it between Houston and Hondo. I believe you have ozigenated fuels (reformulated I think they call it). It has less energy in it. Expect 10-20% less milage. Lets see 17mpg + 10% = 19. 17 + 20% = 20.

 

Do you still want to call anyone a lier?

[TROYROBO]

i have posted my mpg several times----17.5 to 20.5 depends on how i drive

[hawghunter]

I guess I am the Knuckle head here then So you are saying that not only am I being taxed more but I am getting worse fuel? DOH that really chafs me.

 

I wasnt calling anyone a liar, just thought some dudes were tellin some strecher's...for this I do apologize. I wasnt aware that the additives make my fuel that much more inefficant. SORRY IF I PISSED YOU OFF, now you got me pissed off though

 

State of CA is killing me!

 

Thanks guys so I guess my 14.5 and 17 is just about right