03 Chevy Gas Milage

cacmk5 · 07-01-2009, 06:02 AM

Hello -
I wanted to know if there are any steps I can take the improve the gas mileage on a 03 Chevy Crew Cab? It's a 6.0 V-8 with a 4' lift and 33s. yes, they are properly inflated. I have replaced the air intake with a K&N air intake system. I have also been using a fuel additive to help with this. I know there isn't too much to increase but may there is something else I can try. Thanks

bradrhale · 07-01-2009, 06:57 AM

the 6.0 is not the best engine to have if you are looking to gain mpg. 33s are not alot bigger than what stick is for your truck but depending on all you do with your truck, the gearing might be the wrong setup. bigger tires means decreased mechanical advantage. bigger gears will help overcome this especially in stop and go traffic. driving habits are a big thing for mileage. if you are accustomed to doing 75 to work such as myself, back off to 70 and you will see a bit of a differance overall.

cacmk5 · 07-01-2009, 08:37 AM

Brad -
Thanks for the quick info. I used to run it off-road until the gas went up. These days I am a bit more conservative in my excursions. The 6.0 is a big motor and I knew that it was going to be a challenge to squeak a few more mpg's out of it. I love and wouldn't get rid of it. Gonna have to take it from me. thanks

merlin5577 · 07-01-2009, 09:59 AM

Assuming its in a correct state of repair and tune, the best way to increase fuel economy is to slow down. Sorry about the bad news but volumetric efficency can only be increased so much.

bradrhale · 07-01-2009, 10:19 AM

you might try a tune to squek a bit more out of the engine. this gets kinda pricey and the time frame in which you would be saving gas might not offset the cost of the tune. might find a company that does this and ask them what they think.

cacmk5 · 07-01-2009, 02:37 PM

Thanks. I'll check with a few people I know on this. What happen to the days when you could jump in the engine compartment and work on these things yourself without all these computers? ;-)

NCroadracer · 07-01-2009, 06:34 PM

I have the same setup.. with the exception of a Gibson exhaust too.. and i get terrible mileage.. Not much to do about it though. I just accept it for what it is and ride the bike a bit more often than usual.. Cuz the truck aint going nowhere!

gmctrucks · 07-02-2009, 12:29 AM

I say drive slow like me maybe a good wax job or place small tires on it just for street driving.

cacmk5 · 07-02-2009, 08:30 AM

never had street tires on a truck before. that could be different. ;-)

07-01-2009, 06:02 AM	#1
cacmk5 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KS Posts: 48	03 Chevy Gas Milage Hello - I wanted to know if there are any steps I can take the improve the gas mileage on a 03 Chevy Crew Cab? It's a 6.0 V-8 with a 4' lift and 33s. yes, they are properly inflated. I have replaced the air intake with a K&N air intake system. I have also been using a fuel additive to help with this. I know there isn't too much to increase but may there is something else I can try. Thanks

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07-01-2009, 06:57 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	the 6.0 is not the best engine to have if you are looking to gain mpg. 33s are not alot bigger than what stick is for your truck but depending on all you do with your truck, the gearing might be the wrong setup. bigger tires means decreased mechanical advantage. bigger gears will help overcome this especially in stop and go traffic. driving habits are a big thing for mileage. if you are accustomed to doing 75 to work such as myself, back off to 70 and you will see a bit of a differance overall.

07-01-2009, 08:37 AM	#3
cacmk5 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KS Posts: 48	Brad - Thanks for the quick info. I used to run it off-road until the gas went up. These days I am a bit more conservative in my excursions. The 6.0 is a big motor and I knew that it was going to be a challenge to squeak a few more mpg's out of it. I love and wouldn't get rid of it. Gonna have to take it from me. thanks

07-01-2009, 09:59 AM	#4
merlin5577 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 675	Assuming its in a correct state of repair and tune, the best way to increase fuel economy is to slow down. Sorry about the bad news but volumetric efficency can only be increased so much.

07-01-2009, 10:19 AM	#5
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	you might try a tune to squek a bit more out of the engine. this gets kinda pricey and the time frame in which you would be saving gas might not offset the cost of the tune. might find a company that does this and ask them what they think.

07-01-2009, 02:37 PM	#6
cacmk5 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KS Posts: 48	Thanks. I'll check with a few people I know on this. What happen to the days when you could jump in the engine compartment and work on these things yourself without all these computers? ;-)

07-01-2009, 06:34 PM	#7
NCroadracer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 295	I have the same setup.. with the exception of a Gibson exhaust too.. and i get terrible mileage.. Not much to do about it though. I just accept it for what it is and ride the bike a bit more often than usual.. Cuz the truck aint going nowhere!

07-02-2009, 12:29 AM	#8
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 3,945	I say drive slow like me maybe a good wax job or place small tires on it just for street driving.

07-02-2009, 08:30 AM	#9
cacmk5 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KS Posts: 48	never had street tires on a truck before. that could be different. ;-)