Fuel Mileage 5.3l W/6spd Auto In Nbs

[lilnotts]

Looking at getting a new truck with the 5.3L, 6 speed auto and 3.42 gears. The 3.42 seems like it should get good fuel mileage but doesn't sound the best for towing. Does the 6 speed auto trans make up for the gearing change while towing? Also looking for some real world mileage numbers and not some "estimated" numbers on the dealer sticker, see what kind of economy they get. Could you also like what tire and size you are running as well.

[C & A s Dad]

I cannot help you a great deal on the MPG on a 2009 but can tell you the 3.42s are certainly not the first choice for towing. What are you planning to tow? A 30' 6,000 lb camper would mean one thing while a 4,500 lb boat would require much less.

 

If you are looking to tow a larger camper, you really need to look at 4.10 gears. I have 4.10s in my 02 Yuk XL and would not trade the for anything, especially when the camper is hooked up. I get 10 to 11 MPG when towing and around 18 when I am not.

 

Gears and MPG have a lot to do with how you drive. My truck is mostly used in town and on some rural roads at speeds of 65 or less. For this reason, I feel the 4.10s help my MPG. However, if driven above 70 to 75, the MPG begins to suffer and some taller gears would help it at higher speeds.

 

 

If driving 75 + much of the time and doing moderate towing, 3.73s are what you want.

 

If driving 70 or less much of the time and doing some heavy towing, 4.10s are what you need.

[cerbomark]

with only 1000 miles and 17 in stock wheels I m getting average 15-19 around rural town . That s now with warmer weather too. I m sure winter will not be as good. Ive seen 20 on 65 MPH and below short trips. Maybe after breakin it will improve too. 6 spd/ 3;42s. Plenty of low end pull with this combo. You can also put the tran s in M and hold whatever gears you want with a flip of your thumb

[b00001]

The fuel mileage on these trucks is not that great, big surprise. I do On Road Sales, and am constantly on the interstates. I thought I would be able to achieve the 20mpg hwy. Nope! I have had the DIC read close to 20 through a tank of gas, but then when you figure it by dividing miles traveled by gals put in tank, the DIC is ALWAYS WRONG! Usually about 1 mpg. So be aware of what numbers are being quoted out there and take them with this, as well as other errors in mind. If you drive slow, like 60-65 obviously you will be closer to the EPA hwy mileage. If ya do that here in Tx, you get run slap over. HA!

[Stevens03]

6-speed and 3.42's is close to having a 4-speed and 3.73's so towing wise you should be ok depending on weight. The trucks have a tow rating,... just fall within the tow rating and you'll do fine.

 

I think mileage depends on driving habits and road conditions. If your driving on all flat land, you'll get closer to the 20 mark or a hair over... if you live in a mildly hilly area, then you'll be in the 15-18 mark I think.

 

Good luck

[lilnotts]

i live in a mainly flat area, usually driving 60ish mph to work. I work probably mainly only pull 3000lb trailer plus the bed loaded up but occasionally it may be about 5000-6000lb loaded enclosed snowmobile trailer. I thought I found a site the other night that had a comparision of the new 6spd wit the old 4spd and it seems the first few gears are much lower in the 6 speed to make up for the 3.42 rear end.

[Stevens03]

Yep

[ocean4200]

I think 5.3L 6spd doesn't exist yet in 2009 for a truck... I had to order a 4spd because 6spd wasn't available.

[smattei14]

I cannot help you a great deal on the MPG on a 2009 but can tell you the 3.42s are certainly not the first choice for towing. What are you planning to tow? A 30' 6,000 lb camper would mean one thing while a 4,500 lb boat would require much less.

 

If you are looking to tow a larger camper, you really need to look at 4.10 gears. I have 4.10s in my 02 Yuk XL and would not trade the for anything, especially when the camper is hooked up. I get 10 to 11 MPG when towing and around 18 when I am not.

 

Gears and MPG have a lot to do with how you drive. My truck is mostly used in town and on some rural roads at speeds of 65 or less. For this reason, I feel the 4.10s help my MPG. However, if driven above 70 to 75, the MPG begins to suffer and some taller gears would help it at higher speeds.

 

 

If driving 75 + much of the time and doing moderate towing, 3.73s are what you want.

 

If driving 70 or less much of the time and doing some heavy towing, 4.10s are what you need.

 

 

+1

 

3.73 rear would be good...and the 4.10 would be better...dep on your towing load.

 

but remember them..the 4 speed tranny is better then the 6 speed for towing...

 

the 6 speed is better for gas MPG's around town...but for towing...the 4 speed is better...

[Hydrasports205]

I think 5.3L 6spd doesn't exist yet in 2009 for a truck... I had to order a 4spd because 6spd wasn't available.

It depends what truck you're looking at...

 

My '09 CC w/ 5.3/6spd is getting around 15mpg in town and about 20mpg hwy. That's with approximately 1400miles and 275/55/20's on it. It pulls my 21' boat much better than my '96 Tahoe w/5.7L, but I use the "M" mode.

[svensk]

I cannot help you a great deal on the MPG on a 2009 but can tell you the 3.42s are certainly not the first choice for towing. What are you planning to tow? A 30' 6,000 lb camper would mean one thing while a 4,500 lb boat would require much less.

 

If you are looking to tow a larger camper, you really need to look at 4.10 gears. I have 4.10s in my 02 Yuk XL and would not trade the for anything, especially when the camper is hooked up. I get 10 to 11 MPG when towing and around 18 when I am not.

 

Gears and MPG have a lot to do with how you drive. My truck is mostly used in town and on some rural roads at speeds of 65 or less. For this reason, I feel the 4.10s help my MPG. However, if driven above 70 to 75, the MPG begins to suffer and some taller gears would help it at higher speeds.

 

 

If driving 75 + much of the time and doing moderate towing, 3.73s are what you want.

 

If driving 70 or less much of the time and doing some heavy towing, 4.10s are what you need.

 

 

+1

 

3.73 rear would be good...and the 4.10 would be better...dep on your towing load.

 

but remember them..the 4 speed tranny is better then the 6 speed for towing...

 

the 6 speed is better for gas MPG's around town...but for towing...the 4 speed is better...

 

negative. the six speed has much lower 1-4 gearing designed for towing. gears 5&6 are taller to still achieve good economy.

 

1st Gear Ratio 4.027

2nd Gear Ratio 2.364

3rd Gear Ratio 1.532

4th Gear Ratio 1.152

Service Information

5th Gear Ratio 0.852

6th Gear Ratio 0.667

 

A 6speed with only 3.42 gears will net you nearly the same low end grunt as having a 4spd with 4.56's in the rear.

[w00t]

Agreed.

 

But the 4-speed guys have to say that lol.

[Booy501]

I have an 09 5.3 6speed 4x4, 3100 miles so far. 80/20 hwy city. No towing as of yet. So far I'm getting 19+ mpg, being calculated, the DIC reads usually .3 to .5 higher than the calculated mpg. I checked this morning DIC said 20.1 mpg.

[uh6tdrvr]

I dont know if its summer gas or just better gas BUT i usually average between 15.7 and 16.2 (DIC) and with sams gas with no ethonoyl im now between 17.5 and 18.2 most of that is cityish driving, im on the interstate for 10 of the 17 miles to work.

[chevyjb]

i got 4.8 4speed with 3.23 with 950 miles and tow 3700 travel trailer and 0nly get 12.5 mpg