twofoot

So I am only getting 16.4mpg on my new-to-me Hybrid Silverado 1500. This cannot be normal! I checked all the systems and even added a K&N filter, but it had little effect other than giving me a smoother power band. Suggestions? Is it time for a visit to the dealer? It has the 5.3L Vortec with approx. 26k miles.

Thanks

Chris

ukrkoz

what exactly did you expect? the non-hybrid brethren is rated for 14 city, so your mileage is already better. also, it's a LARGE engine and it takes LONG time to break in and get better mileage. somewhere around 70-90K miles, so keep driving. switch to synth oil, HALO plugs, drive humanely, and don't do no stupid mods to it. low rolling resistance tires will help also. my 2000 5.3L vortec is living proof to this - 17.5/22.

also, you did not know EPA "estimated" mpg is bs? i don't think they finally implemented the "new criteria" for ratings, and those are supposed to lower EPA guesstimates by some 20%, so do your math. you are about right on mpg, don't ruin your liver by going to dealership and trying to reason with them.

twofoot

To be honest, I was hoping for at least 20-24mpg given the reputation of the other (yes smaller) Hybrids out there. I know it is a TRUCK, but I thought it would use battery power more often to conserve fuel. My driving is a mix of city/highway/back roads every day. The only other mod I had considered was *maybe* a Magnaflow type exhaust to help it breath a little better. The K&N filter did make the power band smoother, so that was a plus...

C.

ukrkoz

well, how can you expect something to have better mpg than it's rated for? it's rated for 19, you'll probably have it by 80K. one thing you should have thought of is not "hope for" mileage, but how EXPENSIVE hybrid vehicles are in repairs. and to buy to start with.on average, 30% more comparing to a regular powertrain. and GM ain't no toyota or honda to trust their complex designs. conventional trucks suck badly as they are, least to speak of a hybrid. you could have well maintained year or 2 old conventional truck off craigslist, for fraction of its new cost, and the difference in $$ would have kept your tank filled for many yrs to come. just do your math, how many yrs you have to drive that hybrid to offset 3mpg difference.
well, have no doubt, yours will run forever with no trouble.
if you want my personal opinion, and i am not asked for it, here's a simple ratio known to every power modder: more oxygen=more gas=more power. that's how gas engines work.so, whatever puts significantly more O2 through the system will LOWER your mpg, not raise it up. of course, there will be 5 posts right away saying that "i had this and this installed and my mileage went up" and i'll politely ask for documented proof - and they will never have it. it's always "feels like it" or "i think it was". and i drove for year and half with daily mileage log and mpg scanner connected to OBD2 port, so i know what i'm talking about. whatever boosts your POWER, lowers your mpg, period. can't beat physics and O2 sensor.
then again, who listens to me anyway.....

bad2006z71

a gas motor is usually "broken in" by 20k at the most. 80+k is on desiel motors not gas. anyways id say 16.4 is decent in city. my 06 reg 5.3 only got 14.5

ukrkoz

i guess, my truck is diesel(no, it's not) as mpg is going up almost every month now. and i have 86K on ticker. must be real tight engine. matter of fact, had same on my honda cr-v. mpg reached promised 25mpg right after 70K.