I've been averaging about 18.5 with my 2001 Sierra with a 4.3/auto/2wd/SB, mostly around town driving. Is that good, bad or about average for a full size truck with a little motor?
TennMan
Sounds like I'm not doing so good. Even though your truck is newer and probably has a more advanced fuel control system, I would think it being a 4x4 would make it a lot heavier.Contra said:
I looked at posting here but saw it was for the 4.3. Unless you did a lot to your motor to pull the 5th wheel??DrPepper said:
I know, you really got to watch the forum title.
2013 Silverado LT CC 1500 Z71 5.3 4WD 3:42's all stock
Just did a manual calculation on the 6.0: 12MPG even.
That's actually an improvement over the 10.5 prior to replacing the intake manifold gaskets.
Pushing 10-ply 33x10.5 tires, 12 MPG not so bad.
That's actually an improvement over the 10.5 prior to replacing the intake manifold gaskets.
Pushing 10-ply 33x10.5 tires, 12 MPG not so bad.
Maybe your title should have been more specific if you wanted V6 fuel economy for a 2001....
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do ... s&id=16970
Your economy sound about right though. The V6 is a bit small for a full size truck and has to rev higher to keep up which is less efficient. When I was looking at trucks initially...I considered the V6 but when I saw the mpg numbers compared to the V8...there was not much difference and when you consider what the capability of the V8 is for hauling and towing and resale value...made my choice.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do ... s&id=16970
Your economy sound about right though. The V6 is a bit small for a full size truck and has to rev higher to keep up which is less efficient. When I was looking at trucks initially...I considered the V6 but when I saw the mpg numbers compared to the V8...there was not much difference and when you consider what the capability of the V8 is for hauling and towing and resale value...made my choice.
13.5mpg here but I don't think that has much bearing on what your getting in a nbs 2wd v6 truck 
For the life of me I cannot understand why individuals buy trucks and then are "over the top" concerned about gas mileage. It's one thing if your gas mileage all of a sudden takes a "turn for the worst," if there is something mechanically or specifically wrong, when in comparison to other like vehicles, but there are so many factors that affect gas mileage. Keep your truck in tip top shape for the best possible mileage; but over the years and odometer reading your mileage is more likely than not to degrade.
In my 2015 5.3, with a Lew Tune, but no other engine mods, using only branded 87 octane gas, I get a consistent 18.2 average; and that's towing a 16' cargo trailer at least 50 miles 2X a week.
On the other hand, my '71 Cheyenne 350 short bed gets a consistent 11-12, no matter how I drive it, or what I may happen to tow with it. Age of the truck and engine? Probably. But it doesn't bother me.
It's a truck. It's 4000 pounds or so. If you want gas mileage buy a Chevy Spark.
In my 2015 5.3, with a Lew Tune, but no other engine mods, using only branded 87 octane gas, I get a consistent 18.2 average; and that's towing a 16' cargo trailer at least 50 miles 2X a week.
On the other hand, my '71 Cheyenne 350 short bed gets a consistent 11-12, no matter how I drive it, or what I may happen to tow with it. Age of the truck and engine? Probably. But it doesn't bother me.
It's a truck. It's 4000 pounds or so. If you want gas mileage buy a Chevy Spark.
I think it is pretty obvious the guy wanted info about gas mileage on an older V6 truck since he posted in the Vortec 4.3 section...
You're right about the title. I just assumed that posting in the 4.3 V6 forum would get the response I was looking for. I agree that I should have been more specific. I find the input from members with other engines interesting too.nealinator said:
From what I see in the info you linked to it looks like my mileage is in the ballpark. It has a 3.42 rear gear. I don't know if that is standard or not for a V6. I think the V8 would be a better choice but since this V6 truck sort of just fell in my lap for little money I'm happy with it. I still have a few bugs to work out so the mileage might improve a little. Lack of power isn't a problem but it would be nice if the mileage was a little better. Only towing I do is short distances with a small boat or a utility trailer.
I agree...and yet nobody that gave mileage numbers of their trucks has a V6 so far. People have a tendency to just quickly read the title and go with it. At least it is a new thread and not one from 2011.SierraHarley said:
I just used the fuel economy website to compare my 2001 V6 Sierra with my '99 S10 V6 Blazer and the Sierra beats the Blazer in fuel mileage by a couple of miles per gallon. The big truck isn't too bad after all. I think if I babied the Sierra I could squeeze a couple more MPGs out of it but I can't see me doing that for long.
Driving easier and slower is a huge factor. I normally am going with the flow here in TX and speeds are pretty quick. Burning fuel like mad. This am I was early so I slowed down a good bit for the entire trip and immediately saw my average mpg going up.
I'd say your doing good to above average with that fuel milage.
My 95 4.3 rcsb auto 4wd would get 16mpg seemingly all the time. Didnt really matter if it was around town or highway. Only time it would drop was if it was a lot of stop and go type driving. Also had 3.73 gears though so that will change things quite a bit compared to if it had 3.08 or 3.23 gears.
My 95 4.3 rcsb auto 4wd would get 16mpg seemingly all the time. Didnt really matter if it was around town or highway. Only time it would drop was if it was a lot of stop and go type driving. Also had 3.73 gears though so that will change things quite a bit compared to if it had 3.08 or 3.23 gears.
At lot of that is because most people just look at the active topics without consideration to which forum the thread was started in. I've made the mistake quiet a few times myself. If the active topics were gone and instead everyone had to go specifically into each forum that they were interested in then that wouldn't happen. I really don't think it's that big of a deal, although, I can see how it could be frustrating for a thread creator that is only interested in feedback from owners of specific trucks or equipment.nealinator said:
I always view "new posts" vs the "active topics" so that all threads are displayed. Active topics leaves out tailgate talk stuff.
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Thank you all for your input about gas mileage. I'm not so concerned about getting great gas mileage. I'm retired and don't do that much driving. I just was wanting to know if my truck was in the ballpark of what is considered normal for an old truck like mine with a 4.3 V6. I didn't mind having people with trucks that have other engines jumping in at all. I enjoyed hearing what everybody had to say.
Well... I dive like an old man. I do speed limit and never accelerate hard.
I do have larger tires on it but I go easy on the accelerator.
I do have larger tires on it but I go easy on the accelerator.
Well your friend is probably correct as am I.shakenfake said:
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Interesting, his is an 01 though I would figure that he has worse than your newer truck just from age over time. Also he is a friend I posted where a bunch of stuff is falling off his truck like his oil pan and he is just leaking so I think there is probably something in the engine too :lol:Contra said:
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