2001 Chevy Silverado

[jrat88]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, and also new to the Chevy truck family. I just recently purchased a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab (1500) with 133000 miles on it. This thing is as clean as a whistle and everything is as tight as new, due to the fact that almost all of the mileage is highway miles. I have the 4.8litre engine and drive 40 mile one way to work. I have noticed that I am getting no better than 15-16 mpg out of it. Is there anything I can do to improve this? I have a K&N air filter, synthetic motor oil, and recently added a cat-back exhaust system. I love the truck, gosh I love it, I wish I had switched to Chevy years ago. Previously I had only owned small trucks like the Ford Ranger and Mazda B-3000, I thought at first I may be expecting too much in the gas mileage department from this truck, but I have friends with similar trucks but with the 5.3litre who are doing from 18-21mpg. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

Jrat

[1500CCZ71]

If you live in a Northern State, you are probably taking a hit for winter grade fuel right now. You can expect your MPG's to bump up a couple when the summer grade fuel is available again. Good luck.

[lost_in_alabama]

Don't be too trusting on everyone else's numbers. It's been my experience that a common practice is to always bump the actual mileage up some. Most people want better numbers, so there tell everyone a better number. It's called DENIAL. If I lie to myself enough, then I'll believe it also.

 

My only suggestion is to do the common sense things.

 

Be easier on the gas pedal.

Make sure the tires are properly inflated.

Is the water temperature where it should be? If it's running cold, due to a bad/open thermostat, then the mileage will be lower.

Is the tailgate up? I've read that a down tailgate will make it worse.

[Schmids5.3l]

Is the tailgate up? I've read that a down tailgate will make it worse.

 

Im pretty sure mythbusters proved that to be correct. Keep the tailgate up.

 

Winter grade fuel kills mileage, mines dropped thru the floor.

[vrZ71driver]

Hmm....a friend of mine has a similar truck to you and he routinely get 18-20 with mostly highway driving. In mine with the 5.3 when I had the original firestone tires on it, I got routinely 17-19 on highway, but it drops down to 13 with my 8 mile one way drive to work through lights.

 

A couple things. With the miles on it, it may be time for a full tune up, changing the plugs, and o2 sensors, and running some fuel cleaner through it.

 

Tires are a big thing also. I lost 1-2 mpg when I switched to a more all terrain tire. A good set of light duty tires, and a tune up should have it getting a few better mpg....

[Shaners]

Tires are a big thing also. I lost 1-2 mpg when I switched to a more all terrain tire. A good set of light duty tires, and a tune up should have it getting a few better mpg....

 

 

When I swapped to a more agressive tire my MPG's dropped 1-2 MPG's. It's hard to believe that even the Dmax was susceptable to that!!! (I also went +1 on my tire size, but I figured that in when doing the math to calculate my MPG's)