Wade Quick

My Silverado 1500, short bed regular cab, 4.3L V6 WT model has an estimated 14-20 mpg rating. Actually, it is rated for less mpg than most of the V8 engines. It is the RPM issue. When loaded down, or climbing the smaller engine will rev higher and use more cubic feet of fuel per minute on average than the V8. The V6 does claim to be able to get 24 mpg in sustained highway driving. And I like this engine.

So far, after 3060 miles, my combined mpg is around 17.5, which is about par and the highway mpg is 21.4. I have only been able to get one long drive out of the truck and I admit to being a little heavy on the pedal. I have hopes that keeping the V6 under 2000 rpm, and on the flats it will sustain 60 mph at 1600 rpm or so with the 4 speed automatic and stock rear end gearing, I will get 24 mpg or better, no hurry.

Now at 4265 miles; I bought a used Vista camper shell off of a silver 2011 regular cab short bed Silverado. I got 23.5 MPG down from Lake Mead National Recreation Area to Palm Desert, CA on my most recent trip. The shell helps streamline the truck but keeping the rpm down around 1500-1800 is the key. The V6, 4 speed automatic still runs the truck down the road between 60-70 mph in that rpm range.

tlm550

I have a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.3L V6 4-spd automatic.

The window sticker said 14 mpg / 19 mpg on this particular truck.
I now have about 5200 miles on it.

My truck gets less than 10 MPG driving around town, usually 7 to 9.
And the max I've ever seen on the highway was 14, but usually it only gets 11 to 13.

The dealer says nothing is wrong.

Chevrolet Customer Service

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Environmental conditions and driving habits have a direct correlation with fuel economy. The number listed on the sticker are an average, they may vary person to person.

To help improve fuel economy, please check: Gas Mileage Tips

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me privately.

Louis
GM Customer Service

tlm550

I believe a lot of the problem is the shifting of the transmission and the cruise control. The cruise can't maintain the speed within even 10 miles per hour. That isn't a misunderstanding or a typo... driving at 65 MPH and the speed will drop to below 55 and will increase to just about 75 while traveling an Interstate highway... that is with some hills, some fairly steep ones, but every previous vehicle of mine never deviated from the set speed more than 1 MPH or 2 MPH over or under the desired speed on this exact same route. Even on nearly flat ground, the truck constantly shifts with cruise control in use. Actually, my current 2008 Mustang V6 doesn't deviate at all, not that is noticeable at all anyway, but it is a manual transmission. All my automatics, of any make, have deviated more than this mustang's cruise - it is the only manual transmission with cruise that I have ever driven.

Even worse than the gas mileage on this 2011 Silverado is the seat. After about 30 minutes on the highway, my back starts to hurt. It feels like I'm sitting with a bar running across the middle of my back. The lumbar adjustment just won't adjust out... I do not have any history of back problems so it isn't me. The seat does adjust (manually) but it becomes painful to the point where I have to pull over and take a break. This is why my truck of 18 months has only 5200 miles. The seat isn't broken, I just think maybe something is assembled improperly in the range of this adjustment. Since it isn't "broken" my dealer says nothing is wrong.