Better Mpg?

nattieman00 · February 12, 2008

I have a 2006 GMC Sierra Z-71 V-8 5.3, with a normal K&N filter, and Cat back dual flowmaster exhaust. I have herd about chips, Bull dog, and other crap online. I want to know what is proven to work from real people not websites supporting their product. I am more looking for MPG than burning the rubber off my $200 tires, but I don't want it to run like a rice burner when I tow my boat. Am I asking too much out of a chip? Thanks for your help!!!

Zembonez · February 12, 2008

I have a 2006 GMC Sierra Z-71 V-8 5.3, with a normal K&N filter, and Cat back dual flowmaster exhaust. I have herd about chips, Bull dog, and other crap online. I want to know what is proven to work from real people not websites supporting their product. I am more looking for MPG than burning the rubber off my $200 tires, but I don't want it to run like a rice burner when I tow my boat. Am I asking too much out of a chip? Thanks for your help!!!

If you are getting 13-15 MPG, you are getting what most everybody else gets. There isn't any magic fix for better fuel economy on these trucks. Go search this site and you'll see many many many threads asking how to maximize fuel economy. The end result is they get what they get.

cambo · February 13, 2008

Sell your truck.

Thats about the most you can do.

2000DV4.8 · February 13, 2008

You can get a custom tune, that is supposed to help fuel economy, but not more than 1-2 mpg. Other than that, there's not a whole lot you can do, except just keep your foot out of it, but that's no fun.

nattieman00 · February 13, 2008

You can get a custom tune, that is supposed to help fuel economy, but not more than 1-2 mpg. Other than that, there's not a whole lot you can do, except just keep your foot out of it, but that's no fun.

What type of custom tune is best? Have you done one to a similar motor and seen results?

omegafiler · February 13, 2008

norsemanberg · February 13, 2008

now thats the way to do it!

mljenkins · February 13, 2008

If you are getting 13-15 MPG, you are getting what most everybody else gets. There isn't any magic fix for better fuel economy on these trucks. Go search this site and you'll see many many many threads asking how to maximize fuel economy. The end result is they get what they get.

My '06 Silverado 5.3 w/ 4.10s gets between 15 and 17 depending on how much is interstate versus rural roads. 13 sounds pretty low to me. Everyone keeps telling me to get a beater to drive to work, but I figure someone has to support the oil industry so it might as well be me. Seriously we take my wife's HHR when we don't need the truck and we are together. Her tank is twice as small as my truck and can go the same distance because it gets twice the gas miledge. I would love to see the day a truck gets 30 mpgs, but by that time gas will be outrageous and cars will be getting 50 mpg.

mcascio · February 13, 2008

I have a 2006 GMC Sierra Z-71 V-8 5.3, with a normal K&N filter, and Cat back dual flowmaster exhaust. I have herd about chips, Bull dog, and other crap online. I want to know what is proven to work from real people not websites supporting their product. I am more looking for MPG than burning the rubber off my $200 tires, but I don't want it to run like a rice burner when I tow my boat. Am I asking too much out of a chip? Thanks for your help!!!

Tonneau Cover manufacturers claim you'll get a 5-12% improvement in gas milage. I averaged about 15.5 MPG in my last 2006 GMC Sierra that had a tonneau cover. I'm still on my first tank of gas on my new 2008 Sierra Denali. I'm getting close to almost hitting 13 mpg avg. I'm hoping I can get almost the same with this 6.2L 403 hp as I wear in the engine.

Otherwise, this might be the best way to improve gas milage. Now if I could just find five or six willing friends with the same mission.

conrad1995 · February 13, 2008

NOW that is a picture worth a thousand words!!

Wingnut · February 13, 2008

Tune will get you 1-2 mpg.

Tonneau will help at faster speeds...I don't see them helping around town though...It's just added weight. I'm sure other people will say I'm wrong on that though.

The ONLY thing that's going to significantly help your MPG is driving like a grandma. Keep it below 2000 rpms when accelerating and below 65 on the highway.

GatorFan · February 13, 2008

I didn't know it was that easy!

Seriously, everyone on here that has a tune or uses a programmer might find themselves gaining 1-2 MPG but I guarantee it is unnoticable because most of us leave black marks every where and only smile as we pull into a gas station to fill up with gas just to do it all over again. At least that is what I do. If you are really that worried about mileage, drive like the little old ladies that piss me off when they enter an interstate, then try merging with traffic at 55 miles per hour! Face it, gaining more HP MIGHT net you some MPG but you won't care once you feel that new HP as you acclerate Of course that is just my $.02.

VMax2007 · February 13, 2008

Seriously, everyone on here that has a tune or uses a programmer might find themselves gaining 1-2 MPG but I guarantee it is unnoticable because most of us leave black marks every where and only smile as we pull into a gas station to fill up with gas just to do it all over again. At least that is what I do. If you are really that worried about mileage, drive like the little old ladies that piss me off when they enter an interstate, then try merging with traffic at 55 miles per hour! Face it, gaining more HP MIGHT net you some MPG but you won't care once you feel that new HP as you acclerate Of course that is just my $.02.

Your $0.02 is worth a million dollars in this case. I agree 100% Well said!!!

anealysr · February 27, 2008

Well ya'll may not care about gas mileage but I do and that is why I ordered the max energy that I will get tomorrow I need that extra gas mileage. I drive about 600 miles a week and anything will help, I've already done the exhaust and intake plus the Royal Purple and it made the biggest difference. But I want more. Started at 13.2 mpg went to 14.2 with the exhaust and intake then the Royal Purple I went to 16.1 now I want more, if the programmer gets me 1 to 2 I'm good but the more the better.

ATMINF · February 28, 2008

I would also say change all the non-synthetic fluids to synthetic and that will help also. I am talking about the trans, rear dif, transfer case, and of course engine. Its also good to hear that I am not the only one getting 16+ on the Hwy. On alot of other posts I don't know if people think I am BSing or not, because I am getting 12-14 in the city and 16-17 on the Hwy and I drive 70-85, mostly around 75mph on the hwy, and most people are saying they only get 14 on the Hwy(this is for my 2006 2wd 2500HD). I got all synthetic in my truck(I am also lucky because GM put Synthetic stuff in the rear dif and trannys now), and then I also have a Muffler, PCM Tune(mild performance) and also a Soft-Bed cover.

I would also say if you truck is more than 5 years old you might also want to look at changing out the O2 sensors. They have a huge impact on fuel consumption. Good Luck.