Nbs Poor Fuel Mileage

Kaptain · January 14, 2008

Last September I traded my 13mpg '05 2500HD Silverado in for my '07 Silverado NBS half ton. Since then I have clocked over 7,000 miles and I have yet to get the average economy over 14.2mpg. Nor have I been able to get more than 360 miles out of a tank of fuel. What's the deal? I've been driving as conservativly 50% city and 50% highway. What gives? I am almost to the conclusion that there is something wrong with this pickup. A customer of mine was bragging to me that he was getting over 20mpg at one point. 16 or 17mpg is all I am asking for.

And my pickup is bone stock. 36-37psi tire pressure, 3.73's

topdj · January 14, 2008

my winter mileage dropped , I have got has high as 21 hwy and 15-16 combined

in the normal 60-70 degree weather with the 5.3 & 3.73

matello · January 14, 2008

been averaging 16-17 city and 18-20 highway.

d3athsong · January 14, 2008

The 50% city driving explains some of it. Three other things to keep in mind.

1-When comparing with other people on these forums, some are talking miles per american gallon, and some are talking miles per canadian gallon. 1 american gallon=3.785 litres. 1 canadian gallon=4.54 litres.

2-Gas pumps are calibrated to be accurate at certain temperatures, most being either 15 degrees celcuis or 20 degrees celcius(atleast here in canada those are the standard numbers). And those numbers are calculated to 20 litres. Over or under that, adn they are not entirely truthful. Being I fill at home, to be as accurate as possible, I fill with a marked 1 gallon container.

3- Some people always get better fuel mileage. You can drive all highway at the right speed (ive found driving at 100km/h seems to be where im getting my best fuel economy) to get you optimum fuel mileage and take it real easy when accelerating and get 20 mpg, while someone else can take that exact same vehicle and drive at 130km/h and drive it hard and get 25+ mpg. They dont actually get that, but it makes them feel good to tell you they do.

Zembonez · January 14, 2008

From what I have read in here, most people with 3.73 gears are getting between 14 and 16. All highway should net you 16 I would imagine. I work around a bunch of guys that have them and 15 seems to be an average for the people here. I keep hearing about these trucks getting 20 mpg but I have not yet seen one do it. Of course conservative highway speeds and with just the right conditions, 20 mpg might not be out of the question... just not often.

The new Tahoe and Suburban twins are getting this much and more. My dad gets a real world 18 out of his Suburban but it is most all highway.

pm26 · January 14, 2008

I have an '06 crew cab, 4x4, 5.3 and 3.73 gears. 60% city and 40 hwy yields about 16 AVERAGE MPG. Never saw anything close to 20 AVERAGE in this truck with empty bed and one driver (under 200 lbs). This on 89 octane.

Try running the truck on 89 brand name octane and see if you get better mileage.

Momentary DIc displays of 20 MPG + is meanigless crap. You can get momentary 30 MPG out of this truck if coasting down a hill. it is the average MPG per tank that matters.

Zembonez · January 14, 2008

The 50% city driving explains some of it. Three other things to keep in mind.
1-When comparing with other people on these forums, some are talking miles per american gallon, and some are talking miles per canadian gallon. 1 american gallon=3.785 litres. 1 canadian gallon=4.54 litres.

2-Gas pumps are calibrated to be accurate at certain temperatures, most being either 15 degrees celcuis or 20 degrees celcius(atleast here in canada those are the standard numbers). And those numbers are calculated to 20 litres. Over or under that, adn they are not entirely truthful. Being I fill at home, to be as accurate as possible, I fill with a marked 1 gallon container.

3- Some people always get better fuel mileage. You can drive all highway at the right speed (ive found driving at 100km/h seems to be where im getting my best fuel economy) to get you optimum fuel mileage and take it real easy when accelerating and get 20 mpg, while someone else can take that exact same vehicle and drive at 130km/h and drive it hard and get 25+ mpg. They dont actually get that, but it makes them feel good to tell you they do.

GOOD POST.

Hey Saskfarmer... what part of Saskatchewan are you in?

pm26 · January 14, 2008

I keep hearing about these trucks getting 20 mpg but I have not yet seen one do it. Of course conservative highway speeds and with just the right conditions, 20 mpg might not be out of the question... just not often.

That's just it - the reported mileage of 20 MPG is not the average for the entire gas tank - I would find that impossible given the weight, size, and bad aerodynamics of these vehicles. Rather, one may see 20 MPG on a long straight stretch when driving on a highway at 70 MPH with no A/C and no load in the bed - then the mileage gets down to momentary 5 MPG when you get on it hard from a standing start.

It is amazing that the highest mileage is always reported by those who use the lowest octane and cheapest gas they can find. And they have 1500 lbs in the truck bed as well. What crock.

d3athsong · January 14, 2008

Southwest. For a reference point, nearest city is medicine hat, alberta

Zembonez · January 14, 2008

I keep hearing about these trucks getting 20 mpg but I have not yet seen one do it. Of course conservative highway speeds and with just the right conditions, 20 mpg might not be out of the question... just not often.

That's just it - the reported mileage of 20 MPG is not the average for the entire gas tank - I would find that impossible given the weight, size, and bad aerodynamics of these vehicles. Rather, one may see 20 MPG on a long straght stretch when driving ont he highway at 70 MPH with no A/C and no load - then the mileage gets down to momentary 5 MPG when you get on it hard from a standing start.

It is amazing that the highest mileage is always reported by those who use the lowest octane and cheapest gas they can find.

DIC on my truck says 16.6 since the truck was new - average. I'm not too unhappy about that.

Zembonez · January 14, 2008

Southwest. For a reference point, nearest city is medicine hat, alberta

AH... Maple Creek area maybe? I'd call that RR for rather rural!

Thanks

pchrist · January 14, 2008

Last two tanks have been like 10.4 on the DIC. I tend to get on it too much!!! I took a 500 mile trip to michigan and only got like 15 out of mine. Any good ideas to get better would be great. I know keeping my foot out of it would be the best place to start.

Kaptain · January 14, 2008

A buddy of mine who has an Avalanch gets over 17 on his DIC. He told me I will not get anything over 15 till my engine is broke in; around 8,000 miles...

I dont know how much truth there is to that.

14mpg just sucks, it leads me to believe that there is somthing wrong with it.

Zembonez · January 14, 2008

14mpg just sucks, it leads me to believe that there is somthing wrong with it.

Breakin will help it some. Unfortunately I think it is just normal for the truck in mixed use driving... but that is just my opinion.

asilverblazer · January 14, 2008

From what I have read in here, most people with 3.73 gears are getting between 14 and 16. All highway should net you 16 I would imagine. I work around a bunch of guys that have them and 15 seems to be an average for the people here. I keep hearing about these trucks getting 20 mpg but I have not yet seen one do it. Of course conservative highway speeds and with just the right conditions, 20 mpg might not be out of the question... just not often.

The new Tahoe and Suburban twins are getting this much and more. My dad gets a real world 18 out of his Suburban but it is most all highway.

DITTO.