what have you done to improve your MPG?

[jplumer]

what modifications have you made to your truck to improve the MPG?

1) what was it?

2) did it work? and how well?

3) how much did it cost?

And please no dumb a$$ anwsers like sold the truck got a car duh we know that works. 

i drive alot for work several jobs sites a day and need a truck for that i have a car for when im not working.

so that being said.....your thoughts please

[Big L]

And please no dumb a$$ answers like sold the truck got a car duh we know that works. 
/quote]
You opened your self for this one?
I pray for a Tail wind.
Yes it works, very well if your traveling in the right direction.
Prayer doesn't cost a thing.











No but seriously I did the CAI, Free flowing exhaust.  It may have helped a little bit about 1.5-2 MPG more than what I was getting.

[grnxnam]

keeping it below 2K rpm's and under 70 mph, I was able to get 21.9 mpg.  only mods at the time was a CAI, 20" wheels, lowered and FM40 exhaust

[ygmn]

drive slow...

[txyank1]

Only mod is to driving style. No more jack-rabbit starts and fewer kick-downs.

[chAVey]

As everyone has said, driving style will give you more MPG than bolt-ons.  Drive conservatively, slower starts, ease into braking.  Drafting behind semi's works great.  I usually stay 2-3 feet car lengths back.

[Maxxveers]

Keep your engine tuned up. Incorrect fuel ratio, bad spark plugs and incorrect spark timing can have a big effect on gas mileage. 

Don't use your air conditioner (A/C) unless you really need it. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause more resistance to travel.

Avoid stop and go traffic by taking alternative routes or less congested travel times.

Use a good engine oil, preferably a synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

Reduce the weight in your vehicle as much as possible. (Good excuse to get the mother-in-law out of the car....)

Use your cruise control whenever possible.

Keeping your highway speed at 55 mph can improve you gas mileage by as much as 25%, compared to 75 mph. (Yeah, I know--this one's tough for us too)

Avoid trying to increase speed while climbing a hill, your engine is already working hard trying to overcome gravity.

Keep your windows closed when possible. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage compared to using the A/C.

Remove accessories, such as luggage rack, etc. that lower the aerodynamics of your vehicle.

[FlaBouy]

Installed my supercharger (stock 6 psi)...

I went from 12.5 -13 mpg to 18-19 Hiway... when I kept my foot out of it....

That was before the real mod bug bit... now I am back down to 15-16 hiway.... 9.5 city.... uphill or downhill....

[chAVey]

Don't use your air conditioner (A/C) unless you really need it. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

Keep your windows closed when possible. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage compared to using the A/C.

You saw Mythbusters too?  Yep, AC on with windows closed is better than AC off with windows down.  By like 5%!

Otherwise all good advice.

[CaptDeth]

Use your cruise control whenever possible.  

This I find interesting cause I can get WAY better MPG by NOT using cruise in my 05

[WILDFIRE]

slow and steady on the highway, haven't found anything that helps around town yet

[ajk2000]

I tried switching to royal purple but my gas milage went down..    But it seems like i got better response.. and power...    I know probably in my head...

[VB-02]

  I am with you there I tried Z Max in the gas & oil the AV seamed to have better response but I wonder if it was just me wanting to see that my self. 

[RENORCR]

Change air filters every six months. If dusty environment more often. Stay on top of maintenance.
My BFG LT 285-75/16 increased air pressure to 60 psi.
Choose different routes or timeframe for errands. Doesn't work for work driving.
I find that around 2000 rpm. The mileage is best.
The less weight one has to carry around, the better. If you have an on-road service/tow.
You can remove the spare tire. It's about 70 lbs.

