Let's Compare Fuel Mileage

lvlagnum · March 30, 2009

Hello everyone.

Three months ago I traded in my old truck for a new one.

The old truck was 2003 Chev Silverado K1500 Extended Cab Z-71 5.3 4spd with I think 3.72 gears and completely stock. The mileage I was getting on that truck with 58,000KM on it was 12.4 L/100KM (19.0 MPG US) pure highway and 17.0 L/100KM (13.9 MPG US) pure city.

My new truck is a 2009 GMC Sierra K1500 Crew Cab Z-71 5.3 AFM Flex Fuel 6spd with 3.42 gears and completely stock. The mileage I'm getting on this truck is 10.0 L/100KM (23.5 MPG US) pure highway and 15.0 L/100KM (15.7 MPG US) pure city.

The 2003 Silverado didn't have a DIC so I was using the "fill before you leave and refill when you get there" method. The 2009 Sierra has a DIC so I used that for my mileage readings and have yet to confirm by the "fill before you leave and refill when you get there" method.

Keep in mind that with fuel prices as high as they are up here in Canada. I have learned to become a much more conservative driver. I used to cruise the highways (freeways) at 120 KPH and have now slowed down to 100 KPH (62 MPH). I have changed my city driving as well. My foot is a lot lighter than it used to be. I know for a fact that just slowing down from 120 KPH to 100 KPH saves me 20% in fuel.

I'm not sure if the variations in the gasoline blends we have up here makes much of a difference or not. We have the same octane ratings as you (I use 87 octane) but the ethanol content can range from 0-15% depending on where you buy it with 15% being the norm.

I know I've been a wee bit long winded and included a lot of information but I hope that you folks with similar trucks to mine will compare DICs (NO, not that one!) and see what mileage numbers you come up with.

Cheers, lvlagnum.

Zembonez · March 30, 2009

Mine just says 16.5 average since new over 12700 miles. Never have reset it.

07 GMT900 RCSB 4.8

VMax2007 · March 30, 2009

Mine laughs at me, so I leave it off.

omegafiler · March 30, 2009

Hmm... 12's... probably? Eh, who cares. 403hp. 'nuff said.

Heck, I only got 18's with the "economical" V6 Direct Injection CTS with about 60/40 city/hwy.

lvlagnum · March 30, 2009

Zembonez.

Why is it every time I see your avatar and read your posts, I hear "Crusty The Clown's" voice? lol

VMax2007.

A point well taken. Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it is better not to know.

omegafiler.

I've never driven a GMT-800 or GMT-900 with the 4.8 engine in it but I have a friend who pulled a horse trailer with one and he seemed to like it.

I find my Veteran's license plates help my mileage. When other drivers see my "Poppy Plates", they just naturaly think some old fart is driving and go around me without too much fuss. I can poke along as slow as I want and no one so much as honks. lol

VMax2007 · March 30, 2009

VMax2007.
A point well taken. Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it is better not to know.

Life is WAY too short to worry about a few MPGs in a gas guzzling truck. If you really need to feel better, do some simple math and you'll likely see just how minimal a few MPGs make in your annual fuel costs.

I say.....Just drive it and enjoy it.

lvlagnum · March 31, 2009

VMax2007.

Regular 87 octane gasoline is selling for about $2.62USD a US gallon up here and I'm laid off right now. My tank is getting a bit low. Can I borrow your credit card? lol

Seriously though, no offense meant but I don't think you friends down in the US are aware of just how much fuel costs up here in Canada. For the past several weeks, gas has been $0.86CDN a liter or $2.62USD a US gallon. A week ago, I was able to fill up at $0.77CDN a liter or $2.34USD a US gallon and I thought I had won the lottery.

Cheers, lvlagnum.

rinker · April 1, 2009

1st tank ,new truck

15.89mpg imp/gal

17.78L/100kms

all city drivin & all smiles with the 6.2L 403hp on tap

lovin the truck , still in honeymoon stage ,

I`ve only had it a week .

$0.96/Litre here

dont care, after the raping we had last summer on fuel prices, this is cheap .

pwall · April 1, 2009

Welcome!

17l/100k isn't that bad, especially for city.

weymard · April 1, 2009

0,96 $ liter !! I am jealous ! here in France 1,49 $ octane 95 !

J-man67 · April 1, 2009

I get bad mileage! I knew that before I bought the truck and I knew it would get worse when I modified it, so its expected. I don't even look at it to be honest.

Loopedout · April 1, 2009

My DIC says 15.6 avg, over about 4500 miles. I calculate the mileage after every fill-up and dic was very accurate until I got bigger tires. With the bigger tires mpg has gone down to 14mpg, but odometer is off by about 7% to 10%. Truck is 4.8L with 3.73.

My 200 gmt800 got about 16.5mpg. It was also a 4.8L but had the 3.42 gears. I drive mellow.

The 5.3 with the AFM does get you a couple extra mpg over the 4.8. My bro's got a 'hoe with the 5.3 and 3.42, and gets 21mpg hwy. DIC says 17.5 overall.

rinker · April 2, 2009

0,96 $ liter !! I am jealous ! here in France 1,49 $ octane 95 !

we were payin close to that last summer ,I believe.

I know I paid $1.56 L for fuel "on the water " for the boat ,

but its all for fun & smiles for family & friends ,

I just hand over the plastic to the gas attendent & dont look at what I am signing

& most importent is to make sure i have a smile on my face .

BTW fuel tank on boat is 158L

So $82 to fill the truck is FA

Does the DIC give instant mpgs? while you drive ?

(Im at work & wont get to see Mynali for another week )

I never got to play with DIC much (so wrong )but WTF I think its funny .

Zembonez · April 2, 2009

You guys better not get too comfy with today's gas prices. The low price is temporary. Even the taxes on gas will be higher by summer's end. Mark my words!

b00001 · April 2, 2009

My DIC has been off when compared to normal mileage calculations at fill up. DIC reads 19.3, when I calculate the mileage it is 18.6. (been similar readings on all 3 tanks so far). 2009 5.3 LTZ 3.42, 20'' wheels. NO Z71, NO 4wd. At 1200 miles so far. That is 90% hwy.