mcastleberg

Hi, I'm new to this forum and was hoping I could find some expertise here. I've got a '00 Silverado 5300 and I'm looking for ways I can improve my gas mileage. Right now I'm getting around 15-16 with mostly highway driving. I'm considering a high-flow air filter such as K&N or Fram Air Hog. Also, would a cold-air intake help? I've seen some K&N's for about $250. Any ideas? Thanks.

RATMAN

IVE TRIED AIR BOX, EXHAUST, THROTTLE BODY SPACERS, AND COMPUTER CHIPS. I DID IMPROVE POWER SOME BUT AT THE MOST I MAY HAVE PICKED UP 1 MPG. I EVEN DROVE 400 MILES ON THE HWY WITH MY TAIL GATE DOWN AND ACTUALLY GOT WORSE MILEAGE. GO FIGURE.<IMG src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0">

bill

you should buy some carberators and air intakes becasue they help greatly.

RATMAN

THESE TRUCKS USE FUEL INJECTION. CARBURATION IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION.<IMG src=smileys/smiley11.gif border="0">

BWEST

a cold air intake may increase it up to a couple mpg. and to complement it a dual exhaust flowmaster system will help.

jimbo310

A few suggestions. First use synthetic oil. I have a 2000 Silverado 5.3 V8 and noticed about a 1 mpg improvement. I use Mobil 1 10W30 Extended formula. The synthetic oil lowers internal engine friction and more than pays for itself. It is the cheapest oil you can use all things considered and your engine will last forever. Second, increase the air pressure in your tires. The manual calls for 36 psi. Inflate to 40 psi. I've done that for years and find that the truck rides smoother and feels like it is rolling rather than dragging and tire wear is nice and even. OEM tires can take up to 44 psi and LT tires(load C)can take 50 psi, but check your tires to see the max...some Michelin P series tires recommend no more than 36 psi. Use a new air filter...and the high capacity A/C Delco or Fram are fine. There is little or nothing to be gained by using a KN or AirHog according to real testing...and if used improperly these filters can foul up your air intake sytem with too much oil causing dirt to adhere to the passage ways. Third, get your alignment checked...make sure it is set properly...and note that for a Silverado not to pull to the right, the settings need to be somewhat asymetrical...the Chevy dealers know about this as well as any other astute alignment facility..an everyday alignment will not be satifactory. Use a can of BG44K Fuel Conditioner put in about 15 gallons of gas and do this about every ten thousand miles. This is the best product on the market and cleans out the fuel injectors, cleans the values and combustion chambers of dirt. The results have been document by using fiberoptic visualization before and after....an excellent product. Keep the tailgate up! Tests show that gas mileage is worse with the tailgate down that up. It you want to lessen aerodynamic drag, get a complete tailgate coveror cap. A friend has one of those retractable ones and loves it and claims that it improved his mileage on a Dodge about 2 mpg. Keeping windows closed lessens air drag...use the vents. Less aggressive tread design tires give better gas mileage...less rolling resistance...and keep your speed under 65 MPH will help as well. My usual mileage is 19-20 all around driving...and 20-22 on the highway. Happy motoring. Jimbo.

boosted5.3

a friend used all royal purple lubricants in his truck(trans case -transmission-engine-rear end) and he dyno tested 23 more foot pounds of torque wich translates to better fuel economy. i think he siad he gets 2-3 more mpg

BinkysDad

Ratman,
You have to drive with your tailgate up, not down. You actually create more drag with the gate down.

Mike

golfer

Cold air intakes don't improve MPG they'll help with increasing HP.
When you increase HP you actually use more fuel ... the laws of physics.

kruck88

Yes drive with your tailgate up!! It drives me crazy to see people with it down! You are driving a truck, you aren't going to get good millage. The best advice for you is to not try to win every race from every stop. Be light on the gas, if you get to a hill try to keep from letting the truck downshift. RPM's mean more fuel, keep it below 1800 rpms and I will almost garuntee you will pick up 2 or 3 mpg!