[jplumer]

ok the point of this thread was to get away from people telling me its my driving and what actually works maintnance wise....

i drive 100 km/h on the highway 60 mph
light on the gas and im only getting 600km (375miles) out of a tank of 115 liters (30 gals) and thats all highway driving not one minute in town on a long trip.

only mod i have is 3" bl and 33" tires........now before you guys jump all over me i expect to take a hit for the tires......but it seems something isnt right

its an 02 with 115000km (70000 miles)

just changed over to synthetic.....might do the MAF thing, tires are at 38 psi, dont use ac its canada so its cold right now 30f or so.

even tried using 3rd gear on the highway for a whole tank, someone on here said they tried it and got 22mpg.......didnt work for me


so again responces like max"s is what im looking for,

[ygmn]

3" body lift does great harm as it increases frontal cross section... and causes more wind resistance which in turn requires more HP which means lower mpg...especially as speed increases as wind resistance is exponential increases with speed.

375 on a tank is about normal for me and my 2002 doing 75-80 mph

Reduce tire width too..

[FlaBouy]

ok the point of this thread was to get away from people telling me its my driving and what actually works maintnance wise....

i drive 100 km/h on the highway 60 mph
light on the gas and im only getting 600km (375miles) out of a tank of 115 liters (30 gals) and thats all highway driving not one minute in town on a long trip.

only mod i have is 3" bl and 33" tires........now before you guys jump all over me i expect to take a hit for the tires......but it seems something isnt right

its an 02 with 115000km (70000 miles)

just changed over to synthetic.....might do the MAF thing, tires are at 38 psi, dont use ac its canada so its cold right now 30f or so.

even tried using 3rd gear on the highway for a whole tank, someone on here said they tried it and got 22mpg.......didnt work for me


so again responces like max"s is what im looking for,

So I guess you just blew off my supercharger suggestion......   

[jimbo53188]

So I guess you just blew off my supercharger suggestion......   

and here i thought you'd suggest only running on seven cylinders!

[AZalanche]

Buy a motorcycle. Works for me. Ride my bike half the year @ 40mpg. Drive the Avy half the year @ 16mpg. Getting 28mpg all year long. 

[RENORCR]

i drive 100 km/h on the highway 60 mph
light on the gas and im only getting 600km (375miles) out of a tank of 115 liters (30 gals) and thats all highway driving not one minute in town on a long trip.

only mod i have is 3" bl and 33" tires

its an 02 with 115000km (70000 miles)

tires are at 38 psi

Highway? You should get about 17. If all hwy driving. That's on level roads.
3" BL, increased frontal drag.
What brand, size tires? I sure you can go higher on psi. Less resistance.

[FlaBouy]

and here i thought you'd suggest only running on seven cylinders!

actually that decreased my mpg.... but greatly improved my weekly outflow of cash since it is parked....   

[BlueDevil]

I never keep track of my MPG.  To this day i still dont know the average.  I drive 2 miles to work M-F and fill up once a month.

My AV is blown,so when i get nasty,thats a diff story and still dont know the MPG average

[Big L]

So according to Blue Devil and FlaBouy the story I should tell my wife is if I go to a Supercharger/Turbo the brick will get better gas mileage.   I'm going to try it on my birthday

[FlaBouy]

So according to Blue Devil and FlaBouy the story I should tell my wife is if I go to a Supercharger/Turbo the brick will get better gas mileage.   I'm going to try it on my birthday

Only if you wanna be honest with her.... Or you could do like I did and tell her your off to get a tune up....

All kidding aside, I know it is counter intuite, but a blower is one of the most efficient things you will ever do to help mileage in regards to airflow on these bricks... there are other things that enhance that like a custom tune, but beyond adding a DC assist motor to the drivetrain, it is one of the few ways to drastically improve mileage and efficiencies. All the other crap that been suggested in this thread other than easing up on the right foot is just minimal gains. I can take everything thats been suggested in this thread and put on one truck, and have a tuner do a custom tune on another truck, and compare the gains... the custom tune will win out every single time.  It will give twice the gains in fuel efficiency (usually 3-5 mpg) and add an additional 25-30 HP. Thats been proven time and time again with hard data. 

[txyank1]

Only if you wanna be honest with her.... Or you could do like I did and tell her your off to get a tune up....

