Decent Gas Mileage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Zilverado* · 09-09-2004, 01:50 PM

So I took a drive out to the country on the weekend and again last night. Mostly highway driving (approx 105km/h (65mph)) with a little city thrown in. Fueled up last night and calculated the consumption...

22 mpg - Canadian gallons
18 mpg - US gallons

Yes Canadian gallons (and our footballs) are indeed bigger

I was hoping to see slightly better numbers, since I have gotten them in the past. But considering the old girl hasn't had a tune-up in a while and just keeps driving, I'm pleased.

Oh BTW, I love my TH400 and 3.07 rearend

I may not be quick, but I'll get there cheaper...

Hey, I think I need to add that to my sig.

Tom · 09-09-2004, 03:10 PM

Still not sure how its possable... my vortec 350/ 2004R/ 3.07 rear wont go past 16mpg no matter what...

*Zilverado* · 09-09-2004, 03:38 PM

I'm guessing it may be the 305 I'm running. In OD, at highway speed, it runs at around 1650 rpm. Can't use too much fuel at that speed I guess.

cliffsta · 09-09-2004, 04:30 PM

no, cause my 305 struggles to get much above 13 or so, usually im lucky to get 11. However, i mostly drive in town, i average 35 to 40 MPH, so that might be why my MPG isn't so hot.

*Zilverado* · 09-09-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffsta

no, cause my 305 struggles to get much above 13 or so, usually im lucky to get 11. However, i mostly drive in town, i average 35 to 40 MPH, so that might be why my MPG isn't so hot.

I definitely agree with the in-town driving thing. I know my mileage is considerably less impressive when I stay in town. I'll have to check it the next time I fill - assuming it will be mostly local driving. 'Til then, I'll enjoy the better mileage numbers

Russell · 09-09-2004, 05:01 PM

Doesn't your truck have a 700r4? I'm running a TH400, 350, and 3.73 rear and at my very best I get maybe 13 mpg...

*Zilverado* · 09-10-2004, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Doesn't your truck have a 700r4? I'm running a TH400, 350, and 3.73 rear and at my very best I get maybe 13 mpg...

OOPS! Yah, that was a mistake - - it is a 700r4

I realize that the mileage has alot to do with the type of driving and the terrain. Here on the prairies (flaaaaaat), with no wind, things drive pretty easy. I guess that's one advantage to having a less than exciting horizon.

Greenlee · 09-09-2004, 05:29 PM

18 m.p.g. sounds pretty darn good to me for one of these old trucks. I have a 350 / 700R4 combo. I'm not sure about the gears except that I know they are high. The previous owner installed a new or rebuilt rear end, but he couldn't remeber exactly what the gear ratio was. First he told me they were two ninety-somethings and then he said they may be 3.07. In any event, I have been calculating my miles per gallon every time I fill up and I seem to consistently be getting 14 m.p.g. with mixed city and freeway driving. What seems strange to me is that I seem to get 14 m.p.g. whether I get on it alot or take it easy. I haven't had a chance to test it on the highway yet, but I am hoping to get 16 m.p.g. or better. According to some of the other guys on this board, you get better milage with the 700r4 if you have a bit lower gears. When I first got the truck I was having some carb problems and was getting 12 m.p.g.

I have a friend with a 2003 4X4 1/2 ton Dodge with the hemi engine and he says he gets about 12 m.p.g., so I don't think the gas milage with these old trucks is too bad.

kevinr1970 · 09-09-2004, 08:40 PM

Too scared to try to figure what either the '79 suburban or the '81 Jimmy get, but my '98 3/4T Crew (Vortec 350/460LE/no idea what gears) gets just over 15 consistently on the freeway and my '86 diesel gets mid 19 on the freeway.

cliffsta · 09-09-2004, 10:17 PM

i threw some gas in ol red this afternoon cause ive been on fumes past 2 days, but i didn't have enough $$$ to fill er up, so im not sure of mileage on this last tank of all in town driving. So i figure in about 2 weeks (or probably less) ill fill er all the way up and start a good mileage sequence again.

SanitysBane · 09-09-2004, 10:32 PM

i get around 12 in my truck with the 454/700R4/3.88 ford 9. im happy, i don't drive it much, so i can go a month or so on 20 gallons

Bill W · 09-09-2004, 11:24 PM

my 91 1/2 ton, 4x4 suburban with 3.73, 700R4 gets 16 on the highway. Just checked it going to and from LA last month. I'm very happy with it compared to newer rigs that are smaller and don't get that good.

Bill

Devil'S Ride · 09-09-2004, 11:42 PM

hmmn...I was excited, cause over the weekend, I pulled two quads an a ton of camping gear out to the hotsprings near here....an I made it 220 miles on 24 gallons of fuel. Made me happy. normally Im lucky to get 8.5 mpg. but i didnt build the beast to get mileage....and there is something to be said for havin 500 some odd ponies on tap just for the h3ll of it.

