Fuel Mileage for 6.0

sonjaab · February 12, 2002

Offroad, I have a o1 2500 4x4 xcab.

When i first got it it got 10 mpg no

matter what. I put a soft tonneau

cover on it andnow with 8000 miles

it gets 13 around town-17 on hiway !

6.0 4.10 locker....................Geo

Raven · February 13, 2002

I've got just a little over 1100 miles on my 2002 4x4 Silverado Crew Cab/Short Bed 2500 HD that has the 6.0 and the 4spd auto with 4.10's/Locking Diff combo. This past weekend, my wife and I along with our daughter went up to northeast Ohio and back for a family visit and took the truck - not only because I was anxious for a mileage check but for the comfort factor versus my wife's Honda CRV.

The ride was extremely comfy and pleasant, much moreso than we've ever experienced in any truck and we were very impressed. Noting that the fuel gauge was dropping much slower than we had seen previously, we were anxious to see how the mpg stacked up. Our speeds were pretty much in the 65-72 mph range (roads varied from 4/6 lane interstate routes and 2 lane state routes) - other than in a couple of smaller communities where we of course observed the local speed laws.

Filling up on the way back (having left on a full tank earlier that morning) I was very surprised and pleased to find that we had attained a 13.7 mpg average to that point. :0 And, considering this is a 4x4 HD truck that is no lightweight on the scales I thought that was excellent, having owned both the F-250 Superduty with the 5.4/auto combo and the lackluster performing Dodge 2500 with 5.9Magnum/auto setup (all vehicles were 2000 or 2001 models, quad cab or crew cab where relevant). Both the Dodge and Ford were lucky to hit highs of LOW 12 mpg on any kind of road trip and only a 2001 Dodge with the Cummins H.O./6 Speed that I owned briefly did better - it hit an incredible highway mpg of 19+! (I sold it because the noise was too much to live with for a day to day vehicle.) All trucks were 4x4 models and equipped for trailering, so these are very comparable models.

How have your trucks been doing in the fuel economy department with the 6.0/auto combination? And is the 13.7 the best I can expect (which is certainly acceptable since I didn't buy this truck for fuel economy anyhow) or, is it possible it will do even better with more break-in miles?

Thanks!

Offroadr · February 13, 2002

I have 3:73s in my 1500HD and got 14.9 with a combo of hwy and city driving

ScreenActor · February 16, 2002

I have a 2001 2500HD 6.0 L 4.10 posi 4X4 Ext. Cab S.B.with 16,000 miles I have about 1000 lbs. tools.etc. in it at most times. I get a consistent 11.4 mpg in mixed hwy/city driving. I get 12.4mpg in straight hwy driving. I live in MA which uses oxygenated fuel which gives lower mpg's. Ed

Shaners · February 16, 2002

My low was a little over 7.5 mpg's... this tank of fuel was run in cold temps and lasted about 5 weeks and my truck is run almost everyday!!! So that means alot of very short trips less than 5 miles each way and the motor never warmed up. My best was almost 14.5mpg and it included 90 miles freeway and about the same of 2-lane roads and about 20 miles of 4x4 cruising through frozen oil leases...

6.0L 4.10 gears and auto... this trip was with about 2700 on the odometer. My buddy just bought a 1500HD with 3.73 gears and he has seen a high of 15.5 mpg already!!!

Kansas Kid · February 16, 2002

While this isn't my truck, I do have some mileage reports on a truck with the 6.0 One of my good friends from college brought his Dad's 2002 2500HD GMC into town today to get a remote starter installed. It was a extended cab/shortbed, 4x4, auto, 4.10's, and still had the stock LT245 tires. His dad uses it to occasionally tow a car trailer, but mainly for his once a week 3 hour commute to work (He drives a semi). The truck gets 17-18mpg all the time on the highway. I have to admit, that impressed me! Thats alittle less (1mpg) then what my truck gets, but that truck has tons more power.

wolfie · February 16, 2002

my best tank so far was 13.5 and that wasn't on a highway. I had gone on a long ride over the hills of CT, MA, and NY... mostly back roads and seldom hit over 45 mph. the worst tank was about 8.5 while plowing snow but I don't really count that... normally I get between 11.5 and 12.5.

sonjaab · February 19, 2002

GUYS, You must have a heavy foot !

I thought my mileage was lousy!

Sure i get about 8 mpg idling and plowing

or towing.

Man my 97 1/2 excab 350 4x4 3.73s with tonneau

cover, unloaded, ac on got 22 on the hiway !

..Geo

wolfie · February 19, 2002

Like I said I haven't really done any highway driving and I have the 4.10's plus the HD is taller and to top it off we have the crapy winter gas.... I think I'm doing ok... it's already getting better than my 89 did.

Sprinter · February 20, 2002

Just got my '02 GMC 2500LD Jan 30. It's a std cab, long box, 6.0 5 speed manual with 3:73's. Just went to the Chicago Auto Show (~300 miles one way) and got 17.6 MPG. Took it easy (ave maybe 60 MPH) since its still fairly new. Turned it 1200 miles on the way back. Can't complain since that's what my old '86 305/4 speed manual with 3:08's got!

RedHawk · February 21, 2002

I get about 11-11.75 in town and 12-12.5 on the highway but seldom drive slower than 75 mph.. MPG is awefull but track time ROCK!

Stepside Z · February 22, 2002

Looks like most average between 12.5 and 14.4 on the freeway. I wonder if it will get better, seems like the 8.1s are very close to that. Not bashing, just trying to decide what to buy.

lakerunner · March 5, 2002

Hello to all:

I just bought my GMC 2500HD last Thursday with 18 miles on it. Dealer had it fueled and ready. The low fuel light came on at 299 miles. Filled tank up at 308 miles and pumped in 24 gals. 12.08 miles per gal on the first tank. I maybe able to do a alittle better if I can keep my foot out of the ponies.