All kidding aside, I know it is counter intuite, but a blower is one of the most efficient things you will ever do to help mileage in regards to airflow on these bricks... there are other things that enhance that like a custom tune, but beyond adding a DC assist motor to the drivetrain, it is one of the few ways to drastically improve mileage and efficiencies. All the other crap that been suggested in this thread other than easing up on the right foot is just minimal gains. I can take everything thats been suggested in this thread and put on one truck, and have a tuner do a custom tune on another truck, and compare the gains... the custom tune will win out every single time.  It will give twice the gains in fuel efficiency (usually 3-5 mpg) and add an additional 25-30 HP. Thats been proven time and time again with hard data. 

And if the government had their way those mods improvements would be illegal. Go figure.

[Old No.7 Avalanche]

Custom tune , exhaust,and cold air intake many more to come.

[sponger]

Finally hit $100 for a fill-up in So-Cal... sorry to say, i'm now taking the wifeys ride to work every other day... ohh the conspiracy.

[MooseAlanche]

Has anyone tried the Fitch Fuel Catalyst? If so could you post your results?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=AVP%2DF3824&N=700+401348+4294908216+4294771838+4294892651+115&autoview=sku

[k15goose]

im looking for any info on the fitch fuel catalyst also.  anyone??  bueller?  bueller?

[07AvySS]

I actually am looking to the Hybrid conversion.
My friend has it on his 04 F150 and LOVES it!!

FuelFromH2O

If you're in FL, here's a link for the model from the Tampa distributor
Series 14a Dual Brick Unit
The guy emailed me back quickly and said this was the recommended unit for the 5.3L V8 trucks, and also the additional pump would be highly recommended as well.
He charges $400 to install everything, but said if you're mechanically inclinded, it can be done in your driveway in a few hours.

Watch the movie clips, well worth it. My friend has been running it for almost a year now, and says it's paid for itself several times already.

[Silver31581]

Is your speedo corrected for the 33's?  if not, that will throw everything off.  You may be driving faster and farther than you think...

[07AvySS]

I am running 305/45/22's on mine...according to my Nav system, at 45 on speedo, I'm doing 47 on nav, at 60 on my speedo, I'm doing 64, and at 70 on speedo, I'm doing 76mph.

How accurate are nav systems when it comes to real time speed?

How can I correct my speedo?

[jma152]

I am running 305/45/22's on mine...according to my Nav system, at 45 on speedo, I'm doing 47 on nav, at 60 on my speedo, I'm doing 64, and at 70 on speedo, I'm doing 76mph.

How accurate are nav systems when it comes to real time speed?

How can I correct my speedo?


I have stock size tires and a nav system and it is very accurate to the speedo. To correct the speedo i would use a hypertech programmer or superlift makes a speedo calibration unit and I have read somewhere on here that the dealer can do it not sure about the last one though.

[MYBLACKONE]

and have a tuner do a custom tune on another truck, and compare the gains... the custom tune will win out every single time.  It will give twice the gains in fuel efficiency (usually 3-5 mpg) and add an additional 25-30 HP. Thats been proven time and time again with hard data. 




What is done on a custom tune that helps so much and how much should it cost?

[Tanner]

A "tune" is when you have your truck's computer reprogrammed to adapt to your modifications, such as air intake, exhaust, wheels/tires, etc.

You can get a handheld tuner, and do the simple things yourself. Usually they are limited to modifying the shift points, rev limiter, shift firmess, octane, tire size, and top speed limiter. I have the Hypertech Power Programmer 3.. which from what I hear is one of the older, more basic options.

A "Custom tune" is when you have a professional tune your truck specifically to your modifications. You don't really need to have this done unless you have more major mods like air intake, exhaust/headers, cams, superchargers/turbos, etc..

[07HrlyHlr]

Why did my gas mileage go right down the tube when I put my CAI on???  I have never had this happen with any of my vehicles until this one!!!

 

[CLowery]

Keep your highway speed consistent/around the limit/couple of mph slower.  I'm getting ready to switch to a K&N Air filter, they supposedly help in the MPG Category.   Plus, I don't stomp the pedal through the floor from a stop.