71-longbed · 09-10-2004, 03:40 AM

i got 16 mpg with mine on the highway .... theres lots of small factors that come into play ... inaccurate speedo, over filled gas tank, terrian.... im not sure what i get around town .. probaly 11 or 12....

Slonaker · 09-10-2004, 11:09 AM

I get 11 mpg out of my 305/TH350 whether I am in town or on the highway. The glove compartment sticker says I have 3.08 gears.

Slonaker

09-09-2004, 01:50 PM	#1
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	Decent Gas Mileage So I took a drive out to the country on the weekend and again last night. Mostly highway driving (approx 105km/h (65mph)) with a little city thrown in. Fueled up last night and calculated the consumption... 22 mpg - Canadian gallons 18 mpg - US gallons Yes Canadian gallons (and our footballs) are indeed bigger I was hoping to see slightly better numbers, since I have gotten them in the past. But considering the old girl hasn't had a tune-up in a while and just keeps driving, I'm pleased. Oh BTW, I love my TH400 and 3.07 rearend I may not be quick, but I'll get there cheaper... Hey, I think I need to add that to my sig. Last edited by Zilverado; 09-09-2004 at 01:54 PM.

09-09-2004, 03:10 PM	#2
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	Still not sure how its possable... my vortec 350/ 2004R/ 3.07 rear wont go past 16mpg no matter what... __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

09-09-2004, 04:30 PM	#4
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	no, cause my 305 struggles to get much above 13 or so, usually im lucky to get 11. However, i mostly drive in town, i average 35 to 40 MPH, so that might be why my MPG isn't so hot. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

09-09-2004, 05:01 PM	#6
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Doesn't your truck have a 700r4? I'm running a TH400, 350, and 3.73 rear and at my very best I get maybe 13 mpg... __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

09-09-2004, 08:40 PM	#9
kevinr1970 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,316	Too scared to try to figure what either the '79 suburban or the '81 Jimmy get, but my '98 3/4T Crew (Vortec 350/460LE/no idea what gears) gets just over 15 consistently on the freeway and my '86 diesel gets mid 19 on the freeway. __________________ 2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold)

09-09-2004, 03:38 PM	#3
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	I'm guessing it may be the 305 I'm running. In OD, at highway speed, it runs at around 1650 rpm. Can't use too much fuel at that speed I guess.

09-09-2004, 05:29 PM	#8
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	18 m.p.g. sounds pretty darn good to me for one of these old trucks. I have a 350 / 700R4 combo. I'm not sure about the gears except that I know they are high. The previous owner installed a new or rebuilt rear end, but he couldn't remeber exactly what the gear ratio was. First he told me they were two ninety-somethings and then he said they may be 3.07. In any event, I have been calculating my miles per gallon every time I fill up and I seem to consistently be getting 14 m.p.g. with mixed city and freeway driving. What seems strange to me is that I seem to get 14 m.p.g. whether I get on it alot or take it easy. I haven't had a chance to test it on the highway yet, but I am hoping to get 16 m.p.g. or better. According to some of the other guys on this board, you get better milage with the 700r4 if you have a bit lower gears. When I first got the truck I was having some carb problems and was getting 12 m.p.g. I have a friend with a 2003 4X4 1/2 ton Dodge with the hemi engine and he says he gets about 12 m.p.g., so I don't think the gas milage with these old trucks is too bad.

09-09-2004, 10:17 PM	#10
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	i threw some gas in ol red this afternoon cause ive been on fumes past 2 days, but i didn't have enough $$$ to fill er up, so im not sure of mileage on this last tank of all in town driving. So i figure in about 2 weeks (or probably less) ill fill er all the way up and start a good mileage sequence again. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

09-09-2004, 10:32 PM	#11
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	i get around 12 in my truck with the 454/700R4/3.88 ford 9. im happy, i don't drive it much, so i can go a month or so on 20 gallons __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

09-09-2004, 11:24 PM	#12
Bill W Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 229	my 91 1/2 ton, 4x4 suburban with 3.73, 700R4 gets 16 on the highway. Just checked it going to and from LA last month. I'm very happy with it compared to newer rigs that are smaller and don't get that good. Bill

09-09-2004, 11:42 PM	#13
Devil'S Ride Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Grants PassOregon Posts: 335	hmmn...I was excited, cause over the weekend, I pulled two quads an a ton of camping gear out to the hotsprings near here....an I made it 220 miles on 24 gallons of fuel. Made me happy. normally Im lucky to get 8.5 mpg. but i didnt build the beast to get mileage....and there is something to be said for havin 500 some odd ponies on tap just for the h3ll of it. __________________ The Devil 1983 ONE TON 454/400/208 11" of lift on 44's

09-10-2004, 03:40 AM	#14
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	i got 16 mpg with mine on the highway .... theres lots of small factors that come into play ... inaccurate speedo, over filled gas tank, terrian.... im not sure what i get around town .. probaly 11 or 12.... __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

09-10-2004, 11:09 AM	#15
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	I get 11 mpg out of my 305/TH350 whether I am in town or on the highway. The glove compartment sticker says I have 3.08 gears. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

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