CL

[cciexpress]

Besides good maintenance (ie tune up, tire pressure, etc)

Amsoil in front & rear differential (about .1 mpg)
Amsoil in engine and tranny (about .2 mpg)
Amsoil high flow, low restriction air filter (about .1mpg)
Diablo Predator, $365, (about 1.4 mpg)

Around 18.2 mpg @ 70mph

[Alaska_AV.]

I get 40 mph now!

I replaced everything till I had a prius....

[ygmn]

I get 40 mpG now!

I replaced everything till I had a prius....

Now thats funny!

[Alaska_AV.]

Have you ever fallowed a prius.... I stand by my statement!  40 mpH @40 mpg... lol

[moosc]

 instead of driving this year im flying its cheaper..

[krazykyle]

I haven't done it in my avy yet (just bought it) but in my 99 chevy 1500 z71 i had a gear vendors over under unit with the switch wired to the tow/haul button on the column shifter. basically a gear vendors over/under while not cheap turns the 4l60e / 4l80 / 700r4 into an 8 speed by adding an extra overdrive to all 4 forward gears. http://gearvendors.com/ for more detailed info but on my truck it bumped mpg up from 14 city 17 hwy to an awesome 21 city 26 hwy with only a kn filter and superchips flashpac tuner.

basically the gear vendors unit replaces the transmission extension housing and you have a driveshaft or machine shop shoten and balance your drive shaft to fit it somes with all the wiring and other parts, i had a tranny shop do mine and get it wired to my tow/haul button for more control

I will be doing the same thing in my avy along with elec fans, cold air, elec water pump, full exhaust, custom tune, plug wires, asp pulleys, and new thermostat and let ya'll know what i end up but if my old k1500 was any indication i should be able to get into the 20 mpg range hwy 

[krazykyle]

i have had my gear vendors over/under unit on now for 1500 miles (i drive 2 hours every round trip for work, and every weekend drive 5 hours round trip to richmond, va) and my mpg is up from about 15 mpg average to 21 mpg average. I have not added my dual elec fans or water pump yet and haven't had time to get a custom tune either so 6+ mpg with one $3500k installed upgrade is great 

[Orin_Walker]

Driving style... if you want to conserve fuel and get a higher mpg, ease off the gas. Stay under 2000 rpm and treat the truck like the spoiled baby it is! I've done multiple 400 mile trips and I've gotten 22mpg out of it consistently. And this is with a 2004 Z66 2 wheel.

If you're gonna drive with your foot to the floor, be prepared to cough up the dough.

And as it was said in another post, if you're gonna drive an Avy, don't complain about the fuel milage. 

[a.avalanche_z66]

ok the point of this thread was to get away from people telling me its my driving and what actually works maintnance wise....

i drive 100 km/h on the highway 60 mph
light on the gas and im only getting 600km (375miles) out of a tank of 115 liters (30 gals) and thats all highway driving not one minute in town on a long trip.

only mod i have is 3" bl and 33" tires........now before you guys jump all over me i expect to take a hit for the tires......but it seems something isnt right

its an 02 with 115000km (70000 miles)


Does your truck have a lift?  If so, how much of a lift do you have?  Normally lifts on a truck make it less aerodynamic.  So.. my only suggestion would be to lift the truck higher, so that the tires are not covered by the truck. (if this makes sense to you???)    I have a 2006 2wd, and i get 22mpg on the freeway.  thats using cruise control, otherwise, if driving spiratically, i get a range b/t 17-20 overall.  I get 500-550 per tank. hope this helps.
just changed over to synthetic.....might do the MAF thing, tires are at 38 psi, dont use ac its canada so its cold right now 30f or so.

even tried using 3rd gear on the highway for a whole tank, someone on here said they tried it and got 22mpg.......didnt work for me


so again responces like max"s is what im looking for,

[pantera327]

You saw Mythbusters too?  Yep, AC on with windows closed is better than AC off with windows down.  By like 5%!

Otherwise all good advice.

I myself don't agree with the whole mythbuster approach.  Maybe if you are driving highway speeds with only the driver's window down, but remember we have a removable 4 windows and a rear window that can pop out.  I always get better MPG's with all windows down no matter what the distance or speed.

[badinc1]

I have E3 sparkplugs, Royal Purple in the front and rearends, in the engine and transmission, the GM Autotrac in the transfercase, K&N Series 77 cold air intake, stock tires and suspension, empty cargo and cab, and I can only get 11 to 13 MPG driving around town like a grandpa.
I rarely travel on the highway.
I don't consider that very good mileage for what I have done to my 2002 5.3 litre powered Chevy Avalanche Z-71.
Bob.

[thomsen05]

K&N FIPK,  that's it!!!!!! and my mileage in town driving is horrible. Freeway driving it gets about 17 mpg. I also read in the forums where people were using the tow haul mode to increase their mileage. The only thing it did for me was decrease my mileage. Heavy foot?  oh yeah!

[zo6man1]

OK I'm confused how does the tow haul mode give you better mileage or what is the theory behind it I thought that you would get worse due to it controlling the transmission to help give you more power while pulling stuff. I don't know I guess I don't know how the tow haul mode works exactly I guess that would be a better question. Also does it matter what axle you have I got the GU6 on my Z71 and right now I'm getting about 13.5 on highway and city but it has been steadily increasing hopefully an AEM will help out the same with my last truck.  both with power and MPG.

[Trey]

Leave the wife at home.

[avalonandl]

OK I'm confused how does the tow haul mode give you better mileage or what is the theory behind it I thought that you would get worse due to it controlling the transmission to help give you more power while pulling stuff. I don't know I guess I don't know how the tow haul mode works exactly I guess that would be a better question. Also does it matter what axle you have I got the GU6 on my Z71 and right now I'm getting about 13.5 on highway and city but it has been steadily increasing hopefully an AEM will help out the same with my last truck.  both with power and MPG.

tow haul keeps the transmission in a lower gear longer for more power and the transmission will not "hunt" between gears as much. It does NOT increase HP.

Avalon

[Wazbro]

OK I'm confused how does the tow haul mode give you better mileage or what is the theory behind it I thought that you would get worse due to it controlling the transmission to help give you more power while pulling stuff. I don't know I guess I don't know how the tow haul mode works exactly I guess that would be a better question. Also does it matter what axle you have I got the GU6 on my Z71 and right now I'm getting about 13.5 on highway and city but it has been steadily increasing hopefully an AEM will help out the same with my last truck.  both with power and MPG.

The part about tow/haul helping mileage was only for 07+ with Active Fuel Management, the idea is that it helps the AV stay in 4cyl mode more. Without AFM tow/haul will hurt mileage when not towing.

[zo6man1]

ok cool makes sense thats what I figured that it would have done. 

[JVZL1]

Love the truck, power,    ‘O’ MPG’s the wife drives.

[mtnman4x4]

Check around at the dyno shops. They usually know a guy who wil custom tune your computer. I got it done for $75. Took an hr and a half. And he reprogrammed almost everything. Fuel/air mixture, Trans shifts and pressure, timing, ect.... Truck doesn't bog when i first get on it and have more power and better fuel mileage. 10x better than my hypertech.

[Trey]

Check around at the dyno shops. They usually know a guy who wil custom tune your computer. I got it done for $75. Took an hr and a half. And he reprogrammed almost everything. Fuel/air mixture, Trans shifts and pressure, timing, ect.... Truck doesn't bog when i first get on it and have more power and better fuel mileage. 10x better than my hypertech.

Wouldn't such a guy have to have a programmer that will then get locked to your truck?  Or do they have some sort of trick to tune your truck and then turn around and tune another truck with the same equipment?

[mtnman4x4]

He has a laptop program that he plugs into your computer and downloads a new program to the truck. I still love it. Plus I got my money back selling the hypertech on Craigslist

[Ovis Canis]

Any body know someone in the Fort Worth area that they trust to do a custom right?  Sounds like this is the way to go. One time cost for the rest of its life.

[kheath39]

stopped driving it

[arharris]

All my vehicles use AMS Oil , I get 22 highway with my Avalanche